A GREAT BIG SMILE & A CUTE LITTLE BOB

The other day we had a very scary thing happen. Colton was walking home from school by himself ( he's not allowed to do that) when a truck pulled in front of him and stopped. He was actually not far from home but far enough that he got scared and took off running to a friends house. He said that the situation seemed sketchy and he got scared. He totally did the right thing....he felt in his gut that it wasn't right so he started to run! He ran through a ditch and fell dropping his binder. He actually had his cell phone and he was dialing 911 as he was running. The guy in the truck backed up and took off really fast going the opposite direction. Anyway, it was a very scary thing for him and for all of us. We keep telling him that he did the right thing and we are so proud of him. So the BIG SMILE on Colton's face is because a sweet friend of mine brought Colton a huge bag of Halloween candy and cotton candy:). Also a hanging skeleton to decorate our tree outside because she too was do proud of him for doing the right thing and running to get help in a bad situation! Thanks Gina!!

Now the cute little bob! Lil miss had hair like Rapunzel and it was getting in the way of dressing her in the mornings and at bedtime. I had to put her hair in a bun to get her shirt on. Daddy kept saying it was TOO long! We called Mandy and she came over and cut it into a cute little hairdo:) thanks Mandy..XO

OH HAPPY DAY....A look at Tatum & Clayton's Wedding

 This was one incredible day....October 6, 2012

 Tatum married Clayton the man of her dreams.

It was very cold and clouds were in the sky and rain drops were coming down slightly but nothing could have made this day any more beautiful than this couple right here.

 

 

The wedding was so elegant with a violinist playing while our guests entered the church and also during the wedding itself.  To be quite honest I remember some but not all of what she was playing because my nerves were going crazy! ( and I'm just the mother of the bride)  Tatum was cool as a cucumber but maybe those last few shots of Hypnotic was what settled her nerves...sigh.  She told me that she was going to think of Zombies, Brown Recluses and something else dreadful during the ceremony so she wouldn't cry.  That girl is crazy!  ha ha

 

 

Larkin was at the church for pictures before the wedding and then we took her home so she was not at the actual ceremony.  Tate took a few pictures with her and then the rest of my kids were in a group shot as well.  It was such a hectic time right before the wedding and we had to give ourselves enough time to get her home so that we could be back at the church for the wedding.  It all worked out....whew!

 

 

The morning of the wedding a friend of mine did my hair and makeup.  It was wonderful!!  I told her that Tatum likes my makeup DARK!!!  but that I didn't want to look like I was in a drama production....lol   But by 4:00pm I guess I needed a touch up.  Tatum was reapplying my mascara and eyeliner. 

 

Getting a little love from L.P. aka Bud...my daddy!

 

 



Aren't these the most handsome boys you have EVER seen?! Skylar and Stratton were ushers.

So I didn't get a picture of Colton but rest assured there are PLENTY of them that the photogs took.  He was bouncing around from room to room at the church before the wedding and then at the reception he was "getting down" on the dance floor.  Tatum told her friends that weddings to Colton are like "crack cocaine"!  LMAO  But it is SO very true!

 

Bud and Grammy

 

This was a door that Summer and I found at a place in Old Town called Architectural Salvage. I ended up buying a few things that we used at the reception for signage.  Summer put the graphics on the door in the picture above and it was outside greeting guests as they arrived at the reception.

 

 

An old screen with a knob that we put in the "Cookie Room" at the reception.  We had 3 small rooms along one side of the room that we had a photo booth in and also the bar. It was perfect!

Again Summer from Sugar Britches Custom Designs did the graphics and flower on the screen

 

This picture does not do this room justice. It was so gorgeous in there with all of the cookies neatly stacked in the boxes that I made.  I wrapped burlap ribbon around each box and put a tulle puff on top.  We had five different types of cookies....Snickerdoodle, Funfetti, Chocolate Espresso, Peanut Butter Nutella and Ginger.  My wonderful friend Ashley Hall came over two full days and we made Snickerdoodles, the  Chocolate Espresso and the dough for the Peanut Butter Nutella cookies. Then Ashely made the Ginger ones on her own and I made the Funfetti's.  I'm not even kidding when I say it took over 40 hours to bake all these little sweeties...1200 of them!! I even have a freezer full of leftovers now:)  I also bought a wooden tray and put three pedestal candle holders and small burlap bags with parchment paper inside so guests could take a bag full of cookies home.  The paper lanterns were super cheap and thank goodness for Hobby Lobby that they started putting their Christmas stuff out in August!  I got the pearl garland hanging from the ceiling there.

