Ride Em Cowboy!

My mom treated us all to some bull riding. Tuff Hedeman Championship Bull Riding was over at the SouthPoint so we Cowboy'd Up and were in for a great show. The kids of course wanted to wear their Cowboy hats so they could look like all the other cowboys and cowgirls that would be there.We got settled in to our seats, got some snacks and anxiously awaited for the show to start.The show definitely started off with a bang!And there were some great 8 second rides!

The kids made it on the TV cameras quite a bit so I am anxiously waiting for the online episode to be released on GAC to see if they got there 15 seconds of fame or not.

The best part about the whole night however was after the show was over. All of the bull riders came back out to sign autographs and the kids got there cowboy hats signed by all of the riders. It was pretty cool for them to take the time to show their fans some love!

A Beautiful Day To Go Fishing

We have had a lot of rain this winter. Combine that with Chance being sick with pneumonia not once but twice and you can imagine how excited we were for a nice day. Chance was feeling better. It was going to be over 70 degrees so we decided to go fishing for the day.

We went to Nelson's landing which is on the Colorado river just east of the Hoover Dam. Every time we travel over the dam I try to catch pictures of the new Hoover Dam bridge by-pass so I can track its progress. It is definitely getting there. Again, these pictures just do not do it justice. This thing is a monster and is soooooo high, I think the first time we drive over it I will definitely have to close my eyes!The kids loved getting out into the fresh air. Chance was all decked out in his fishing gear.Cole and Kadence spent most of the time feeding the ducks. They each threw a line in the water but it was up to Daddy to keep an eye on it the rest of the time.

Charlie, Pete and Cody found their fishing spot and didn't move from it until it was time to go. They insisted there were fish in this lake however, I didn't see any of them even get a nibble!

My little fisherman was all dudded it out in his official fishing hat. It is official because it is from Bass Pro Shop and has a big fish on it!

We had a wonderful, quiet day with fantastic weather to boot. Mom, Dad, Julie, and Chance and I hung out at the picnic table shooting the breeze while the boys fished. I love these kind of days and am so looking forward for the Spring!

Christmas Morning 2009

Finally it was here. Christmas Morning. Santa visited and visited well.

Up until Christmas I had been drilled every morning by Cole.

Cole: Is it Christmas yet mommy? Did Santa bring me presents?

Me: No son, not until Friday.
Cole: But it is Friday.

Me: No son, it is Monday (or Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

Cole: No it's not! It is Friday!

Me: No son, not yet.

Cole: I am so so mad!

Me: Sorry buddy.

No more morning drill. The day was here. The kids woke up relatively early, about 6:30 am and came in and got us. I headed down stairs first so I could capture the moment.

Chance wasn't sure what all of the hoopla was about, but thought the new toys were great.

He gave it his all to try to open his presents but just couldn't figure it out.Lucky for him, his big brother eagerly came to his aide and helped him out.His favorite part about it all, these pretty bows.Cole opened present after present and was genuinely happy with each one, even all of the clothes. He took time to pull each outfit out of the box and hold it up to show mommy and daddy. Grandma and Grandpa lucked out and got the kids Zhu Zhu pets, one of the seasons hot toy items.Kadeebug opened each present ever so carefully anxiously awaiting the surprise inside.She even modeled for me.Charlie was surrounded by the Christmas Morning mess.While we were opening our gifts I noticed the puppies were almost pouting, they must have thought Santa forgot about them. Luckily, Charlie found the raw hides Santa brought them and there eyes lit up just like the kids...After we opened presents we settled in for breakfast. Charlie made us all Waffles, a Christmas Morning tradition he carried over from his family. Chance couldn't hold out though and fell asleep in his highchair. It was definitely time for a Christmas Morning nap.Cole tried on his sister's new Heely's.

The kids were in awe. Cole couldn't decide what to do first, play with Santa gifts, open the gifts under the tree, play with Santa gifts...he just kept going back and forth. The cutest thing about the day however was the fact that he was so centered on himself getting presents all week leading up to Christmas. But once it was here all he cared about was giving everyone else their presents. He kept begging for me to open my gifts even though I wanted him to finish opening his first. Every time someone came over he raced to meet them with their gift begging that they open it. Somehow or another he got the meaning children seem to forget every once in awhile. Christmas was about giving, not receiving.

