3? Can't be...

We did it....we actually made it another year and the twins have made it to 3!  It's been a crazy busy, sometimes frustrating, usually exhausting and a beautifully wondrous journey.  With 4 busy family schedules to coordinate, we were finally able to get together with Chad's family and had a great time celebrating Rylee, Sawyer and now 17 year old Brady (he was the 4 year-old ring barer at our wedding-talk about time flying!)  I really appreciate and love that while it is never easy, every one commits to celebrating family and all came down for a great afternoon.  The twins and Cass were in cousin heaven and took full advantage of all the attention.  There was even an invite, with an accept, to homecoming mixed into the party for freshman Caden and his girlfriend.  Weren't we just doing his 3 year old birthday party?  Sawyer is in the purple dress, Rylee in pink.  We also had Brady's girlfriend Sarah to add to the fun.  Sawyer is going through a sticking out her tongue phase and I promise, the pics I posted were actually the best....gotta love 3 year olds!

UGH

I know it's been a while and I'm sorry.  I'm even more sorry that in the last couple of months we've gotten a new computer (part of the reason for lack of posts) and new camera which I love but am still learning (another reason for lack of posts) and then a new new computer when the first new one failed.  Somewhere in that process I have lost all of the pictures over the summer.  Thankfully for many of our adventures there were others that also were taking pictures and I'm working on getting copies from them, but it will take a while.
We had a wonderful summer with Chad on his first rotation of day shift in almost 6 years.  It was awesome having him home in the afternoons, although he was usually one of the first in bed (that 5am alarm was NOT his friend).  He was also able to take a good chunk of July off and we had a crazy cross state adventure starting in Portland for the family reunion, then a local camping trip, followed by heading east for Mule Mania (and crazy fun it was) then back to central for some more great camping.  Then it was a week long road trip for me and the girls hauling my dear friend Kate's horse to Blackfoot ID where they have moved.  On they way back we got to spend a few days with another dear friend, Lindsay and Marc and their 3 girls in a beautiful part of Montana where they manage an impressive Angus bull operation.  We got to spend one day at Jr Rodeo where Cass ran the barrels and poles and the twins spent almost all day watching from the back of a very patient, very old ranch horse/babysitter.  We didn't get to spend nearly enough time and have definitely made the commitment to build in more time to visit!  Once home from that adventure we stayed put and enjoyed crabbing, beach time and trying keep up with our place. But way to quickly the start of the school year was upon me and back to work I went.  Chad went back to swing shift and Cassidy started first grade....yes, first grade!
I am hoping to have some pictures to illustrate these adventures soon, but in reality it may not happen.  But keep checking  and I hope you enjoy what we do have.

Spring Madness

March Madness?? Well it is a little crazy around here, but I'm not sure it qualifies as madness...per say.

It started with what has become a wonderful tradition with Auntie Cari.  A day trip to watch an amazing equine experience known as Cavalia, a combination of horsemanship and Cirque du Soleil, theater and dessage.  In one word, beautiful.  

especially with such a beautiful group of friends

 Cassidy's artwork was "published" in a district art show (It's the gingerbread man above her)

 Gymnastics started again (check out those "cowgirl" muscles)

 and my kids got to play with some seriously crazy kids

 It's a known fact, all kids like snacks!  It was something else watching their little tails wag for the 30 seconds it took them to drain the bottle

the girls playing hard, maybe taking some notes from those crazy goats...

Sawyer showing that if you play hard you have to sleep hard 

 A little birthday break with my wonderful hubby

 I love that new barn boots and fencing totally make my girls' day

Rylee is ready to ride....dude! 

 March brought quite a bit of sunshine and we took full advantage and spent lots of time at the barn.  Cassidy is really starting to take ownership with Ziggy and pride in learning skills.  It's awesome and amazing to watch!

The twins are showing strong interest in the horses too and Cass is happy  to give rides and share

And is pushing herself too

 

So what else do we do around here besides play outside??  Well I got brave and let the twins help Cass and I make cookies...talk about multi-tasking!

We also did Kite day and all 3 got to make their own kites and flying them in the HS gym

 oh, wait, the sun is shining again...we are back outside!

And, I managed to get a good picture of all 3 girls for Chad's Birthday present...yay!

Rylee    Cassidy     Sawyer

Easter

I know I'm way behind, but I have to share these now.  They are pictures from Easter and then a Birthday picture for Chad...my sweet girls

 Sawyer, Cassidy, Rylee

 Rylee, Cassidy Sawyer

February Fun

So what else happened in February besides my baby turning 6? Well, Cassidy worked hard on her first Valentine's Day cards for her classmates.  She wrote every one's name and carefully picked out the card they would like.  She is a very thoughtful little girl

She also had her 100th day of school and took advantage of all the Valentine decorations to make her cape for the school party.  

 And of course she had her special date with her favorite guy for the Daddy Daughter Dance.  If only that could be true for the next 15 years

 And then we got some snow!!! Not much, but it's amazing what 100 feet of elevation can do for the accumulation so we headed to Sam and Cari's house for a little sledding adventure!  Cari made sure every one got a good start for the run and Cassidy loved it...so did the twins!

Rylee with her duct tape gaiters...It's what you do for snow pants that are one size too small and don't cover the top of the boots.  I have to say though, she had warm dry feet at the end of the day, yep, we just make it work around here!

 Miss "Faster Faster" Sawyer!

 Not sure who had more fun, the  kids or the adults!

 What's better than snow?  Costco coming out with new swimsuits!  They are ready for the beach!!

 Of course that meant having to go through the old swim stuff...but not before one last romp through the house and yes, they are naked.  Hey, don't judge, we are working on potty training around here!

 Spending time with friends now that they were feeling better was also important

And the girls are definitely asserting their independence, including dressing themselves for the barn.  Not too bad for Sawyer