Father Daughter Ball

The girls picked out their own dresses and shoes along with a hair and nail salon in our bathroom to prepare for a perfect evening with their dad. They had a wonderful time dancing and playing games. The boys were happy with the Burger King play area and an Icee treat with mom.

Christmas

I couldn't help but to post this picture-Charles in our neighbor's Harry Potter glasses on Christmas day. The boys were so fun on Christmas morning this year. They understood that we open one present at a time and they didn't try to tear into the girl's gifts.

Kelsey and her American Girl doll with a matching outfit ofcourse!

I wish I could have posted all the pictures of Kendall that led up to this point. Kendall started out excited and as she open her gifts she sank lower and lower on the couch. Her head started to hang and her excitement was less and less with each shirt or pair of skinny jeans she opened. Kendall begged for a phone this year-she asked every santa she came across for one. Chad and I struggled with it and decided that if we were going to rely on her to be mature enough to watch her siblings for an hour every once in a while (which she is legal to do at 11), that she not only needed a phone, but she is mature enough for one. So...all the presents were open and Kendall was laying so low on the couch she was about to fall off and we were starting to clean up until Chad found one more box and this is Kendall's reaction.

Going to church on Christmas eve, it was a beautiful candle light service

My oh my is she growing up

My sweet Kelsey looking so lovely

Finally back!

I would be both suprised and impressed if anyone is actually still checking our blog. Needless to say, it was a rough four months of school with no time for anything other then studying and the kids. I am on break until Jan. so I thought I would throw a few pictures up of the kiddos. I realized that not only did I not blog but I didn't take pictures either-boo. Here are some recent (tonight) pictures of the kiddos. We are all well and getting excited for Christmas! Cookie decorating after dinner tonight. Can you believe this one will be 11 soon!

This one still sees the world through rose colored glasses. That is something on the wall behind her, not a crazy hair style.

Identical twins that are polar opposites. Landon is calm, rational, and non-violent, Charles is the opposite. Charles is in orange.

I am half way there. I was pinned as an LPN last Wednesday. Only two more teensy semesters until RN.

A summer wind-up

I found these pictures of Nana and Papa's visit on Chad's camera. The boys loved motorcycle rides with papa!

papa and nana's camper is always a favorite play spot.We went to Chad and Natalies for a bbq and for another visit with great grandpa and grandma. I'll snuggle little Ashton anytime

Our entire summer revolved around training four cattle for the Stevens Co. 4-H fair. Since we are military we can show in that county. It is an amazing opportunity for the girls and we are grateful. My heart is so full of pride for both my girls for their hard work and tenacity with their animals. Kendall was drug, kicked, head butted, and stepped on by animals 12 times her size and she stuck to it. Kendall worked with her three cattle everyday at least two hours a day. There were some tears of frusteration but she never quit.

Kendall's hard work did indeed pay off. She got junior grand champion in showman ship with her steer. Since she got grand champion it qualified her for the round robin. The round robin is a showman ship competition in which all champions have to show eachother's animals. The junior who shows each animal the best wins. They had about an hour to learn how to show all the other animals.
Kendall showing a goat.

Showing a very naughty sheep that kept trying to get away. They don't use any type of halter to show sheep so it was really hard for Ken to hold on to.

She loved showing the horse.

She did not like showing the pig because it wouldn't get away from the fence.

Showing Taylor, her market heifer.

Showing Amber, my brother's breeding heifer

Setting Nuibus' feet. What amazing form!

Look at her keeping that head up

Getting ready for the next class.

Waiting to go in the ring with uncle Chad.

Keeping her eye on the judge. Look at those perfect feet.

And here is my Kelsey show Bison, her bucket calf. She did so well. We had no idea that her class was dead last of all open class animals so she and Bison were ready about two hours too early. Yuk! They were both very tired by the time it finally started.

The judge asking Kelsey questions about her calf.

Don't you love the wash boots.

What a tired pair.

These girls had a summer they will remember forever. Thank you so much mom and dad for giving the girls this opportunity. We know we made your days longer and louder but special memories were made. Thank you Chad and Natalie for all your help throughout the fair. We couldn't have done it without you. Daddy was able to be here this year which we are so grateful for too.

Summer...so far

It started with a visit from Nana and Papa. Papa made a great monster and Nana was a safe base. Charles was Papa's helper with the tires

Kelsey finished the school year as the student of the quarter.

Daddy made it to the assembly-that was the most special part.

Kendall with her 4-H steer that she will show at the fair in Kansas this year. Uncle Chad worked with one of her heifers in the background.

Hugoton days on the 4th of July with it's most popular attraction

Kelsey climbing the inflatable mountain

We were so happy to be able to spend a few days with my aunt Sandy and my Grandma and Grandpa.

Inseperable

Kendall took my cousin Natasha for a horse back ride on Duke and Applejack.

Kendall blowdrying Taylor after her bath.

Kelsey is 7 and insisted on being blind folded to open her gifts.

We spent Kelsey birthday at a waterpark in Liberal, KS followed by tacobell and cake at home!

This is the first birthday of Kelsey's that Chad has been here for since she was 2. We were so grateful.

The boys love their cousin Ashton.

Mom got us all overalls and we couldn't resist taking a family picture in them. Chad likes them the most!

Afternoon in the shade after a hard days work

Kids doing their chores

Chad and Ken trying to pull around Chocolate another bucket calf.

Kelsey with her bucket calf Bison. Bison is a twin but his mom would only feed his sister so Kels is his mommy now.

5 calves, 5 bottles, twice a day. Not near as fun as it seems.

Kendall feeding faline-our little doe

He will deny it all day, but he loved feeding those little calves and he was really good at it.

baby chicks.

It was amazing how Kendall could catch these chicks.

my cowboys