Four Times The Fun

A Whole 'lotta People!

I was playing with my remote and got this...

Poor Magpie just wanted to sleep...

I'll have to try this again!

Happy Monday!

It's Workshop Time!

I'm getting ready for another workshop with Me Ra, Brian Garrett and Rick. This is going to be one stellar of a workshop! Thoughts race through my mind as I count the days till I get to emerse myself in the world of photography. I'm excited and scared all at the same time.

I'm going to list them because I have to. I'm still sorting through them in my brain...

1. I'm still figuring this beast of a camera out! I've sat with the camera and manuel in my lap studying and trying. Yesterday I was at Wendy's and although she has a Nikon she was still helping me figure out BB focus. I got it at her house only to come home and it not work! So, later today Dr. Leliah is going to call and we will get it worked out. I love that I have such lovely women in my life! 

Figuring out my camera is really stressful for me. I need to have it mastered before the workshop NEXT WEEK! 

2. Our first assignment to bring the first day of the workshop is a self portrait! Really? And it's not the snap a picture of yourself in the mirror with a camera in front of your face kinda of self portrait... Well, I guess it could be, but Rick wrote a lovely letter explaining why we are doing this and what to think about as you set up the shot. It's not about what we look like, but about who we are right now...

Maybe I'll have to guts to share here after the workshop.

3. I think about the other women there. I wonder if they will like me... I wonder if I'll feel safe to open up to them. I wonder if I'll be a blessing to them somehow... 

4. I'm super excited to learn from these awesome teachers and the other attendees!

5. I'm excited to come home to my family refreshed from all the adult conversation I'll be taking part of daily! Yeah! 

6. I wonder if I'll survive without Facebooking! Just kidding!

7. I'm looking froward to being Garrett's shadow! I hope he's ready to explain my camera to me! 

8. I'm excited to see the ladies that I've created friendships with over the internet! 

Well, I have more, but I've been saved by nap time! Yahoo!

I'll leave you with a few shots with my new camera!

(I know lots of you are going to say you think I have the camera down! And to that I say... You should see the good:bad ratio!)

Spring Break is Over.

The kids went back to school today and it was sad. The little girls didn't know what to do in the peace and quiet. We just kinda sat around and had a mellow day. And when we went to pick up the big ones they were both so happy to see them! It was very sweet!

So, the last weekend of break Jeramy's folks came for a visit! And the kids couldn't have been more excited! 

The afternoon they arrived they had a surprise for Jane! She's all about her birds and Pakka brought her a birdhouse to paint!

And Grammy played beauty shop!

And that night we had a great family dinner with the whole family, including Jeramy's Uncle Ray and his wife Diane.

I actually got more photos of adults the kids!

But, I did get a few of the kids...

Maggie bonding with her Uncle Brad, how cute!

Even with snot she's cute!

Who knows what's really happening here... 

Rush Ranch

I feel like spring break is speeding by so fast! I had plans! I had too many plans and not enough time!

One of our plans was to go to Rush Ranch. One day a few weeks ago I went with the little girls, but it was too cold, muddy and windy to explore too much, but from what I saw I knew this would be a favorite spot for the kids.

So, on Thursday I got the lazy kids up and we went! The morning light was so pretty! And better then that we got to watch cowboys and a cowgirl work!

Mary Rose and Jane loved the cows! They were talking to them and naming the babies... they were so cute!

How could you not be drawn to this face! I really wanted to kiss him! 

While we were talking to the cows we could hear lots of commotion coming from one of the back arenas and I had to check it out!

Cowboys! And a cowgirl!

The commotion was the mommas and babies! They had to separate them and they didn't like it one bit! This little guy and momma found each other! I felt so bad for them. But, it really wasn't long before the babies to got back to their mommas, had some nice milk and were fine.

The little boys had to get ummm... "fixed" and branded.

The kids asked what they were doing to the poor little babies... I told them they were getting "looked over and making sure they were healthy"

The cowgirl is the one in the yellow ball cap. She was awesome!

I loved seeing the cowboys work! The babies were in a shoot to the far right and the mommas were in the shoot at the top right of the photo. They let four calves into the ring at a time, two cowboys or a cowboy and a cow girl, would rope a calf and two cowboys from the side would rush in and do their business in the matter of a couple minutes and the calf was free. Once all the caves were... fixed, they were let back to their mommas and all was once again quiet. Until new calves were let into the ring.