 

The head table was gorgeous!! Lots of candles and small flower arrangements adorned the table.  The theme of the wedding was "Oh Happy Day".  The darling banner was made by Summer as well.

 

Amber Burton (Tate's sister in law) was her matron of honor.  Fun fact....Amber and Clinton (Clayton's twin brother) were married on this day October 6...five years earlier.  They now share the same wedding day!

 

 

Mandy was a Bridesmaid.  I have the most beautiful girlies:)

 

 

So this is the only picture I have of the pew flowers and Greg is making himself a belt bouquet!  ha ha  We were taking these down after the wedding.  We had cones with Hydrangea's with greenery and a little moss.  I am thinking they were one of my most favorite things from the wedding.

 

 

Three cakes and like 6 different flavors.  W.O.W. Cakes in Wichita made these and the cake is always delicious.  One cake was Fruit Loop!  It was Strawberry cake and lemon cake and combined it tasted like Fruit Loops. Of course we had the traditional white cake, a chocolate cake and for the life of me I can not remember the other two flavors.

 

The gorgeous couple!!!

 

 

Father daughter dance.....I love this picture of her and Greg.

 

 

And they split the dance.... My dad walked Tatum down the aisle as well.

 

 

My love....we had a great time enjoying the wedding and all of the details that made this day what it was.

 

 

I am wishing my daughter and son in law a long wonderful life together filled with love, health, happiness and lots of babies!!!!!

 

I LOVE YOU BOTH!!

 

and a look at the two that pulled this shindig together....

 

Me and my wonderful friend Summer....

thanks bunches...XO

 



Beautiful Bridal Shower For My Beautiful Tatum

Tatum is getting married on October 6, 2012 so the festivities have finally begun!

My mom and I threw Tate a great bridal shower and the color scheme was decided by none other than the invitation:)  The very first thing I made was this cute little table cloth to fit the cake table.

I love these darling little felt flowers.....

Toasting the bride to be with yummy champagne.

By the way....I did decide to wear shower colors and ended up looking very bright!  lol

Oh well!

Loved her cupcake wrappers that I found on Etsy. 

The diamond (fake of course) rings were at Joann's in the wedding section and looked so fun on top of each little cupcake.

We decided to make it a relaxed dinner with simple food.

BBQ brisket sandwiches, Cherry Avocado Salad, Fresh Fruit Salad with an Amaretto Fruit Dip, Loaded Baked Potato Dip and Chicken Enchilada Dip (recipes courtesy of Pinterest)

Amaretto Dip recipe at the end of this post

Me and Summer!  We so needed another bottle of Champagne...hee hee

Grammy and Tatum

Such a pretty girl...she will make an excellent wife. 

Me and my girl....Can not wait until the Bachelorette Party and of course the WEDDING!

Amaretto Fruit Dip

1 large container Cool Whip

1 large jar of Marshmallow Cream

Amaretto to taste

Mix the Cool Whip and Marshmallow Cream in a large bowl. At this point if you want to color the dip to match your party scheme you may do it now.  Add enough Amaretto to your desired taste.  With this amount of dip I would start off with about 3 tablespoons, stir and taste:)  Just keep adding until you like it....and believer me....you will LOVE it!



Homemade Crackers.....

Today Daddy was at a class so after surfing Pinterest we decided to make homemade crackers.

I'm not even attaching the recipe as they still need to be perfected and believe me I am going to perfect them.  I love being able to make things like this so that when I entertain ( not very often) I can make simple things and feel like a domestic DIVA! wink!

So here it goes....getting Larkin and the ingredients ready!

 Larkin looks thrilled...doesn't she?!

