New Horse

My Aunt Sue was talking to my mom the other day and my mom mentioned that Brett and I have our own little farm with chickens, a dog and horse. My Aunt Sue then asked my mom if we would be willing to take in another horse. Apparently my cousin Danny is in prison and will most likely be there for 5-10years so My Aunt Sue has been boarding Danny's horse. To save on the cost of boarding her, Sue, was hoping the horse could stay with us. So our new horse, Rita, has now joined our girl, Mimmi. These two mares have sure become best friends and attached at the hip because Brett has had a hard time seperating them. They throw a fit if they aren't together so Brett is determined to break them of that:) 

Brace Face 1.16.15

After a couple years of nagging from the hubs I finally agreed to get braces. Brett's cousin, Ben McDowell, whose orthodontic office is conveniently located next to Brett's office was the lucky dr to put them on. I got the clear color done on top and the metal on bottom. Ben estimates that I will probably have to wear them 8-9 months. I'm crossing my fingers for sooner:) The first day wasn't so bad but the second day a few of my teeth were super tender, especially around my canines. They were tender doe about 4 days. I ended up breaking off one of my brackets twice in that first day so Ben had to insert 2 bite blockers on my back teeth. Eating is so annoying and I'm so paranoid about food in my teeth. Thank goodness Brett bought me a water pic which cleans them out pretty good before I brush. It was pretty amazing but my overlapping front teeth have already shifted. I can't wait to see what the end result. 

The Big 1! ||1.14.15||

And just like that a year has gone by. What?!!! The kids actually had no school on Riggy's bday so we decided to use our Pogo passes and head to the Phoenix Zoo. I had to teach class that morning so we planned to leave right after. Our crazy weather decided to throw us a curve ball and start snowing that morning. I was worried what the weather would be like down in the valley. Luckily when we for to the zoo it was sunny and in the 60s...absolutely perfect! My mom met us there and brought Vada with her. Poor McKai was sick so her and Sarah stayed home. Rachel also brought her 3 kids so we had a fun little group. It was seriously the best, most perfect day. Rig was in heaven being outside and everyone was just soaking up the sunshine and all the fun animals. Rig must have known it was his special day because he just a had a perma-grin all day. Love this little boy so so much. He has 7 teeth (3 on bottom, 4 on top), loves being outside, loves animals especially his dog, Rut and horses. Riggy has the biggest, most adorable smile and loves to smile at strangers. He waves bye bye, pants like a dog, says mom and dada frequently, loves food and would constantly eat if I let him. He likes to grunt for whatever it is he wants. He can sign more but we are working on please and thank you. His walking is getting faster almost running and he loves to play tag. His favorite book is his animal book and he loves all his brother's toys. I can't believe it's been a year and we just can't imagine life without this scrumptious, lovable little boy. 

Fairness Award

Man my kids are on a roll this year. First Ray and now Bradock receiving student of the month award. He received his award for Fairness. So proud of this sweet boy of mine. 

Winter Baby!

This kid could careless if it's raining, snowing or freezing outside he just wants to play. He is such an outdoors boy. He's also getting really good at walking on the uneven terrain. You kind of have to learn how to hike before you learn to walk around here. 

Love his cheesy grin! 

Nothing like getting tackled by a bare bottom. Only when you are that little is it that cute. 

Happy 2015!!!

New Year's Day didn't quite go as I had planned. I woke up in the middle of the night with the worst stomach flu. I got little sleep and just felt absolutely awful. Brett and Chance left early that morning to go glass. Those guys really are crazy. Especially when I got this picture in a text...brrrrr! When the guys came home later that morning I was still feeling awful so I spent most of the day either on the couch or in my bed. The kids had fun playing in the snow again. We got even more snow over the night and ended up with about a foot. 

These three brown bears are more like polar bears because they could play in the snow all day long. 

Miss Ray is one awesome little snowboarder. She seriously tore it up. Brett and I were teasing that Bradock might be a Ninja Turtle but Ray is the SHREDDER. 

