curtisandamylane

A cabin will not be complete without dead animals on the wall.

2010-08-10T16:52:00.000-07:00

Curtis swears he got a good deal on all these critters. When you sit in the living room there are now many eyes staring at you. I never would have thought that I would have a huge buffalo hanging on my mantle.

We have an Axis deer, an antelope, a pheasant, a bear and a buffalo...

A wildebeest, and a whitetail deer...

...and finally a turkey and a ram. I don't have a picture of the buffalo skin and the cow skin hanging over the balcony.

Nicholas was so excited that when I got home he said "daddy got a buffalo but someone cut its legs off." This thing is so big we had to use the trailer to get it home. I think of cabin is complete.

Our new bedroom suite

2010-08-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

Curtis and I finally have a queen size bed, not that I don't like sleeping up against him. He bought a new bed, comforter, sheets, curtains and a big new chair to sit and watch tv together (when we get tv in the bedroom). I love our new room. I just wanted to share the pictures.

Vacation 2010

2010-08-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

We went on vacation in July and had a great time. The twins are 5 years old and Nic is 4. We are finally old enough to remember and enjoy a vacation. We have been waiting for everyone to be over 42 inches tall so we could take this vacation and we finally made it.

Monday and Tuesday we spent all day at Great Wolf Lodge. The indoor water park was great for such a hot summer. The kids could ride all but 2 rides at the park, and they did. Nic was a little scared on the first raft ride because you had to walk up 4 flights of stairs. Once we got him to the top and we rode down together as a family, you could not slow the little man down. Everyone had a great time.

Wednesday we made it to Six Flags over Texas. Roller coasters here we come! I really thought that the kids would ride one and be ready to go home but I was wrong. The little stinkers rode everything. This ranges from the little kiddy rides that mom and dad couldn't ride to the big roller coasters. They were measured alot because they just barely made that 42 inch mark. We were there from 10am when the gates were opening until the 10:30pm when everyone was asked to leave. We only sat down to eat lunch and that was not until about 3. Curtis was starving otherwise the kids would not had stopped then. We saw Batman an Robin, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Lex Luther. Curtis bought each of them a new cape. Mike got Superman/Bizzaro (good guy/bad guy) cape, Hailey got Wonder Woman and of coarse Nic got Batman/ Joker . Every one was all smiles.

Thursday night we went to the kids first Rangers game. Wow wee that park was big, it was way bigger than their 8 year old cousins little league field. I don't know if they were more excited about the game or the food. We found nachos, hot dogs, and cotton candy. The kids were so full of sugar when we left, and the Rangers won their game. This was an awesome night.

Friday we flew home to Odessa to see the grandparents. I thought I took pictures of the kids on the plane but they are lost somewhere. Mike was very inquisitive about where exactly Jesus lives if he can't see him from above the clouds. I love the innocence of a child. We swam at Meme's and Papa's house and had a great visit. Came back home on Sunday just in time to get in bed and go back to work of Monday.

It was a whirl-wind trip but every one was well behaved and seemed to enjoy themselves. We made many memories that I hope that I and the kids never forget.

Us at Great Wolf Lodge after a long day of swimming.

These are the prize capes the kids got from Six Flags. I always knew my kids had multiple personalities.

The kids go to meet the Rangers mascot. Mike was so full of sugar I guess he tasted good.

The family at the Rangers park. Yeah we won!

Pre K is over? already?

2010-06-09T19:36:00.000-07:00

We had a great year and it is hard to believe it is over. Mrs. Trammel was teacher's aid the twins had this year. One of Mike and Hailey's best friends is Mrs. Trammel's grandson, Christian.

Mrs. Combs was Mike and Hailey's teacher. She is strict but also great with kids. I appriciate everything that she did for Mike and Hailey this year. She helped them learn so much and mature from little toddlers into school kids.

Mike and Hailey proud of their Pre K certifiates. We told them they had to keep them safe or they could not go to Kindergarten next fall.

Mike graduating.

Hailey graduating.

One Year Down........At Least 13 more too go!!!!!!

So much new stuff since 2009.

2010-06-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

We went to my Mom and Dads for Easter. It sure was good to be home. I have great folks.

Everyone got to go on this whirl-wind trip even the first born, Koda.

We were sure to let the Easter Bunny know to go to Meme and PaPa's house to hide the eggs. How did that bunny know Nic loves Batman, Hailey loves princesses and Mike was a Superman.

Curtis even wore a tie. There was a time when he wore one everyday but now I see them every once in a blue moon.

I love the bright and chearful colors of Easter.

Next we move on the something that totally distrubes Curtis but makes me laugh. I could not pass up the opportunity to post these pics. When the kids came to me and told me to take their picture I just about tripped over myself to get the camera.