I can guarantee she was happy to be baking with Mommy!

I asked Colton if he wanted to bake crackers today and he said no until he saw all the fun we were about to have and then he wanted to take over.  (SMILE)

Colton is such a wonderful brother, he loves to help Larkin.

Okay...the dough is mixed and ready to press onto our pizza stone.

I let Colton do the honors of applying the fresh cracked pepper. 

A sprinkling of parmesan cheese and then cut into cracker pieces these puppies are ready for the oven.

AND THE FINAL PRODUCT

homemade crackers!

I really have to admit, these are gorgeous crackers but not as tasty as I'd like for them to be.  I think next time I will make them a tad thinner and bake a little longer until nice & crisp. 

Wicker to Watermelon

Several years ago for my birthday my husband bought me a wicker sofa from Pier 1.  I will say it was not the cheapest thing and definitely not worth the price with how it faded so much over the past few years.  We used to bring it inside in the winter but as time went on we got lazy and just left it outside in the elements.  At one point this was a beautiful green color but as you can tell it is now sun faded and BLAH!

Last week when Colton and I were at WalMart I got a wild hair and THREE cans of spray paint and went to town!! lol  I debated first with my dad on the phone which color would be best.....he was NO help...hee hee   I wanted something bright and fun and was hoping to find a Robin's Egg Blue.  No such luck as their selection was not greatest but since I got that wild hair and wanted it done like "yesterday"  I had to make a decision.  I then called Tatum for input.  She will tell me the truth even if it hurts me anyday of the week.  ha ha  You know the ole saying.... "The truth hurts".  Well Tate will shoot straight from the hip so I knew I'd get a straight answer and a color choice:)

The colors I had to choose from were Sun Yellow, Watermelon, Khaki and some weird blue color that I don't remember the name.  Tatum said, "Definitely WATERMELON".  I was hoping she would say that since I had previously had that color in my cart, then out of my cart and then in my cart again.

So here is the masterpiece.....3 cans of Watermelon spray paint and 1 can of clear coat later.

I bought outdoor fabric to match the new pretty Watermelon color and will cover the cushion and pillows that went with that old pretty green color someday.  That will be another post....maybe:)

Colton enjoying a slice of the exceptionally juicy sweet Watermelon that we have been so lucky to have recently. Check out that juice that is dripping off of his chin.  Oh so yummy!!

My deck!  It's so peaceful and now a colorful place to sit and enjoy this cool weather we have been having.

I hope I have inspired you to take an old piece of furniture and revamp it to whatever your heart desires. 

Peanut Blossom Cookies For My Hero!

Today was the last day of 5th grade for Colton! Woot woot! He was honored with a very special award called the "Hero Award" at his final assembly of the year.  This award is given to one child from each grade level selected by the teachers.  I am so proud of him for achieving this award because it's about the kind of person Colton is.  He was selected because he shows compassion for others, has a happy disposition ALL of the time, strives to do great at whatever he is doing and LOVES LIFE!  I can not tell you how many teachers have stopped me in the halls to tell me how wonderful Colton is.  He never frowns or has a bad day and he is like this not only at school but also at home.  I knew he was an amazing kiddo the moment he entered this world and I truly feel blessed and proud to be called his mommy!

After receiving his "HERO AWARD"!

So our tradition at our house on the last day of school is for me to have homemade cookies ready and waiting when the kids get off the bus.  Tatum didn't remember that I did this probably because it's been awhile since she was in school but Colton sure remembered and reminded me that the cookies he was wanting were Peanut Blossom Cookies.  These really are the ones I make every year on the last day of school.  I thought I'd share the recipe and a beautiful, yummy and mouth watering picture of one of the cookies that I made today.

Peanut Blossom Cookies

Sift together:

1  3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream together:

1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter

1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

Gradually add:

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

Add:

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat well and blend in dry ingredients until completely combined.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Shape dough into teaspoon size balls ( or slightly bigger), roll in sugar and place on a cookie sheet or in mini muffin pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake cookies for approximately 8 minutes then take out of the oven and press one Hershey's Kiss into the middle of each cookie.  Place back into the oven and bake an additional 2-5 minutes.  ( I found that 2- 2 1/2 minutes was perfect)  Let cool a few minutes on cookie sheet or muffin tin then remove to wire rack.

