Kansas #3 ~ Showing Cows!

This is Kensley, my darling cowgirl neice who lives in Kansas...way to far away from me!! I just adore and cherish her! Her and her brothers raise and show bucket calves. It is SO much work for these kids. They get the calves as babies and bottle feed them several times a day, then transition them to feed. They must do this early morning to late evening every day of the week...it is amazing to me that they are so dedicated to these calves. Then, they show them at the Fair and auction them off!

Kensley had a lot of competition this year. She had to teach her calf how to walk with a lead. She bathed him and trimmed his hair just so...

She had to get him to stay with his legs in perfect position, and impress the judge by answering really hard questions about cows! I had NO idea of the answers...seriously! She did so great and I was proud to be able to watch and cheer her on!!

Konor is one of her little brothers and one of my favorite Cowboys!! He is in the red shirt talking to the judge! He came into the arena with such confidence and charm, oh, how I want to kiss his dirt-stained cheeks right now!!

He also did great at the show and walked away with a ribbon! My sister and her husband put so much time and energy (and money) into this sport and after the fair, I think they are all exhausted and happy to be done...until next year!! I miss my Kansas family...sure wish they lived closer!!

Wordless Wednesday #49 ~ Kansas #2 ~ How to Break a Horse

One of my favorite pictures from the trip...love these kids SO MUCH!!

Breaking a horse with love and patience...it worked!

Kansas #1 ~ Trip to Denver International Airport

Nathan, Eldon, Tanya, Holly, and I arrived at the airport and checked our bags!

A LOT of bags!!

We got the kids McDonald's and waited to load...the kids were so excited, and so was I!

Nathan and Eldon on the plane...they looked so cute!

Holly and Tanya...ready for take-off!

We finally arrived in Denver and rode the moving sidewalk...always fun!

I don't think every airport has a toronado shelter. Made me feel nervous and safe at the same time, luckily there was no need to use the shelter!

We got our suitcases and got on the shuttle bus to the rental car facility. The Denver airport is so confusing!

Holly and I on the bus!

Waiting for the car, a really long line!

Tanya drove the first leg in our snazzy red car.

3 kids in the back seat...yes, they complained...no, we didn't care!

The sky looked cloudy, and we got a few sprinkles, but overall it was a great trip to KANSAS!! We were so happy to arrive. I will post many pictures of our adventures and family in the days to come!

We're off to KANSAS!!

It's 4 a.m. and we're off to Kansas!! Tanya, Eldon, Holly, Nathan, and I are headed to the airport now and will land in Denver and rent a car...should be to Kansas by afternoon!! HOORAY!!

Wordless Wednesday #48 ~ Molly's Summer Collar

Pretty bows for Molly!!

Summer Reading

The summer is the time I read for pleasure. During the school year, i always have too much to do to sit down and read. I went to the bookstore last week and picked up a couple of magazines and Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mother. I have read the first few chapters and it is VERY interesting! Tanya loaned me The Art of Racing in the Rain and I'm about halfway through...makes me think a lot of my little Molly. I hope to finish all of these books before school starts. We'll see how it goes! It's really my first week of summer as I taught summer school the past 2 weeks...

Nathan's Birthday Party ~ BroomBall

Darrell's workplace has an ice hockey rink on-site...how cool is that?? We took advantage and took some of Nathan's buddies to play broomball for his birthday. Kyle and Darrell were in control the whole time!

As usual, Grammy and Grampy were there to cheer on the boys and help me...what would I do without them!??

Action shots...Eldon is in the blue shirt...

Best buddies...love these boys!!

The whole crew during a time-out/water break. It was freezing in there and they were sweating like pigs!! Most of the boys hadn't played broomball before.

So serious and competitive...and so cute!!

My El-De Buck...

Kyle playing goalie!

After the game, watching the zamboni. Hot and sweaty...ewwww!

Grammy made delicious cucakes...Nathans request...chocolate with chocolate!

All of the boys...and Holly!! Happy Birthday Nathan...nice face and crossed eyes! Goofball...I love you!!

Nathan's Birthday Dinner!

We all went to Corky's for Nathan's birthday dinner...they have his favorite chicken strips! We sat on the patio and it was a beautiful night! Grammy brought balloons...always makes a party happier with balloons!

This card was perfect...13 does rock! Right?? It's hard to say that my baby is a teenager, hopefully that attitude will not get too bad!

He wanted a "nice" watch and a "sports" watch for his birthday. He got the "nice" watch from Grammy and the "sports" watch from us. He was a happy camper!

Silly faces...

A Giant cookie and Happy Birthday song...we are having a broomball party for him tonight...I think it will be fun! Happy Birthday Nathan...you are 13...and YOU ROCK!!

Happy 13th Birthday NATHAN

Dear Nathan~
13 years ago I gave birth to a 10 pound beautiful baby boy...and that was YOU! I fell in love with you even before I saw your gorgeous blue eyes and thick head of brown hair! You were perfect with all of your fingers and toes and are the most magnificent addition to our family. I could not imagine our lives without YOU...you make us a whole family and I adore you!
You have turned into a compassionate and tender boy. You are everyone's friend and always help the underdogs. You are very athletic and competed once again in All-Star baseball and hit 3 homeruns this year. All of your teachers tell me you are the "ideal" student and you got excellent grades in your first year of middle school. Your Daddy and I are so proud of you and are excited to see what the next year brings for you!
With all my LOVE,
Mom

4th of July CELEBRATION

On the 4th of July, we had some of our family here for burgers and dogs...My cousin Monique from Arizona was here with her kids...Chelsea came over...

And my cousins Diane and Larry joined us. The kids TOTALLY outnumbered the adults, but they are all big enough to take care of themselves, which is great and relaxing for ME!! We had a great time, even though we ran out of burgers...who knew all the kids would choose burgers and not dogs!?!

After dinner they swam again and then played games. This particular game, they have to put names of celebrities on each others foreheads and then they have to guess the name on their own heads! They were cracking each other up! They had a blast!

Shawn and Kyle are 6 months apart and they both just graduated. He is such a great kid...and cute too!!

Chelsea and Kyle...having fun!

Shawn and Jenna...

Nathan, the youngest in the crowd...but held his own!! Thanks guys...for a fun time! Go U>S>A!!