That was so funny Mom!

Just another day of driving with Tressa at the wheel and Marley in the middle. We decided to take a short drive to get pictures for my camera class, when I was able to click a pic of Marley and Tressa laughing at my recent joke!  Had to post, too good to pass up!  Hope you enjoy, think of us after Chris sees this and goes over a long list of why cats should not ride in the car.  I write this as the other wonderful cat Richey sleeps beside me on Chris's pillow.  Payback!

4H Fair 2012

Well, what a year!  As you can see Tressa did well in what we have always strived to achieve.  This was her first year in Senior Showmanship and she won the whole thing!!  Sorry, we really don't like to brag, but we are going to take advantage of this time!  For a Freshman this is AWESOME! Words cannot describe how thrilled we are and we know she worked very hard with her pig, Moose to meet this goal.  Now we must also include Pam and Andon in this as well, they really work with her and Kennedy to improve their showmanship and I don't think we could have done it without them.  As soon as the judge said she was the winner I dropped the camera and all you can hear is me crying, that made everyone mad!  Hey, next year we will have someone else video.  Since she won this that qualified her to be in the Round Robin event which is showing pigs, sheep, cattle and dairy.  She did a great job and this allowed me to finally see one of my kids show cattle (which she did an awesome job at).  Great job Tressa...now we are off to the State Fair for the first time!  Yikes! 
Also, Kennedy had a busy year with her animals of Dairy, Chickens, Rabbits and Pigs...she got Blue Ribbons in all except third place with her pig.  She wants that "Gold Trophy" in Dairy and I know one day she will!

Hello Outlaw People!

Hello you beautiful Outlaw People!  That is how Elizabeth Cook starts her show "Apron Strings" every day.  You will find her on XM radio, Outlaw Country channel 60.  I love listening to her!  I encourage you to go out and buy new CD, Gospel Plow, it is Rockabilly Gospel music...AWESOME!  Some songs were written by Marty Stuart and one by Lou Reed, I know Lou Reed, who would have thought?  Elizabeth has been on David Letterman so go on You Tube to see her, they are both great to watch.  One of my Bucket List items is to see her in concert,but she never seems to get to Indiana! 

I like this channel because the mix of country/rock they play, for instance today I was listening to Rosanne Cash, Long Black Viel.  If you listen closely you can hear the tempo of Tennessee Flattop Box, which was an earlier hit, I like how she incorporates it into this song.  She has her own unique style which makes her a legend in her own right. 

Sticking with the Country theme I am in the process of reading Sissy Spaceks autobiography, I am really enjoying it.  Coal Miners Daughter was one of the first movies I remember seeing, that is when I fell in love with Patsy Cline, a treasure of a voice in Country Music.

"Word Out and Peace to Your Mother!"  and that is how Elizabeth closes her show, and me too!

Pictures of Kennedy

Tressa is practicing taking pictures for 4H and I really liked this picture of Kennedy at the Bussell Farm.  Great background to take pictures! 

My Brother is Still Alive...

No pictures this time, just a blog update...we are so busy trying to get 4H Fair projects done, that we really don't have time to do this, but I am.  This year the fair is three weeks early so that really threw us for a loop!  Trying to motivate a 15 year old to get her projects done is even harder! 

The girls are out of school which is a releif for me, both have moved up to the next class, one Sophmore and one 5th grader.  School starts even earlier this year, August 1st, YUCK!  Tressa is taking drivers training for the month of June and that means she is now driving, YIKES!  Really she is doing a good and we are really proud of her, she has been on the Interstate 3 times. 

We are enjoying swimming at the gym, library and listening to Eric Church.  I am in the process of reading Greg Allman biography and Animal House the making of the movie.  I had to pick up the Animal House book because it reminds me of my brother, no he did not die, but he loves that movie.  When my nephews were little he would have "Movie Night at Uncle Lons" where he would show classic movies and tell them why it was a classic.  To this day at age 29 and 32 they still talk about Movies at Uncle Lons.   Lon has a certain laugh and I can just hear him as he watches this movie or watching Andy Griffith.  Look forward to reading the book and discussing it with him at Christmas.  

Chris wants me to sign off so I will end with this....I adore you!

Happy Birthday Kennedy!

