Summer 2014

I'm ashamed it's been so long since I've posted to our blog. My brother wanted to see a video I recorded this summer, so I thought maybe I could upload it here. Well it didn't work, but I will update this blog anyway. Maddee is starting kindergarten this year, which means Makenna is going into 2nd grade. It's the beginning of my third year as superintendent/principal at Lake Elementary School District. That's just crazy...seems like just yesterday I was nervously applying for the job. John continues his role as cattle manager at Llano Seco. With cattle prices as they are, he's a rock star! :)

We've had a busy summer, camping at Lake Siskiyou with friends, traveling to Wyoming for our annual summer vacation. A duo birthday party for both girls brought family and friends together. It's been a great summer, and as usual, the start of school is right around the corner.

July 2011 Update

Wow, last day of July! How did that happen? My best intentions of keeping up with this blog have gone awry. But the updates are fun to do because it's fun to see how much the girls have changed since the last post.

The girls and I had a wonderful vacation in Wyoming. We expected John to be able to join us, but he wasn't able to. Despite him not being able to come, the girls and I had a great time with family and friends. We spent a couple of days with family during the annual Fear-Barp Family Reunion. There was a special dedication to Grandma Mardell who will be celebrating her 90th birthday this August.

Makenna helped Uncle Mike and Kelsea move cows and kept them on their toes during the trip. They learned that "boys are handsome and girls are sparkly." And Uncle Mike now knows that he CANNOT wear a princess dress, even if he does like Makenna's.

Both Makenna and Maddee got to help Grandpa Doug move some yearlings. The trip home got exciting as Grandpa threatened to stop the truck to let Maddee out to walk home if she didn't stop crying. Hmm, sounds familiar. :)

Grandma Lynda stayed busy preparing meals that the girls would eat. Although I learned to cook from her, Makenna kept saying, "This isn't like my mom's." I think it made Grandma Lynda sad, but I tried to assure her that I make it the very same way at home and she won't eat it at our house either.

Grandma also surprised us with a swingset. Makenna told her it was the "best swingset ever." The mosquitoes thought it was a good swingset as well. Oh my those bugs were terrible.

Aunt Debbie organized a hike in the beautiful Wind River Range. My high school classmate, Sandy and her family, went with us. Actually, if truth be told, she was our tour guide. We were all very thankful she was with us or we may not have found our way to Sacred Rim.

Nephew Jason and his beautiful wife, Paige, watched the girls one day so Mom and I could go shopping in Idaho Falls. I'm not sure who had more fun - the girls, or Jason!? And speaking of Jason, we went to the rodeo one night and Jason and his good friend, Scott, took the girls in the calf scramble. Oh my, it was so funny!

And a beautiful night was shared by all on the Fourth of July. Uncle Scott and Aunt Gayle joined us as we made our way to the football field to watch the beautiful fireworks.

We also had a birthday party for the girls - the "Wyoming" one. A lot of friends came that I hadn't had a chance to spend much time with during my stay. We had it the day before we left and it was a great way to end a wonderful visit.

Thanks to Mom for flying out and driving to Wyoming with us; and thanks to Aunt Debbie for driving back to Cali with us and then flying home, not quite in time for Nick's wedding, but close.

This summer was such a great time that we are already planning next summer, but this time Daddy will be going with us!

Easter Fun

It's been nearly 5 months since I've posted on our blog - shame on me! Took some pictures of Easter fun and wanted to share them with family and friends. Daddy and Makenna were busy making Easter eggs while I tried to keep Maddee distracted from the messy activity.

The Easter Bunny made his appearance by hiding all the eggs and even dropping off two baskets full of goodies. A kite made it's way into one of the baskets; luckily, it was a great morning for kite flying.

Pala and Jerome and Grandma and Grandpa Baker joined us for lunch. It was a great to spend time with them as we all seem to be heading in different directions.

Grandma Baker brought pillow pets for Easter - a ladybug and a bumblebee. The girls LOVE their pillow pets. They'd previously received a bunny and cow pillow pet from Grandpa and Grandma Baker that they had already fallen in love with. So now as we wind down from a busy day, both girls are sleeping with two pillow pets.

As the pictures run through the slide show, you'll notice a picture of Makenna sleeping on the couch - this is a result of a busy day with no nap.

Happy Easter!

Family Update

Where has the time gone? Last post on here was the girls' birthday. Shame on me! We've since had a few holidays, celebrations, and a lot of pictures, so I thought I would add to our blog.

Halloween was a fun time; Makenna was a "pretty, pretty princess" and Maddee was an M&M. We went trick-or-treating with cousin, Rowan, who was an astronaut.

Soon after we celebrated Daddy's birthday with an ice cream cake. Mmm-mmm good.

We didn't skip Thanksgiving, but I forgot to take the camera to Matt and Norma's house. I did get a picture of the girls eating breakfast. We had a great day, good food and friends. Not many naps were taken that day.

Recently, we decorated for Christmas. Makenna asks every day if it's Christmas. It may be a long holiday season. :)

We'll soon be taking family pictures for our Christmas cards, hope to get those out to everyone before 2011. Happy Holidays.

Slide Video

Had to add this video!