Great Job Kraig

I went to Kraig's basketball game last night in Butler. Kraig made two baskets during the game. His team is improving with every game. I will post pictures later. He has his last game tonight in Auburn and I will be going. The first picture is of Kraig shooting one of the baskets that he made. I was a little late and you can't see the ball, but take my word for it, he made that basket. The next picture is of him dribbling the ball down the court and the last is of the coach and his team. His is seated on the far right.

Chicken Update

Keith got home from Zanesville just before I got home from dominos last night. The chicken was in the coop before I got home. He said he just called "Mildred" and she went in, but I'm not buying it!!

Not a very good chicken catcher

Well, I thought you might all need a laugh today. Picture this......I was all ready to leave for work this morning and thought I better go out and check the chickens and give them fresh water. I had my dress coat on and went to put my snow boots on. One was wet inside, so I put one on and one of Keith's (size 14) boots on. I didn't want to get my feet wet as we have pretty deep snow in the back yard. Well, I went out and opened the door on the coop thinking they were all out in the fenced in area. I should have counted because when I opened the door, out ran a hen. Here I am in two size boots!! Anyway I went and got the net Keith uses to catch them (kinda like a fish landing net) Here I am running around the backyard trying to catch the hen. Without much luck I am afraid to say. I tried for over half an hour. Then I went in and called work to explain why I was late. They said it was a very original excuse!! I went back out and tried again. Then gave up, called Keith and went to work. Maybe she will be hungry and more cooperative when I get home. Wish someone would have been there with a video camera. We could have made $10,000 on Funniest Home Videos!!!

Kraig's basketball game December 3rd

These are pictures from Kraig's basketball game at Garrett, Indiana. I rode over with Kurt's family. In the first picture, Kraig is stealing the ball, in the second, he has the ball (he is #52) and in the last he is guarding his man. The teamwork continues to improve. They won their first three games, but unfortunatley lost this one 33 to 21.

Thursday I had a really sore throat and did not go to work or even get out of bed. Friday I don't work, but only went to town to get Mom some groceries and came back home and really took it easy. Saturday I went with Etta to the Craft Show at the Fairview school and it was the library Christmas Party at the country club. Had a nice time. Keith auctioned off baskets for the United Way at the party and we made almost $600 to donate. Today (Sunday) Keith left at 1:30 to go to the auction site in Zanesville. A five hour drive. I called Kevin and talked to him after I got done wrapping Christmas gifts. Then Kurt and his family came over and I talked them into staying for supper so I didn't have to eat alone. They went home around 7:30 and I called Keith at 9. I think I am ready for bed so I will talk to you all later.

Hen's first egg??

Keith brought this little egg in the other day. We have been getting three eggs almost every day and we have five hens. They have a pale green shell as they are Americana chickens. So one of the other two must have just started laying and this was it's first effort. It is so small only a little bigger than a robin's egg. We had a good laugh about it. Haven't decided how to cook it yet!!

Visit Kevin's & Kraig's Basketball Game

I went to Kevin & Sarah's Friday. We had a busy fun day. When I got there it was around noon, so we went out to eat and then shopping for a Christmas tree. We took the tree home and it was time for Libby to eat, so Sarah fed Libby and Kevin and I went to Target shopping. He had some shopping to do for his family. Then we went home and Sarah got to go shopping by herself. Kevin made carmel corn for a surprise for her while she was gone. Then we ate supper, watched movies and ate carmel corn. In the morning, they decorated their tree. I had a great time. I went home after lunch so that they could have some time together this weekend. Keith and Kurt had tables at the gun show in Fort Wayne this weekend, so we were both spending time with our sons.

Kraig had a basketball game at Butler tonight. They won 26 to 22. It was a good game and I was impressed at how well the team handled the ball. Kraig played most of the game. I am looking forward to the next game. He really hussles out there on the floor.

Kraig got his first deer

Youth season for muzzle loaders for deer started yesterday. Kurt and Kraig came out and went hunting, but no luck even though they saw 16 Kraig couldn't get a good shot and with a muzzle loader you only get one shot. They came back this morning. About 8:20 Keith & I heard a gun shot. In less than 5 minutes, Kraig called and asked me to come out and bring my camera. We walked back to the woods and took some pictures. He had also called Christy and she and the girls were soon here. They had to go check in the deer and I hurried and printed some pictures for them. I had been scrapbooking all weekend and my color ink cartridge wasn't too good. The girls stayed here while they checked in the deer. After they left, Keith & I went to Defiance as we needed a new pressure tank for the well. It would kick in way too often. I also picked up a color cartridge at Office Max. We got back around two and Keith went to work in the basement and I went to work on supper. I printed and 8 x 10 of Kraig and his deer, matted it and framed it before they got here. I think he really liked it. I also printed one for him to take to school and for Kurt's and each of us to take to work tomorrow. We had invited Kurt's for early Thanksgiving. I fixed roast beef, potatoes, onions and carrots, deviled eggs, tossed salad, veggies and dip and jello. We had chocolate ice cream cake for dessert. We had a fun evening and I laughed so hard I cried at some of the stories Kurt & Christy were telling. By the way, the deer was a button buck.

