country talk

we have a new equestrian center in our part of town.

basically, meaning we will be going to some rodeos this spring.

we went to the opening on saturday. we got our boots dirty, smelled bbq, watched horse races, and enjoyed the country life for awhile.

speaking of country, lets talk a little music. i am a fan of all kinds of music. all genres, all types. but you all know that country is at the top of the list. the Lady Antebellum cd has been on repeat in our van since Christmas(my gift to mark). i love them, my new favorite country band. you may know them by hearing this song on the radio(if you listen to country music that is).

my fav song on the cd right now(and for the past few weeks)

is run to you, their new single. o i love it.

if you like these songs, this is another favorite.

and if you are a fan, and like footage,

check here for their webisode wednesday.

mark, i run to you.

enjoying the winter wonderland

we played in the snow in mimi and papas backyard. there wasnt much snow, but it was fun and worth purchasing new snow attire.

i taught addie how to make a snow angel. she made a whole choir of them.

callie just wanted to be pulled around the yard on the sled. enjoying the outdoors, being outside, so content. until it was sisters turn.

my cousins son, Jacob, who is 5, hauled addie all around the yard, and he WANTED to! he was a good sport. they had so much fun together while we were there. they became great playmates.

i wore this hat when i was a wee one. i love it! when addie came out of my moms closet with it on, i squealed!

there was a little dirt hill next to my moms garden that was perfect for the kids to sled down. this is callies ride.....

and addies......

wish we lived where it snowed!

saying goodbye to the woods

gingerbread (graham cracker) houses

this was the first ginger bread house i have ever made. it was so fun and entertained us for almost two hours. we had so much fun making these little cottages. i think we have ourselves a new tradition.






its all in the details....


callies new "smile!" face. she didnt eat any dinner because of all the candy in her jolly little stomach.






a very proud addie. hers had a river, (papa said it was a slip n slide) a large mallow window on the back, and a googly eyed snowman.

giving thanks

Today we drove up to Show Low to celebrate Thanksgiving with Mimi and Papa. ( to stop confusion, we celebrated the day after due to siblings visiting in- laws and other family working.) Mark had to work Thanksgiving,( and Christmas and New Years, ug) so i packed the van again with what seemed like the whole house and all our possessions. I included new movies checked out from the library, and candy/snacks to keep them entertained. didnt work. I do not like to drive alone with my girls for long distances, it is just horrible. someone always throws up, there is always screaming and crying and whining. This trip it started with Addie sticking a jelly belly up her nose. you think she would have learned from this time and a time after that when i had to take her to the urgent care. there was screaming and crying and whining, of course. sigh. i used the bobby pin trick and out it came, and on our way we went. callie started to get fussy and anxious. i had a headache and gave her a sucker to keep her quiet. she got it stuck in her hair, which made her scream,cry and whine even more.
finally we made it over the river and through the woods to mimi and papas house.
we were greeted with food cooking in the oven. at that moment it felt like the season of thanks and giving. we cleaned up, much needed after that long ride.








Great Mimi and Papa where there.

Feasting

the kids table. lots of banging forks, dancing, singing, not alot of eating. the fun table.

all of the adults were sitting around talking about Christmas and shopping and presents and santa. we didnt realize we had a peeping tom sitting under the table listening to every word. it was her fort she said. great hiding place.

giving thanks for many things this year. little things, but they are big things at the same time.
my families health, and safety. marks job, horrible hours and time consuming, but he has a job. our home, though it may not be decorated and we have hand-me-down furniture we have the space we need, and it is a place we call home. my kids. they are trying at times, but oh they are sweet, imaginative, silly, full of personality and smart. they are healthy. we have so much.
happy thanksgiving

whadya know! it is fall!

while the high in Mesa is 87 degrees on this mid November day, here in the mountains it is chilly and brisk. the leaves are golden. the smell of wood burning is in the air. i havent taken my sweater off today. it reassures me that it REALLY is fall.

my girls love to find "treasures" when we come to mimis and papas house. they fill up their brown paper bags full of pine needles, cones, rocks, leaves, sticks. it keeps them busy and they get to feel, see, and smell nature.



holding on

it really is fall!

schnepf farm