Happy 4th!

Fun at the park!  Summer is flying by way too fast!!!!

 

Here are pictures from the past couple weeks!  My mom and I have been taking cake decorating classes for the past few months and I am loving every minute of it!  I made my own fondant for the first time!  It actually turned out, and has pretty good flavor.  I have been trying out different cake flavors.  So far, the coconut pecan seems to be the biggest hit and of course the old stand-by is the tripple chocolate fudge.

 

 

And here are a couple pictures of the boys and of the marshmallows they dipped for the 4th of July!

and Again.....

He stole my heart from the second he rode into the arena.  I guess I do believe in love at first sight. “Bull riders and barrel racers have nothing on this guy. He is at home in the saddle. He has the pride, attitude and style found among those pioneers of the old west. His riding skill is unchallenged, pulling the saddle from side to side and exhibiting riding expertise by hanging off one side mimicking a classic Indian hideaway."

Meet.... Whiplash!

the Capuchin monkey and his loyal Border Collie, Bud, have been wowing crowds on the rodeo circuit for years, and at 27, he's older than many of the human riders on their bucking broncos touring the Southwest.  Dressed in full rodeo gear including a cowboy hat, chaps and a skinny tie, the monkey keeps his hound on a tight rein as he wheels around the arena rounding up sheep and rearing dramatically.

Reno Rodeo 2012- Kid's Day

My mom and I went to the Xtreme Bullriding Night and had an absolute blast!  The bulls are great, but I have to say that the little kids riding sheep were the highlight of the night! (mutton busting)  A total crack-up!  We had so much fun, that we just had to go again... Kid's Day of course!  The boys loved all the activites, D'Sean was afraid to pet the horses, but not afraid to ride one!  And Jace is positive that he is going to be the next great Sheriff! 

Miscellaneous pictures

 

Brookings, OR (Congrats Rex and Donna!  May you live happily ever after!) 

Popeyes!  Finger lickin' CHICKEN!!!

 Roland took the boys to the fishing derby at the Marina.  Free fishing poles and shirts! Can't beat that!

Happy Birthday Jace!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart

you were born six years ago

I thank God for this precious gift

that he has sent my way

Every day you bring me gifts

of smiles and warm hugs

I smile when you pick me dandelion's

even though they're full of bugs

You invite me for dinner

mud pies and grass soup

we play a little one on one

as I lift you to make a hoop

It seems like just yesterday

I held you for the first time

now instead of Mommy's hugs

a tree you'd rather climb

Oh how you've grown my child

an angel shinning through

your love and smiles light my day

because the best part of me , is you

 Happy Birthday My Handsome Boy!!!!

Love you always,

Mom

Fun at the Range

I had so much fun in my gun class a few weeks ago!  I was really, really, really nervous.  There were 7 women and 13 men.  I had to shoot a gun I had never shot before, and thought for sure I would fail the test.  We had an awesome, no nonsense instructor who simply didn't allow chickens in his class.  He told me to man up, get in there and shoot.  So... I did!  Not only did I pass, I was the top shot in our class and won box seat tickets to the Reno Aces. 

Thanks Dad and Sara for everything!  Love you both!

Livin' in the Fast Lane

So much has happened this past month my head is still spinning! Here are the highlights:

• I decided to make a last minute trip to Oregon and hang out at the coast with Nicole and her family. They rented a house on the beach for their gang of 12. And my wonderful, beautiful, amazing Aunt Terry let me and the boys stay at the family beach house. The beach house is probably the most relaxing, peaceful place I have ever been. We are so grateful that we were able to enjoy staying there again! Thank you Zeeb Family!!!!! While at the coast we crammed as many activities as possible into our short stay. Tillamook factory, Ripley's believe it or not, Wax museum, Under Sea Gardens, Sea Lion Caves, Portland Zoo, The Oregon Coast Aquarium and don't forget the beach, the beach, the beach!!! Let's just say, with 9 young children, it was an adventure!!! I'm glad that we were able to spend time together. On the way home from the coast, I had dinner with my sister Tasha, Nathan, and Hayden at Gustav's... Nothing like some good ol' German food. We started out with some Swiss fondue, then I had Jägerschnitzel which was amazing! It was a short and sweet visit... With full tummies we headed to Aunt Terry's to spend the night. She is such a sweetheart! She had the master bedroom set up like a hotel for us! With a couple hours of sleep we were off, headed home. Close to Susanville a truck came into my lane, I braked of course but with all the snow and ice, I lost control, crossed his lane, hit the embankment, rolled the car a few times, and wound up in an ambulance headed for the hospital. Thank God we were all okay. The boys had some seat belt burns and bruises, but other than that we were so blessed to walk away injury free. Pastor, Sis Neumann and my Mom came to pick us up after the boys' x-ray's and ultrasounds came back all clear. Thank God for people who love me and dropped everything to come to our rescue!!!!
• The week I got home, we had Celestine's 7th Birthday Party! She is turning into such a beautiful little girl inside and out!
• Next on the Agenda... MOVING!!!! My mom went on a cruise for her 55th Birthday! Yay!!! The day before she left, the house she was buying closed. I was able to get the keys a couple days later and started moving. I have the best friends in the whole wide world!!! We all pulled together, remodelled, moved, and unpacked the whole house before my mom made it home. When I picked my mom up from the airport, I told her I wanted to show her a couple of the things that Pastor had remodelled while she was gone... When she walked through the door, she got the shock of her life! Our whole crew was there for a surprise welcome home/birthday party. She couldn't believe it! She cried as we showed her each room. I would do anything for her! She is an amazing mother and I can only hope I will be a mom just like her. Happy 55th Birthday mom! I love you!!!

• Next.... My Dad and Sara came to visit. We had a wonderful week together! They fixed so many things around the house, and of course brought me lots of goodies. They even bought me my own tools! Maybe now I won't be so redneck when fixing something! We ate really good food and shared lots of laughter. Thank you both for everything! Love you much!
• I did total my car in the accident, but was blessed to get an even better one! Thank you Ruth and Edwin!
• Last Week we moved Lisa and Sam too! I am glad we are all moved!!! Maybe things will settle down!

All in all, I am so thankful to be alive and blessed to have wonderful, healthy boys, and good friends who make life's journey so much easier! Love you all!

We have a lot of work to do, but here are some pictures of the house...