Boo!

Wishing you...

a Happy Halloween!  

From...

One handsome farmer...

 One adorable bull...

 and one chicken with an attitude problem.

A Boy and a Swing

Happiness.

Smiles.

So High.

Laughter.

Resting.

Just being Jack.

Little Curl

Little Princess

Happy Fourth Birthday to the most beautiful, little princess I know.  I love you, Landry Lee.

If You Give a Kid Your Camera

Sometimes you need to break the rules.  

Sometimes it's important to remember things are just that, things.

Sometimes it's good to hand over your expensive camera to a child.  

Because it is just a thing.

And you may actually be surprised by what they capture.

A moment that is just us.  

A moment I am so blessed to experience every single day.

And now I don't merely experience the moment, I can see it.

I can cherish it.  Forever.

Our bond.  Our joy.  Our love.

All because I  relaxed and gave a kid my camera.

Photo by Landry Lee

Close

Not quite sure how they ended up like this.  Surprised they could sleep this way. Amazed by how long they stayed like this.  And only after gazing at the two of them for a ridiculous amount of time did I pull Sam of his younger brother's stomach.  And then, I gazed a little longer.

It's Important

This little boy already understands the importance of mosturizing.

Seven Years

Seven years ago today I became his wife.  It seems like yesterday.  Seven years of having babies, raising boys, tending cattle, building dreams and working hard.  I love our life together.   Our blessings are immense... 

And I'm pretty certain we'll survive the seven year itch, counting our blessings and soaking up every moment of this wonderful life along the way.

A Cowboy Birthday Party

Today we celebrated our little cowboy's fourth birthday.  The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed an afternoon full of a whole lot  of love for our very special four year old.

The invites...

And the simple decor...

A clothesline to display pictures of one very handsome cowboy...

Getting down to business.  After lunch, Jack was ready to eat cupcakes and open presents immediately.

A cowgirl, wearing her older cousin's Wrangler shirt, and her cupcake.  Perfection.

JP and Saucy swinging on the patio.

Three generations.

A teeny tiny cowboy belt and buckle?  Yes, please.  Be still my heart.

Sweetly sharing his cupcake with G-Ma.

Jack really wanted to ride Crawford at his party.  He was thrilled to see her arrive.

I think riding lessons are in our near future.

I can't tell you how happy this picture makes me.  The two of them enjoying a ride together.  They are something special together and I never grow tired of watching their bond strengthen and their friendship grow.

My littlest cowboy ready for a ride.

He's serious about his horseback riding.  Very, very serious.

And my heart melts.  Jack, being the perfect big brother, and "leading" Crawford for Will.

Landry's takes her turn in the saddle.  And pay no attention to the skeleton dangling from the tree.  Halloween decorations are a given at any October birthday party.

Time for gifts, undoubtedly the highlight of the afternoon for the birthday boy.

His audience, taking it all in.

He got several farm toys that will help him build his "perfect farm" now.

 

Pooh-Possum with his possum.  Fitting.

And it never fails.  Every party ends with someone playing in the ice and freezing cold water the drinks were in.  Today was Will's turn.

He Strikes Again

Jody,

I have grown accustomed to your tireless games.  Your never ending attempt to scare the %$#@ out of me.  I accept that it is part of being married to you.  So I try to take your "scaring" humor with a grain of salt.  But sometimes you really do cross the line.  Like tonight, when I pulled the chili out of the refrigerator for a late night snack.  And through the fog of condensation, I saw this...

The plastic was fogged up just enough to disguise what was inside.  Except for the beady little head.  I saw the disturbing little head and I was indeed scared.  It looked very real.  Very, very real.  But I put my big girl panties on and removed the lid, certain whatever it was, it would now be dead, frozen to death in my homemade chili.  But then as soon as I pulled off the lid, my brain recalled a little elementary school science...reptiles are cold blooded creatures, meaning they take on the temperature of their surroundings.  Holy &%$#!  And it was too late,  the lid was off!  I was griped with fear, certain that the lizard/snake/iguana would see daylight and leap out of the container, right on my face or head.  

I peeked down, ready to meet my maker.  And I saw this.

Pretty low, dear husband of mine.  Now my food isn't safe either.  What's next?  Are you going to dangle some creature from one of my poor children's body?  Your games are crossing the line.  So I'm giving you fair warning.  The scaring has crossed over to the dark side.  The side where the scared can inflict physical harm on the scarer.  So be prepared.  Make sure you aren't within a 100 feet from me when you play your next dirty trick.  Because I'm going to come out swinging.  Like a mad woman.  And I really think your coworkers will have a hard time taking you seriously if you're missing your two front teeth.  So consider yourself warned.  I'm one good scare away from going all Mike Tyson on you.  The super crazy Mike Tyson.  Ear biting and all.