Giddy-up

Lubbock has some really amazing community events. My personal favorite is the Western Heritage Day sponsored by the Ranching Heritage Center. It is the best, kid-friendly, fun-filled event and is completely free! We went last year, and could not wait to go again this year. Carter insisted on bringing Doggy and Bear along for the fun this time. After we took this picture, he chased a jack rabbit for about 5 minutes and almost caught the thing!

Evyn either stayed in her stroller or ran at full speed, so there are not many pictures of her from the day, but she seemed to have a great day too!

There are tons of "jobs" for the Ranch Hands to do. Once they complete the job, they get their work card stamped. When the work card is full, they take it to the bank to collect their pay. Then they get to go to the store to buy a prize. Carter chose a sherrif badge this year. Here he is branding a cow (with a sponge and paint)- note the look of determination on his face.

Here he is learning to do the wash with a scrub board and an old fashioned washing machine. He even hung his wash on the line to dry. Lots of Evans kids were there helping out, which made it extra fun for me to see my "babies" loving on my real babies! This is Sarah.

Here Carter is roping a calf. He actually got pretty close. It was a mechanical calf that shot out from underneath the horse. He loved this!

Scout taught Carter how to brand cattle!

Carter, Madison, and Morgan making a stick horse!

Carter, Krysta and Madison putting the finishing touches on his stick horse.

Barrel racing his stick horse. He got a little confused on which way he was supposed to run.

They had a station where the kids could make their own rope. Carter chose blue and red and spent the rest of the afternoon using his new rope to try to catch a rabbit.

Carter and Daddy put some mud on a wall to try to patch it in.

Evyn was completely spent by the end of the morning and fell asleep in her stroller like this!

Carter also got to write with an old fashioned ink feather, make a corn husk doll, eat ranch beans, comb wool, see real horses, play in an old fashioned school house, and lots of other fun activities. We are already excited about next year!

18 months

My normally cheerful little girl decided that she was in no mood for pictures this morning, which was unfortunate for me since I had a limited amount of time to convince her otherwise. With gummi bears as bribery and lots of work to attempt to get a smile, this is what we ended up with. I have to say that I even think she is beautiful when she is crying.

In the blink of an eye.

Wasn't it just yesterday that I took this picture before church on a Sunday morning?

Because I took this picture today.

I know that it goes without saying, but I adore these two little people. Each day with them brings laughter, sunshine, and the sweetest sense of contentment.

I can't say I wasn't warned.

My dad gave Carter a little notebook with a pen inside of it. He carries it around with him frequently writing very important notes to people. Today in his most serious and sincere voice, he told me "Mom, I am going to write something for you that is true and dangerous." Then he solemnly looked me in the eye to make sure that I understood the significance of what he had just said. I knew I was in for a treat when he asked me how to spell "iceberg."

This is what I got:


"Mom if you fall on a iceberg you will make the iceberg crack." There you have it. I can't say I wasn't warned!

Photomania part 2 (our weekend away)

Before we had kids, we swore that we would always make our marriage our first priority and set aside time for just the two of us. I think in my mind I imagined that once we had kids, I would long for time away from them or feel desperate to go out on a date night and leave the kids behind. Then we actually had kids. And while not every day is blissful, we find that for the most part we really love spending time together as a family. It is hard to leave the little munchkins behind because we get such a kick out of them. But this weekend, we left them behind, and I am so glad that we did!

While I missed them like crazy, I had so much fun with Mike. We intentionally savored all of the little things- 6 hours of uninterrupted conversation in the car both directions, eating in restaurants that don't have high chairs, no strollers and diaper bags, staying up irresponsibly late, not watching any cartoons, holding hands with someone my own size, and falling in love all over again. I have said it before, but I married the best man in the world. He makes me laugh until my sides hurt, challenges me, and loves me in the purest sense of the word. Wherever he is feels like home to me. I think that I sometimes get so distracted by little things in life that I forget to look him in the eye when we talk or we don't take time to tell each other that we would choose them again. This weekend was exactly what we needed!

Our sweet friends, Heather and Jody, got married this weekend in Fredericksburg and Mike was a groomsman. I took Friday off of work and we hit the road. We ate at Cooper's BBQ on the way there (it completely creeped me out for the record), and then arrived at the cutest little bed and breakfast! Mike booked it as a surprise, and it was perfect. It was out in the middle of the country- the stars were so bright at night, there were deer in the morning, and we never saw another human there. Heavenly!

The wildflowers were in bloom, and the drive there was breathtaking. I did wish that the kids had been there to take pictures, but we did the best that we could without them! I love this part of the world in the spring time.

This is a horrid picture of both of us, but aren't the flowers pretty?

The weather was perfect. The highs were around 75. We went to the rehearsal dinner on Friday night, then had coffee and hung out. On Saturday morning, we had breakfast at the cutest basement restaurant, then shopped on Main street, and went to the wildflower farm. We had Mexican food for lunch and even had time for a nap before the wedding started!

The wedding was gorgeous- it was outdoors and very granola. The music was beautiful, the ceremony was simple, and every detail was perfect! My favorite part (next to the actual wedding of course) was the cake! Check this out. I am proud to say that I tasted 4 different kinds!

The precious couple- Heather and Jody Bolin. She was completely breathtaking!

The entire wedding party doing the whole "I'm too cool to look at the camera" thing.

The boys. . . (notice the really handsome one on the far right)

Mike and Jody. They have been workout buddies all year. Mike won't know what to do now that he can't show up in Jody's garage at 5 in the morning. I guess he could still show up, but Heather might not appreciate it.

Twelve years ago on April 10th, this guy asked me to marry him. I am so very thankful that God brought us together. I am happier than I ever dreamt possible!

A bunch of folks from Evans were there! Somehow, Jessica did not end up in this picture- boo. Anyway, it was a lot of fun to get to hang out and visit with people that I really love in such a beautiful location! Somebody else from school should get married so we can do it again!

These girls just make me laugh!

I was so excited to get to take some pictures of the wildflowers, and the weather was absolutely perfect for it!

It was an amazing weekend. I am so excited for Heather and Jody as they start on this wonderful adventure and feel so blessed to be on the journey that I am on with Mike. It was great to get home to Carter and Evyn, but I am going to try to be better about being intentional about leaving them behind every now and then to focus on my first love! I loved every minute!