Happy Birthday Grandma Joyce!

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear grandma joyce
happy birthday to you!!!

hope you have a great birthday!

Love,
Benji, Carolyn, Katie and John

Thankful for them

As the years go by, I'm thankful that what means the most to me are things that money cannot buy.  

I've especially been thankful for our little family.  My husband and our kids.  Together we make a pretty neat bunch.

 Even with crossed eyes (smile)

Happy 10th Birthday Benji

happy birthday to you,

happy birthday to you

happy birthday dear benji

happy birthday to you!

I can't believe that you are turning 10 years old!  It seems like just yesterday, Mommy and Daddy, were impatiently waiting for you to arrive.  Now here you are, getting your first hunting license!  We love you so much!

Happy 10th Birthday Benji!

Love,
Dad, Mom, Carolyn, Katie and John

4 of a kind

(A huge thank you to Grandma Linda for taking and sharing these pictures of the kids)

Looking at these pictures, melts me into a puddle of goo.  It makes the hard days seem so small and meaningless.  It makes me want to try harder to be more patient and loving as their mother.  It makes me appreciate just how lucky I am to have 4 happy, healthy children.

Happy 6th Birthday John!

happy birthday to you

happy birthday to you

happy birthday dear john

happy birthday to you!!

 

 

 

We can't believe you are 6 years old already!  Love you,

Daddy, Mommy, Benji, Carolyn & Katie

happy birthday grandpa ray!

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear grandpa ray
happy birthday to you!

We love and miss you,
Benji, Carolyn, Katie and John

Fishing: Country boy style

 

All this boy needs is a stick, a piece of fishing line caught in the bush, a hook and a worm.

The water was a few feet below, so he would 'cast', and squat all in one move! :)

4 Kids

In August we travelled thru 8 states and put on close to, if not over 3000 miles.  The kids were great traveler's; considering the long hours of driving to and from our destinations.  Benjamin had some shows lined up out west, so we mixed business with pleasure.  Enjoyed catching up with family, old friends and making new ones.

 

 

Dodge City, KS

Fishing in the CO mountains

 

We enjoyed a few days of camping in the mountains.  A quiet area, along side a creek.

 

 

 We killed some time at the over-rated Wall Drug on the hottest day of our trip (101*)

We were really lucky to have great weather for most of our trip.  The last 2 days of our trip (heading home) were quite hot.  But considering we were travelling in late August, we couldn't complain.  The weather in the mountains was perfect.  Not hot, no downpours and cool, sometimes chilly evenings.  I didn't get any pictures while we were at Tanya' & Charles.  But as always, it was a blast and time went by too fast.

Guess who lost her first tooth today?

 

A man's girls best friend

Out of the four kids, Katie is the one that has taken the biggest interest in Rosie.  If Rosie isn't in the house, it's almost certain she'll be found tagging along behind Katie.  And her pocket full of treats. 

Sweet Clover. Sweet Carolyn

 

On the war path

Dad taught the kids this little trick.  Smash blackberries and apply to face!

Beating the Summer heat

Meet Pokey Pete the Porcupine

 

peeks of our summer

The way our summer was shaping up, I decided to try a pallet and container garden.  I did keep it small, so I won't get much, but it's something.

Me and the Mr.  I'm amazed at how time has deepened our love.  No matter what, there is no where I'd rather be, than right here. By his side.

After a drawn out winter, the pool is up and open for business.  The hot, humid weather makes the fresh, freezing cold well water quite refreshing. 

This is out of order, but our bean pallet is doing well.

 

Benjamin did a show at an old western town.  All the kids had a blast!

They had ropes set up near the chuck wagon.  The 4 boys spent (almost) the entire time roping the 'calves' they had set up.  And each other.  The girls tried their hand at it too.  Our family went back the following day, and Carolyn spent hours learning to crack the whip.   Her persistence paid off, as she was crackin' it by the end of the evening.

4 smiling cuties