November News

 We had a small 13th birthday party for Phoebe on Friday, November 5th.  She just wanted to invite two friends and Sarah over for a Disney themed sleepover party.

We ate dinner together, the girls painted Disney pictures, decorated cupcakes, played games, and watched a Disney movie.  It was a night full of a lot of laughs.

Phoebe's select choir, the Silverbacks, was asked to join with the other middle school select choir, the Hawk Singers, to perform the National Anthem before the 8th grade basketball game on her birthday.  She went straight from playing in her basketball game to the other gym to sing beautifully with these students!  Way to be involved and a leader, Phoebe!  Keep it up, and P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Below, just a few of Phoebe's basketball fans from her game and singing the night of her birthday....

Later, that night after her game and the singing, she got to open her birthday presents, we ate a quick Taco Bell dinner, and had some birthday dessert.

The next night we went out for dinner at the Rib Crib, (Phoebe's pick) for a more yummy birthday dinner.

Dad had his first cataract surgery on November 9th.  He came and stayed a few days with us.  It went well and he is scheduled to have the second eye surgery done in mid-December.  After Dad's surgery he and I enjoyed some McDonald's hotcakes and sausage.  We both had forgotten how good McDonald's pancakes are.

Also, November 9th, our good dog, Jessee, died.  She was 12 years old.  She had been losing weight and slowing down.  Sarah, Dad, and I found her down outside, and unable to get up.  Sarah and I carried her up to our front porch, then she and I took her to the vet and had to have her put to sleep.  It was just another sad day in our sad weeks/month we'd been having.  Losing a pet who was part of the family is hard though, and this close to losing Mom, was incredibly hard for all of us.  We brought her home and buried her in a nice spot on our land.  She brought a lot of joy to our lives and some funny times.  We got her as a puppy almost exactly 12 years ago at my family's Thanksgiving gathering in Oklahoma.  She had been part of a dumped litter that one of my cousins found out in the country.  She traveled home with us that night on Eric's lap, and loved him from that moment on.  She was a digger and liked to bark at raccoons, opossums, skunks, and coyotes.  If a coyote was on our land and she got it in her sights, the chase would be on.  She never caught one, but gave it many good trys, even chasing two across a frozen pond one winter.  Thunder and fireworks scared her.  She liked to play fetch with a softball, baseball, or stick.  She did not like baths or water and would try her hardest to get away from us when it was bathtime.  She loved it when new hay was put in her doghouse.  She liked our cats and chickens.  She loved our kids and loved her.  Below, are just some of my favorite pictures of our family with Jessee, and Jessee by herself.

Silas was selected to sing the National Anthem at the 3rd and 4th grade Veterans Day concert at his school.  He practiced a lot at home and was well prepared for the performance.  He invited relatives to the concert that he knew would love the songs and be honored for their service to our country.  Three of Silas's guests were part of the US Military, Popee, Uncle Charles, and Uncle Ernie.

He also had a speaking part in the program.

Below, Uncle Charles, Popee, Silas, and Uncle Ernie.

Below, Stacee, Wyonna, Lindsee, Charles, Sarah, Popee, Silas, Judy, and Ernie.

Dad and his traveling partner from the Veterans Honor Flight, Kenden, were in the Veterans parade in Emporia on Veterans Day. 

Phoebe was selected to sing in the area middle school Honor Choir.  They rehearsed all day on a Saturday and they performed several songs for a big audience late that afternoon.  She enjoyed the experience, but was frustrated with a few singing around her, from other choirs, who did not know the music.

Sometimes there just isn't enough pictures of Eric and I... He grumbles when I say we need some pictures together, but it always makes us smile as we pose, argue about posing, get a few butt squeezes in, and maybe a few kisses too.

The chicks are growing and were getting stinky in our house, so at about 8-9 weeks we moved them out to the shop.  In there they had a larger enclosure to move around in and could get use to the cooler weather before we added them to our flock.

Phoebe's basketball team has had a surprisingly good season.  There were only 5-6 girls on this team that had ever played before, and right off one of those girls had a big knee injury, putting her out for the season.  Below, four of the A team starters, all four went to elementary school together beginning in kindergarten.  Look at them now! Left to right, Haylee, Lila, Shawna, and Phoebe.

We got out our Christmas decorations a week before Thanksgiving this year.  I started decorating during the week, and we finished up with the trees the weekend before Thanksgiing.

On Sunday, November 20th I heard about some puppies that were being given away close to our house.  I told Eric about it, and he and I went to take a look.  We told the kids we were going to run and errand so they wouldn't know what we were doing.  When we returned Eric called them all into the kitchen and had me set the puppy down... It went walking into the kitchen to greet them.  They were so surprised and happy!  It's a girl, and we named her Belle.  Her mom was German Shepherd and her dad was Australian Shepherd/Border Collie Mix.  We think she will be a smart dog and great family pet for us.

Even Dad likes her...a little bit.

Silas was laying in the chair with her... The next thing I knew when I looked over, they were both asleep.

She had her first veterinary visit on Tuesday, November 29th.  She was a bit hesitate to walk in the front doors, but once we got in she did great.  She weighed 16.5 pounds and the Vet thinks she may get up to 50 pounds.

On Thanksgiving day we gathered at Dale and Jan's house in Hesston with Hastings family.  We ate a lot of good food, had a small baby shower for Jess, watched some football, and played some games together.  It was nice to be together, but a little weird and sad without Mom there with us.  We sure are missing her.

Natasha and Phoebe partnered up for our big POUNCE game, and they came out the WINNERS!

The next day, Friday, November 23rd, we traveled to Lucien, Oklahoma for the Kienholz family Thanksgiving gathering.  This is my Mom's Moms (Georganna Kienholz Grant) side of the family.  Again, it was nice to gather with family, but so sad to not have Mom there with us.  Below, me with two of my cousins Jamelyn and Mendi.

Below, Georganna Kienholz Grant's living relatives, present - Silas, Ernie (Georganna's son, my Mom's brother), Stacee, Judy, Sarah, Paul, Phoebe, and Eric.

Below, the Kienholz cousins who were present at the gathering - Ernie, Sharon, Glen, Melody, Gayla, David, and Steve.  Ernie's parents were Ernest and Georganna Kienholz Grant.  Glen and Gayla's parents were Eldon and Betty Kienholz.  Sharon and Melody's parents were Clifford and Aliene Kienholz Hise.  Steve and David's parents were Wilbert and Etta Jane Kienholz.