Go Pokes!

There is a lot of Brown and Gold in this post!  We have made it to two Cowboys games this fall and hope to make it to a few more before the season is over.  They are having a great year so far and are always fun to watch!

Tailgating before the Missouri game

We WON!!!

The kids got to rush the field for the first time after Wyoming beat Missouri!  So fun!!

Jacob's work at school: "This weekend...I went to the Cowboys game."  I love the music notes!

Hello Fall!

Fall is in the air!  We headed to the Pumpkin Patch last weekend with some friends.  Here are pictures of that adventure and a few others from the past month or so.

 

Maya was introduced to the upright bass at the Bighorn Bluegrass camp last summer and fell in love with it!  Her teacher at the camp, who is a professional bass player with "Horseshoes and Hand Grenades" told me she was a natural and really encouraged me to get her lessons!

She can hardly carry it!  Good thing we have a big car!  This is even a half size bass

Family hike with "Woody"

Taking a rest

Gabi is running cross country for the middle school this year.  She likes it, but she will be the first to tell you that she like basketball better!  :)  It is fun to watch her run.

First Day of School

There were lots of changes in store for us as we headed back to school this year!

Jacob is a KINDERGARTNER!  He was so very excited and has been doing so well!

Maya is in 5TH GRADE!

Gabi is now a MIDDLE SCHOOLER (6TH GRADE!)

I switched jobs as well.  I am still a teacher at Buffalo High School, but in quite a different capacity.  You can read more about our new endeavor here if you're interested: https://sites.google.com/jcsd1.us/newwest/home

Minnesota!

The kids and I flew to Minneapolis a few days after fair was over.  The main reason for the trip was to see my friend, Susie.  She lost her Father earlier this year and they held his Memorial in Tofte, MN.  We went a few days earlier to spend some time at the Mall of America.  Since Joe was unable to go due to work committments, my Mom came along for the ride!  We had a great time!  The kids really liked the Mall of America's Nickelodean World.  Jacob was in heaven in their huge Adventure Bay play area and also go to meet Marshall!

My favorite part of the trip was going up North to Tofte and Lake Superior.  It is so beautiful there.  We spent time on the lake, hiking in a State Park and exploring the cute town of Grand Marais, MN

Before we had to head home, we went alpine sliding with Susie and her family.  We had lots of laughs and even though Susie and I had not seen each other in over five years, we picked up right where we left off.  It's hard to beat a true friend!  She's the best.  :)  Hopefully we get to see each other again soon!

Fair Time!

The girls had another successful year with their 4H projects at the Johnson County Fair.

Waiting with a friend to model their sewing projects

They got a little bored and decded to play a little softball while waiting.  Maya made the outfit she was wearing.  Gabi was done modeling, so had of course changed back into her shorts and tshirt!

The showed their lambs during the Sheep Show.  Both girls improved in showmanship and in their market class over previous years!

Gabi's lamb was named, "Patch"

Maya's lamb was named, "Ace"

Jacob on a wildflower hunt.  He arranged these wildflowers to enter in the open class floriculture contest at the fair.  He was very proud of his bouquet!

He was also very excited about the sunflower behind him that he grew from seed this summer and that won a purple ribbon!  I love his smile!

The girls modeled their outfits that they made for the public style review.  They are getting better at modeling!

Gabi made this hooded sweatshirt.  It turned out super cute.

Maya made both the shirt and the leggings she is wearing here

They also both participated in the Sheep Lead!

Gabi made the wool plaid shirt she is wearing

Maya made this lavender wool knit dress.

This was the first year that they showed pigs and the did surprisingly well!  The pigs were so much fun!  

Maya's pig was named, "Coconut."  He was an awesome pig.

Gabi's pig was named, "Itchy."

The girls also decorated cakes to enter in the fair.  They had fun with this project.

The judge called Maya's cake, "A purple ribbon masterpiece!" It won Overall Grand Champion for Food & Consumer Sciences!

Gabi's cake was lily pads on a pond

And that's a wrap!  I think we're going to do less next year...