My Michael can go from one of the Lane boys.... (getting dirty out cutting firewood with Daddy, Pawpaw and uncle Jimmy) too.......

A very beautiful Lane girl. I know what blackmail I am going to get out of this one. He still thinks it is funny and cute at age 5.

Matter of a fact sometimes I have 3 Lane girls. Nic makes a very "interesting" ballerina.

Pray for my kids that this is something that they grow out of.

No More Muddy Mess

2009-10-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

Mr. Price built up the front yard enough to make a circle drive around the oak tree (the tree with the bench beside it to the left of the picture) and not have to worry about driving off the edge or hitting the house. I added the bolders and cedar logs to help prevent someone from driving over the edge. It is a good 6 foot drop on this side of the bolder in the picture.

Mr. Price did a lot of bulldozing to get our yard level and then he brought some topsoil in. I planted bermuda grass and Amy and I kept it watered till it was growing good on its own. Even with all the rain we have had lately our yard still isn't a muddy mess. I put the bolders back here to keep people from driving on the grass. So far, only one person has hit them with a vehicle. The kids miss all the mud but Amy and I sure don't. Next spring we will start putting in flower beds and plant some bushes but for now we will just have to be happy with our grass, bolders, and cedar logs.

Thanksgiving Tree

2009-10-20T18:05:00.000-07:00

This is our Thanksgiving or Turkey tree. We saw one and thought it was a great idea. We have a tree that sits in the attic 11 out of 12 months. Why can't we use it a few more months out of the year? We are trying to get the house ready for family coming over for the holidays. It was a fun idea and projects that the kids do at school go on the tree too. If you look close there is a turkey as a tree topper.

Daddy's little helpers

2009-10-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

This is the kids and Amy helping me set some corner posts on the new fence line. We got the corner posts up and all the t-posts drivin that weekend. Amy got blisters from all the digging and driving t-posts. Michael picked up the t-posts from the ground so I didn't have to bend over and Hailey and Nick held the tools for us. Michael thought we did a great job other than the cows being able to walk inbetween the t-posts. I had to explain to him that we still had wire to put up. This is one one of my all time favorite weekends. I don't know how much fun Amy and the kids had but I had a blast and it really meant a lot to me them being out there helping.

Our Little Cowboy

2009-10-19T17:27:00.001-07:00

Our baby (Nick) is growing up fast. He is turning into a little boy..........

cowboy that is!

(This is one of his school pictures.)

First day of Pre K

2009-08-29T12:39:00.001-07:00

Hailey and Michael had there first day of Pre K. They were so excited to buy all of the supplies and to pack their backpacks. They were nervous like mom and daddy were but when it came time to leave it was a different story for Mike. Hailey did perfectly, sitting at her desk coloring her picture. Mike did his "I need a kiss and hug first" routine. Then he started fussing about us leaving. He practically chased us out of the room....untill....Alexa Rainge (a very pretty little girl) walked into class. All of the sudden, out of nowhere, Mike turned around and started acting so cool. After that Curtis and I could leave. I can't help but laugh because if this is how he acts at 4 years old, I don't want to know what it will be like as a teenager.

So far school has been great. Mike only has one enemy, a boy he has never gotten along with. It is a constant battle to teach Mike not to listen to or act like this other little boy. I guess this is something we all go through. So far he is making out like a champ. Hailey is a follower so she just does what everyone else does. Sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes it is not. We are just learning when to not conform. Hailey has never really been a good nap-taker so being still and quiet during nap time has been hard. I sure do love them both!

Kids playing at the new house.

2009-08-01T14:34:00.001-07:00

I really got to get Mr. Price to hurry on the dirt work so I can get some grass growing!!! This is James and Morgan Price and Michael, Hailey, and Nick.

Kids + Dirt + Water = FUN!!!

Michael's got his own swimming hole.

Hailey and James are making mud angels.

Nick is making a mud angel.

They are haveing way too much fun.

Nick has dirt everywhere but inbetween his teeth.

Hailey is always ready to take a picure. One of these days she is going to regret this picure.

This is our smart kid!!!

Finished House and Moving In!!!

2009-08-01T13:54:00.000-07:00

This is what our finished house looks like. NOW we get to start on the yard!!! As soon as it dries out Mr. Price will fix our front drive, put a circle drive in front and bring in some topsoil. Yeah!!!

Our finished catwalk!!!

Our finished fireplace. (I even cleaned the trash out of it.)

Our new front door and Piano.

This is our antler chandelier at night from the catwalk view.

We had a possum find our chandelier. He is just hanging out.

Our new clean kitchen.

This is the finished stove top, arch, and backsplash.

Amy's copper sink and appliance garage in the corner.

