HaPpY ThAnKsGiViNg!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to everybody!!!!! I am so lucky to have all of you in my life!!!! For that.....I am thankful!!!!!! Enjoy your day with family and friends.

LiViNg HiStOrY FaRmS rAcE.....

First off sorry it has been awhile.....I am really waaaayyyy behind....on everything!!! So I think the first thing I want to talk about is the girls ran last Saturday.....yikes the 22nd....at Living History Farms in Des Moines. It was a 7 mile race......yes i will say it again......7 miles of cross country....hills, creeks, mud and anything else you may see while hiking in the woods. It was just an absolutely crazy day.....we left home around 6 am got there by 7 am and there were a ton of people there already.....and it was quite chilly that morning. We(I better say Troy got them checked in....I stayed in the car!!!) got the girls checked in and then had alot of time to wait. Kale went along and needless to say....he is not a good "waiter"....so he was in and out of the car.....let's just say MANY times!!!!!

So about the race....it was the 30th annual Living History Farms cross country race, 7,500 plus runners, the largest cross country race in North America, people from 40 states and 4 countries ran in the race. And in order to get your picture on the news or in the paper I assume that is why anyway.....people dress up in a variety of costumes!!!!! "the runaway brides" all had wedding dresses on, there was a 54 year old man wearing ONLY a loincloth......(yuck that just gave me the heebie-jeebies!!!!), all of the wizard of oz characters, Santa and the Reindeer, and how could I forget Elvis, many with no shirts and at the finish line I saw 2 guys run across with only a thong on........and it was not on their feet!!!!!! But if you can think of it....it was probably there that day.

Anyway Taylor ran it in 1:02.05 and Delaney ran it in 1:17.12. Very good if I don't say so myself!!!!! If you want to see pictures and any other info on the race just go here and go about halfway down the page and click on living history farm race and I think you can look at the info and the Des Moines Register has pictures on there and I think video from the TV station. We took some pictures but they did not turn out as good as the ones in the paper. But here are a few that we took.

This is the start of the race.....it took a little over 5 minutes for all of the runners to get past us so that we could got stand in a different spot......now that is alot of people!!!!

tHe "fOrT"

Ok.....if you were a 12 year old boy what would this be to you?????

?

?

?

A pile of sticks???????

NO?!!??!?!!?

How about a "fort"!?!??!!??!?!

So if you were a 12 year old boy and this was your "fort" what would you name your "fort"???

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?

?

How about.........Fort McWood??????? For some reason that cracked Troy up!!!!! From time to time Troy will tell Kale (if they are talking about a name or whatever guys talk about)......"that is what they used to call me back in high school!!!!!" So this time was no different......when Kale told us that he named his "fort"....."Fort McWood".....Troy says......."that's what they used to call me in high school"......my friend Steph was here and I thought she was going to pee her pants laughing at that one!!!!!! But to the rest of us......that is just another day in our crazee life!!!!!!

ChRiStMaS cArDs......

It's that time of year when most of us are getting our Christmas card lists ready...... so I was hoping that maybe you would all like to join me and my family by sending a card to a hospital in Washington D.C. where soldiers who are recovering from injuries that they got while fighting for our freedom. It may not feel like you are doing much by just sending a card but I am pretty sure that it will mean the world to them knowing that all of us are thankful for everything they do!!!!!(anyway I know I am!!!) So if you could take just a minute out of your day to maybe brighten somebody elses day....that would be awesome!!!!! And maybe if some of you would like to pass this on....go for it.....the more people who read this on a blog the more cards the soldiers will get!!! Doesn't that make you feel good?????? I will put the address below.
A RECOVERING AMERICAN SOLDIER
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Ave. N.W.
Washington D.C. 20307-5001

I am thinking about ya!!!!!

Please be thinking of my good friend Steph....as her grandmother will be having surgery on Monday morning.....take care Steph.....I will be thinking about you on Monday!!!!! Please call if you need anything at all!!!!! And....I just want to pass on a quick note.....please keep my new bloggin' buddy......hip mom in your thoughts and prayers on Thursday as she will be going in for surgery that day!!!!! We will all be thinking of you hip mom.......hang in there!!!!!!

