We love Jordan!

Last weekend we were able to travel

over to Seattle to watch Jordan and

the Seattle Pacific University Falcons.

It was Senior Night for Jordan so we wanted to

go and support her.

Lola and Hannah during the game.



At half-time, Hannah took Trace and Lola down to the

floor for a free-throw shooting contest.

The boys posing in front of the falcon.

Jordan and her #1 fans! 

Charly happened to be stuck on the west side of the pass

and since it was not going to open anytime soon, he was

able to go with us!

Jordan and her fiance Nick.  They will be

married July 14th and all of the kids

get to be in the wedding! We are very excited!

I tried to get a picture of the back of their shirts.

Love Lola's face?

~ The girls ~

SPU ended up defeating Simon Frasier and

is now 17-9 for the season!  Jordan also

leads her team in assists!

We are so proud of you and your basketball career.  It has

been a fun 8 years (high school and college)

watching you play!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



While we were in Seattle we decided to go to

the Space Needle, since Charly and the kids

had never been there.

It was pretty cold walking around the outside,

but the kids loved it.









~ Going down ~



Valentine's Day

I have been wanting to make a few ideas I have seen on pinterest. 

I thought today would be a great day to start!

I started the morning off by making some cinnamon rolls.  I used the same recipe I always

use, but just added an extra twist!

They are supposed to look like hearts, if you can't tell!!

Trent and Lola were asked to bring treats for their class,

so we made these:

For Trace's party, I was in charge of bringing the treats.  I have

been wanting to make these for a while.

One of his classmates and friend, Harper.  This will be fun to

show at their High School graduation!

Trace took this picture of what he drew for me

when he got home from school:)

Charly was out on the road, so the kids and I

decided to make little heart-shaped pizzas

for dinner.  Not that Charly would not have liked them,

but I probably would have done steak and shrimp instead!

It was a fun day!!

 

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Finally, it's snowing!  For those of you that know me,

you know I wait all winter for this!  Although the snow has

just started, it is beautiful and I love the way it

makes everything look.

Let it snow!  Let it snow!!  Let it snow!!!



Thankful

Today I am thankful for many things . . .

a family that is on the healing end of sickness,

family members who drop everything to be there for you,

great friends who also drop everything to be there for you,

great memories with family that will be remembered forever,

 

and for these fun-loving, hilarious and gentle-hearted

kids who constantly remind us to slow down, have fun and laugh.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

(These pictures were taken last Thanksgiving up at the cabin.)

Traditions

I love traditions. 

They are full of family, memories, love, dedication and sometimes determination.

I remember making applesauce with my grandma when I was a little girl.

(I wish I had a picture of it, but pretty sure it probably resembled this picture!  With a

much younger grandma of course!)

In the last couple of years, she taught me how to make applesauce,

and I will cherish those memories for years.

Grandma's applesauce was the best! 

 We always raced to the fridge when we would visit the ranch.

This last Spring, shortly before she passed away, she asked me to clean

out her deep freezer and take whatever was in it.  I found 3 quarts of her applesauce and it

was like finding gold!

So now it is my turn to make these traditions and memories with my kids.







Grandma always left the peels on.  It gave the applesauce that nice pink/red color,

and as she always said, "It's one less step!"



My taste tester!

Seal of approval!



And, finally, the finished product!  The best part is, this is only

half of what we made!  Hopefully it will last us a few months.



Pee Wee Cowpokes 2011

Another fun and successful fair in the books!  All three kids brought a calf to the fair this year and showed them in the "Pee Wee Cowpokes Show".

We took them out on Wednesday and started the evening with giving them a good wash!

Of course it wouldn't be a successful fair without a

picture sitting on Patience, the cow!

The mornings start bright and early.  The kids have to clean out

the stalls and feed and water their calves.



Then it's time for some practice in the show ring before tonight's big show!

After the morning chores, this is our treat!  Mini doughnuts!!!! 

I lost count of how many bags I bought!!

The two youngest cowpokes waiting for their doughnuts.

Before they show their calves the kids have to wash, dry and fit their calves.

Thank goodness for those "experienced" 4-H boys, they always

come to our rescue!

Brett and Caleb helping Trace.

Jon helping Trent make sure is calf is dry.

And, little miss independent drying her calf

all by herself!  "I don't need any help mom!"

All cleaned up and ready to go!

Spur and Trace

Stidgy and Trent

 Pinkie Pie and Lola

My camera is not as "high-tech" as some cameras,

so most of them turned out pretty dark.  I loved

this one though with all of them in one shot.  The judge kept

talking to Lola and asking her questions.  Would have

loved to hear her answers!  They all did a great job and had a lot of fun!

Proud grandpas watching their cowpokes!

Group hug with all the cousins!

We ended the week with a dinosaur birthday party for Trent!

Happy 5th birthday Trenty!!

Only 357 days until next year!!