I like to eat while still warm with a BIG glass of cold milk!  Enjoy!!

Congratulations Pilot Skylar Henson

On July 25th 1987 my beautiful boy was born, Calvin Skylar Henson. Little did I know how his name would be so fitting.  Sky or Skybaby as he would be called growing up.  Recently Skylar age 24, aquired his CFI rating (Certified Flight Instructor).  I can tell you that this guy has set goals and reached them far quicker than most ever could.  He has grown up around airplanes since birth and took his first flight in an Ercoupe with my dad ( Bud) when he was eighteen months old.  Carseat strapped in and away those two went. My dad could hardly go on a flight without Sky... we lived in a hanger apartment on my parents estate and our living room window looked out at the runway.  Sky would look out the window everytime he heard the airplane engine start.  It was pretty amazing having that for him at such a young age. I know my dad and his love of airplanes molded Skylar's love of airplanes at an early age.  Those two have always been inseparable!

Skylar's first favortie airplane...the Ercoupe. Picture taken in  1989

same Ercoupe.... 2011

Skylar with his very first Log Book

4 years old

This is one of my most favorite pictures of Skylar and Bud.  Bud is now backseat pilot looking over Sky's shoulder.

Skylar works at Cessna in the Instrumentation department and this has afforded him the chance to take advantage of fulfilling his dream of becoming a pilot.  He now has several different ratings under his belt with the lastest one being his CFI rating.  I thought I would interview Skylar so he could say in his own words how he became a pilot.

Me: Sky, at what age do you "remember" flying? And where did you fly?
Sky: My first memory of flying was at the age of seven. Bud had me sitting on a phone book and I performed my very first take-off in his Piper Dakota. He work the rudder pedals, as I could not reach them at the time. We departed his private grass strip to the south. The destination is unclear but the Take-off is burned into memory.

Me: Have you always been interested in airplanes? Or did you have another hobby?
Sky: Yes and No. As the family knows Bud had me in his 1945 Ercoupe at roughly eighteen months old. Until I was twelve, aviation was my passion, weather it was building/flying our model RC planes or attending the air shows and fly-ins. Advancing into my teen years, I got involved with motocross which I participated in until I was twenty. Traveling with the family, mainly Texas, Oklahoma & Kansas, we raced many state events including nationals. After I was done breaking bones and bringing home trophies, I had decided to find a career. Cessna’s doors opened for me which sparked my interest in aviation once again.

Me: When did you really become serious about perusing your dream of becoming a pilot?
Sky: Once obtaining a job at Cessna Aircraft in August 2008, I enrolled for private pilot ground school that fall. Adding to that, my job required me to travel via Cessna business jets for either performance or system data collection. After many trips and tests I realized the opportunities ahead. Surrounded by highly experienced pilots making an income off what they enjoy the most, flying. I knew my route in life needed to focus in that direction.

Me: What types of airplanes have you flown?
Sky: North American T-6 Texan, Piper Dakota, Ercoupe, Fairchild PT-26, Citation Mustang, Cessna Stationair, Skylane, Skyhawk, Skycatcher, Super decathlon, Piper twin Comanche, TBM 700. 
 
Me: Did you have to train on those airplanes with someone else before flying them?
Sky: The twin engine aircraft require a Multi Engine rating which I hold. To accomplish that, a pilot must receive instruction in that class/type aircraft and an FAA examiner sign off for the rating/certificate sought. Other aircraft I listed required certain endorsements including; High performance, Complex, & Tail Wheel signoff’s by a Certified Instructor. The aircraft I fly at the Cessna Flying Club also require a single flight check out per model of craft, followed by an annual flight check for their currency rules. Otherwise, once receiving a Private pilot’s license, that pilot is eligible to fly an aircraft he/she is endorsed/rated to operate.