Well today is the day that "Boo Boo" turns 11 years old, can it be possible?  The wonderful father that Chris is made K's day when he took birthday snacks to school along with Diamond the rabbit for show and tell.  We had pizza for dinner followed by a swim at the gym.  The day would not be complete without ice cream after swimming.  She is a wonderful daughter who always has a smile! 

The above photo was taken during Spring Break, the last week of March.  We were fortunate to stay south of Clearwater, had a great time!

The Rabbits arrived yesterday.  Tressa is holding Jimmy and Kennedy is holding Diamond.  They are so cute and soft!  I have also included a picture of the pigs that Tressa took the first day we walked them.  They have grown so much since this picture, but I had to include it.  The season is busy, the chickens have moved to the neighbors Hen House and growing so fast. 

Bahamas 2012

What we enjoyed about the Bahamas were the beaches and The Atlantis restaurunts, aquarium and great weather.  We strongly suggest the aquarium it was so beautiful!   Everyone is so friendly and I would love to rent one week on the Mary Jean II yaht!   Oh I can see me now! 





Home again...

Chris and I have been traveling, I have enjoyed and we are very fortunate to have Grandmothers that can watch the girls.  I am glad to be home and that the girls have not changed, they still fight and complain.  I think they just missed us and this is their way of showing it.  We just returned from New Orleans, I had not been there before and I really enjoyed the city.  So much History, which I enjoyed.  Next time we plan on staying over another day after meetings so we can do some site seeing on our own.  While Chris was in meetings, I toured a Plantation and took a cooking class.  The New Orleans School of Cooking was great!  They do a great job, I learned so many things and can now cook Gumbo and Pralines, I think. 

The 4H pigs arrive this weekend, another season begins...crazy time of year.  I will say they are cute, we still have one more to pick out. 

Not much to report, but thanks for checking in on us!

I love to read...

I took this back in December, but as usual I am delayed on posting.  Kennedy was reading to Richie and as any cat would he loved it.  She wants Marley and Richie to be lap cats, but they prefer to be on their own.  However, Richie is getting better at it.

In Memory of a Wonderful Companion

Unfortunatly, we welcomed the New Year with the passing our beloved pet dog, Midnight.  He passed away in his farvorite spot while sleeping.  We acquired him the first year we built the house and he was the first pet dog that the girls had.  Kennedy loved spending time with him no matter what the weather was like, as you can see in the pictures.  He was a very good dog and loved his best friend Jack.  Jack and Midnight were together 5 days a week since they were puppies and grew to love howling at the 11:00 am siren on Fridays, running through the fields and playing with Kennedy.  He always had one ear up and one down, thus he acquired the nickname "Sonar" from Andon.  We will miss him, but will enjoy the memories he leaves us. 

Merry Christmas 2011

We have posted a video of our Christmas lights, they are the best ones on the block (sorry neighbors).  From a distance it could look like a "Gentlemans Club," but once you get closer it is just your local country home with dogs, cats, one teenage know it all and her 10 yr old sister who is usually in the field driving the mule.  Somehow the parents of these beautiful girls are still surviving with a little help from the Forest Edge Winery (TN).   We are BLESSED every day by these two wonderful girls who make us laugh, cry, scream and shout (but in a good way).  We WISH you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.  Take some time to relax, read a book, watch your favorite movie or stop and enjoy the time with your family.  We do not know what 2012 will bring, but I do know that as long as Chris and my girls are by my side it will be a GREAT year....off to make cookies and wear my favorite apron (too many to choose from) by the glow of our Christmas lights.

UPDATE:  Because of my bragging, one strand of lights has now stopped working...I really think it was the neighbors sabatoging our LIGHTS!  Next year we have now vowed to put lights to loud speaker music, pointed toward a certain train horn.

The Big Transistion

Well it's Regis's last day and am supposed to be cleaning for the guests coming on Sunday for our Thanksgiving, as usual I am side tracked and decided to update the blog.  I know, I know....I never update anymore, but I too have been in a transition trying to go back to work part-time.  Another transition has been Tressa turning 15 last week which only means I turned 45.  Only 180 days until she can qualify to get her permit!  YES!  Kennedy is in 4th grade and just made the honor roll with all A's...YES!  She loves to swim at the gym every chance she gets and loves Legos.  Christmas is around the corner and these girls only want Big Ticket items!  What happened to just being happy with just PJ's, baby dolls, movies or games?  The older they get the less we are going to give!  Whatever! 

