Macie is on a mission...

Macie is on a mission to take the "perfect picture" to enter in the fair next year. She has taken a lot of pictures with my phone but when she has my camera she takes pictures of everything in site. Here are some of her favorites...

Fair 2011

The girls were a blast to watch at the fair again this year. As they get older it is fun to watch how their tastes change. One thing that hasn't changed is the rides. It just seems that each year they get "braver".

They did have a first this year - they went to their first concert. Well the first they were interested in, really wanted to go, and actually knew most of the songs. Macie got to go with a couple friends as a birthday party for her friend. Since Kaitlin wanted to go so bad also Brad and I got to take her with one of her friends. Can I just say I didn't even know who "Big Time Rush" was until this concert. I can say that once I heard a few songs I was excited to realize I knew some of the songs just had no clue that was the group name. Anyway - the girls had a ball and it was fun to watch them be soooo excited!!

P.S. They decorated the shirts themselves - what fun!!

Better Late Than Never

I was going through my pictures trying to organize them and realized I never posted anything about the calf that the girls bucket fed this summer. This was quite the interesting experience and I was very proud of the girls. The experience didn't last long because "Buck" (that's what they named him) went to a new home where he could have more care than once an evening and will eventually become a 4-H cow. What a life. Anyway - the girls tried to bottle feed him but he preferred the bucket. It was a hoot to watch them interact with this animal. What a great experience for my "city girls".

4th & 2nd Grade - Really?

Where has the time gone. I can't believe that my babies started 4th and 2nd grade today. They were so excited to begin and I was so proud of them.

They had a great day and are excited to go back tomorrow! Can I bottle this excitement up and save it for a few months from now?

Summer 2011

Since I have done such a great job updating this blog this summer thought I would add a little more to it! HA- I realize I have a lot of pictures to post so I won't add a lot of narrative just summer happenings in photos.

Softball

Branson Vacation

Macie's 9th Birthday (Holy Cow - 9 years old)

Summer 2011

Summer is finally here and the girls are ready!! They have already been swimming, running through the sprinklers, and sleeping in. Today they went to the public library summer kick off. They had lots of fun with all the activities, got their face painted and checked out some summer reading material.

The whole idea that my girls will soon be starting 2nd grade and 4th grade completely blows my mind. It amazes me how quick this time goes and I honestly believe they are changing right in front of us! How quick their personalities change and they all of a sudden don't do the "little" things and now they are doing things I can't believe they are old enough to do. Regardless - I love my girls with all my heart and hope they enjoy every minute!!

What I Want to Be...

Kaitlin still says she wants to be a Vet when she grows up. I think she just loves to be outside. She has such a caring nature so who knows maybe she will still want to work with animals when she gets older. In this picture she was excited to help me water the garden - for a little while anyway!

Macie jumps around a little with what she wants to do when she grows up. But one thing that is always consistent is something to do with art. So as you can see in her picture - today her career is to be an Author/Illustrator. What an ambitious idea!

No matter what the girls choose to be I will be proud of them. It is just interesting to hear what they are thinking at such a young age. Oh and Kaitlin is very supportive of Macie - she just wants Macie to be FAMOUS!

Recital Video

I wanted to share Kaitlin's recital video. Please excuse the middle when I "zoomed" in way to close - I was too busy paying attention to her! Kaitlin is the 2nd one in front from the left side of the stage. (Remember to turn off music toward the bottom right side)

Easter Egg Masterpiece

I didn't know if the girls would want to color Easter eggs this year but when it was brought up I was surprised at their excitement. So we got the supplies and the girls became quite the artists. I think they had more fun creating little homes for them after they were made than the actual coloring itself.

A Glimpse

I keep saying my girls are growing so fast these pictures show how much my babies are growing up... Cooking Supper - gotta love it!!!

UPDATE

I am finally updating my blog. I have to be honest I didn't know if anyone really checked my blog a lot and so I wasn't sure if I should continue updating. But my sister in law asked me to update and I know how much we all appreciate seeing pictures of their family and getting updates so I will try to do a better job for those who do "check my blog".

So the latest with the girls...

Macie had state assessments for the first year in Reading and Math. We are so proud of how hard she worked. I was a bit concerned because she was so nervous and wanted to do soooo well that it became almost too stressful for her. However, in the end she "exceeded standards" in Reading and made "exemplary" in Math. We couldn't be more proud of her. She has improved so much this year and I can't believe how fast she is growing up. On July 9th my first baby is going to be 9 years old. Where has the time gone? She is looking forward to all the summer events - swimming lessons, basketball camps, and softball. It will be here before we know it.

