November 2019

 In early November, Joe and I went to Nashville for a long weekend with some friends.  Three of us were celebrating turning 40 in 2019!  Myself included!  The others came as our support team and sure showed us how it is definitely okay to still have fun after turning 40.    This picture was taken shortly after we were on Sirius XM The Highway with Buzz during their Music Row Happy Hour.  Our shirts say, "The World Needs More 40 Year Old Cowboys!"

We had a Friendsgiving Celebration at a friend's house

Fun at another Cowboys game...this time Papa Gary and Gabi joined in the fun.  The other kids stayed in the warm hotel with Grammy Mary!

Notice Keener Frye in the background!! :)

Gabi played in a basketball tournament in Sheridan and then we got snowed in...they closed the highway right after the game ended and we were stuck 30 miles from home.  We hit WalMart and then snuggled in with new jammies.

We hosted family and friends for Thanksgiving this year!  A fun time was had by all!

The day after Thanksgiving usually means a Christmas tree hunt!  :)  Found a great one this year!

Gabi roped herself a Jacob and dragged him all the way back to the truck

Jacob's Toy Story tree

Gabi with some of her silly friends celebrating her birthday...late.

October 2019

 I can't believe I am nearly two years behind on this blog!  It is one of my goals for this summer to get caught up, so here it goes...

Halloween!

Maya was a BHS cross country runner!

With some friends getting ready for the Monster March downtown

Jacob was Buzz Lightyear...complete with some homemade wings made by Joe!

These BHS girls were 3rd at the State Cross Country meet!  So proud of them. :)

We took in a few football games and of course had to hang out with our favorite college girl, Nicole!

Gabi is TWELVE!

It's hard to believe that our sweet girl is twelve!  We love her spice, spunk, and kind heart.  We are so proud of how hard she works in school and how much she cares about those around her.

Grandma Phyllis's birthday is close to Gabi's, so we had a dual birthday party.  :)

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!