The hardest thing in the house to move was putting the sleeper sofa in the gameroom.

The game room is coming together.

The TV goes good in the gameroom.

This is Nick's Batman room!!!

This is Micheal's Superman room.

And Hailey has a Pink Princess Room. Imagine That!

Weeks away from the big day!

2009-06-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

Well, they are saying we will be moving in July. It is getting so close that we can finally see the end. The last of the rock work on the the back porch is being done, and the poles are getting stained.

The dinning room now has a tile floor. The walls are painted and I think we can call this room "done".

Roy did a great job on the rock. The chimney looks great. We would highly recommend him for any rock work.

The island and the arch over the cook top are complete. After the tile is done in here, the kitchen will be ready for some appliances.

Truck takes a lick'en and keeps on tick'en !!!

2009-04-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when my truck went for a spin without me.

Notice the imprint of the tree on my hood. The tree was verticle. My truck was not on flat ground.

Stupid tree.

The tree in the middle is the one that stopped my truck for me. My truck had to find the biggest tree around.

Easter 2009

2009-04-21T19:14:00.001-07:00

The kids were checking out their bounty after finding Easter eggs at church Wednesday before Easter.

Our boys all dressed up. They sure looked sharp.

Hailey is always ready to strike a pose.

All the girls Easter Sunday.

All the boys Easter Sunday.

Delays.......Another 2 months and counting

2009-04-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

Roy (Our rock man) has been working hard to get all the rock on the house. All that is left is the rock on the bottom of the pillars and he is about to get those whooped.

Roy added a star above the front window for added character.

The back of the house is almost finished as well.

Mike (cabinet man) did a great job making the cabinets. The granite was put on this last week. We just need some stain and paint !!!

Oh, yea.......and some more rock. The arch is going to be rocked as well as the island.

We have the gameroom about done. We have to seal and polyurethane everything and add some carpet and it will be done.

These are the beams above the livingroom. It's just a matter of time before we find the boys hanging from them.

This is another picture of the logs. I was standing on the catwalk looking over rather than under them.

These are the logs above the catwalk. The handrails will be put in later this week, then we don't have to worry about anyone falling over.

This is the rest of the logs under the catwalk. The men are glad to be done with all the logs.

2 months and counting

2009-03-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

Mike Waldon has custom made the cabinets from knotty alder and they are being installed.

We have to pick the stain and Curtis and I cannot come to a decision. We may just seal them and be done with it.

The railings for the stairs are here and are ready to be installed.

The boards on the walls and ceiling are going up. It is really starting to look like a house.

The columns are going on the walls . The men are putting them up by hands. These beams are a foot wide and very long. This weekend will be fun to watch because the will be putting the beams across the living room. Someone has to hold it up while the other bolts it in. I sure hope that no one will get hurt.

Problem Pond SOLVED

2009-03-19T12:53:00.001-07:00

Looks like the pond should go away soon. Well, I guess that the green spot they left should be a very fertile place to grow a garden. Just kidding! Thanks for the prayers.

Our unwanted mystery pond

2009-03-03T18:35:00.000-08:00

These picture were taken not very long ago. We have been having a dispute with our soon to be neighbors over their septic tank running over to our land. This has been going on for at least a year. The neighbors don't see that the sewage as any problem. This is not a puddle but a small pond of poo.

Thankfully the State of Texas has decided to help us and on March 16 th we have a court date. I guess that the EPA doesn't approve of sewage dumping like the neighbors were hoping for. We do not want to be ugly but we do have 3 small children that are drawn to "mud" and I don't want them coming home covered in "this".

I wish that I could say it is just barely on our property but it is not. Please pray for us that we can get the poo cleaned up without us getting to pooy with each other.

The project room (game room)

2009-03-03T17:58:00.000-08:00

This is the Curtis project game room. Curtis, his parents, and grandpa Hamilton have been working on this room together. Curtis wanted one room in the house that he could say he did. (The rest of the house is done by workers or the contractor.) I think it is turning out great. The bottom 3 feet of wall is tin and the rest is cedar that came from the land. Curtis had some cedar trees cut into boards. The ceiling is covered in the tin also.

Pop Hamilton is doing alot of the work during the week when Curtis and his dad are at work.

The only part of this room that Curtis didn't do is the insulation and the framing.

Randy is holding the huge boards up on the ceiling and waiting on Curtis to nail them in and cut them just right to leave room for lighting, not to mention the strange angles in the ceiling.

Michael took this picture. I guess it is true little kids are better at electronics than adults. I didn't know he even knew how to turn the camera on, much less take a picture. This is what the room looked like before the tin and cedar.

This the only clue I had as to who took the mystery pictures. I will have to talk to him about not leaving pictures of the crook behind.

