Christmas

The house has been busy the last few days. Christmas Eve for brunch we went and visited Larry & Judy Sprague and seen Kari, Justin and Baby Jack. Later that evening we played Bingo with our family here at our house. I tried putting Gage to bed about 10:00 p.m. and he finally fell asleep somewhere around midnight. I ended up having to lay down with him. Christmas morning he woke up around 7:00 a.m. He walked to our bedroom and asked if we could rock so I got the camera out and ready and he walked into the family room to be excited when he found the firetruck! He never even noticed the power wheel's Artic Cat until we told him a dozen times. We had a nice christmas morning at our house then went to the Hoobler's for a great lunch and more presents. Gage got really cranky around 4 so we left and he fell asleep about 3 blocks out from Nana and Papa's. Here are a few pictures of our last couple of days.

Gage and Jack

Gage and Grandma Penny Playing Bingo

Gage & Trevor with the flying bike

Santa's Firetruck he brought!

Santa also brought an Artic Cat!

The Reef movie!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow

We woke up today to fine a beautiful ground covering of snow. Gage was awfully mad at me for not staying home and playing in the snow with him. He did not want to go to the babysitters! I left work right at 4:30 p.m. so I could get Gage out and play a little bit in the snow. It was 22 degree's and we were only out about 15 minutes but he had a blast. Here are a few pictures.

Gage tasting snow for the first time.

Gage was upset that his four wheeler wouldn't go in the snow.

Christmas Vacation

We went to Branson MO this weekend and had a great time.

Allen, Gage, Mickey, Miranda, Madeline, Chuck, Trisha, Ryan, Tagean and I all went.

We stayed at the Honeysuckle Inn. I stayed there with my grandma & grandpa Hoobler around 20 some years ago. It was a nice hotel and clean.

We got up and around Saturday morning and went to Tanger Outlet Mall and shopped till' noonish.

Eating lunch at Uptown Cafe.

Ate lunch then went to Silver Dollar City. We had just got there and some of our group wanted to ride Fire in the Hole so while we were waiting Gage fell asleep. He did need the nap. I woke him up after about an hour when we arrived over where a lot of the smaller rides were and I took him on his first roller coaster ride. I thought he would either love it or hate it...He loved it! Then I took him on the elephant ride which he also liked. The train ride we rode next and of coarse he loved that too. We watched the lighting of the Christmas tree and the other kids were getting cold, fussy and hungry so we decided to pass on the lighted parade. I really wanted Gage to see that but I guess when your with a big group you can't always get your way.

First school bus ride.

Gage falling asleep soon after we got there.
First roller coaster ride.

First elephant ride.

The 3 of us on the Train ride.

Anyways, I never did figure out what really happen next but we went to leave and everyone else was wanting to leave too it seemed and we were at a stand still halt for about 45 minutes before the Hospitality house! It took right at 1 hour and 30 minutes to just exit the park and get to our vehicle. There was people chanting "Let us out, let us out".

We drove through the Festival of lights which was alright. Nothing to speak of really but Gage got to see some lights since we didn't get to stay for the parade

We got up and left this morning and pulled in the drive at 1 p.m.

We had a great mini-vacation with lots of memories for our family. First train ride, first roller coaster, first trip to Silver Dollar City, first weekend get-a-way with the 3 of us together.

What a great Christmas time memory.

Open Season

Tomorrow is the day deer season opens. I actually miss not being able to leave the house around 5:30 a.m.,quietly walk out by myself to my deer stand in the freezing cold, pitch black morning , holding my rifle in hand. I know it doesn't sound too fun putting it like that but...the excitement when the deer walk out in front of you and your afraid the deer is going to run off because the sound of your heart is pounding so loud, that is what I will miss. Having a two year old just doesn't make deer season feasible to me once again this year.

On another note about deer season, I think it is completely ridiculous how much it cost to hunt to put meat on the table. First, you have to have completed a hunter's safety coarse. (That doesn't bother me though.)Second, every year you have to purchase a hunting license which cost $20.50. Third you have to purchase a tag for every deer you kill. The price per tag is $37.50, if you don't own your own land! I'm sorry but I think that is terrible. People wreck and total their cars out which cost money because of these animals but we have to pay to kill them for something to eat? If you can't tell I do not agree with rules and the cost of this hobby.