Short Visit With Kevin

Last night we went to see Kevin. He is working in a bank in Angola for a couple days doing some training for them. Keith & I went to his motel and picked him up. Then tried to decide where to eat. Kevin had some coupons for a Mexican place across town but we ended up just down the road from his motel at what used to be the Herb Garden and is now Timbucktoo's. The food was good and the company even better. Then we went to the outlet mall and did a little shopping. Got a few things for Christmas. Keith had bought a pie today at Sauders in Archbold and brought it along. I took some plates and silverware and we went back to Kevin's and had a piece of pie, coffee and some more conversation. We hated to leave, but all had an early day ahead of us. Kevin will be going back home tomorrow afternoon. Before we left home to go, I threw my camera in my purse and planned to get some pictures, but never thought of it again until this morning when I got my car keys out of my purse! So no pictures. Kraig had a basketball game in Albion last night at 5 p.m. but there was no way we could do both. We will make his next game December 1st. I talked to Kurt yesterday and he told me Kraig is the captain of the basketball team. Congratulations Kraig. We are always proud of you!!

Happy Birthday Chloe (8) and Mom (95)

Sunday was my Mother's 95th birghday and my granddaughter, Chloe's, 8th birthday. It was also Christy's parent's 40th wedding anniversary. Busy day. I went to church with my mother. My brothers, Byron and Denny, and my sister, Kay, two of her kids, Pat & Mark were also at church. The whole church sang Happy Birthday to her. After church, I took my Mom to Rita's for lunch. Keith went to his mothers as Linda, Tonnya, Courtney and Alexis were there. I went after lunch. They were just sitting down to lunch and Tom & Mary were there too. I had already eaten, but had a little beef and noodles and some homemade applesauce. Then Keith & I went to Kurt's for cake and ice cream to help Chloe celebrate her birthday. One of the things we got her was a Cloe Bratz doll. I think she liked it. We stopped at the chinese place in Butler on the way home and ate supper. When we got home it was really dark and I said how late is it? It felt like 10 or 11. It was 6!!! We were pooped. I don't like these short days. Go to work in the dark and come home in the dark. Kraig has his first basketball game tonight, but Keith has an auction and I have a Business Women's meeting. We will try to make most of his games. Hope you have good luck tonight at the game Kraig.

Casey in Peter Pan

Keith & I went to the 7th & 8th Grade Choir's Peter Pan at the Eastside Junior & Senior High School. Casey was a lost child. They also had elementary students from Butler & Riverdale in it. In the first picture Casey and her friend from school, Morgan (in the pink) stand in line as everyone exits the auditorium. We took her some flowers from Kurt's & us. Had never heard of them doing that, but Kurt's family went on Thursday night and they weren't prepared as they had never heard of taking flowers either. He asked us to take some and I was glad we did. Then there is a picture of her with each of us. You were not allowed to take any pictures during the play. Rats! Hard for a scrapbooking Grandma. They all did a good job. They had Peter Pan, Wendy etc. hooked up to wires so they could fly. She has another performance tonight. Break a leg, Casey.

A couple of Auction Goodies

Here is a couple pictures of the things I got at Keith's auction Wednesday. They had four semis full of new merchandise from a baby store and also a lighting store (more semi loads). I got the lamp for my bedroom with the money my mother gave me for Christmas already. I also got this glider rocker for my bedroom. It is like sitting on a cloud. So compfy. I am sure you would agree if you come and sit in it! Will post more later when Keith gets some more of the light fixtures installed that we purchased. Can't show you all I got as Christmas is coming!!

Look what my Dad & Mom started!

This is a picture of all of my family that was at the "Early Christmas". My brother Byron had already left and Karen's husband, Bob, took the picture. I think Mom said she counted 45 there. Not all could make it. So believe it or not, there are more of us!! All of my family made it. Can you find them all in the picture?

Kurt's kids went trick or treating at the campground last weekend so they didn't go when Edgerton had their trick or treating Friday. So this is the first year I don't have pictures of them in their costumes. The weekend went too fast!

