Hayes Family Holiday get-together

Just wanted to remind everyone about the family holiday get-together. As was posted last spring the party will be Saturday, November 26, 2011, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Byron. I am assuming that we will follow the routine as the last couple years.

Start gathering about 10 to 11 in the morning.

Lunch will be a soup and sandwich potluck.

We will have a white elephant gift exchange - don't forget those white elephant gifts.

Time for family talk and stories.

We have to be out of the hall at 4, since there will be an evening Mass.

If anyone has other info, or something was missed, please pass it along.

Please let everyone know if you will be able to come. I have always enjoyed the family party in the past years, and am looking forward to it this year.

Drive safe and we will

Ann's family news

Crystal and I spent some time sewing yesterday. She bought a Babylock Grace last Saturday. She was able to get her Halloween table runner finished. The squares will be a christmas tree skirt or a table cloth that she has started. I made the 3 little bags before she got here. I was practicing putting zippers in with my serger. Roger wanted a case for the GPS. Josie is really interested in learning to sew so Crystal thought the machine would be a good investment for her and Josie. Today Roger and I cleaned the van and such. We are going to Branson for a few days. Mary and Ken are going with us. Praying we have a safe trip. Have a good week everyone!

Wyoming News

Hello everyone.

It has been quite a while since I have sent a post for a while and thought I should try and get something out there. Bob and I went up to around Medicine Bow yesterday to see if he could get an antelope. He wanted to get one early so he then can concentrate on elk hunting. He also wanted to test out the new barrel and scope that he had gotten for his TC. He is working on getting it tuned in for long range shooting. You have special turrets on the scope that you can dial in for certain distances. I don't know a lot about it except it takes some work to get it dialed in.

We left the house at about 4:30 yesterday morning and didn't get home until about 8:30 last night....it was a looong day. But Bob got his antelope and we got it dropped off at the processor, so we have today to kinda R and R.

I am sending some pictures of his antelope. We had a really nice day, it was not too hot and for once the wind wasn't blowing 50 miles an hour. We took the four wheeler. (Which is a lot nicer than walking.) But we did have to hike maybe a mile or so to get "snuck up' on the herd. It didn't take that long to get the antelope. I think we were back to the truck by noon, but then we had to drive all the way over to Lusk to drop it off to get processed, and then drive home. I think Bob counted and we were in six different countries yesterday. We drove maybe 400 miles.

Well, guess I will get these pictures posted and then get busy around here.

Hope everyone is well.

Bob and Julie

My Fall Display

A couple weeks ago I decided to put out a fall arrangement - it is getting to be that time of year. I moved a couple things around and put this bar near the back door. I put on some field corn, gourds, a small pumpkin and as the children and I walk in the morning we have picked up pretty leaves, nuts, acorns, etc to add to it. I figured a squirrel would find it and eat the corn. About 3 or 4 days after putting it out, the corn started to disappear. But it wasn't a squirrel - it is chipmunks! And not only are they eating the corn, but the nuts and acorns are disappearing also.

The kids have really taken an interest in them and watch them when they notice the activity. Look how full those cheeks are!

This morning there were two of them eating - I tried to get a picture of the two together, but it was like they were tag-teaming. One would jump up and the other would jump down - they were really quick about it.

Campfire

We had a campfire Saturday night when Michelle stopped to get Connor. It has been quite awhile since we have had a campfire in the backyard. And, of course, a campfire means s'mores, and the Peters are very serious about toasting marshmallows as you will see.

Connor was just taking it easy after his busy day - he had a full day at the apple orchare. He was very excited to see Mom, brother and sister. He really misses Dakota when she is not around.

These three found a good place to sit and watch how the marshmallows were toasted. Then we had to pass the finished product up to them to enjoy.

As you can see the marshmallow has to be "just right" - no burning, just toasting, and you need hot coals for that.

Alex making a goodie now that his toasted marshmallow is finished.

That was fun - we will have to do it again soon.

Apple Orchard Event

Michelle, Zachary and Dakota went a Military event in the cities Friday night and Saturday. Michelle said she really enjoyed it and the children had a good time. Since she thought it would be easier without Connor, he had a sleep over with us.

Saturday, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon had an event at a local apple orchard, so we took Connor and Jordyn joined us.

Connor had a great time looking at the animals. We say goats, sheep, pigs, chicken and bunnies.

Here is Connor by the BIG tractor that was used for the wagon ride. He looks so small compared to those wheels

Jordyn meet up with a couple friends from school and girl scouts. They were the seat belt for Connor on the wagon ride.

It was great having a couple extra girls run after Connor, and he enjoyed the extra attention.

We had fun going thru the corn maze. Five acres of maze. We didn't get lost and made it out - just really tired when we got out.

There were lots of pumpins - Connor looked at alot of them. We all had a good time, and enjoyed some really good apples. We were all ready for a nap by the time we got home.

RAINBOW

For those of you that missed the double rainbow this morning about 7:00...........it was very bright and big. The picture does not do it justice. The bottom rainbow was really bright, the upper one was more muted and if you look at the pick of the tree you can just see the light streak from the second one.