I so wanted to be out there! The horses were awesome! They knew what the job was and worked to get it done. I missed my cow pony so badly! I will ride again!! 

Actually, I heard from a volunteer that they are trying to start a ridding program! I'm so there!

I would have gotten closer, but I thought it would be too much for my suburban kids...

Once the kids got board we took a walk...

I tried to make this feel dreamy... not sure if I got it?

At one point the big kids got too far a head of me and the little girls which made poor little Jane so frustrated! Poor girl! I very calmly, (it's hard to not be calm out there) told her to just walk slowly with me and we'll watch and listen for God's creation. And just then this flew down....

And sat there. And let me take pictures! AND sang us a little song!

How cool is that!

We all had a blast and we will be out again. Soon! 

I have so many pictures I'm putting an album on the right side.

Just a warning... some of the pictures may be a bit graphic for some. I'm far away, but if your sensitive, just quickly pass over the roping pictures and move onto the nature and cow pictures!

Happy Friday!

Wannbe...

Just know I'm a wannabe Pioneer Woman.

And yes! I have more! This is just a teaser!

AND!

I have stories too! I may even find a recipe for you! 

You have no idea how cool I think I am right now!

You would be scared....

Bloggers Block.

I got it. Bloggers block. It's not that I don't have anything to write about... I do. Maybe that it! I have too much to write about!

So, Ill just get the biggest out of the way... I got her.

YES! HER!!!!

MY DREAM CAMERA!!!!

I LOVE HER!

So, thats where I've been. Mostly. Playing and celebrating birthdays and Easter and being a wife and mom and Veterinarian and housekeeper, friend, referee and... you get the point! 

Life is crazy!!!

And now I'm thinking I need new models. What do you think?

Okay... this is so funny to me!!! 

I have more!

Is it wrong to practice on a sleeping kid? I almost felt bad. Almost.

I'll try to post more later!

Dora was the only one who'd sit for me!

No Way!

Can I really have a 10 year old child? WOW!

Yesterday was Brady's Birthday! 10... I can't believe it! 

Brady is one sweet boy! And super cool! He has no problems walking around town in his "Indy" get up or even his make shift "Frodo" attire! And it isn't often you find Brady without a pen and paper! You never know when an idea might pop into you head and you need to be prepared. 

Always slow to warm up it's rare you'll find a person that doesn't love Brady and think the best of him. Teachers have always found it hard to find a seat for Brady in class! Just when they think they have it, Brady makes a new friend and soon they are chatting it up and they have to move him again. Brady can be friends with anyone. 

This guys is going to do big things in life! And he'll for sure make a great husband someday! His sisters will have him trained! 

I couldn't have asked for a more loving sweet son. I adore his unique perspective on life. I love that he's still fine to kiss me goodbye in the mornings no matter who's around. He doesn't care that Janie wants to hold his had walking around. He loves it. He'll act silly for Maggie to get a smile where ever we are. And he can get Mary Rose to be her silliest funny self and be her very best friend who keeps her little 8 year old secrets. 

We had chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast and he got to play with his best bud Sam all day long!

And after Jeramy got home from work we all went out to eat. Sam got to stay the night and they watched Lord of the Rings all night! A very cool thing for this 10 year old!

I love you Brady! You are simply the best and I am so blessed that your my son!

Happy Birthday!

I Have a BIG Blog Post!

It's just not going to be now!

Sorry. Is that mean?

Have a good Good Friday!

okay... I'll post one picture!

She's 8!

Little Mary Rose is 8! How can it be? 

She's the best! 

Miss Mary Rose is sweet, smart and sassy! And I can't believe she's mine!

I am a very blessed momma! And she sure keeps us on out toes!

Today Jeramy went into work a bit late so we could have breakfast as a family and so she didn't have to wait all day for her present...

I kept her distracted while Jeramy rolled her brand new bike in!

 

She was super thankful!

Her breakfast request was for pancakes that look non-other then.....

Herself. Not Mickey or bunnies, but... her. 

She's a nut ball!

We love you sweet girl! I hope you have a great day!

(maybe you'll get to really ride your bike tomorrow...

sorry about the rain.)