How to ride Bareback...

We had the great privilege of going horse camping with our friends this past weekend. Ted and Emelia got to do a little "horsin' around" and try their skill at bareback riding. Here's a couple video's just to make you laugh, cry and smile!

You know your hair is long when...

My red-headed cowgirl...My long haired dancer...

When Mommy tucks it into your shirt so you can eat watermelon and Mommy notices that your hair is sticking out the bottom of your shirt! Yes, that's Hannah I am talking about. I have been thinking lately of possibly cutting it shorter because it is always full of food, but the again it seems to kind of be her "signature style"... so I just don't know. Any opinions?

On another note in case you didn't see it on the evening news, Ted and I got to go on a mini-date this evening. Yes, I now... it's a real news flash! But seriously, we had a great two hour bike ride to the state park and back. And I think I may even be skinnier now, except for that chocolate cake I had when we got home:) The plan was to go on a family bike ride, but when one of the girls became quite naughty and irritable (tired), I knew it would not be a pleasant ride. So, God worked it all out for us and boy what a nice evening for a ride. We should do this more often... we got to talk for two hours and not one single interruption except for the beauty of nature. Thanks Lord for a Friday night treat:)

Trip to the Farm

Yes, I am way, way behind on my blogging. These photos were taken back in March when we went to visit our good friends up in Northern Minnesota. We must be true Minnesotans to travel North for Spring Break, hugh?The girls had a great time playing in the mud and puddles that were everywhere!
It was so muddy that we had to go and buy rain boots... doesn't every kid want their own "rain golashes"?

Hannah had to borrow "Grandma Carol's" silly hat to keep warm:)
Here they are playing in the hay bales... so much fun and adventure to be had!

And they got to go on a tractor ride with "Grandpa Lawrence"...

Emelia climbs the pile of fresh bedding for the cows...

This was some sort of mini-hut for baby cows... as you can see one of the girls thought it was great and one did not like it so much. And let's not forget all of the wonderful food that Grandma Carol made for us while we were there! Can't wait for the next visit!

Thanks Grandpa!

Grandpa (Ted's Dad) recently finished this awesome bookshelf for the girls. It is soooo beautiful and we all love it! It was fashioned after a pottery barn kids bookshelf, but Gramps added a few of his own embellishments and made it a bit larger. Now all the books fit on the shelf and there are even some secret compartments for the girls treasures. Can you tell where they are? Thanks Grandpa! We love you! You are an awesome woodworker!

Clara-Clara-Bo-Beara!

We went to my parents cabin in Wisconsin for Memorial Day Weekend. Of course I took a ton of pics, too many to post all of them, but these two favorites caught my eye and I had to share them with you. This is one of our adorable nieces with her new shades and summer hat! Isn't she just a cupcake? I especially love the drool hanging from her chin! Kisses to you from Auntie, sweet "Clairs-Clairs"!

Blue-Barry Paye & Help the Poor!

I just love this whole process of Emelia learning to read... there is something magical about first grade and unlocking the world of reading. And I love phonics! Emelia is doing such a great job learning to read and spell. Here is a taste of some of the wonderful papers she has created and brought to me recently. The first one is a recipe for Blueberry Pie... mmm! good! My favorite part is "put it in the "uvin" (oven):)And this next one just touches a mother's heart. This is her call to all of you out there to help the poor. The magazine she is referring to is the World Vision magazine that is sent out a couple times a year with tons of choices of things you can do to help the needy, such as purchasing a goat for a family or paying for young girls who are victims of abuse to have counseling and help. My sweet girl, whose love language is part "Words of Affirmation" starts out with kindness for you... "I love everyone (including you!)" and then her plea.... I look forward to seeing what God has in store for her loving heart!
Great job reading and writing my cowgirl... keep it up!

Fittings...

Hannah and I (Angela) were asked to be in a wedding of a friend from church in March. Hannah had the privilege of being the Flower Girl! Mommy sang two songs during the wedding. Here is Hannah at her "fitting" for the beautiful dress the bride chose for her to wear. She was so excited to have such a pretty dress to wear:) She did not want to take it off!