OoOpS!!!!!!

Oh my gosh......i forgot to put this post one here!!!!!! Last Sunday we went to my sisters house for a liitle get together to have cake for Troy's birthday, play wii and other games for the afternoon!!!!!! i skipped the wii....last time i played i could hardly move my arms for a few days!!!!!! YIKES......i don't think that is a good sign......maybe it's called lack of excersise!!!!!! We took a few pictures to share.A very intense game of wii.......

The birthday boy.........the big 40!!!!!!! Now he is as old as me!!!!!!hahaha!!!!

I am feeling pretty good about this move in the stressful game of jenga.....i was one of the final 3...so i thought i was going to kick some behind.......... But this is what happened when i went to put my piece on top....man that stinks!!!!!! Taylor went out next........so the winner is none other than.......Shaky Mcshakerson!!!!!!! Good job......nobody thought he would make it past the first round!!!!!!

ThAt'S a Rap.....

Ok....it's been awhile.....so I have some catching up to do!!!! So i am going to do a quick version of most of it because basketball games start this week and i know i will get behind real quick if i try to make more than one post out of all of this!!!! So i will start with last Thursday.....the girls had their Cross Country banquet....it was very laid back....i liked that....pot luck....EASY!!!! Again...i like that too!!! But getting to the point here....they both lettered, they both made the all conference team and Taylor was voted(by her team mates) the most valuable runner and got a plaque and everything!!!!! COOL!!!! They both had a really good year and made some really good friends and that is what we like about them going to a different school to run....that they get to meet new people and get to use that experience later in life!!!!! And Laney even met a boy......but they are just "friends".....so she says!!!!! haha!!!! This the picture of all the people who made the all conference team!!!!! Good job everybody!!!! And we also want to say thanks to coach Miller and the entire team for letting the girls run with you this year and hope to see you next year!!!! And AWESOME job Taylor and Delaney....we are sooooooo proud of both of you!!!!! Then on Friday up to the elementary school we go......the 6th grade class every year makes posters for a contest that the Lions club has....the theme was Peace Begins With Me......it is an International contest and each local group picks 3 posters from our school for a first, second, and third place......each of the three places get a check and a certificate and only the first place poster moves on to a district level to be judged. Kale got third place, his friend Al got second place, and one of the girls get first......they display the posters in the local bank for 2 weeks and the first place poster goes on in the competition......good luck "K"!!!!!

ChRiStMaS GoOdiEs......

I am not sure how many of you like to make goodies at Christmas time......but here is a really cool place to get a ton of recipes for cookies, candies, cakes, and just about anything else you may want to eat at Christmas time!!!!!! My friend Steph sent it to me in an email and I just have to share it with all of you!!!!!

aAwWwW....hE's So cUtE

Just a quick Demster update....I would like to show you some of his favorite things to chew on.....TP.....not sure why he likes TP....but he does....at least it is clean!!!!! My favorite little metal bulldog my friend Steph got me for my birthday.....he loves to grind his little teeth on that thing.....and I will tell you it is like finger nails on a chalk board......yikes it about sends me over the edge!!!!! And I don't have far to go some days!!!!! Oh and picture #3....that is my little stool that is in the kitchen.....why does he have to chew on MY stuff!?!??!?!!? And the next 2....well I sometimes wonder what this dog is thinking......his favorite chewing ROCK!!!!!! DUH....I really think that is enough said.....a ROCK people!!!!!! And there are plenty of other things around the house that he has claimed as his that I did not take pictures of just because as I was taking pictures I could not believe all the stuff that had "puppy marks" on them!!!!!! But.....I still think he is the cutest little guys in the world!!!!!!
So here is my question.......why does he want to chew on all of my stuff when I went out and bought him all kinds of toys of his very own......including this $20 round blue inter tube like thing that is NEVER suppose to fall apart???????Look at it......what is not to like about this thing?????

tHiS wAs FuN......

Ok...I was out looking around in the blog world and ran across No Worries and found this on her blog and thought it was kind of fun!!!! So you can go here to check it out.