Back to Regis...I remember watching him in College at BSU while getting ready in the morning, then I was back again as the girls were born watching every morning while giving them a bottle, then it transitioned to watching him after the girls got on the bus as I picked up the house...transition of life.

Well, we move on and I leave you with a recent picture...

Fall of 2011

Well the first day of Fall has come and the weather has turned cooler.  I apologize that I am unable to keep up with updating you on our blog.  Chris and I are sitting by the fire, watching M*A*S*H, the TV series, as Richie the cat sleeps by my side.  The girls are getting ready for bed which always takes longer then it should.  School has started and T is now a Freshman....where has the time gone?  Before I know it the ladies on 900 N will be hosting the graduation party.  Although she has more mood swings then usual we love her so much and appreciate how good she is in and out of school when Mom and Dad are not around.  Kennedy is in 4th grade and just wants to be out of school as soon as possible.  We love her hugs and kisses and her honest opinion about everything. 

We went to Chad and Karis wedding last night and I have posted a picture from the big day.  What a beautiful day, especially when you are wearing the right hat.

Tressa and her 4 H pictures

Not to be out done by her sister, Tressa has pictures too, they just needed to be tweeked before posting. She is sooooo picky!

Summer of 2011

Tressa when you think of the summer of 2011 what comes to your mind...

HOT, but we have a pool to cool off in...hey, it is a Walmart pool and it brought down the property value but who cares.
Having friends over...GOAL!!!!!  Womens USA soccer team just scored!

4th overall in Swine Showmanship....Senior Division next year...yikes!

Mom when you think of the summer of 2011 what comes to your mind...
Mumford and Sons, Awesome year for K for her first year in 4H,  the makeover of Chris...

Kennedy said she enjoyed swimming, working with Joy and watching TV...
The fair is over and we have enclosed some of our favorite photos...

Kennedy excels at her first 4H Fair

One thing that both girls now have in common is that their first year in 4H was awesome.  Tressa went to State Fair her first year for geology and won Reserve Champion in the Carcass scan, now Kennedy can brag that she won Grand Champion Grade Dairy AND Champion 1st year Showmanship!  We are so proud of her in how she showed and the hard work she put into working with Joy her calf.  She really loves Joy as she does any animal, but this one is special.  Her goal was to win a purple ribbon and she topped that with a plaque, chair for showmanship, bucket and lead rope.  Awesome K, we are so proud of you!!

Pigs are next to show and we all ask that God will bless us with patience.

Kennedy turns double digits...

The baby turned 10 last week!  It seems like yesterday I was holding the new baby as they wheeled me up to the third floor, her dark hair and little toes, how perfect.  Now she is in Martial Arts, up to my shoulders in height, imitating her sister and loving the hot dogs.  She can challenge us and at the same time hug us!  God has blessed us in so many ways and she is at the top of the list...Thanks K for being so loving, caring and always helping when we ask!!

It's been too long....

What? Has it been over a month since I last reported to you about the family?  Too many things have happened that I do not know where to begin.  We are in our last week of school...woohoo...and nobody is as excited as Kennedy!  I am ready for the girls to be home, however, it will be a busy summer for Tressa.  She will leave for camp a week after school, return for 2 days and leave for State FFA convention for 3 days.  Then we will only have 1 week to complete 4H projects and then it will be time for the fair.  I am worn out already!  Kennedy looks forward to just sleeping in and watching movies!  We hope to go to Canada this summer, but that is still being planned...gas prices have shorten our travels. 

The cats are doing great!  We now have 4 pigs and 1 dairy calf for the fair.  The weather has been crazy this Spring, but I think we are finally getting summer weather. 

We had a nice Easter and we hope you enjoy the pictures...one is from the park in Columbus we had a good time, I took the girls to there for Spring Break.  I would like to say we would of had more pics but it takes a half hour to do this one.  Oh well maybe next time.

Must be Spring

It's that time of year again, pig season! Recently purchased 3 out of 4 pigs for 4H. This is the way we usually see them as it has been too cold to come out of the hut. This is Kennedy's first year in 4H and we decided to go purebreed for her. We are still looking for one more pig for Tressa, hopefully soon. We have not named the pigs although Chris has one named picked out, but I think we will stay away from that. We will see how the season goes, wish us luck!!