My 3 little boot lovers braving the cold outside. Brett's leggings just kill me:) 

The next day and feeling tons better we ventured off to a sledding spot Brett had found. Sarah and Chance had gone home New Years evening but Camille and her fam and The Schaub family came up Friday to play so we took them to our little secret spot. The kids had a blast and ended up sledding for hours. They had so much fun that we turned around and went back again on Saturday. This time Noah and Jill Tyler and their fam joined us along with Meegan, her kids and some of their friends. It was a fun snow-filled weekend and the perfect ending to our Christmas break. 

Riggy even got in on the sledding action and loved it. He was giggling and smiling the whole time. He went down a few times with Brett and then with Bradock. That kid sure loves crazy, fast things. 

New Years Eve 2014

We didn't really have any plans for NYE but when it started to snow that morning we figured we were probably going to be stuck inside for the evening. We convinced Sarah and Chance to drive up and play in the snow with us. They got a late start getting up here so we ended up getting a few groceries from Walmart so we were ready to party. Bad idea! First of all I hate Walmart anyways but going to Walmart with the whole fam in the snow was one of the stupidest things we have ever done. After we got home we all put on our snow gear and headed outside to play. Miss Ray is a little snow playing machine. She just couldn't get enough. She especially loved sledding behind the quad. She kept yelling "Go faster! Go faster!" She is a little daredevil that's not scared of anything.  Ben and Jen ended up coming over to enjoy the snow with us too. Later that night Sarah and Chance finally arrived and we hung out until Sarah and I were too tired to stay awake anymore. I know we were total party poopers but that's what happens when I try to party at home. 

Christmas Eve/Day/Weekend

This year my mom and dad and the Mcdowells joined us for Christmas Eve. We had a yummy dinner which included cooking my very first ham. Brett and I had bought a 4-H pig at the high school fair auction so we had two smoked bone-in ham butts that we needed to cook up. I found a couple recipes on Pinterest and decided to go with a yummy honey mustard glaze.it actually turned out really tasty. We also had veggies, salad, rolls and dessert. Later that evening we gave away our annual Christmas jar to a family in need. Ben and Brett had thought of a patient they both treat that could really use it. It was a perfect evening. 

Our funny, little tree all ready for Santa to visit. 

Christmas morning was a success. Ray ended up getting the ultimate easy bake oven, cowgirl boots, jamberry nails, tennis shoes, sparkly pink boots, a comforter for her new room and a few other fun, little things. 

Mr. B scored in the clothes dept. and not just any clothes but cool athletic shorts, shirts, shoes and socks like his cousins Grady and Carson. He also for some fun teenage mutant ninja turtle toys and the new TMNT movie. Him and Rig also got comforters for their new room and a new DVD/blue Ray player. 

Riggy got a fun, red quad that he can ride anytime. He loved it and was making this vroom vroom noises as he pushed it around. He also got a few other new toys. 

He kind of got disinterested in all the presents and just wanted to eat breakfast. He was so hungry he just bit out of an orange: peel and all. He quickly realized that didn't taste too good. 

Later that afternoon we headed down to the Flaherty's to spend Christmas evening with them. Rig was having fun riding around in the wagon. 

Terri had been dying to get her new 2014 grandbabies in a pic together. She got them these cute shirts so they could all make 2014. It was a little bit challenging trying to get them all to sit still (well rig and Landry) but we managed to get a cute one. Rig wasn't clapping and waving his hands around but then quickly tried to attack Landry. 

That night Bradock spent the night with the rest of the boy cousins at grandma and grandpas while Ray went to Stella's for a sleepover. Brett headed down south to hunt with chance so Rig and I stayed at my parents condo with them. The next day Tanner took the boys for a game at Top Golf. They had a blast. Then Grandma Debby, the kids and I went over to Sarah's to have lunch and exchange cousin gifts. 

Later that evening we played outside at the condo before Brett got home and we headed to the annual Flaherty Cousin game night. We played the right, center, left game and the name game. Both were super fun. Brett went out hunting again late that night and the kids and I headed back to Payson on Saturday. It was a super fun week full of family and friends.