Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo


Kayla prepared all week by washing & blowing Alec everyday!




in our stall, it is VERY SMALL


chilling.....what we do most of the time while at shows :))


show time!


judge teaching her showmanship.....a rarity





Bryan, always watching & helping

Dee, Alissa & Weston......watching & helping from the opposite side of the ring


the next day, different show






my fav :)))


HLSR is one of the largest shows in the US. It was our first time to go. It was absolutely awesome! Very nice, well organized, good time was had by all. Kayla's first show was with all the calf scramblers. There were about 400. There were about 40 Shorthorns, like Kayla's. They show by age. In Kayla's age group, there were 6. She won her class! Then you show against all the 1st place winners. She won Reserve Champion Shorthorn! That is the picture above with the judge congratulating her on winning. The other 2 pictures show all her awards with Alec and her family & the McKnights. The next day was all shorthorns. Kayla place 5th in her class of 26. There were 15 classes of shorthorns......that's a lot! Anyway, it was a great experience and we will continue to do more shows and enjoy.

Each night we drove to Bret's mother's house to eat and spend the night. It was a long one-hour drive; but well worth it! She cooked awesome food, washed our clothes, and encouraged us and made us feel so welcome and at home. She is a true treasure and we are so thankful for her generosity and hospitality!

Shelly

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Alissa & Beka's park day


besties!




silly 1


silly 2

So glad these 2 friends are able to have fun and goof off together in February at the park! Having a good friend is always GREAT!!
Shelly

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Eggs, eggs and more eggs!


Well, my new baby chicks are now old enough to lay eggs.......so we are now getting over 2 dozen eggs per day. At least we have for 4 days in a row now. I think the teeeny one is someone's first attempt at laying an egg. That was actually the second one that size. They were really cute and kinda funny! We made scrambled eggs with them - but of course we added a bunch of others also. It has been a fun experience working with the chickens. I guess I'm a farm girl now. :))
Shelly

PS Yes, the eggs are wet, I just finished washing them.

Monday, February 21, 2011

A Hope Chest for Kayla before her 16th Birthday!


telling the story of designing and building the hope chest


ooohh, aaaaah





2 BIG smiles!


Kayla's hope chest

Each of the girls has received a hope chest created specifically for them by my dad for their 16th birthday. This year is Kayla's turn. When they arrive, we are unable to hide the hope chest because it is so large.....so she received it early. Not a problem.
A special thank-you goes out to my parents for all their hard work and dedication and thoughtfulness in creating such a lifelong heirloom for each of the girls. Thank you so much!!!!!
Happy early 16th Birthday Kayla!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Christmas with the Hastings in Arkansas


annual group picture


Stephen


Sarah


she loved the socks!


Andrew

Seth


Kayla


Nathan


Luke


Alissa & Erica


Hagestings!


Getting together is always a great time! The 10-hour drive is worth it! We didn't really have any snow to play in but found many things to do. Although, we were glad the weather was good when it was time to drive home. :))
We will be visiting again as soon as possible - we don't need a holiday or a reason!
Love, Shelly

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Christmas!! =))


the look says it all!!


underarmor!


the boots were from Alissa & Kayla


Tenth Avenue North - very good band


small ESV Bible - the "go anywhere" size


stuff for cooking - always a big hit!


the "perfect" book for Kayla - thoughtfully given by the sisters


praying for the world!


poster for Alissa's wall - gift by the sisters


perfect look for the perfect gift - ear muffs for gun shooting





a "bling" belt



video camera for the film minor!


it's been a great read so far!



relaxing!


styling!


nice table for a nice day and nice dinner


busy day!


Well, our day was wonderful. This year it was just our family.....not many more of those left! There were lots of really sweet gifts given in honor of Jesus' birthday. What an awesome way to celebrate. We hope your day was full of the people you love to celebrate the best gift ever - Jesus!
Shelly