We had to stop every once in a while to say "cheese". I was hoping that we didn't have to use this picture for insurance purposes if they fell off of this scaffolding.

Lets Rock!!

2009-02-19T17:38:00.001-08:00

We are very lucky that the gentleman we purchased the rock from is laying it himself. You can tell that he takes great pride in his work. It looks great. The week we decided to start was a rainy week, so he started rocking under the porch in the back. It was not long before he ran out of work under the roof.

When the sun came back out they started the back wall on the side of the garage.

It is only 30 something feet in the air and the chimney is looking great too. It is interesting to watch them find the exact rock for each spot. They have their work cut out for them.

Moving right along on the house...

2009-01-23T16:57:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving and Christmas brought some delays in the house, but it was a rest we all needed. Now we are back at it in full force. This week they are working inside and outside. The log siding is going up and should be done by the 26th. They only worked outside 1 day before they went and rented a lift instead of using ladders.

Once they finish the top half, the rock guys will be here to put the rocks up on the lower 8 feet.

Curtis and I are very please with the contrast in the different browns and hope that the rock will look as good.

Christmas 2008

2009-01-23T16:27:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2008 brought some new milestone to pass. Curtis and I bought the twins their first bicycles...with training wheels. Although Christmas day was so cold, we still got out and learned how to ride. Micheal was a little afraid at first, ut now that he knows the bicycle will not fall, he is off and going. Hailey, on the other hand, hopped on and took off. She is so fearless.

Nick got ... of course... a batman tricycle with all the buttons that make all the noises. He has not learned to ride it yet but we are still learning.

Christmas eve night we went out in the yard and sprinkled oats and magic sprinkles so the reindeer would have some food when they stopped by.

We didn't leave out Santa. When we went to the mall for our picture with Santa, they asked what kind of cookies and milk to leave. This year he got a smorgesborg (alot) of different kinds of cookies and chocolate milk.

All the cousins where able to get together to play and enjoy unwraping gifts.

Christmas was sooo fun that they can't wait for next year. We told them that Santa was tired and had to get his rest. But it is never to early to start being good so you stay on the "nice" list.

We have to take a timeout for Halloween!

2008-11-09T19:14:00.000-08:00

This was our first year to carve pumpkins. Mommy and Hailey drew the face on her pumpkin trying to keep it simple for daddy to carve. But the second pumpkin, Nick and Mike's, daddy was up for a challenge. The boys wanted their pumpkin to be scary.

DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT ROBBING OUR HOUSE. The Justice League is here to save the day! We were on a mission to rescue some candy from The Legion of Doom. We made out with quite a haul. Maybe we can eat it all by christmas.

Wow, it is really moving fast!!!!

2008-11-09T18:47:00.003-08:00

You should have seen these guys balance on the little boards 30' in the air.

The first picture here shows how small the kids are compared to the front of the house. The second picture is on the back of the house. The tar paper is already up to start roofing soon.

The windows are going in and the overhang on the front of the house is starting to take shape.

This is from the catwalk upstairs looking down at the soon to be fireplace.

In this picture I am in the master bedroom and you can see my "time-out" room, a closed in patio upstairs. This is a very important room so mommy can keep her sanity.

On the left is the soon to be kitchen and on the right is the soon to be formal dinning room. I have a feeling this room is going to need a really big table.

Well hear we are today, November 9th. Starting tomorrow the plumber, electrician, and roofing men will all be out here. Almost all the windows are in, so we are almost "in the dry."

The back of the house is ready for rock and siding.

This is the side with the garage. No one around here has a garage. We are such weirdos.

I sure hope that the kids remember some of this. It is a real experience. All they really get is that they are going to have their very own bedrooms. They have always been together so we will see if they sleep apart when we move in.

Ready....Set.....Build

2008-10-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

Here we GO!!!!!

From woods...to pasture...

to concrete... (and mud because it rained and yes the concrete trucks did get stuck)...

to house? (look at all the trucks, everyone wants to watch.)

It seems to be growing!

The three little guys in the picture are saying,

"Oh my goodness....it's going to be tall."

But it is all worth it because we have such a great ( filthy) cheering squad!!!

It has changed so much since these pictures were developed...we will have more soon!

Our family picture

2008-09-02T18:37:00.000-07:00

This is gotcha day August 31, 2007. Can you believe it has been a year already. I will have to post a more recent family picture as soon as we take one.

Look I started a blog

2008-09-02T18:00:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,

I finally did it. I thought that this would be a fun way of keeping up with my friends and family that are so far away. So much is changing at our house and they kids are getting so big.

This is the little yellow house we currently live in. In a matter of weeks the construction will begin on the new huge log house. I will try to post pictures of the new house as it progresses along.