Gage is back to filling a lot better. He rested some over the weekend and is back on his feet. Saturday and Sunday we put all the Christmas decoration's up and had fun doing it. Gage likes to sing Jingle Bell's and I am trying to get him on camera singing it but it just hasn't happened yet. I was going to hang the Christmas lights up on the house Sunday while Gage was napping but it was really windy and cold so Allen offered to do it later in the week. Gage and I pulled in the driveway last night and he already had them up and they looked really good! (I purchased the energy saver's LED large colored bulbs)

This coming weekend we plan to head to Branson MO to drive through the Festival of Lights, Tanger Outlet Mall and Silver Dollar City. I am really looking forward to making a family trip of it. I think the 3 of us will have a really good time. Seems like several people we know are also going this weekend so we may run into some of our friends.
Well, I have a son that wants to play match game so I better go...

Thanksgiving

Gage in his Gobble Gobble Shirt

Gage didn't feel the best for Thanksgiving. He still woke up with a fever at 5:30 a.m. I got that back down around 7 a.m. After that I just kept him on Tylenol/Motrin every 4 hours all day long.

We headed over to Nana & Papa Hoobler's around 11 a.m. Nana made another really delicious meal.

That was about all we did yesterday. I think I may try to do the Christmas decorations in the house today and this weekend. I need to get my house clean first though!

A Week of First

I did get Gage's pictures back from last Friday night when Gage and Racey had them taken. Thoght they turned out pretty cute.

Sunday Gage and I drove over to rural Independence and purchased our first 5 chickens for the chicken coop. When we came home we put them in their new home which is on the island! (Not my idea, let me tell you)

Sunday Brad & Bradley Myers came by on their way to a basketball tournament going on at the grade school here in town. When they were leaving they asked Gage if he wanted to go with them he did! Thats a first!

Monday I had board meeting and didn't get home till around 11:30p.m. so I have no idea what they did that evening.

Tuesday I dropped Gage off at Mary's for a normal day. His nana and papa called me at work wondering if they could have him come over and help them (HELP??) put up Christmas lights in the yard. So that was another first for Gage to go for the day with Nana & Papa. He had so much fun.

Wed. I had a call from my babysitter about 3:30 p.m. and Gage was sick. That's not a first. I brought him home and sure enough he had a 100.5 temperature. He has had some Tylenol cold and a tsp. of amoxill so he should start feeling better before too long I hope. Turkey day is tomorrow!

Speaking of Thanksgiving tomorrow, I made Gage a shirt to wear tomorrow so i'll make sure to post a picture. I got the idea (and stole it) from Chelse. Thanks for the cute idea!

It's Friday!

This afternoon I went and got my low lights in my hair. I was wanting a little more red but I would rather it be a little under what I wanted then too extreme!

When I got home tonight I dressed Gage and brushed Racey and took the two of them to have their christmas pictures taken at All Care Vet Clinic. I hope they turn out cute.

Tomorrow Allen is heading to Topeka for an auction so Gage and I have the day to hang out. I want to take Gage to the movies to see Madagascar but we have 4 baby calves that need their bottle's around 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon and that was when I wanted to take him to the movies. Not sure what I want to do.

I'll post later and update the weekend.

Weird Symptoms

Dr. said that they have been seeing some flu syptom's but nothing that has lasted 4 days. When he looked at his left ear though he did say that the tube was sideways trying to exit his ear canal and he had a lot of wax. He said that the drum itself was inflamed and his lymphnodes were swollens so he thinks the whole problem is an ear infection.

We have built a chicken coop and Allen is finishing up the chicken run today. We were going to drive down to Afton OK saturday to buy some chickens but with Gage sick we didn't. I was told of a gentleman that sold chickens that lives on Hwy 59. So today Gage and I stopped by and we had a tour of his farm! Gage loved it. He had turkey's, chickens, gennie's, a donkey, horses, pigs and baby pigs, ducks, goats...you name it and he had atleast 1. I guess i'll head back over later to go buy my chicken stock! I really didn't want to load up chickens in the back of the Denali!

