U Draw by Katelyn

For Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa Bettin, Katie got a U Draw game tablet and game for the Wii. She has been spending much of her spare time messing around on it learning how to use it and in the last couple days she has created a couple of really cool pictures. You can see how she improves every time she uses it and I will be expecting master pieces soon. : )  They are posted in the order she did them and they are all free hand.

 

This is horses in a field .

  

This is a sleeping red fox.

 

 A howling gray wolf.

 

A sleeping bunny in her burrow.

Celebrities!!!!!

When we went to Arnold's Park this last summer with the Herrig's, the park was taking pictures for an advertising campaign for 2011. They took a couple of pictures of the kids on the log ride and then requested that we sign a release form. Marni and I both decided to sign the release, and this last week we had received a notice that they chose one of the photos for one of their fliers.

 

They also received tickets to return to Arnold's park next summer. It will be fun to go again!!

New Bedroom!

Todd and I have always had mismatched furniture in our house in general. We just never made it a priority to have everything match, especially when there were hand-me-down pieces that worked great.  Well we have been slowly trying to change that. I started with my living room this last year with a new couch and love seat then new entertainment stand and side table.

This past week on Thanksgiving day, I took advantage of the huge sales and got some new dressers and night stands for our bedroom. Here are some before

  

and after pictures. In the first one you can see my CD player. Even though I didn't start decorating for Christmas, I did have Mannheim on while I cleaned and rearranged.

Sassy decided she needed to help me and I couldn't resist playing with her a little bit.

Katie's B-day/Thanksgiving

When we got together on Thanksgiving, we also celebrated Katie's birthday (with the promise of another cake on her real birthday on Wednesday). Here are some of the pictures we took. You can also check out some on Sarah's blog here of both girls opening gifts from the Aunt's and Uncle's.

After opening gifts, it was cake time. The ice cream cake sat out the night before for awhile while trying to add the lettering and started to melt. And the lettering frosting.......lets just say I have used better stuff. But boy did it taste good, and so did the pies that Kurt and Sarah brought.

I love this picture of Dad Stewart!!! He was so tired after a long day and a full belly of great Thanksgiving food (thanks everyone); that he couldn't help but put his head back and steal a few zzzz's. Love ya Dad!!

All and all...it was a great day!!! Thanks Janine and Mom for setting up the house for Thanksgiving and Janine for all your planning and running around to make it so good.

Family Pictures

 On Thanksgiving morning, the family got together at Mom and Dad Stewart's house to take some family pictures. After taking a few pictures in the house, we headed out to Dad's childhood home to take a few more. It was cold, but it was wonderful. Sarah (& Kurt) did a great job of taking pictures. Here are some of them that I swiped off of her Blog.

Baxter Black

Last night Todd and I went to Ida Grove with his parents to a United Bank of Iowa sponsored program with Baxter Black. They provided a very good catered meal and then Baxter performed for about an hour. He was hilarious!!!

Todd and I have seen him before. He came to the Vet school when Todd was there, and Todd and our good friend Mark Rees had the privilege of taking him for a tour of the school. 
We purchased one of his books and a DVD (a got 2 CD's free with the purchase). Todd and I then got a chance to talk to him and have him autograph our book. Todd asked him if he remembered going to the Vet school and then told him he gave him the tour. He asked me if I was a vet too and when I said no he said, "Oh, so you make the money in the family." 
Todd and I immediately put on of the CD's in the truck player after we left and listened to our two favorite poems, "Fetal Eye View" and "Veterinarian Laundry" (see it here on you tube). I could listen to him for hours.

REALLY??? REALLY, REALLY????

Not only did we get the first snow of the year yesterday, but we also were without electricity for about 6 hours. Really? Already? I mean last year was long enough but we are starting out a little early this year. At this rate, this year has the potential to be longer than the last. Lets hope it melts quick and stays away for awhile.

 Gunner was digging for something in the snow. Not sure if he found it or not, but he was enjoying the snow much more than me.

 So was Katelyn!!

 She was making herself chairs and a table.












Molly was content to sit on the deck and watch.

 

 And Tasha was even more content to lay on the couch, watch TV, and keep warm under the blanket.

(And cover up while I was trying to take her picture)

Happy 14th Tasha!

It's hard to believe that 14 years ago on the 6th we became parents to a beautiful baby girl. She has grown up to be quite a wonderful young lady. She took her test on Saturday for her driving permit, and then she drove us home after passing.

Time for an update!

Been a while since I blogged, so I am going to post TONS of pics and update everyone in one long post!







Carroll Band days - The Middle School band took 1st place

 Pumpkin patch - I had over 300 mini pumpkins from 1 mini pumpkin plant and 20 big pumpkins from one plant.

 I LOVE fall. I decided I needed to decorate outside for it.

Fall Volleyball for Tasha - They did great this year!

Tasha's AAU/USA volleyball team took 1st place at the Manning Junior High Tournament.



Katie and Dallas (Todd's godson) trick or treating for Halloween

 Pheasant season this year was a lot of fun again. We didn't see many birds, but it is about the friendships and the time spent together. We shot some sporting clays, laughed, and enjoyed each other.

The Buckhaus' could not make it the first weekend, but came this last weekend. Todd, Dan and I took our two dogs (Dan's Brittany and our Brittany pup) to a game farm (hence the hens in the picture) so we could work Gunner. They did great and we had a great time.