Warrior's 2012

Saturday brought the last game of the 2012 season for Ketch.  Even though his team didn't win a game all season, they did make great improvements.  For some this was their first time to dribble or even touch a basket ball.  Others were a little more seasoned, it was sure fun to watch them enjoy the game.  Chester was the coach for Ketch's team this year and I think he enjoyed it as much as Ketch.  Ketch's comment was, "even though we didn't win a game Dad, it was still the best because you were my coach".  Ahhh....what a sweet boy.  So proud of the young man he is growing into.

Disneyland Trip

We were fortunate to travel to Disneyland with the Edwards side of the family in November.  It was a great adventure!  It started with 16 of us traveling to Disneyland within the confines of a motor home.  Now I know you are thinking...."They must be CRAZY".....7 adults and 11 kids all in one motor home sounds like something from a horror film or a Chevy Chase film.  However, it was great.  Grandma Cindy is way better than any airline stewardess, and Pilot Grandpa Gayland offered a very smooth and timely trip.  Seth and his boys later met up with us at the park.  So in total there were 19 of our wonderful group.  We were able to spend 4 days at the park sharing time between Disneyland and California Adventure park.  We met lots of characters, including the Disney ones.  Received lots of compliments on our fancy red t-shirts and sweatshirts, which also helped us keep track of our rowdy group.  We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner at the Rainforest Cafe and ate till we popped and laughed till we cried or peed our pants, some it was both :) 

A great time was had by all.  Here are some favorites of our family's;
Ketch - Jedi training and battling Darth Maul.
Lane - Splash Mountain and build a bear workshop with Grandma.
Holden - World of Color and Splash Mountain.
Winn - Tower of Terror and the Railroad roller coaster.
Tasha - Making a ton of fum memories with people I love.  The smiles on all the kids faces, even the big kids.
Chester - The trip in the motor home, he now thinks we can't go on any trip with out a motor home.

I have included some fun pictures, there are many more, but these a few faves.

Harper and Grandpa

What a GOOFY group

Bug Eyes

Conner and Mickey

Whose the kid here?

is that too much fun or too much sarsaparilla?

Here comes the sea of RED

Who's there?

Again?   Come on kids there is more to see!

The force is strong with this one.

young padawon

Darth Maul...meet....Ketch Skywalker

We LOVE Disneyland

Girls just wanna have fun!

Time to start again

Well,  I did well for the first part of 2011, and kept the blog updated with new information and the latest activity.  Then Summer hit and time flew and my posting became few and far between.  I still have some unfinished posts waiting to be complete and submitted.....  So I haven't decided if I should "catch" up first, or just start fresh and add the past postings as I go. 
As always there is some great adventure happening around here, so I am going to not only try and capture it in digital form, but actually print more photos this year and put into written form the events to read and treasure later.  I know that it is February and past the traditional time for New Year's resolution setting, but as I have been thinking of those around me....I don't want to keep living in the mind set of , I'll do it tomorrow".  So with that in mind there are a few things I want to accomplish this year....
1.  Make and Take the time for those special chats and hugs with each child as they are asked for.
2. Smile :) as I let dishes and laundry pile up....so that I can spend time with my family.
3. Express my gratitude and appreciation more for the many blessings I have.
4. Help those around me, in what ever setting, know that they are important and special.
5. Look for the good first.
I know that these can be dismissed as silly and unmeasurable as they don't fall into the typical....loose weight, find a better job or become more successful.  However, oddly enough they do fit into those categories.  Hopefully weight will be lost in burdens of those around me and myself by remembering the things that are truly important, what better job than making your child feel loved or making a complete stranger feel they have worth, and turn won't that help me be a more successful wife, mother, friend and neighbor.

1st Annual CT Family Rodeo

Well we thought it would be fun to have a Family Rodeo that held so many traditions for all of us.  So we held the 1st annual CT Family Rodeo at our place.  It included a BBQ and potluck before the Rodeo and then an all Family Rodeo.  We included events for everyone.  There was Dummy Head Roping, Barrels, 4 wheeling poles, foot races, Steer riding and a good old fashioned Grand Entry and Prayer to God.  Fun was had by all who participated and watched.  It turned out to be a great success and only set the stage for next year!!  There were lots of pictures taken (over 700), I am only posting a few.  Enjoy :)

Lane packed the flag as Holden sang the Star Spangled Banner

Jr. Rodeo Fun

The kids had their turn in rodeos this summer too.  They competed in Shoshone and Jerome.  Even though there were no buckles won, they had fun and are practicing already for next summer.

Lane as Jerome County Fair and Rodeo Jr. Princess in the Shoshone Parade

Lane and Angel in the Poles - Shoshone

Ketch's Steer Ride - Shoshone

Holden's Steer Ride -  Shoshone -  Run Dad!!

This picture has a good shot of his fan club behind the chutes!

Is is my turn yet - shoshone

Close.....so close

Winn waiting his turn to ride a sheep.  unfortunately my camera only took a blurry shot of his ride :(

Lane and Angel at the Barrels - Jerome

Winn - Jerome

The fast way to pull your slack :)

Last minute instructions from Grampa Gayland - Holden Steer riding - Jerome

Last minute adjustments before his ride - Ketch - Jerome

Kinda blurry...But I thought it was a cool shot

My country boys getting ready for the parade

Country Nights and Tikki Lights  - The Jerome parade theme Here is our dolphins with the smoking volcano in the back.

volcano

Mr. Jerome!!

Mr. Jerome

Dolphin riding cowboys

Summer full of Ranch Rodeo's

Lincoln County had their first Ranch Rodeo this year.  Chester, Jess Southwick, Aaron Hall & Steve Wells made up the team.  The events were Team Doctoring, Team Branding, Trailer Loading and Stock Saddle Bronc Riding.  I am proud to say that our team won 1st Place.  It was a great time to watch and participate.  Here are some fun pictures of our team.

Proud to be an American ( National Anthem being played)

Jess and Aaron getting a hold of the first steer in the Team Branding

Chester and Steve getting a handle on the 2nd steer in the Team Branding

RUN ground crew!

steer in the team doctoring

The ground crew has got it now

Last Minute prep for the stock saddle ride

"Here we go boys!"

Hanging in there

 

 

 

1st Place!!!!

Carey Ranch Rodeo was a ton of fun too!  However, I don't have any pictures from this rodeo. 
The Team was Chester, Jess, Steve and Casey Perkins.  They tied for third place. 

First Day of School

Well this school year there is a big change.  The kids are attending the Jerome school district this year.  The kids are all excited and nervous at the same time.  Ketch will be attending 6th grade in the Middle school, so he is excited about having the opportunity to have a lot of different teachers and a locker.  Lane will be attending the 4th grade in the Summit elementary school and is very excited that her BFF from Valley will be attending Summit as well.  Holden will be in the 3rd grade at Jefferson and is excited That Winn will be at Jefferson in Kindergarten so that he will know someone there.  As for Winn, I hope Kindergarten is ready for him :) Here are some pictures for the first day!