Hunting season

John got a deer on his second hunt of the season. He was pretty excited. He and Lucas heading out next Sat. morning.

Meet our newest family member

We would like to introduce you to Benny. He is a 3 year old Beagle that we rescued from a shelter on Saturday. He is a little heavy for a beagle and they told us he needed to lose some weight. That shouldn't be to difficult for him trying to keep up with my kids.

He is very sweet, calm and TRAINED!!!!!! The kids love him and are doing a great job helping with him. Even the not so fun jobs.

We have him on a trial basis for a week, however, we think we will keep him. We hope you can all meet him soon.

Lucs bike wreck

Luc has a new nickname evil kanevil, did I spell that right????? Anyway, he was trying to jump his bike over a ramp and he wasnt aware that you had to pull the handlebars up. Oops. ... who forgot to tell him that. Anyway, he crashed, some blood, alot of tears and then the morning after he had a big fat lip. He is already deciding when he is going to try it again.

A Family Wedding

Two of my nieces Taylor (16) and Gabrielle (14)
Baby Addison with her papaw Steve at the reception
The Holden men (little) Mike Holden, (big) Mike Holden, John Holden, Ryan Demott, Lonnie Holden and Kyle Holden
The happy couple and the reason we all got together My niece Lindsey and her new husband Sean. A beautiful wedding and so much fun to all be together. To many laughs and good times.

First Day of school

Whitney and Lucas on the way to school. So sorry that summer was over, but very excited about starting school. It was only half day, they were home quickly. As we walked to school I was feeling a little leary about starting this again every day. Getting them up, dressed, doing homework. Summer was alot easier is alot of ways.

Whitney, Alyssa and Marissa all in Mrs. Morins class together. They are all in Brownies together also. 3rd grade is a big year. Whitney got the teacher she wanted so she was very happy.
Lucas' teacher Mrs. Lee (in the black on the left) An amazing 1st grade teacher, so happy we got her. a great personality to fit with Lucas.. John is happy because she will be nice to look at during teacher conferences. At least I know he will show up.!!!!!

Second Day of School

Lucas and Zak his best friend eating lunch for the first time in the cafeteria. They loved it and thought they were hot stuff.

I went to school today to help the kids with lunch in the cafeteria. One of the things Lucas is most excited about is getting to eat in the cafeteria every day and play on the big kid playground. When I walked in the classroom he is talking about some things he brought from home so the other kids would get to know him.

Best Vacation Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucy having a ball at the ranch. She was full of energy, it took all 6 of us adults and Luc and Whitney to keep up with her. She was running with the big kids the entire week going on wagon rides to the meadow, sitting in the hottub, eating, and playing with them the entire week. She made fast friends with everyone there.

This view is down into the valley of the ranch from one of our rides. You can really see the affects from the wildfire a few years ago. The fire split at the north end of the valley, went around the ranch and joined back up on the other end of the ranch. That the ranch was spared is truly and act of God.

Mommy and Whit getting ready for the square dance. Whitney danced every dance.

Whitney and her new friend Sophia railsitting.

Mimi participated in the egg toss, she missed and it got her face, this is the money shot. But here is a great pic. of Mimi and Papaw getting ready to go riding.

Whitey riding Flash who she loved. Unfortunately Flash had a bum leg and she couldnt ride him the last day. He did get to participate in the rodeo and she and Flash went at a "breakneck" speed around the barrels.

This is Lucas on Chance. Chance was a great horse who the wranglers said you could shoot a shotgun off by his ear and he wouldnt budge. Sounded good at the beginning of the week, although Lucas was typically at the end of the line and wanted to get a little speed going by the end of the week.

One for the record books.!!!This picture of John is the first time he has ever been on a horse. John got a horse named Gandy and he did fantastic. He loved it and only missed one ride. He went on early rides before breakfast, jumped logs, ran the creek, loped up hill, he did it all and was a natural.

John and I took an afternoon off from riding and learned to fly fish, ok, it was in a pond and not a creek, but baby steps. I got a nice rainbow trout and was very proud of myself.

The pic. of me is on Table rock on a ride we took one morning. I remember going to this rock on a ride when I was a teenager. A great view and a lovely ride.

Lost Valley Ranch in Colorado, our best vacation ever. JJ and I went to this ranch for 5 summers when we were younger. We took our families back this past week. This picture was on our family ride. Over my left shoulder down in the valley is the ranch. We had a few sprinkles on the ride, which we were glad to see, it was a little toasty.

Kate didnt ride since she is 5 months pregnant and of course Lucy was to young (she isnt even 3). This didnt go over to well with her, she did get to ride the little kid horse Dewey, led by someone.

There are so many more pics. that I have and will share with you all. Just to many to put online. We had a wonderful time. Did I mention that JJ and I ran the barrels, did the three man cow roping and JJ, John and I did an all day ride to round up cattle. There are some great stories from that day.

Love to you all.

Laura