Christmas Day! Welcome to the Family, Sugar!

Christmas Day was here at last....Chandler and Cydney told Alvin the Elf they wanted a horse for Christmas! But could it really happen?

Chandler is all giddy because he got his DS3 fromSanta, he hasn't even noticed the horse outside the window...
WOW!!!!

Sugar is a beautiful gray American Quarterhorse. She is very sweet!

Taking Sugar back to the barn...

Back in her stall on a cold, rainy Christmas morning.

Back the house, the kids just noticing the new saddle.

Chandler takes a turn on the saddle.

Daddy helps Cydney take a turn.

Finally...after 2 very cold and rainy days, the sun came out and it was time to ride Sugar.

Chandler is a natural....

Cydney gets a turn...

How the kids spent the rest of their Christmas vacation.

Welcome to the family, Sugar!

Holiday Season, Part I...

As usual, this Holiday Season found us running non-stop. Before Christmas, we ventured out to the pond in the upper pasture. This time last year we couldn't even get to the pond because the pasture was so overgrown. This year, we can hike up there to take our Christmas pictures!

Beau and Tini are growing so fast. They are 6 months old now and are learning to not chase the cows! Especially since we have 4 calves in the pasture now.

You can see the pasture in the background.

The upper pasture pond in the background.

The best pose with 2 very busy puppies.

Chandler and Cydney got to see Santa at a friends house. So exciting to have cookies with Santa every year.

Gingerbread house red-neck style...can only be found at Tractor Supply.

My next post will be a VERY exciting Christmas morning. As Chandler put it...It was the BEST Christmas ever...

Cydney's Birthday Weekend.

The weekend before last, we celebrated Cydney's 6th birthday. It was a whirlwind weekend. Saturday, we started the day with a soccer game followed by her birthday party that afternoon. Sunday we spend the afternoon at the American Girl store.

Cydney putting the candles on her cake. She designed the cake herself.

Cydney posing in front of her 'tea party' table.

Chandler actually let Cydney hug him...only because it was her birthday.

Dress up time. The girls got all dressed up for the tea party.

All dressed up and ready for the Tea Party.

Blowing out her candles.

Sunday morning, ready for church in her new dress.

Lunch at the Bistro in the American Girl doll store. We had to borrow a doll because she hadn't picked her's out yet. We had to discuss her selection at lunch.

She finally decided on Kanani. She is the doll of year for 2011. Cydney liked her because she is from Kaua'i. She decided to wait until next time to get a doll that looks like her.

A successul day. She is happy and I am broke!

Ready for school on her actual birthday, Monday the 26th.

Ready for her first dance class. She got all of the dance tights, ballet shoes and tap shoes for her birthday.

Leaning how to use the bar in dance class.

First Day of School

The kids started school yesterday, finally, after a long, hot, and very dry summer. Cydney started kindergarten at the Elementary School and Chandler started the 4th grade at the Intermediate School.

Ready to start the day!

Cydney posing with Bo. Her teacher is Mrs. Turner. She is very nice and we have heard very good things about her. She will be a great teacher for Cyd. She knows two other kids in her class from preschool and she has lots of friends in other classes.
Chandler is the big kid this year. No longer the new guy...he walked into school by himself without dad. Just a drop off at the front door. His homeroom teacher is Miss Ishmael. He actually has 4 teachers, this is his first year to change classes.

Cydney at her desk. She is doing great. She can already find her class by herself which is a great achievement. The kindergarten hall is in the middle of the school and kind of hard for a little kid to find.

Just before school started, Mike took each of the kids for a little get-away. Cyd went to the circus and Chandler went to Oklahoma for the Quarter Horse Show. I hope to have pictures soon. The pictures have not made it from Mike's iPhone to my computer yet.

Cyd has started practicing with the Saints for soccer. Her team moved up to the next age group since half of her team needed to move up. Chandler has started practicing with the Eagles for baseball. They both begin their seasons on September 10th.

The puppies are doing great and growing bigger every day. Cyd named her puppy Mr. Martini, after Martina. We will call him "t" or "tini".

Newest Members of the Family.

Earlier this summer we lost our beloved Aussie, Martina. Even though she was our dog for such a short time, she was part of our family and we loved and miss her so much. While Martina will never be forgotten and she will always have a special place in our hearts, we are very excited to have 2 new Aussie puppies. We have two little brothers, 7 weeks old and ready to be ranch dogs.

When we woke up this morning we had no idea the day would end with these two precious little boys at our home...

Two little fellows, soon to be ranch dogs.

The one on the right is Chandler's. He named him Mr. Beaujangles, we will call him 'Bo'

This one is Cyd's. He still doesn't have a name yet. Cydney is still working on that.

Chandler showing off a handful of puppies.

Cute, cute, cute...

Posing and ready for their first ride in the green cart.

Off to see the barn.

Riding in style.

We will be starting our busy sports schedule again soon. Only a short break from softball. Chandler begins practice for fall baseball tomorrow for the 'Eagles'. Cydney will play soccer again for the 'Saints'. Then school begins in 3 weeks!!!

PLAYOFF TIME!

Cydney has been very busy playing softball! Her team has been though two tournaments. The Fury have had a great season!

Cydney playing outfield at her first tounament. The city tournament was held June 17-18.

Cydney makes a hit!

...waiting on first base.

hanging out in the dugout.

...heading towards home.

The Fury takes 1st place in the city tournament. They are headed to the district playoffs.

This is what softball is all about... the snowcones after the game!

FATHER'S DAY

Mike enjoying a nice quiet day at home.

Daddy got a nice new rug for his office for Father's Day.

The rug looks great in his barn office!

ENJOYING THE DECK IN THE SUMMER!

CYDNEY LOSES ANOTHER TOOTH!

TIME FOR DISTRICT PLAYOFFS...

We started the 4th of July at the ballpark.

Entering the gates to a much bigger ballpark...

playing outfield in a really big ballpark!

After winning the game, the family had a great time picking blueberries at a local blueberry orchard. It was VERY hot...

Our bucket of blueberries.

Finishing the holiday with sparklers on the deck!

THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!

Getting her hair done for the big game. Don't all ballplayers need their hair colored red?

Cyd gets a high five from Coach Jason.

Cyd with her first place trophy.