Heading to the Doctor

Well, I thought Gage was feeling better but at 10:15 p.m. last night he got sick in bed, again. Once again we stripped his bed sheets, pillow's, comforter (he made sure he hit them all) and put him in the bath. I called Dr. Hettlinger's office this morning and we have a 10:30 a.m. appointment. Hopefully he can tell us something. It is really strange he went from Saturday at 1p.m. till Sunday at 10:15 p.m. acting fine. I'm going to make a list of everything he has ate and when he has vomitted and take it with me. I'll post an update when we get home.

A Bit Sick Lately But Feeling Like A Tricycle Ride

Gage has been sick at his stomach the last few days. He has thrown up Thursday night, Friday and Saturday. Thank goodness he is feeling better today. It's been a bit of a long weekend.
I have been wanting to get a video of Gage riding his tricycle to put on the blog. About a week ago he jumped on it and peddled away! He has had it for several months and always pushed it around with his feet but now is peddling and is really good at it. It has been pretty cold out lately and he really likes riding his bike so we've been going to the garage everynight to let him ride.

All I want for Christmas is a...

FIRETRUCK!
Santa has officially received the message several times that Gage would like a firetruck. Santa Clause will definetly have one at the Winters house this year!
We went to Walmart saturday night and right when we walked in the door there were some firetruck's lined up in the entrance. Gage said "I want Firetruck NOW!". Well that was an automatic "no" and we heard about that truck the rest of the time in Walmart.
Then, Monday evening we went out to eat for my birthday with Nanna and Papa Hoobler and Nanna asked what Gage wanted for Christmas and he told her a Firetruck.
Later that evening Gage had been put to bed for about 30 minutes and I was falling asleep and heard him crying. I laid there a bit and he continued to cry. I got up and asked him what was wrong and he said"I want a firetruck". I think at this point he was just trying to stay awake and would fuss over anything but what?!?! I continued to rub his back and I told him whenever we go and visit Santa that he needs to make sure he knows that he wants a firetruck so if he's good he may receive one.
I never knew that one could dwell at 2 years old over a firetruck for more then a few minutes...it's been going on for days now!

Mid-Week Update

October 30th we went to Parsons and took Gage to the Monster March. We were there for around 2 1/2 hours and Gage hardly got any candy. It was a lot of waiting for all the candy we received but he had fun though. We did stop a night early for trick-or-treating at Aunt Kelli's and my boss's house. Friday night Gage went trick-or-treating in Altamont and Mound Valley. He had a blast! Saturday night we had some friends over and had a bon fire and cooked hot dogs on the fire. Later we made smore's and had a lot of fun. We didn't really do anything Sunday. Hung out around the house and played outside. I'll post pictures tomorrow when I get to work. Till then...

Pumpkin Patch

Saturday Allen, Gage, Mickey, Miranda, Madelynn and I all loaded up and headed for the pumpkin patch. The day was so pretty! We arrived there around 12:30 p.m. We pulled a wagon out to the pumpkin patch and got to pick our own pumpkins.

Gage found one that was the "pefect size". We then walked back up to the farm. Once we got back, Chelse from work and her family had arrived. Her sister has a little boy Gage's age , his name is Brax, and we thought they would have fun togather. The other kids were getting ready to load up and ride the mower train and so I let Gage go. When they left Brax cried for his mom the whole time! I thought that was what Gage was going to do but nope he had fun and told me when he got back that there were wheels on the train and he seen cows. Then we all loaded up on the hayrack ride and went back thru the woods. That was pretty boring for all of us. Once we finished that we headed for home.

We came home and Gage took a quick nap just in time to go to the Mound Valley Grade School Chilli Supper. We went there and Gage had fun playing the little kid games and then he played with his winnings during the auctions. All in all it was a really fun day and I did get some really cute pictures I thought.

