"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!!!