Later on during the day my parents came over and then Julie, Pete, Cody and Dani joined us for Prime Rib dinner. After the day was here and gone I was making one of many trips out to the trash can when I caught a glance of my front yard. It was so quiet. It was so beautiful, all lit up. And there from our tree hung the kids swing just begging for someone to ride it. Besides the kids eyes lighting up as they took in Christmas morning, this was my favorite moment of the day.

It's Time to Make the Cookies

Every year my mother goes all out baking sweet treats for Christmas. This year we all got in the spirit and helped her out. She came down to my house on Sunday morning with cookie dough (Peanut Butter Blossoms and Sugar Cookies) already mixed up and chilled along with her yummy butter cream icing. It was just up to me, Kadee, Julie and Dani to bake and decorate them.

Kadence and Cole pitched in more then they know...they took over the job I held for many years, unwrapping bag after bag of Hershey Kisses to place on the Peanut Butter Blossoms.This day confirmed something I have suspected. The baking gene definitely skipped a generation. I enjoy baking but don't necessarily thrive on it like my mother does. Kadence, like my mother, loves to bake and was right there through it all and never tired. She rolled all of the Peanut Butter Blossoms in the sugar before we baked them.Her and Grandma cut out the sugar cookies...We also mixed up three batches of Millionaire Bars...And then it was time to decorate, Kadence's favorite. We all got pretty creative this year and I think they all looked great when we were done.

National Finals Rodeo 2009

My mother raised us loving the rodeo. I still remember my first rodeo in Deer Lodge, MT. I don't remember how old I was but I know I was younger than five. It was at the fairgrounds, I can still see the light blue building that housed the stands. I remember watching all the boys in the mutton bustin event and then gathering in the arena to try and catch one of the many baby pigs that were oiled up so as to make it impossible to capture.

I remember my first trip to Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming and purchasing my first cowgirl hat. It was spray painted turquoise blue and had a beautiful feather front piece. I remember many a trips to the Montana State Fair in Great Falls, MT, local rodeos in Butte and making the yearly trip to the rodeos at the New Mexico State fair in Albuquerque, NM. Like I said, my mother raised us loving the rodeo.

I remember sitting in the movie theater with my mom watching Pure Country (George Strait's theatrical performance) and seeing her eyes light up during the entrance scene of the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas. After the movie while we talked about what we thought about the film I remember her mentioning that she would love to go one time and take in the big event.

Well this year my mother would have her chance. My sister scored some great tickets through her work and invited my mom along with Kadence and Cole. Everyone was sooooo excited. Kadence loves the rodeo as much as my mom, mostly because of my mom so I was grateful that they would get to experience this together.

Giddy Up Cowboy!

Every December my family (mom and sis) looks forward to heading to Cowboy Christmas, a gift boutique that comes to Vegas along with the National Finals Rodeo. This place is like heaven to me...there is bling jewelery, bling clothes, bling furniture all with a western touch...my kind of style. My heart starts palpitating just thinking about it.

This year it was me, the kids, Julie and Mom making the trip. For those of you who have never shopped with me, I can be a pain in the butt at events like these. I have to stroll through every aisle before I allow myself to make a purchase. What if I buy something and then find something better or the same thing cheaper in the next aisle. This year I put myself on a budget so I really was meticulous in my purchase decisions.

We went down a couple aisles, had lunch, treated the kids to the Candy booth, then tried to take in the rest of the booths before closing. I found some really great things but only ended up purchasing one bracelet and Cowboy Hats for Cole and Kadence.

Cole was hilarious in his hat and really got into the Cowboy Spirit! When I put his hat on him, he grabbed a stick pony and headed out into the aisle screaming, "Yee Haw, Ride Em Cowboy," as he ran around in circles with one hand up in the air.

Unfortunately, we just did not have time to take a peek at everything. Oh well, guess we would have to go back next weekend, which we did...

A Wonderful Woman Celebrates 70 Years!

May 25th was my wonderful mother's 70th birthday. We celebrated at my house with a yummy BBQ and delicious birthday treats (Carrot Cake and White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory). It is hard to believe my mother is 70, although she has her aches and pains here and there she still keeps up with all of us the best she can. She is a wonderful mother for so many reasons and I am so blessed to be her daughter. I will never be able to repay her for all that she has done and continues to do for me and our entire family. She truly is a rock! She is one of those who deserves so much yet takes so little! Everything she does is for her family and she never blinks an eye to offer her help in any way she can. Happy Birthday Mom! I am holding you to your promise of another 30 years!