Mid-Week

Not a lot has been going on lately. I did get my new Denali last week and LOVE IT! Last night a guy called and I think I have my Trailblazer sold. He is suppose to pay me tonight.
Saturday night Allen and Mickey derbied in Fredonia. Allen won the compacts and Mickey placed 2nd in the full size finals with Justin Manahan winning. When it came down to just the 2 cars left it was 30 minutes before it finally ended.
Monday I took off work early to take Gage to Parsons to meet with a speech pathologist and she never showed up. Our appointment was at 4:15 p.m. and we waited till a little after 5:00 p.m. Then Monday evening Allen and I had a Water Board meeting to attend so Ashley Leader came over to babysit Gage. Ever since Allen and I have come home from Florida I still have a follower no matter where I go. Well, Ashley showed up and Gage was gone with her out to show her our new ducks. He absolutely loves Ashley and makes it so much easier on me. I told him I would be home to put him to bed and read 2 books and we was good with that.
This saturday Allen, Mickey, Miranda, Madeline, Gage and I are all going to go to Hickory Farms Pumpkin Patch. I am excited to take him there. There is a hayrack ride, train ride, pumpkins and a corn maze. Then that night is the big Mound Valley Grade School Chilli Supper.
Allen called me at work today and said we are now ranchers. Ha Ha. We now own 2 red breed cows. One is due in February and one is due in April. I am extatic! I've been wanting cows since we moved there and now Gage is at the age where he will like it to I think.
Thats about all that is going on.
Tonight I have Rebecca Allen coming to meet Gage and I at our house for the Parents as Teachers . I think Gage is on track now with his speech so this program just gives you idea's and helps make sure your child stays on track.
Thats about all that is happening at the Winters household so till next time...

Miami Beach Florida

Well I haven't updated for sometime. Allen and I flew to Miami Beach Florida Sept. 28 and came home October 1. I had my first Administrative Assistant Conference to attend and had a really good time and learned quit a bit. Aunt Kelli and Nana and Papa took care of Gage while we were gone. I think he had a really good time with both of them but I can't seem to leave the room without him wondering "where's mama".

Allen got a tattoo while I was in class on Tuesday. He got his AMC Pacer on the inner part of his left arm. Of coarse he had it done at Miami Ink.

We stayed right on the beach/ocean and even seen some dolphins one day when we were out walking by the beach.

I have to say i'm glad we went for the conference and not for vacation or we would have been very disappointed.

I was in class everyday from about 7:30am-4:00pm so while I was learning and networking Allen was out touring Miami Beach.

There were bums all over and the place stunk like urine just about everywhere you went in the shopping area.
Thats all I have to update. We'll end this with another cute picture of Gage.

Our Family Trip to Tulsa

Saturday we went to Tulsa. I have been looking for a new vehicle but haven't found one that is in our price range or has everything I am wanting. So we had decided to try to take Gage so he could go to Incredible Pizza.

We left around 7:30 am saturday and headed south. We checked out several car lots till around noon then headed for Incredible Pizza.

Neither of us had ever been there so we didn't know what to expect but it was really nice. The eating section was seperate from the play area so we ate the buffet then went and played. Here are a few pictures.

Gage was finally tall enough to take his first go cart ride. He loved it and I did get pictures but since they were going pretty fast they all came out blurry.

How hard is it to poop in the potty?!

We have had a couple of insidents at our house recently that I wasn't going to post...until now. We have been trying to use the potty chair more often. Gage will use it to go potty when I take him to it but when asking him "Do you need to potty?" the answer is always "no".

About two weeks ago Gage was taking a bath and was calling us to the bathroom (i was changing the laundry) so Allen went in to find that he had pooped in the tub but not only pooped in the tub had already sifted it out with his cup and handed the cup to Allen!

Last week once again I was changing the laundry and he hollared so I went in the bathroom to find poop sitting on the edge of the tub!

What is wrong with this! Disgusting!! I try to tell him how gross it is but I don't think he cares.

This morning at 6:00 a.m. my son comes in the bedroom saying this:
whispering

Gage- "Mama...Mama"
Jen-"What"
Gage-"Mama I pooped"
Jen-"Okay,you poop in your diaper?"
Gage-"ugh ha."
Jen-"Okay go to your room we will change your diaper" I then walk to his room while Gage is Slowly coming from behind
Jen-"Gage get in your room right now! Why is there poop on the floor!"
Gage-"dug it out"
Jen-"What? You dug it out of your diaper?!"

(REMEMBER THIS IS 6 AM HE WOKE ME UP)

Gage-"Yeap.. Here Mama"
Gage then hands me more poop he carried to our room!
Jen-"Gage that is disgusting don't ever dig in your diaper!" etc.
then you can pretty much tell the rest of my morning this morning.

Any suggestions would be great on teaching my son 1. how to be potty trained 2. how gross it is that he touches his poop!