Kaitlin just finished her 3rd dance recital. I never in a million years believed she would like dance this much. Macie decided she didn't like the tights so much that she decided not to finish dance this year. We let her "be done" at Christmas - before they started recital practice. Kaitlin was so excited for the recital - as you can see in her pictures. Her only complaint is that she only got to perform one dance this year. She is excited for summer dance camp, basketball camps, swimming lessons, and softball. She will be one busy girl this summer!! (I think I will be busy getting them to everything)

"I Don't Speak Cow"

Out of the mouths of babes...

We went out to the farm today because there were 4 new calves and the girls wanted to see them. It was so fun watching the girls and how they react to the "farm life". Of course they thought the cows were sooooo cute. Believe it or not they are dying to actually see one born. So as we are all standing there and the girls are trying to see how close they can get to one little calf (all while the mom is on the other side of the barbed wire fence) I told Macie to tell the "mom" that it would be ok they just wanted to pet her baby. And of course without thinking Macie turned around and said without pausing "but I don't speak cow". We both rolled. Where do they come up with these things so quickly.

Anyway there should be about 25 more calves born in the next 2 weeks so hopefully they will get to see one being born. I watch them out there and sometimes I think they would make great farm kids. Then I watch them walk through the field and try to miss all the steaming piles and really wonder how long they would make it. HA

A Proud Day

We could not have been more proud of our girls today! Both for very different reasons but none the less - VERY PROUD.

First I went to the store this evening to pick up a few groceries and when I came home Kaitlin met me in the kitchen to show me her new smile - a toothless smile! Now she was already missing a few teeth - one of them being one of the top center ones. Now she was missing both of her top center teeth. So cute. But the part that amazed me was she shared with me that she wiggled it and decided it was time for the tooth to come out and so SHE PULLED IT HERSELF. What a hoot! Ok so this doesn't sound like that big of deal but for her it was fabulous. See for her teeth we have had to go to Grandpa Yoder to be her personal dentist. So this was a huge step for her to take care of it herself.



The next proud moment of the day was Macie playing in her "Y" basketball game today. I have to start by saying this is only her 2nd game this year because we didn't sign her up for the first session and only her 2nd year playing "Y" ball. She has improved so much and so far says one of her favorite things is rebounding. We can only hope she continues to like that. So as you will see in the video Macie decided to play a little defense that we really hadn't taught her much less talked to her about doing yet. I guess she just decided it didn't matter how big the other girls were - Macie was going to be where she wanted to be... (Macie is #11 and is at the bottom of the lane)

Happy New Year

I could say one of my New Year's resolutions is to do a better job keep my blog up to date. I could say that... but I don't think I will. I will however do my best to do a little better job of posting the latest happenings in our family. With so much happening in November and December where do I start? Yes - it would have been easier if I had posted as we went along and not when it is all said and done. So here is my attempt at getting caught up.

We have done many family things over the past few months. The girls have spent time with cousins (Wyatt and Ryder) and missed the other cousins soooo much that they beg for them to move back to Kansas. (Sorry Lindsay but I had to say it - is it working?) We have had family from Florida and California visiting so I would say we have been VERY blessed getting to spend time with our family during the holidays! With this said the girls (and Brad) have been disappointed with only one thing... the LACK OF SNOW. I must admit I was looking forward to doing some sledding and having a few snowball fights during our break from school also. (NO we are not ready to move north either!)

Macie had her school program - the 3rd and 4th grade class did a Christmas music program.


I think it is safe to say my baby is growing up way too fast!

A few more kids than my 3rd & 4th grade class.

Katilin had her 7th birthday. Yes I said 7th! Those that told me time flies - I now believe you - where did the last 7 years go???


This is from our "family" party. On a side note - notice the snowmen on the table?! Yes, this was my attempt at being crafty with the girls. It was a big hit in the 1st grade class for Kaitlin's birthday celebration at school.

Kaitlin had her "friend" party at the skating rink. I have to say Brad is beyond proud. Both of his girls are rollerblading now. I wouldn't say they are going to win any races but the progress has been unbelievable. If I would let them they would be rollerblading in the rain.

To make things fun I will end with this update and add another one about Christmas - yes two updates. Control your excitement...

Happy Halloween

The festivities began this week by the girls wearing their costumes to dance on Monday. Yes - this is the easiest costumes we have had so far and I love it! Macie is a chef - if only she would be interested in learning to cook for real. Kaitlin is a vet - she says this is really what she wants to do when she "grows up".






Next they had a parade at school Friday morning. It was fun to see the girls doing "their thing" at school with their friends. And of course tonight we will go trick-or-treating for a while anyway. I will add a picture later of the events this evening. But for now I wanted to add the details of the week.

