Tag!

I was tagged by Lauryn!

Name: Ashtyn Mae

Age: 10

Nicknames: T, Beep, Ashers, Ya-Ya (Abree's name for me), Sissy

Favorite Activities: Basketball, volleyball, soccer, Cougar basketball, riding horses, roping, branding, showing steers, Kids of Faith

Favorite Foods: corn on the cob, bbq ribs, donuts, red grapes, ice cream, Kit Kats, Butterfinger, steamed clams

Least Favorite Foods: teryaki dippers, apricots

Favorite Music: Our Song (Taylor Swift), Eye of the Tiger, Go to Heaven (K. Chesney), Picture to Burn (T. Swift)

Toys: my horse, MP3 Player, cows, basketballs, Gage

Books: Series of Unfortunate Events #1..don't like reading much...shhh, don't tell my teacher!

What Makes Me Happy: brownies, friends, my horse, my family, camping

What Makes Me Sad: being away from family and friends, hearing Gage cry, selling my animals at the fair (until I get the check!), when G'ma & G'pa go to California

Tag: Christa (Brooklyn), Brandy (JP & Karly), Kirk :)

Soccer Season

"G" loved playing soccer this year. He has figured out the game and became much more aggressive. It was so much fun to watch him. He wouldn't get caught up in the crowd around the ball, but would wait for the pass outside the crowd and be ready to play his position.

I was so proud of him and how hard he worked. He absolutely loved every part of it. Each night before the game he'd set all his stuff out on the floor of his room. And every morning he'd ask me which order the layers went! (We mom's appreciate being needed!)


Blue ball, out of bounds!

Calling for the ball from out-of-bounds.

He is such a team player! I truly think his favorite part of each game is high fiving the teammate who scored a goal! He and Blake got pretty good at it. At least they weren't belly bumping like last year when the other team was scoring!

And, of coure, once the game is over boys will be boys. Dad thinks real men who play real sports tackle any way! He and his buddy Jett had lots of fun during the big kids' games.

She's a cowgirl!

Yesterday our little "fire cracker" went to preschool in a cute little dress with her tall brown fashion boots. She looked just adorable. When she got home, she heard dad was going some where and asked if she could go. Once he said yes, Miss Independent ran back to her room and this is what she came out in to go to town. She was quite proud of herself! Her dad ended up taking her all gussied up! (I was giggling watching them load up in the pick-up!)This little gal loves to wear her dresses and be girly, but she loves to be a farm girl, too! But, of course, everything must be pink. She had her choice of many different hats, but she picked pink. The boots had to be pink.

She knew she looked fantabulous! She had no idea where she was going. It could have been the feedlot, the shop, on the tractor...she was ready!

Such good buddies...if he's going, she wants to ride along!

Our Sweet Gage!

It is so hard to believe that our sweet little Gage is already 3 1/2 months old! He's a mama's boy and doesn't like it when I get too far away. Therefore, he helps with laundry, meals and much more!

Gage has the best smile! He will just turn it on to anyone who will talk to him. Look, I have a blue eyed boy...all the other kids have brown eyes. Grandma Joleen is thrilled to get another blue eyed baby.

And, Gage likes to talk. He just jabbers away...and drools!


Mom where are you! He will just be smiling away, and as soon as I get behind the camera he becomes very concerned.

Our little blessing is growing way too quickly. He is still a little fussy, but his dad says it is because his skin is stretching so quickly with fat rolls! Can't wait for his 4 month check-up to get an official weight. He is now wearing 6-9 month clothes. Sure wish I could freeze time!

Fair time!

Early September was our county fair and Ashtyn and her friend Freckles had a wonderful experience. After feeding Freckles for over a year, Ashtyn was able to show him off!



Pull!!! Freckles didn't like to walk much, it was too much effort.

I guess 1,439 lbs is quite a bit of weight to move.

Freckles and Ashtyn became great friends!

Cousin Jake was so much help to Ashtyn. Freckles looked good!

Off to make some money!

In the sale ring...it was harder to leave him than any of us ever thought! Leaving the first market animal behind at the fair is so tough!

First Days of School

Ashtyn is 10 years old and already a 5th grader!! I keep telling her she can repeat a grade and stay in elementary school for a bit longer, but she rolls her eyes at me and thinks I'm crazy. This will be her last year in elementary school.

A 1st Grader!!!! Yes, Gunnar is now 7 years old and so happy to be a first grader and going to school every day! He loves reading, math, PE and, of course, recess. As you can see he has some serious long hair growing. He has always wanted "bangs," and he now has them. He just loves his long hair and kept it all summer long no matter how hot it got. He is quite proud of it, and likes to wear it like his cool high school cousins wear theirs.

Look, they are smiling and touching...ahhh, they do like each other. :) Maybe it is because it is the first day of school and they know they don't have to see each other all day every day!

Finally, Miss Abree, now 4 years old, gets to ride the bus and go to school like her big sister and big brother! Even though she had to wait two long weeks after they started, she was so excited to fill her back pack with her school supplies, wear her pretty dresses, and eat in the cafeteria. Always waking up happy, on this day she opened her eyes, looked at me and asked, "Do I go to school today?" When I replied, "yes!" She jumped up, threw her arms in the air and yelled, "YES" while pumping her arms. It was precious. And, when I pick her up every day at noon, she runs out of class with a big grin, jumps in my arms, and says, "I missed you, Mommy!" (It warms my heart to know Miss Independent does still need her mom.)

The kids!

Trying this

Ok, I'm trying this blog thing and see how it works with our busy schedule. After looking at the stack of pictures I developed this past weekend and figuring out who needs what, I'm thinking a blog might be easier to keep up with our family's busy schedule. Don't expect anything too great as I try to figure all the goodies and add-ons out! :) I'm putting trust in my "blog veteran" friends to guide me through this.