Rain, Rain Go Away

Well its rained and rained and rained! We woke up yesterday trying to figure out something to do this weekend instead of being stuck in the house all weekend long. I googled what was going on at the Tulsa Expo Center and they were having miniture horse showing going on which wasn't what we were looking for! We ended up going to Springfield MO to visit the Bass Pro Shop. Gage had fun looking at the BIG BEAR. He also viewed the snakes, fish, turtles and ducks. If you ask him what he seen he'll say " Snake and Sharks". Right when we walked in the big sign said museum and aquarium closed till next spring so we didn't get to see very much which was a little disappointing. Gage really liked trying out all the big boats and four wheelers. After that we drived around Springfield trying find me a new vehicle but none of the car lots had used vehicles like the one I am looking for. We went and ate at Texas Road House (one of my favorites) and waited around 1 hour to eat. Gage was as good as could be expected for that kind of wait. Our meal was very good. It was around 8 p.m. when we finished eating so we headed for home. I think Gage had a good time but now I know we won't drive all the way to Springfield again for a really long time.

Today we aren't doing anything but relaxing. I made cookies and salt & vinegar pickles. That's about our day and I don't see much more happening.

Another Busy Weekend

Well it has been a little busy here lately at home. Here has been the exciting stuff going on here lately.

August 5 we came home to find a sand pile for the swimming pool. Gage loved playing on this. All week long every night we would come home to play on sand mountain.

August 9th our swimming pool was installed. It was close to 100 degrees for a few weeks until we installed our pool. Now the temperature has been around 80 degrees so its been too cold to actually enjoy.

August 12 was Coffeyville Derby. Allen did make it to the finals but finished 6th. Of course top 5 got paid!

August 14 Allen thought it would be a really good idea for us to have a hot tub too to go with our new swimming pool! So he went and bought one.

August 15 The building of the deck started. Hot tub delivered.

August 16 Allen had some friends over through out the day to help him complete the deck. I had planned on grilling out for the guys and Gage and I catering to all their needs (like we would be help. ha ha) but Gage decided he had other plans like being sick. He woke up Friday night with a 102 temperature and we were up for a couple of hours and watched the olympics till about 2:30 am and then he fell asleep. Then he was awake again at 7 am temperature and all and we layed in bed till around 8 am. He was starting to feel better and wanted to go outside and watch daddy so we did. Then around 10 am he was fussing around quit a bit and I asked him if he wanted to go watch "Cars" and that made him happy. You could sure tell he didn't feel good at all. It is not like my child to crawl up in the recliner with pillow and blankey and actually watch a movie. He fell asleep about 15 minutes into it. I took his temp. around 11:15 am and it was 103 degrees! That scares me! I called the hospital and they said they couldn't talk to me or give me any suggestions over the phone. Since when did this change? Everyone used to call up there I thought! Well we made it thru and that evening his fever finally quit doing the roller coaster ride and Sunday he was fussy but not too bad considering the day he had saturday.

August 17 got up made pancakes, turkey bacon and eggs for breakfast. Then the 3 of us went out to finish the deck. We had the deck done and all the mess cleaned up by noon. It was nice to have the deck done and mess picked up and tools delivered back to their owners and still had 1/2 a day to do other things. Kelli and Kylie came over Sunday afternoon to swim and enjoy the hot tub. The pool was pretty cold but getting in the hot tub and sweating till you can't stand it any more then jumping into the pool was perfect! Gage thought the pool was too cold but I let him sit on the hot tub and put his feet on the jets and he thought that was pretty cool.

Last night we ran up to Walmart and went out and ate at Chinese Chef. Pretty boring evening but had to go get groceries and all those exciting things you couldn't live without from Walmart.

Tonight I hope to hang Gage's stuff up in his room. His walls are still really blan and boring. I hope to take pictures of his room tonight after everything is hung and will post pictures tomorrow.

Another Crash & Bash Weekend

Gage enjoying the derby while Ken watches on.


Gage, Allen and Racey posing in front of the 1994 Crown Vic
Allen took 1st place with Friday night.


We had another exciting weekend. Friday night was the 80's and newer cars at the 97th Annual Labette County Fair and Allen won 1st place! He was so excited. (Chris Steig came in second and Charles Billman 3rd) He had never won until Friday night at the LC Fair for the full size division. Saturday night was compacts and he took first also with his Pacer. (Ken McNickle second place and Cody Julich third).