Eat, Sleep, Ride...

Daddy's Girl..

2008-07-21T20:58:00.001-07:00

Grandpa bought Madi a John Deere baseball hat to wear while she's doin her farm chores, and she actually leaves it on her head! Of course Jake loves it on her, he thinks "she's so cute!" Maybe it's because she looks just like him? Oh yeah, Lindsay thinks Madi has her eyebrows, you know how competitive Lindsay can be...We don't care who she looks like we think she is adorable! (of course) In case you were worried that Madi had chores already, it's really a voluntary thing but she loves helping to feed the horses from her stroller.

And then there was one.....

2008-07-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

Amazing-we are down to one child, one relatively small, usually quiet, uneventful child. How did this happen? And why the heck did it take so long? No really Kelsey we will miss you:) I helped Kelsey move all her funiture toady and tomorrow she will come back to weed through and pack the clothes she actually wants to drag around with her the rest of her life. As soon as that is done Hailey is planning on moving into that room as it has a bigger closet, but really that is the only advantage that I can see. Hailey's old room will turn into the guest/Madilyn room, and the office will be the office. I am going to move my desk and computer in there along with another table for working and a book shelf for all my books and stuff. I also plan on hanging some of the things I have done for inspiration or embarrasment depending on the piece. The play yard hasn't been touched but there is still tomorrow or the next day......

Waterslides with the Girls

2008-07-15T21:01:00.000-07:00

Today is Morgan's last day in Washington so we thought it would be fun to do something fun for a change, (believe it or not she's getting tired of yard work) not really, the girls dont like yard work...We took Madi too and she loves the water, she just wanted to just play and splash the whole time. We remembered bottles, diapers, baby food, blankets, the pacifier, sunscreen-pretty much everything but a toy or two, so we had to improvise, luckily grandpa's wallet was a lot of fun! We also got her very first tattoo, the cheapest and least painful one she will ever have! With the exception of only having two very short cat naps she was very good, and I think the big girls had a lot of fun too, they certainly had a lot of attention, there were always a couple of boys following them around! To be a teenager again, thank you no!

Other randomness in plants and animals

2008-07-15T07:47:00.001-07:00

We now only have one area in our yard that needs a make-over, the puppy yard. Since we are not going to be having puppies on any sort of regular basis we have decided to make that area into Madi's play yard. It is already fenced and has a small grass area. The one major problem were the 1000# straw bales, we had hoped to move them to the mulch pile but we need some sort of equipment for that. Then I remembered my sister saying that I could grow plants in them! (any suggestions on what to plant that will return year after year and likes the sun?) So now we will rearrange them in a sort of L shape-some will have plants and a couple of others will serve as benches. Another trick we learned from the Murphy's...We decided to fill the dirt area in with pea gravel and put some Little Tykes stuff out there, and probobly her little pool. Once all that is finished and we have made one more dump run, and replaced the Jeep house we should be just about done! (sure...)

Perhaps a Canterbury Bell?

2008-07-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

The mysterious plant by the barn has finally started to bloom, I think it may be a canterbury bell any guesses?

Wow! New Pictures!!

2008-07-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

Here are some random photos I have accumulated over the last week or so. Morgan is so tall, taller than the rest of us...we are wondering where she came from? Madi is still adorable as you can see whether she is having a good or a bad hair day. We are crazy busy and taking full advantage of the good weather so we are really not reliable on the posting front for now, but have no fear I am sure the weather will turn and drive us back indoors in no time!

4th of July, 2008

2008-07-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pics yesterday of the kids lighting the little fireworks before dinner and the deadly game of basketball. For some reason family gatherings invoke a life threatening round of basketball...I don't get it! The other shots are of Madi playing in the house where it was safe, under the watchful of eye of the kitten.

Quick trip to Germany....

2008-07-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

I finally got an e-mail from Cody today. He has called us twice but we have missed him both times. He is doing well but is dying from the heat. He said it was so hot he could'nt even explain it (with a few extra words) anyway on the way over there they were delayed in Germany for a day and a half, which gave them a chance to see and do some things. Always nice to broaden ones horizons.....

Other random photos...

2008-06-30T22:04:00.001-07:00

The giant flower on the side of the barn that still has not bloomed, maybe it never will? It keeps getting taller though, I wish I could remember what it was or if it bloomed last year...

Madi has been surviving training her new baby sitter, luckily she has a lot in reserve when Hailey doesnt realize she is crying because she wants a bottle!

Dave's new project that apparently he needed even though he doesnt work on vehicles and has less time than anyone I know...oh well

Morgan on the computer in the morning, she does not like having her picture taken usually but she complied because she was still sleepy!

Projects....

2008-06-30T21:48:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of a self propelled brush hog which you tow behind a four wheeler, with this we can mow our fields ourself! which save us quite a bit of money, but pisses off a lot of rabbits!

This is the ultimately cool arena drag we were able to procure from one of dave's clients. It works up the arena perfectly with the tines and then smooths it with the blade! I love it!

This is actually still in progress, but we put in a new hitching post and will eventually fill in the dead grass area with more rock up to the rock border. The hot water heater will be mounted just inside the door so we can have warm water baths.

This is where we put the Clematis Mom and Lee got for us when they were here for the grad whirl wind week. I used fishing line to make a place for the little arms to grow up and eventually cover the fence. The flowers will be purple and it's amazing how much it has grown since I replanted them.

I know I have been absent for a very long time but only because I have been running non-stop since I returned from Montana. I have been working a lot, which is good but we have also been taking advantage of the fact that we have been having extremely cooperative weather for getting all those pesky projects done! Not to mention I had a horse show all weekend and Morgan arrived from Phoenix so we have been trying to squeeze in a little fun as well.