Here is a little bit of info about what was going on when I was born......soooooo long ago!!!!!!
My date of conception was on or about October 12, 1967.....that was a Thursday.
I was born on a Thursday under the astrological sign Cancer.
My fortune cookie reads: Our first and last love....is self love.
I was born in the Chinese year of the monkey.
My Native American Zodiac sign is the woodpecker; plant is the wild rose.
As of 11/12/08 I am:
40 years old
2,106 weeks old
21,228,312 minutes old
and 1,273,698,744 seconds old.

Celebrities who share my birthday:
Geraldo Rivera
Neil Simon
Ann Landers
Calvin Coolidge

top songs in 1968:
Hey Jude(the Beatles)
I Heard It Through the Grapevine(Marvin Gaye)
The Dock of the Bay(Otis Redding)

My age is equivalent of a dog that is: 5.76947162426614 years old.....(whatever!!!!)
Luck day: Mondays.....(once again.....whatever!!!!)
Lucky numbers:2 & 7
234 days until my next birthday!!!!!!
Next years with 41 candles on my birthday cake I will be able to boil 4.69 ounces of water with that many candles!!!!

And there are only 43 days until Christmas 2008!!!!!! Are you ready?!?!?!?!?!

VeteRaNs DaY...

Just want to take a minute out of my day to thank all of those who have or who are fighting for my freedom!!!!! Without them where would we be!?!?!?!?!? I think we take for granted what we have sometimes...so it is days like this that we should take some time and honor those men and women!!!!!!

mY FiRsT bLoG aWaRdS!!!!!!!

Today I received 2 AWESOME awards from the ever sooooo AWESOME Melissa

She is so funny and has an AWESOME blog that always makes me smile!!!!! Thanks Melissa!!!!

The Smile Award qualifications are:

1. Display a cheerful attitude

2. Love one another

3. Makes mistakes(and boy do I ever!!!)

4. Learn from others

5. Be a positive contributer to the blog world.

6. Love life.

7. Love kids!!!!!

The Rules:

1. You must link back to the creator.

2. Post the rules.

3. Choose 5 people to give the award to.

4. Recipients must fill characteristics above.

5. Create a post to share.

6. You must thank the winner.



The Superior Scribbler Award

The Rules:

1. Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass the award on to 5 most deserving blog friends.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author and the name of the blog from whom he/she received the award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display the award on his/her blog, and link to this post, which explains the award.

4. Each blogger who wins the Superior Scribbler award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky list. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives this award!!!

5. Each superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.



I am awarding both awards to the following blog friends!!!!

1. the worldofprincesss she has been my friend 4EVER!!!! She enjoys everything about life!!!!

2. mamastowheadboyz She got me hooked on blogging...and has an AWESOME family and blog!!

3. livinandlovin Her blog makes me smile....and she enjoys her kids!!!!!

4. hipmomofboyz Hip mom she is.....I love her blog....she has tons of fun!!!!!

5. theysavedme I am new to her blog....but WOW what an AWESOME story!!!!!

6. thedeheers Hometown girl...her daughter is such a cutie and what an AWESOME mom she is!!



I know, I know.....I did 6 but there are 2 awards so I decided to give 6 people the awards!!!! I hope you all enjoy receiving these awards......i know I do.....they are my very first awards......EVER!!!!! So thanks a million Melissa......it has been alot of funny reading your blog and connecting with people from all over the country!!!!! And CONGRATS to you on receiving your awards!!!!!!

WhAt'S fOr DiNnEr????

Ok I just want to tell you all that I am not the greatest cook in the world....casseroles and crock pot stuff are my specialties!!!!(and anything sweet) I think you are getting the idea!!! But tonite I tried a new crock pot meal and it was pretty good......so I wanted to share. I found this packet of McCormick slow cookers Italian Herb Chicken Seasoning the other day at the grocery store in the seasoning isle.....(makes sense right!?!?!?) and thought I would give it a try.......all you need is 2 pounds of chicken, mushrooms, 2 cans stewed tomatoes.....I used one can of Rotel, and tomato paste....oh and the packet of seasoning.....put it in the crock pot and VIOLA........dinner......I served it over pasta......pretty tasty ladies!!!!! Give it a try and let me know what ya think.

wE nEeD sOmE iNpUt!!!!

