6 in the Sticks

A few shots from the holiday season. My mom and brother came up xmas day for a couple of nights, next we celebrated with Jeromy's side on Sunday, and later in the week, my dad and sister came up for a couple of nights. It all happened too fast and realized it when it was already time to get back to school and all the activities. It was fun to spend time with everyone while it lasted though.

"Hey Ashley."

"Huh?"

Funny Charly story. My mom made the little ones jammies and gave them both a coffee cup with hot chocolate and bedtime story books. The cups were wrapped in bubble wrap. So Charly was opening her gift bag. She pulled the tissue paper off of the top and threw it on the floor as her eyes opened wide, and her mouth dropped as she gasped. She pulled out the coffee mug wrapped in bubble wrap, unrolled it and chucked the mug on the floor and smiled with her foot long sheet of bubble wrap. Luckily the mug didn't break. It was so hilarious because we thought she was excited to get her own coffee mug, it was just excitement for bubble wrap.

My dad, Jeromy, Charly, and myself were the bravest to head out ice fishing on a cold, blistery day without an ice house. We brought Jackson's tent and John Deere chair for Charly to use in case it was cold. It was a very good thing we did because the wind and snow were blowing while sleet fell from the sky. Brrrrr.

The shovel helped weigh the tent down so Charly wouldn't blow away. She did good too. She sat quietly while waiting for a fish to bite for about twenty minutes, and then she said the words. " I want to go home now." Meanwhile, daddy was still sticking his tip up on another hole. I think we all felt the same way that day, it was just a matter of who wanted to have fish for dinner that night. Too bad we never caught one.

To pass the time away, Charly warmed up in Grandpa's truck and managed to take a few shots with the camera until we were finished.

Just for the day anyway. Schools in the area are closed due to the temp being so low. We're looking at -47.  After I found out the school closed I've had the song, School's Out For Summer in my head for some reason. After a cup of coffee, it changed to Whistle While You Work as I'm thinking of all the jobs the kids can do while I do my homework. I'll go chip Ashley out of her frozen bed in a minute and put her to work. Maybe time to lay off of the coffee as I can actually hear the whip snap!

Here are some shots from Jackson's first hockey tournament. I don't think I've ever seen him as proud as he was on that day. He and his teammates were a little confused when it comes to knowing which game they won and lost but that's okay. There wasn't a score kept actually and everyone got a metal at the end. They are in the first level where the coaches just get them to enjoy skating and learning moves. It is so cute and hilarious to watch them.

There were three games in two days. Each game the team was separated into two groups. The first group would go out for two minutes, then the second group. Everybody had a turn to play every position. They would keep switching like that until the last four minutes of the game, then all of the players go out and they throw another puck in so they have two pucks. It was a fun time. 

This was the first time Jackson played goalie. He played that position quite a bit that day. I suppose to get him over his concerns for the net. He would turn around and face the net and keep poking it with his stick. He told me after this game he was afraid it would fall on him. Below he is on the far right going after the puck.

Below he is at top left in his ready position.

Below this is the second time he played goalie. He must have forgot to stay in the net because he started to skate after the puck. Coach put him back. Later in the game he was Goalie again and he was busy looking all around at the arena, turned and faced the net to look at the game going on behind him while the players and puck were heading his way. He turned around in the nick of time. So funny.

The team lined up. The announcer said their number and their name and they would skate to the middle to receive their metal from the coach. Below is Jackson getting his metal.

Top row left is Jackson.He is so proud to have a metal. He couldn't wait to show Ashley, and Jessica when she stopped by as well.

You worked hard buddy and we are so proud of you too!

I couldn't find our camera for a few days. Yesterday, it appeared in my purse, I couldn't remember putting it there, I was sure I left it sitting on the kitchen counter. But this has been a hectic week and it's not the only thing I have forgotten about.

I checked it to see if the batteries were still charged enough and found that I had a few shots on there. Little Miss Charly. She cracks us up.

Here are some of the Charly shots.

My favorite is the picture of our fish in the tank, Marlon. He'll open his mouth wide every once in a while like he's stretching his jaw or yawning and Charly happened to catch it. But it looks almost like he's looking at Charly and screaming, "Aawww!" Pets usually aren't very fond of little girls, their hugs are just a little tight. Maybe you can see a little of that in Cooper's shot.

This weekend has been kind of heart wrenching. My mom had to put her basset hound to rest today after a few days of sadness.

This dog was a very special dog. This dog basically saved my mom's life in the beginning of her illness when mom struggled to stay awake let alone function. Ruby kept waking her up and pulling on her sleeve to get her up to head to the Doctor. Two months later she was diagnosed with cancer. This little dog stayed around to see mom through suffering, sadness, fear, anger. There just aren't enough words to express the unconditional love and companionship an animal can give.

Ruby was only three years old. She had a rare condition that is usually only seen in older dogs. She grew an extra bone in her spine and punctured her vertebrae. Earlier this week, she began to whimper and not eat, the next day she was wobbly and by the end of the day her back legs gave out and she could only get around by pulling herself with her front legs.

Mom brought her to the vet where they ran some tests and consulted with our vet as Ruby went to our vet while she stayed with us all through mom's operation and recovery. They tried everything they could but as of this morning, Ruby would be paralyzed forever and it was looking like forever would not be long.

My mom is so heartbroken, and we feel terrible even knowing that everything happens for a reason. The kids are sad about it too. Ruby basically let them do whatever to her, an EXCELLENT dog.

One funny memory is that every time Jackson saw her, he'd laugh and pet her and grab a hold of her turkey drumstick leg and say, " I just love you Ruby and your little Ruby legs."

Her name was just Ruby, I called her Ruby Jeans in a silly voice because she was so silly looking. It's going to be hard for mom for a while because as most of you understand, some of you not, but most of you:), this was like a third child. My canine sister. Kind of.

Sweet dreams Ruby Jeans, we love you.