BFF's

2008-06-30T21:37:00.000-07:00

Ruby and Moggy or (The Cat)

Ruby is the last of the puppies, ironically she was the first one sold at the tender age of 4 weeks! Her new parents are picking her up this wednesday, all of the other puppies have been gone for almost a week now. Too bad Kady doesn't have mega litters like Suzy as I could have easily sold at least five more. The two of them do have the best of time together though, they take turns chasing and catching each other. Ruby usually gets the best of the cat though, she out weighs her by quite a bit. I think the cat will miss her mini version of Ford when she leaves.

Montana!

2008-06-20T18:58:00.000-07:00

Well I know 2 posts in one day for me is unusual but 3 has got to be a new record! last Monday my dad, Lindsay, and Madilyn all made the LONG journey to Montana for a 5 generation picture. It took us 13 hours to get there but only 11 to get home. It was such a long trip, neither Lindsay or myself are particularly good travelers so dad was pretty brave going into it. Of course this was Madilyns very first long travel and she did great! Never complained once, naturally we stopped every 3 or 4 hours to feed and change her but then she just played or fell back asleep. She was amazing and we were all so grateful. Once we got there we had a wonderful time seeing everyone, and Grandma was so happy and so appreciative to be able to meet the new addition to our family tree. About 22 years ago I made a similar trip with my dad and new son Cody to take a 5 generation picture with my grandma and great-grandpa, so it meant so much for her to be part of a new photo. I guess in about 20 years we may be planning another one..although Lindsay swears she is never going to let Madilyn date! well see how that plays out. It was a fantastic trip and Thankyou so much dad for taking us girls! We love you!!

Graduation #2

2008-06-20T15:12:00.000-07:00

Well it was a long three years, for everyone! But it was all definitely worth it when I walked up on stage and got my diploma. What made it even more perfect was that all my kids and all my parents were there to share the moment with me and boy can they cheer! I could hear them from the stage. It was a perfect ending to a challenging chapter in my life. Thankyou again to all my friends and family that have supported and encouraged me all the way through! I really wouldn't have made it without you.

Graduation #1

2008-06-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

I know everyone has been super tired of Madi and her Pony and was anxiously awaiting an update. The problem was not that I had nothing to update, rather lots of news and no time. We have been super busy and going non-stop but finally today now that things are getting back to normal I thought it would be a great time to update and let the rest of the world in on all the fun we have been having! Congratulations Kelsey, you did it and we are proud of you!

Madi and her Pony

2008-05-31T17:48:00.001-07:00

Ok, well she wasn't so sure it was a good idea at first...but then she got the hang of it and seemed to really like it. I think she may be dissapointed when she learns that some day she will have to hang on by herself! Lindsay and Hailey got a good work out though....

Madi and her Grandpa

2008-05-31T17:44:00.000-07:00

I'm sure it wont take her long to figure out how to work her grandpa, not that it's hard. She already pretty much has him wrapped around her little finger, all she has to do is smile!

Madi spends the night!

2008-05-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

Lindsay let Madi stay over last night, and we as always have been having a blast! She always wakes up so happy, even when the dogs wake her up from her morning nap. I snapped these pics while she was performing!

The puppies meet "Mouse"

2008-05-30T14:00:00.000-07:00

which is what Hailey has been calling him, it sort of fits although it's not very cute. I tried to get a shot of Mouse asleep on Rylie's back but I was too slow. She has a nice wide base for sleeping.

New squeaky toy?

2008-05-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

I'm not really sure we need an inside cat...mom, but the dogs are actually quite smitten with it. Suzy and Kady have already fought over it and Joey has appointed himself the kittens personal body guard.

Orphan kitty...

2008-05-29T17:35:00.000-07:00

Well I was driving home early as my class was cancelled and I happened to notice out of the corner of my eye, a tiny little furry ball just on the other side of the white line along Smith Rd. I was able to pull over, back up, get out and walk towards it in the lane of traffic. Luckily the little thing walked right up to me, so what else could I do? There was only one house remotely close, but no one was home. I suspect it was maybe dumped because it is so friendly there is no way it can be feral. After a quick trip to the IGA store we fed him(he was starving!) clipped his nails and are fairly certain it is a boy. It's sometimes hard to tell at this age so we will know for certain eventually. I didnt find any fleas on him either, which also indicates he was probobly not living outside, plus he seems to be in good health. I told Mom I would hold him for her till she and Grandpa come, as you know, they have a soft spot for orphans!

Madi in May

2008-05-18T11:23:00.000-07:00

Lindsay and Madi came over yesterday to see Uncle Cody and luckily Lindsay was able to remember her camera so I was able to copy some of her pictures of their trip to the park.

The last puppy...

2008-05-15T08:41:00.001-07:00

Sad...well he isn't but we are! We hope somebody wants him soon, even though he is adorable and doing very well in the house training area, we have been enjoying one less dog around.

Look Who's 6 Months!

2008-05-07T20:56:00.000-07:00

Wow! How time flies..hard to believe Madi is already 6 months old. It's sure amazing how much they grow and change in a relatively short time. Today Lindsay stopped by after Madi's doctors appt and I snapped a couple of photos. Lindsay thought it was just because of my obsession with Madi but really it was for a Mother's Day surprise for her! (luckily she never reads my blog!)

Grand Finale (for a while)

2008-05-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

Kady spent ALL day yesterday producing 5 tiny puppies. As the resident drama queen of labor and delivery, you would have thought she was delivering labrador puppies! We have 3 boys and 2 girls, 4 sable and 1 tri. Mother and puppies are doing great, they are already getting little pot bellies!

Phase two...

2008-05-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Kelsey had the dark ink applied to her tattoo, she has one more session for all the light ink then it will be complete! I know you are all just humoring us but we think it looks very cool and Kelsey loves it!