What kind of computer do you have?????? We are looking at a new Mac.......does anybody have anything good to say about them......or anything bad to say????? We would just like to hear what you all have to say. So if you have an extra minute just drop by a let us know what your thoughts are. Thanks!!!!

LeT iT sNoW, LeT iT sNoW, LeT iT sNoW

First things first......it snowed today.....now there isn't any on the ground but it did snow!!!! And that counts for something.....I think.....there is still a little on the deck.......I should have taken a picture for proof!!!!!! I love the snow!!!!! With Troy's new job at the school he is not looking forward to snow at all.....getting up at 3am to go drive the roads to see if the roads are safe for the busses to go out on......the kids are looking forward to a few snow days at school from dear old dad...hope that works out for them!!!!! Oh I wanted to put the Christmas tree up today after it started snowing.....but decided maybe I better wait until Thanksgiving is over. What is it....about 6 weeks until Christmas????? Wow now that is exciting!!! Have you all started your shopping????? Or just your lists!?!??! My kids are so sick of me asking if they are going to make a list.....so I am really sorry family....I am trying to get the lists started!!!!

oH nO......tHe BiG 4-0!!!!!!

Happy 40th Birthday.......Troy!!!!!!! We love you!!!!!

JeSsiKa......

We just got back from taking a few pictures of Troy's cousin Jodi's daughters pictures and wanted to share a few with you.....I think Troy did a good job.....not sure that he is thrilled with them!?!?!??!?! What do you guys think???????

sTaTe MeEt....

Saturday morning we were up bright and early and on our way to Ft. Dodge to the state cross country meet to watch Taylor run......and hope that she runs fast!!!! No we just want her to do her best and be happy with her results....no matter the place she gets. Because as far as I am concerned anybody who can run 2 1/2 miles without being carried off on a stretcher is a true champion in my eyes!!!!! We got there kinda early because you have to get a good parking spot and a good place to tailgate and hangout after the race. We got a good spot to park not far from Troy's Uncle Gary and Aunt Jill......they are the true tailgaters.....thanks so much!!!! So we were able to watch some of the early races and prepare for the 1:00 race(Taylor)....ya know....where do we want to stand and where is the best place to get a good picture or two......so many questions you must ask yourself just to enjoy a 15 minute race!!!!! But it is all worth it after you get to watch your child perform at this level!!!!! So I am sure you are all wishing I would just get to the point.......how did she do!!!!!! So she got 28th place with a time of 15:56 out of 127 girls in class 2A.......so I think she did sooooooo AWESOME I can not even tell you how proud we are!!!!! She is one of the top 30 runners in her class in the entire state!!!!!! Pretty stinkin' cool Taylor!!!!We are very proud of you!!!!!! We took a few pictures so I better share those too!Two of Taylor's friends Jo and Chelsey made the trip to cheer Taylor on.......thanks for coming ladies!!!!

Kale hangin' out with "the ladies"......now who wouldn't like that!?!??!?!?!?!

The cross country team after the race.

Taylor and her coach.......Mr. Miller.

Taylor and her Melcher cheering group.......thanks to you all for coming!!!!!!!

And I can not leave her loving family out......aawwww aren't they all so cute?!?!?!?!?! Although her father seems to be telling me to just hurry up and take the darn picture!?!??!?!?!

I just about forgot to put the pictures of Taylor running.....I must have gotten excited about everybody coming out to watch her run?!!?!?!? I think she is flying in this picture?!(if you look close I think both feet are off the ground at the same time!!!)

Running in the middle of the race......and she is ahead of some of the girls that beat her this year so you can't ask for much more that that!!!!! She ran her best time of this year and finished the race without being carried off on a stretcher so in my eyes she is a true champion!!!!!!!
Just want to say thanks to.....Grandma Jan & Grandpa Mike, Grandma Becky, Uncle Gary & Aunt Jill and all of the Melcher fans for coming out to watch Taylor run I know it means the world to her knowing that you all think so much of her that you would drive for 2 hours to cheer her on........and so you can eat at Applebee's!!!!!!!