HONEY

After having Bees for 2 years and losing my first hive last winter...this hive came through this year and we got about 40 lbs of honey!! This came as a shock to us because when we would check on them they hadn't made much progress in the super or other boxes we thought they should.  When dad and Matt came over and took the hive apart thats when they saw all the honey toward the bottom.  We were so excited, but so overwhelmed.  lol.  Since they didn't build out the super we had to harvest the honey by hand.  Luckily I  had my mom and dad to help.  It took my mom  and I about 6 hours from start to finish.  It really is a process and many times while we were working we would look at each other and say we felt like we were back in the pioneer days.  So FIRST: we were lucky enough to cheat a little with a honey spinner.  So you get a plank that has honey and you run a fork over it on both sides to get off the top layer and open up the honey.  Then you put to planks in the honey spinner and spin them for about 7/8 minutes then go in a turn them over for the other side and spin another 7/8 minutes.  We had to do that with all my planks.  Afterwards we emptied some honey out of the spinner and took it inside to sift it or strain it to get out every last granuaile.  So it went through 2 different sifters.  After it went through the sifter it was time to pour it into our jars.  we only could do so much at a time since we only had the one sifter that it took awhile to get it all through.  We would then fill up our bowl again and do the process all over.  It was so fun and my mom and I  ended up having a blast figuring it all out.  Hopefully my bees make it through the winter this year and we can start again in the spring.

 

End of Fall Rec Soccer.

I  had the opportunity to coach Brecken's Soccer team this fall season...Again.  He was playing in the 3-4grade league so he was one of the youngest.  He did great though and was one of the best ones out there.  He scored as well.  It was fun to watch these boys play.  We went 3-3 I  do believe.  I  sure do love watching my kids play sports.  Great season Brecken.

 

Deans Birthday

Dean had a birthday on his day off, so we tried to make it extra special.  We woke up and helped him open his gifts.  After the kids went to school I  went and got him a tropical smoothie.  We then got kids since it was early out day and had them tend each other so we could go out for the day.  We shopped a bunch and found some christmas stuff, then we went to texas roadhouse and decided to get a to go order.  We brought it home and ate it with the kids and then we watched a show together. He sure is the best husband and father we could ask for and we sure do love him.

 

Shaylee's Soccer Banquet

Shaylee had a soccer banquet the day after we got back.  She earned her Varsity Letter, and got J.V. Mighty tiger award. She had a great season and grew so much this year.  She had a great time and enjoyed the girls and being able to play both J.V. and Varsity.  I can't wait for next year to watch her grow, and play again.

 

Landon's 5th Birthday

Landon turned 5 the morning we got back from Maui.  We were all exhausted, and running around getting ready for school. Landon however was up and ready for his birthday donut and presents. He wanted all things Paw Patrol, since he just watch the new movie that just came out.  He really wanted the nre car Chase got in the movie as well as the new liberty.  He was so excited to get them as well as some puzzles, books, and other things. He wanted a kids meal from Wendy's for lunch and play with all his new toys.  He then hung out with dad when he got home and had him busy the rest of the night.  He wanted ice cream from DQ for his dinner.  He loves himself a blizzard as much as Dean. After Dinner we surprised him with a new blue bike.  His old bike was getting to small and the pedals had broken off. He loved it and was out riding in the dark. He is such a stud.  He loves all things boy.  From all sports to cars and bikes, he is always on the go.  His favorite though is to build with this magnet blocks.  He spends hours playing with them.  He is in 2 preschools right now and goes from 9-11:30.  He knows his alphabet and sounds, writing his name, numbers up to 100 counting, and is learning to write them.  He is picking up on site words.  He loves all sports and right now its soccer season...he will only kick with his left foot so we are trying to teach him to use both, but it does help him out on the field.  He gets upset if he doesn't score a lot of goals.  THe other day I  think he had 3 and he was so upset he didn't get more.  He loves to have people play with him and is often asking Dean or I  to play with him.  He is full of energy from sun up to sun down and we love him so much.