Me: How many hours have you logged since flying? Is there a certain amount of hours required
before you can get certain licenses?
Sky: Since my flight training at Cessna I have logged 500 hours. Growing up, Bud recorded in my log book about 300 hours of flight time I received with him. Those hours have not counted for the ratings I hold or working towards. There is a 1500 hour limitation for an Airline Transport Pilot License which is on my list to complete one day.

Me: What other goals are you working on now? What are your future goals in regards to flying?
Sky: My biggest goal is to continue being an outstanding husband to Mandy, which has always come first. Flying goals will be to build experience teaching student pilots how to fly, exercising my new Flight Instructor privileges. This fall I would like to work towards becoming an Instrument Flight Instructor, then a Multi Engine Instructor. Maybe one day I will be able to put my skills to use and fly for hire in the

business jet world. That would probably be my ultimate goal in regards to flying. When Mandy and I have kids I think it would be very special to teach them to fly if the interest is there.

Me: What was required for you to get your Certified Flight Instructor license? Was it a long
process?
Sky: To obtain a Flight Instructor License the process begins with your Private Pilots License. After this comes an Instrument rating, followed by a Commercial Pilot certificate. In conjunction, a pilot must log a set amount of flight hours focused into many categories for FAA set standards. Then you have endorsements that allow one to fly a complex aircraft (retractable gear) for Commercial Pilot completion. Once mastering all those elements, the teaching role is applied. An FAA flight test demonstrating Commercial Pilot maneuvers with tight tolerances, verbally teaching/demonstrating the process along the way is the final step. Pilots are also required to pass written exams before each rating/certificate. It was a long process for me juggling home life, work, studying and flying.

Me: What is your most memorable flight that you piloted?
Sky: There are many flights I can put my figure on, however when I operated Bud's T-6 Texan solo was a huge milestone. He and I departed the grass strip and flew over to Stearman field (1k1). After proving to Bud my ability to fly the Texan from the front seat, he had me  taxi over by the restaurant. He said “your ready to solo the T-6”. Removing his seat straps and one last wave, he stepped out of the plane. I was cleared for my first T-6 solo. He watched as I engaged to smoke system, fogging everyone outside during my takeoff. Bud and I made great memories that day.

Me: What is your favorite airplane to date that you have flown?

Sky: Obviously the T-6 comes to mind here. It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to be involved with this aircraft. It has so much history form the war times earning the name “The Pilot Maker”. Its primary purpose was to act as an advanced trainer for pilots soon advancing to the fighters of the era. To fly the plane and hear the 9 cylinders firing forward of you pulling 4 to 5 G’s (G representing the force exerted by gravity) brings a strong feeling of accomplishment and respect to the table.

Me: I know you take your wife Mandy and your Chihuahua Phoebe flying, how does Phoebe like it?
Sky: Yes, Mandy flies with me frequently. She loves the experience and the sights from above. Although she does not currently wish to pursue her pilot’s license, she never turns down a flight. Going up side down is probably her favorite, striving to take that perfect inverted photo with the Iphone. We do take some short trips to her home town Great Bend, bringing along our Chihuahua PhoeBe. PhoeBe always shakes, so hard telling what is going on upstairs. She lies on Mandy’s lap during the flights, staying calm (shaking included) and collected.

Me: When are you going to fly me to Ponca City for Mexican food? ha ha
Sky: To be determined…..

Thank you Skylar for sitting down and sharing what all it takes to be a dedicated, safe and wonderful pilot!  I always knew your love for airplanes would come back to you in your adult life.  I am truly impressed with the young man you have become and I am such a proud mom.  You have proven that with hard work and dedication that anyone can achieve their goals no matter what those goals are.  You are an inspiration to me and a role model to your little brother Colton.  He wants to be just like you when he grows up.

IN BUDS WORDS I SAY TO YOU.......

"Keep em' flyin"

AT-6 Texan

Turning on the smoke for a fly by!

Mandy enjoying the flight to a fly in.

in a barrell roll....

They flew in to have lunch at Stearman Air Field

( I drove over and meet them:)

Colton's first flight with Skylar  after getting his pilots license

PT-26

Congratulations Skylar...I am very proud of you!!

 I Love you,

Mom