The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

We went to this new pumpkin patch this year - Walter's Pumpkin Patch. What a fun time - well except for the rain. We got soaked but had a pretty good time. So many things to do...

A little slow...

Ok Ok Ok
So I am a little slow about posting. No good excuses. I have told several people (sorry family) that I was going to get some pictures posted soon and I just haven't done it. Well now I am posting updates about the family but I don't have my camera with me to download any pics. Sorry - guess those will follow soon - hopefully.

So what are the updates you ask - well...
The girls are doing great! School is going well, they still say their favorite thing is recess and some days lunch. But they are on a reading roll. How can that not be good? They do this program at school called AR (accelerated reading). Each 6 weeks Macie has a goal she has to meet. The goal is so many points. Each book is given a reading level and is worth a certain amount of points. Most easy books are .5 points and the more difficult and longer they get they are worth more. So Macie is reading some books up to 2 points now. Kaitlin tries to read some of the 1 point books and if she has a while she can do it - with a little help from mom, dad, grandma, etc. The trick is they don't just get the points they have to take a test and answer the questions about the book correctly. If they get all questions correct then they get the max amount of points. Well some days "we" don't understand the questions and don't always get all points possible. No problem! Anyway - Kaitlin doesn't have a goal yet - she is just reaching levels. She has over 13 total points so far and is at Ready Ready 2. Macie on the other hand has to get 8 points every 6 weeks. So they get on little missions where they read like crazy but they can only take the tests at school. Anyway - long story short - they are doing really well with reading and seem to be enjoying it.

Now for math. They get to do lots of different things for math skills. I have to brag - Kaitlin was the first one in her school to get Principal's Math Honor Roll. Each grade level has to do different things to receive the honor so I am sure I will be adding Macie before long. Macie was so proud of her sister when they announced Kaitlin's name over the announcements. And of course this made me proud.

We are getting ready for Halloween. This has been one of the easiest years costume wise. I will - I promise add some pictures of the girls in their outfits. I won't tell you what they are going to be so you can be surprised when I add the pictures. I heard that - surprised at what the girls are dressing up as - not surprised that I am actually adding pictures.

Haven't mentioned Brad and how can I leave him out! Well he is doing well - busy as always. He has been so patient and helpful with concession stands during football - what a guy!!! It is almost over so I think he is getting very very happy.

So stay tuned for the upcoming pictures...

Random Pictures

Double click on the pictures to see them bigger. Check out the post before this one for a fun video of the girls favorite ride this year!!!

Fair Time

You have to love the "Kansas State Fair". It's great for spending money, riding rides, eating entirely too much junk food - the special this year was a "krispy kreme hamburger". Sound tasty - well no one in our family was brave enough to try it - or should I say "crazy" enough to try one. You could get one for just $6.50 - what a bargain. Oh and speaking of rides there was definitely a favorite ride for the girls this year and I have to say it was as good as NyQuil for me. Talk about wearing them out!




This had to be the best ride for the money. The girls had a blast and it was a real "hoot" to see them in it. Of course they rode other rides and it was a great year because everyone was tall enough to ride all the rides.

Now that the fair is moving on we are moving on with the concession stands and counting down days until Thanksgiving break. Oh and can you believe it is time for parent teacher conferences already? Seems like we just started school. It's amazing the progress the girls are making already. Oh dance has started again and the girls are in the same class this year. This should make a fun recital!

So this is not a long blog but something is better than nothing - again. Stay tuned for more!!!

"OMG"

So I have been told over and over that "the only good snake is a dead snake" and that "garter snakes won't hurt you - they are good to have around". Well guess what - here is my belief - the only "good" snake is the snake that is somewhere other than where I am!!!!!

The excitement at our house this weekend was the girls ringing the front doorbell non stop - me opening the door to Kaitlin screaming and Macie explaining non stop (very loudly) that "there is a snake in front of our garage and it is not a "gardner" snake." Of course I first yell at Brad and make him go out first - I was not expecting the snake we saw - check out the pictures...

I shared the pictures with one of our science instructors and this is what I learned: "That is a western garter snake. That is a nice size one. They eat insects, frogs, toads, lizards, and even some fish. They are harmless to humans. Usually they will escape and evade humans. If you back one into a corner it will strike. They have real small teeth, and eat everything alive, usually head first. They are starting to try and find a place to hang out for winter. They usually hang out in a group in the winter in some kind of a hole. Sometimes you will find a big group of them together. No danger to you or the young one's."

It is nice to know they are not a danger to us - especially the girls but the hanging out in a group thing does not make me feel any better. And I can say it will strike because when Brad was trying to move it so he could "dispose of it" the snake did strike at Brad several times. Again - not my idea of fun.