Libby's First Trip to Grandpa & Grandma Whitmans

Kevin, Sarah and Libby spent the weekend with us last weekend. They got here Friday night just as Kurt, Christy, Kraig, Casey, Chloe and Cayla were getting here. We all had a nice visit and Kurt's family got to meet Libby for the first time. Kurt and Christy went to the Edgerton football game as it was senior's night and Christy's brother, Clayton, is a senior on the team. The kids stayed with us. I made a couple homemade pizzas and a salad for supper. After we ate and I got everything cleaned up, Kurt & Christy came home from the game. They won the 50/50 drawing! We all had a nice visit and went to bed soon after they went home. Saturday Keith had an auction in Montpelier. When we got around in the morning we went over to Keith's auction for a little bit. Then we went back home to feed Libby. Then we went out to the campground so that Kevin & Sarah could see Kurt's camper. Then we went to visit Great Grandma Engler so that she could me Libby and also Great Grandma Whitman. We got back home and started getting ready for Jenna Seaver's (Walker) and her son to come over for supper with us. She and Kevin were in school together and have remained close friends. Her husband is in Iraq. They had a nice visit after supper. Keith was exhausted and took a nap and I went in another room and read some of Nicholas Spark's new book. Sunday I made food for the family dinner in the morning and then we had the Engler Early Christmas Dinner after which Kevin & Sarah had to start home. It was a great weekend in that I spent a lot of time with both my son's familys. I really enjoy my kids and grandkids. Makes life special.

Grandparent's Day at Riverdale School

Keith & I went to Grandparent's Day at Riverdale school today. All four of Kurt's kids are in the same school this year. Next year Kraig will go to Butler Middle school. Keith went with Kraig, Grandpa Tommy went with Casey, Grandma Birdie went with Chloe and I went with Cayla. We colored pictures and her class sang for us. We also went on a scavenger hunt. It was fun. I ate lunch with Cayla and we were able to sit with Grandpa Tommy and Casey. I went out to recess with the girls and Casey and I swung the jump rope for the kids to jump. Cayla made me a refrigerator magnet and Kraig gave us a brag book and sack of goodies. I got a picture of Cayla's class and will make a copy for Grandma Birdie. As you will notice, Kraig is now taller than me. How can that be????

Check out our chickens

Here are pictures of our Americana chickens. We have one rooster and five hens. We also have a white rooster that Kurt gave us but I can't remember the name of its breed. They started laying last week. Americana chickens lay green and blue eggs, but so far we have only gotten green eggs. They are really pretty chickens. Never thought I would say that!

New Landscaping

Well, Keith had an auction of a nursery and he called me when we were leaving Kraig's football game last Saturday and said he needed help loading what he had bought. By the time we got there from Garrett, he had loaded his pick up truck and a flatbed trailer and we still had to go back the next day to get more!!!! Starting at the top is a picture of the bridge over the ponds, the new mound where Keith cut down a very tall pine tree. Some of the things I planted in the mound are a cluster of birch trees, a japanese maple tree, two ornamental grass, lambs ear, jacobs ladder, pink cheddar, two rose bushes, coral bells, primrose, english ivy, murtle, phlox and I am sure there are others. The next picture is of Keith, and both our Moms. We picked them both up after lunch today and brought them out to see what we had planted. We took them on the golf cart to see it all. Then we just sat on the porch for a couple hour visiting and having cookies and coffe (milk for me). Then we took them for a drive to see the color and over to Edon to Jim's Dairy Treat for supper. It was a nice day. Then a couple pictures of ornamental grass we planted on the north end of the house. Then a shot of Keith's shop. We planted a couple trees, english ivy, some flowering bushes, rose bushes, ornamental grass on the side, and Boston ivy, primrose, english ivy and salvia and ornamental grass on the back. There is a picture of the color in our woods taken from the back side of the pond. Then Keith with the tree he cut down and the other three trees that he pruned. We started by pulling out 11 shrubs and cutting down the pine and pruning the others Friday morning. We worked from the time we got up till seven that night. We rented a post hole digger to dig the holes for the trees and large shrubs. Then we started Saturday when we got up till four. Keith went in to clean up as he had to show a house at five. I rode the golf cart around and started counting what we had planted. I stopped when I got to 230!!!!! That is counting all the trees, shrubs, grasses, flowers and ground covers. Forgot to mention the apple trees and lilacs. I am looking forward to spring to see the fruits of our labors. You will have to come over to see all that we have done. We are both pretty tired and sore, but happy with what we accomplished in two days.