8th Grade Recognition

This is a shot of the stage decorated in lime green and black Hawaiian Luau theme. Hope was responsible for getting it all together. I think she did a great job.

Autumn received about a gazillion awards. I'll never remember them all. Let' see basketball Most Improved, Commended on Math and Reading TAKS, UIL Calculator 2nd place, and 8th grade Citizenship. I'm probably forgetting lots of stuff, but you get the idea.

Scout in Hope's lap. They were right on the aisle and she wanted to go get Autumn. She couldn't understand why Autumn didn't come sit with us.

Finally with her Autumn. I don't think these two look much alike.

The Townsend family plus my child who wouldn't let go of Autumn. My child who screamed for Autumn all the way home and was even asking for her when she woke up from nap.

It was such a mad house around there. Everyone wanted pictures. I guess we were lucky to get what we did.

Congratulations Autumn!! Now you're a high-schooler and probably won't want anything to do with the rest of us.

Babies, babies, and more BABIES!!

This is Baby Bronc and his mommy Kristin. We visited them for a bit last week. He is a cutie....looks so grown up. I think he looks like Tyler. Scout calls him Baby Bonc and really wanted him to have jammies and shoes on. What a helper.

We also have puppies at the feedyard. They actually belong to Trail, but I'm not sure if this white one does anymore. For some reason Scout just loves her. She used to yelp, but must just be resigned to the fact that Scout will hunt her down and hold her......no matter what.

Aunt Pat has baby goats at her house and Scout got to give one a bottle. When we saw them before she was afraid, but doesn't act like it anymore. Note the chicken dress that was Autumn's. Pretty fitting to wear at Aunt Pat's house would you say?

"Want a bath, kitty?"........................................"Get back, kitty!!"

Our final baby is a kitty cat. Summer texts me on Saturday afternoon and says that she has an early birthday gift for Scout. Oh cool.....Summer usually gets her clothes or shoes or something fun. Instead the gift was this kitty. Scout likes to feed her, as in hold her face in the food, carry her around, as in put her in a headlock so she can't scratch too much, and as you see here give her a bath, as in possibly drown her.

So we asked Scout on Saturday evening what she wanted to name the kitty.......she thinks for a minute and says "Medicine". I know this is what she is saying because she saw me get a shot and is all about medicine these days. At first I thought it was sweet because animals are like medicine for our souls. Now I understand that it means she is so rough with the kitty that it is going to need medicine. It might also mean that she will give her kitty medicine if she could get her hands on some.

Aren't babies fun?

So Long, Friend

RHAA Finals in Abilene, TX was the last ride for Riley and Gunner. 1st Place Ranch Hand Class, new Tad Sanders saddle, pretty buckle, and a big sigh of relief. I think that it was a cool way for Riley and Gunner to quit on. Gunner now lives with Harold and Linda Green in Lipan, TX where he will possibly be the most spoiled horse on the face of the Earth. Look closely at the first picture and you can see them talking to Riley.

The Finals line-up of the 5 horses from each class.

Riley had two horses make it back to the Finals. As did Tripp, as did Tripp won both the Jr. and Sr. on Hoorey. Would you say they cleaned house? Anywho...here is Riley receiving his fourth place awards. FYI, Wrinkle is also his calf-horse.

Prissy had to sit (or sort of run wild) in the colesium for three days in a row while the guys showed. She behaved fairly well and didn't even crash down the stairs, which she loves to play on. Thank goodness for Hope, Trail, girls, grandmas, and a few strangers that she didn't mind going with.

Summer is into the photography thing.....I think she got quite a bit of practice. Scout loves playing in the dirt. Imagine that!!

Scout does love Autumn and I feel bad that she, Hope, and Summer have to carry her everywhere because she cries for them. They should have big muscles after carrying her all over that place. Gigi always has mints and Scout never forgets.

Kenneth & LaRue and Don & Judy (ladies are mom's cousins) always come to watch the guys. They are always so fun to be with.

Sure am glad to be home!!

Kitchen Helper

Hope lets her do this all the time.......I rarely do.



I'm not sure if she's the kitchen helper or if I am.



Move over Pioneer Woman.......I can cook.

Photo Shoot

I wanted to take Scout's picture in this cute outfit. She sort of cooperated and sort of didn't. This is about as good as it gets with her.

Cheese!!.........................................................................You want me to do what?

Starting to get bored.........................................................................Blowing sugar!



Can't sit any longer.....................................................................Here you can have this bow!!

P.S. You read the shirt, right?

Our First Calf Roping

When we speak of firsts we usually mean for Scout. This time it is a first for the whole family. Riley entered the Joe's Boot Shop Calf Roping. When we watched last year he said that he was going to enter and he has tied calves a little throughout the year. He really only started roping hard about three weeks ago. He had some bad luck, a great run, and two so-so runs. We were not required to stay for the short-go if you know what I mean. It was a pretty long day/night, but he had fun and we had fun watching.

Gigi and Papaw came to watch. While I was gone to get supper Gigi bought Scout this pink horse. Surprise!! Well it turned out to be great entertainment even if it is pink.

They brushed the horse.....

They cleaned out his feet........EWWWW...YUCK!!!

Mostly Scout rode the horse.

Not sure how the legs kept from breaking.

She also pulled the bridle off of the horse no less that fifty times.

We get so many compliments on these spurs. I'm already sad for when she outgrows them.

My handsome calf-roper hubby sporting "the string". I love it!!!

Mud Pies

I guess this isn't really "mud pies" but that sounds more lady-like. About the only thing to do in our backyard is to feed the dog. On this particular day Scout took over the water bucket as we were headed into the dog pen. She commenced to making herself a mud hole to play in.

The "previous, paranoid, with0ut her own child" Tori would never have let this kind of thing happen. For some reason things like this aren't that big of deal anymore.

I just realized that you don't actually see her face in any of these pictures because of the shaggy, un-done hair. Once again.....not that big of a deal.

Gross, just gross, but it washed!!