Thanksgiving on the Farm

Over the mountains and through the woods the Papa and Grandma's house we go....

Thanks to Kit and Jerry, we had a smooth trip over and arrived at the farm Wednesday evening, even before Bryce, Jessica and  Roz...who'd have thought we wouldn't  be the last ones there!

Thursday, after a little Turkey day run with Jessica (just so we could catch up on our girl time and maybe so we could eat a little more) was spent in the kitchen and playing with babies.  Thanks to Jess and Bryce willing to be goofy, I got a great shot of my 3 biggest blessings...For most of the pictures Rylee is in pink and Sawyer is in purple.

Entertainment for the cooks was provided free of charge

making laps around the kitchen...LOVE the center island concept!

I got this one and I'm pretty sure I can take another!

A special visit from Ron with warm wishes

Oh yeah, and the happy couple.  I'm so glad they took this picture on my camera...ugh!  Ok, maybe it's pretty cute and they do look pretty happy, if it wasn't my brother!  Just kidding, I'm so very happy two of my favorite people are so very happy together

Roz, Jessica's Mom, was a wonderful addition to Thanksgiving this year and got thrown in to both Grandma duty and cooking...welcome to the farm!

Of course Cass was excited to help, especially with the marshmellows

A beautiful family and very yummy team effort feast

Trying to get some quiet snuggle time in afterwards (notice Grandma is wearing a different shirt?  She probably won't ever sit between the twins for a meal again, hehehe)

Per tradition, Friday found us in town for the Christmas Kickoff giving wagon rides around town.  Dad has built up quite the reputation and every wagon was full.  At one point, we even had people waiting in line so they could get on the next trip and we had to cut them off Friday afternoon and tell them to come back Saturday!  It's pretty great that people would come just for the hay rides and some from quite a distance away, we were even offered tips! 

Friday threw a few obstacles at Mom and Roz for getting the twins into town early, but thanks to Jess and Bryce, Cassidy made it in time for a a couple of wagon rides and to see Santa, who she still isn't quite sure about, but she really wanted that candy cane.

After Santa and a quick snack and rondevous with Grandma, Roz and the twins, Cassidy joined Papa to be in the lighted parade...taking the rodeo royalty!  She was soooo excited and got used to the idea that cowgirl princess don't wear dresses.  Cassidy did a great job riding shotgun and you could hear my girl shouting Merry Christmas all through the town!

The twins were bundled up and ready for the parade.  They definitely got into the spirit, clapping to the music and having a great time taking in the sights. 

They make pretty good pardners and it sure makes my heart smile

And as if that wasn't enough, there were fireworks....yep, fireworks! Here we are after the parade warming up before the big show.



Rylee and Jessica

Rylee taking after her big sister

Saturday, Cassidy came into town with Dad and I at 11:30, helped get the wagon cleaned up and hitched and rode shotgun until 4:00.  She got off once to go potty because I bribed her with a cookie and the whole time kept looking for "my team".  Like I said, pardners...

By the time we got home, another smooth trip thanks to Kit, Rylee had decided she is meant to be a cowgirl..maybe just a goofy one!

So many blessings to be thankful for, and so many great memories.  

Bath time fun

Here's another one to make you laugh...and I promise every one is fine!
It all started with a normal bath time, all 3 in the tub.  Rylee was using Cassidy as a slip and slide and Sawyer was working on trying to figure out how to drink more water.  I got the twins out and once they are out Cassidy has the green light to turn into a whirling dervish, splashing, rolling and spinning as much as she likes for the few minutes it takes to get both twins dried.  While I was drying Sawyer, Rylee decided to get a closer look at her sister's gymnastics routine and during one of her spins Cassidy kicks Ry right in the mouth and the blood starts flowing.  Poor Cassidy starts crying, feeling so bad (and probably a little worried about being in trouble) and Rylee is screaming and bleeding.  I put naked Sawyer down so she can entertain herself by pulling every towel down and most things out of the drawers while I get the bleeding slowed down and little Ry's mouth rinsed out.  Cass is still crying, asking if she is going to be ok and pointing out that "Mama, there's blood everywhere...ohhh right there there's more blood!"  So very helpful.  We finally get transitioned into the twins room so that I can start getting diapers and PJs on with Cass wrapped up in her bathrobe still feeling pretty bad and just wanting to snuggle.  Rylee's almost dressed, just need to get her feet in her jammies and zip her up when up climbs Sawyer onto the step stool next to the changing table and....pees all over.  Of course she had to wait until we were on carpet!  Down goes Rylee with just her arms in her jammies, the rest dragging behind like a cape, to run through the house.  Thankfully this breaks Cassidy out of her funk and she decides chasing Rylee around will be much more fun than sulking and leaves me to clean up another baby and another mess. But I have to smile and laugh as I listen to Rylee and Cassidy squealing and giggling through the house and at myself as I wonder why I am tyring to hurriedly get Sawyer's diaper on and that I'm actually praying that Mossy does not decide that Rylee's jammies would make a nice tug of war game...Blood, pee and tears...all in a days work and I LOVE my job!

Running Buddies

I've recruited a new running buddy...Cassidy!  She didn't want to at first because she didn't think she'd "win", but after I convinced her that winning wasn't about being first, it was about finishing she was ready to go.  She completed her first "Fun Run", a 1 mile Turkey Trot course that even had hills!  She did great, never stopping and only walking a little.  Her time was 12:37 and I was so proud of her, and we weren't last!

 After Cass's run there was a 5k for the grown-ups.  It was awesome having Casssidy, Chad and the twins on course to cheer me on, especially after the 3rd time facing that "wonderful" hill!

 My other crazy running buddy Kate, who also did double duty with her kids...She's great to keep me going! 



She got a little better time, but I finished with a respectable 32:30, under an eleven minute mile. Not fast, but like I told Cassidy, it's just about finishing the race.  Oh yeah, and having a little fun!

Where have we been?

Where have we been?  Well, I went back to work and things got a little busier around here, if that's possible.  But it also got a little more balanced...which is what I needed!  I'm 0.8 as the middle school special ed teacher, back in my home school.  I know I've gotten a little behind on posting, and I'm working on it, so keep checking back and I'll get some pictures of the cutest kiddos ever up soon.....

Woodland Visit

We took advantage of the 3 day weekend and headed south to visit friends and family, well really they are are family, in Woodland.  We were totally spoiled and throughly enjoyed our visit.

Aunt Bette and Sawyer

The cousins; Scott and Rylee, Cassidy, MacKenzie and Sawyer

Our treasured "Papa Don" and Rylee

Howard and the girls

Cassidy amazing Aunt Bette with her school skills; writing her name and coloring.  Aunt Bette is always good for some school work!

And Uncle Bob is always good for giving the babies new foods...Sawyer especially liked the stuffed olives he was offering but was not content with the little nibbles he was allowing so would take hold of his hand and pull

Two happy grandma's getting their baby fix;  Bette and Sawyer, Sue and Rylee

Cassidy loved the saddle that Sue keeps in her living room and thinks we need one too!  I'm fine with that idea, Chad not so much.

Cassidy and Papa Don

THANK YOU to Sue and Howard for letting us invade their home and to Bette, Bob, Don, Sheryl and Tug for making so much time for us.  We love you all!