Dance, dance, dance...

It's that time of year again... Brandon and the rest of the student council helped set up for the dance, after school yesterday. I cut his hair when he got home, Jeff helped with the tie...and boy did he look handsome!

He went 'stag' this year and had a blast! He said most everyone danced and was totally pumped when he got home at almost eleven last night. (He, and Jeff, helped clean up a little afterwards)

It's Official

Well, he did it! Brandon is the Hancock County Spelling Bee Champion. He beat out 8 other students from LaHarpe, Dallas City, Hamilton, and Carthage. This is the pose where Deb says "Smile nice".

This is the pose where he says " Cool C-O-O-L Cool.

Happy Birthday Jenna!

The many faces of Jenna. You have grown into such a beautiful young woman. I am so proud of you. Be safe coming back from New Orleans. Have an awesome birthday.

Pray for Brandon

Brandon noticed a lump in his upper, inner left thigh last night. He brought it to my attention this morning. We have been to the doctor and to the hospital for an ultrasound. ...the doctor called it a 'reactive' lymph node. Dr Jane...can you explain? He will be on antibiotics for 7 days and then we will check with the doctor again. Keep us all close in prayer. Thanks.

I wanted to thank you....

for marrying me. I love you so much!

At last, my love has come along. My lonely days are over, and life is but a song.

Very unusual snowfall Saturday

Very pretty but unusual. Super big flakes, but not many of them.

Stuck to the trees like it was ice, but they were snowflakes.

This is the chicken coop fence. It was so cool.

On one hand we are getting tired of winter. Then today we got 3-4 more inches and we were out playing in it. I guess if you get lemons, you make lemonade.

What on earth is going on?

Birthday party explosion! No, actually girls and makeup and silliness combined.

This birthday girl likes her icing.
I even got into the picture. With Jenna's help, I helped the girls make cootie catchers.

Brandon and his harem. He was having fun as well.

Riley loved her big green fluffy pillow.

Well, I got nothing. Why Brandon insisted on wearing his robe underneath his chore clothes to feed the goats, I will never know.

After she designed a futuristic building, the architect got a little silly.

Happy 7th Birthday Riley Jo!

Happy Birthday Riley! It is hard for your daddy and me to realize that you are a big 7-year old already! (This is Riley on her Christmas concert night; with her teacher)

Riley with Tucker-boy...

Remember when she was so shy around you, Uncle Joe...

...on a make-shift teeter-totter...daddy was running the opposite end...

Working on the house...

Chees'in It Up...

Riley and Tucker again; this picture taken right after flooring was installed...

Have a wonderful Birthday today (tomorrow the 11th) Riley...we love you all the way to the moon...and back! :)

last night you reminded me of my mom

When you fell on the ice last night, you scared me so much. As I ran to you, all I could think about was my concussion and how I did not want you to go through that. It took you awhile to get up, with Brandon and I anxiously looking on. That is when Elaine kicked in. You were more worried about the 4 eggs that you dropped than yourself. That is what mom would have worried about as well. I know that you are hurting today, but know that I love you.

I am praying that you feel better today.

Look what Riley spotted in the timber this morning!

Jeff and Riley went out to do the chores this morning and Riley spotted this beauty in the trees! They came back in to get the camera; and were lucky to get this shot before he turned and flew away. (click on picture to enlarge for better detail)

So majestic!

Today, you have been given a gift

Today, is the only day that you will have a chance to live today. Things will happen to you today that will NEVER happen again. You could have an opportunity to affect someones life today that you will never have again. Today is a gift. Act like it and have an awesome day today.

So have a happy Feb. 6th, 2010! You will never have the opportunity again.

More bad news

Last night in Burlington, Emma got elbowed in the jaw. She has a small fracture and is in a lot of pain. X-Rays showed a very small crack. THey think it will heal just fine without doing anything. Needless to say, she is in a lot of pain.

Highs and lows

Well, Brandon played his second regional game last night. Unfortunately, his season came to an end. They lost to the #1 team which was Griggsville-Perry. On a more positive note......wait for it........wait.........

Brandon is the Southeastern Junior High School Spelling Bee Champion. Yeah! He will compete in the Hancock County Championship on Feb. 18th. Way to go B!

Brandons B-Ball game

Brandon's basketball team has had a pretty rough season. They have only won one game this year. In their defense, they are a 1A team and play nothing but 2A or 3A teams. Our school district is very small. Throughout the season, he has never got down and tries his darnedest.

Well, today was the first game of his 1A regional game. We went to Perry and played against Meredosia-Chambersburg. I was very nervous, just hoping they could win one more game at least. Well, we smoked them. 44-4. Brandon played awesome, had a lot of rebounds and steals and scored two points. GO SUNS!

Next game is Monday against the #1 seed Griggsville-Perry. Wish us luck.

Slater Creek Farm update

Well, Rileys face says it all. She is now the proud owner of Gracie. She chose the name.

Miracle is really growing. She is soon to be 4 weeks old and already climbs all over the barn and straw bales.

Meet Ted, Gracies twin. He will be banded soon and probably be sold within 2-3 months.

This is what Gracie looks like when not being held. Hard to take pictures of constantly moving objects.

This is Madeline. AKA the boss. She is the mother of Gracie and Ted. She runs all the goats and they definitely defer to her. She eats first or else.

This is Alice. She was not pregnant like we thought and has never been. She will be bred in a couple of months. She is by far the most trouble. Constantly knocking the straw over and getting in the way. She is also the friendliest and will let you pet her anytime.

This is Beatrice. She is Miracles biological mom but now just treats her like any other goat. She is older and very shy. She is second in command, answering only to Madeline.

At last we get to my favorite goat. This is Buttercup. She is very skittish and she won't let you pet her. She is at the bottom of the pecking order. All the goats push her around. She gets the least amount of grain, so Deb and I sneak her some before the greedy goats find out about it. When they do, they just ram her out of the way. She lost her two pure white kids on Dec 30th in a terrible snowstorm.