Alissa's 18th Birthday

cream cheese pound cake - Alissa's favorite!

yummy!

sisters!

gift from Mom & Dad.....a checking account!

from the Hastings

jewelry! :))

Wow!!! Alissa's 18th birthday was on Sunday....so we waited until Monday so we could give her our full attention. It was a lovely day! We had crab boil (her favorite) for supper. Jaja & Oma had already given her some spur book ends......they look great on her bookshelf. I can't believe where all the time had flown - but what a joy it has been to watch her grow up and be a part of her life! Thank you God for all these years and for the many to come - can't wait to watch God's plan for her life unfold! Happy Birthday Alissa! We love you!
Mom & Dad

Regi - our newest addition

first bath!

He's very calm

first haircut!

finished product - he looks GOOD!

first show - Kountze

Regi, our latest addition to our growing farm, came to us around early March. He is a steer and Kayla will show and sell him in October. So in the mean time, she is feeding, walking and grooming him to be the BEST steer at the show! He is very calm and sweet. The top picture was taken within a day or two of when he arrived. Those two seem to really get along! We will keep you posted on the latest with Regi before the show and sale in October.

Flashback Friday - Erica

2009

2010

Erica's 20th Birthday!

Beautiful cake made by Kayla and half eaten at the party with her friends the previous night!!

she did it!

From the Hastings!!

crazy sisters......what more could you want!

Our daughter is growing up!!

Well, our oldest daughter is no longer a teenager!! Life flies by at lightening speed - but it has been awesome! We are very proud of her and can't wait to watch and see what the Lord will do next in her life! Love you Erica!! Happy Birthday!
mom

Jasper Winter Show

the judge is staring at Alec!

Both of them are pretty!

walking around the ring

the judge explaining why Kayla won first place!

Another great weekend with another great show. It was more good practice for showmanship in Houston. It is only 3 weeks away!!! We are excited!
Shelly

Hardin County Fair in February

we woke up that morning with the temperature around 20 degrees, so it was too cold to blow dry Alec outside.....therefore, after Kayla bathed her outside - she came in to dry her!! :)))

looking good!

more showmanship practice the next day......wow!!

On Saturday, February 12th, we had been having an unusually cold spell for a few days......it was 20 that particular morning! Kayla was up at 5am to wash Alec. Then she brought her in the garage to blow dry her - for both their health! She did well and learned more at that show so she could be ready for Houston - which was coming up in a month!!! It was a GREAT day!
Shelly

Flashback Friday - Kayla

2005

2007

2009

2010

Galveston and Grandparents!

Alissa & Jaja imitating the Indian statues

ICE-CREAM!!

hardly anything better than a good used bookstore to pass the afternoon! :))

I don't know why this store attracts.....but it does. :)

We had a lovely visit in Galveston with my parents in late January - other than it was very cold and very windy! We were able to just stroll around and enjoy each others company along with attractions of the island. It seems mostly back to normal after the hurricane. There is something sweet about not being in a hurry and meandering along until you are ready to go home. Thanks Mom & Dad for a fun trip!
Shelly

Flashback Friday - Alissa

2005

2007

2009

2010

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