Holiday Weekends

Aren't three day weekends the best? Even though it's summer and everyday is the "weekend" for me, there is just something fun about holiday weekends. Saturday Karson rode in a fun show in Lexington. She did awesome. Took 1st in barrels, 2nd in key-hole and 3rd in flags. She couldn't wait to collect that big ole check...NOT! $14 for all those wins. I was sure that they had forgotten to add a zero to her check. That didn't even cover the entry fee. Oh well, she was happy with her titles and her winnings. Funny how entry fees come out of my pocket and winnings go into hers!
Sunday the girls and I went to church, while Mike stayed home and worked on putting up our new garage doors (that's a whole other blog in itself). That afternoon, the girls and I went to Grandma's and along with Melissa, Jackson and Alexis, we raked her entire yard. I'm not talking a typical yard, I'm talking what seemed like 5 acres. Took forever but we felt good doing it for her and she was so appreciative. She treated us with warm cookies and iced tea when we were all done.
Today the rain was a bummer but it didn't slow us down. We didn't set out for the cemeteries until late but we managed to get it done before the rain returned. Definitely a different feel this year without Grandpa with us but we all did well. His headstone looks so nice. This evening was suppose to be the annual memorial day BBQ at the Neff Ranch but the rain was set in. We decided to get a shelter house at the park. Mike went out early and built a nice big fire in the fireplace. We ate, it rained, we roasted marshmallows, it rained, the kids played on the swings and equipment, it rained some more, we sat by the fire, talked and laughed and it rained and rained some more. As a matter of a fact, it's still raining! But you know what? Didn't ruin our day! Holiday weekends are just the best.

And the winner is....

Yeah!! Our man won. We were so excited when we heard Ryan call Kris's name as the winner. The girls and I were jumping up and down, screaming with delight. We hollered downstairs to report to Mike that Kris had won and he said, "like I couldn't tell". I don't think he understood just how exciting this was. I'm still smiling thinking about it. He's just too cute.

Relaxing Weekend

The Heyings had an unusual weekend, we were home! Wasn't at all how we planned our weekend but that's the way it ended up and it was so nice. Kassidy was suppose to play in a basketball tournament and it got cancelled for lack of teams. Karson was suppose to ride her horse Saturday in Odessa and Sunday in Ashland, both cancelled because of rain. Needless to say, I didn't shed a tear over any of the cancellations.
Spent Saturday finding Kylie's floor. She's officially home for the summer, along with all her belongings and OMG that girl has more stuff. Didn't even shower until around 5 pm and then we headed out to the Allison's for Brittni's graduation party. Nice evening. Chilly, but nice. Kim and I were wondering how 2 young chicks, like ourselves, could have daughters that are now both graduated from high school. Huh?
Today, just hung out. Went to grandma's house late in the afternoon and visited with her. Have I mentioned how much I love that lady? We watched her hummingbirds (remember my fascination with those?), walked to the garden, cut some lettuce, looked at her flowers and somewhat planned our menu for next weekend. As always, an enjoyable visit with her.
Won't bore you any longer with my not so exciting weekend. Hope you had a nice weekend as well.
ps....only one and a half days of work for me! Summer vacation is about to begin!!!! (I know, now you really hate me.)

Reality TV

This is why I can't seem to get anything done at home---reality TV! Anyone watch American Idol last night? Did Kris Allen do an awesome job or what? Kassidy and I already had a plan to vote for Kris and Danny, hoping to get rid of Adam (and his tongue) no matter how well either of them did. We have loved Kris from the very beginning and have been pulling for him all along. Simon made the comment last night that if Adam didn't make it to the finals, it would be a huge upset. I PRAY we see that upset tonight and Kris is in the finals. He deserves it. I did my part. Voted like crazy for him.
Then Dancing With the Stars. Gosh darn it, I loved Ty. He was so NOT a good dancer but you just couldn't help but love him. He made many improvements along the way and I think he did "cowboys" proud. Such a gentlemen. Now who do I want to win? I think the 3 left are all great. I think I will leave this decision up to the rest of America. I just can't pick between them.
With both these shows ending soon, I was beginning to have a little panic attack about what I would have to watch and then what did I see was starting??? The Bachelorette! Great TV never ends.

Mother's Day

My 4 angels on earth. Mike, who made me a mom and Kylie, Karson and Kassidy, the 3 best gifts a girl could ever receive.

Hummingbirds

If you haven't gotten your hummingbird feeders out, do so NOW! Connie told me she put hers out and already had 2. Monday I was at Grandma's and saw one on her front porch. She went right upstairs, got hers and put it out. I made a mental to myself to get mine out the second I got home. Somehow I remembered. Feeder cleaned, red stuff made and poured in, feeder in place right outside my kitchen window. Now..... wait. I swear I didn't even have to wait 10 minutes and there the little fellow was. Eating away. I of course squealed with delight and encouraged everyone to come see. The first time I do this my family at least pretends to be as excited as I am about seeing one. For some silly reason though they get bored with it. Oh not me, every time I see one, ALL summer long, I give out the same squeal of delight and want everyone to come see. Of course they all ignore me. Party poopers. What can I say? Takes so little to amuse me. They just make me smile.
Hope you see your hummingbird soon!

Mint Makers

Grandma's older sister (she would want me to note that), Mabel is turning 90 this month. Way back before Christmas, she announced that she was having a 90th birthday party and SHE (mabel) was planning it.
Well, here it is time for the party and I have quickly learned that Mabel's idea of planning her own party is designating jobs to her 3 siblings to do. Poor grandma. She got put in charge of cups, plates, forks, napkins, nuts, mints, table cloth and centerpiece. We've gradually been working on getting things ready.

cups-check
plates-check
forks-check
napkins-check
nuts-check
table cloth-check
center piece-still working on it

Now mints. Grandma and I decided we would attempt to make them. Never done it before but how hard could it be??? Wednesday night we turned grandma's kitchen into a mint factory. Almost burned up her hand mixer getting the "stuff" to the consistency we wanted it but we were sure we had it perfect. Did we have enough? Doesn't look like much. Hope so. We don't have anymore ingredients. Mint making underway. Such a tiny little ball of "stuff" was needed to press into our five little molds. WAY too much "stuff"! We were going to be there all night.
I'm happy to report that after just ONE hour, grandma and I had whipped out 235 perfect little yellow mints. We were so proud of ourselves. Would have been 237 but we each had to try just one! Let me also say that we were happy to do it and we hope Mabel has a wonderful 90th!

mints-check!