Dust Bunnies

We have regular sightings of dust bunnies here at the Abshire home front. I wish it weren't so but that is life. But we witnessed a large collection of dust bunnies at the girl's school last night. The school is fortunate enough to be able to bring in a performing arts club to their campus for one week out of the year. The Missoula Children's Theatre is a travel performing art company that does an absolutely amazing job in just one week.
They hold auditions on Monday after school, pick the cast, and start practicing after auditions. They have a full-blown production on Friday evening. It really is amazing. Our girls tried out this year. Hopie landing a spot as a "dust bunny" in the show

~ A Princess and a Pea.
With no further ado, Hope as a "Dust Bunny":

Heartstrings

Luke is growing up so fast. We have so much fun hangin' out together. Don't be fooled that he isn't totally two, because he is! Nevertheless, he is quite the helper and very independent. He shows signs of excellent work ethic. We will see about that when it comes time to mow the lawn before hangin' out with his buddies or working on a car. Okay, we are so not going there yet!!!

I will take today and love it!

Today I had one of those "melt my stinkin' heart" moments. I was getting Luke out of his car seat when he grabbed my neck and pulled my ear to his lips. He whispers in my ear, "Yuv you" several times ~ UNPROMPTED! I melted right there in the driveway. I didn't want to put him down or leave that moment, it was priceless. This little man has my stinkin' heart wrapped around his little finger. BUT life needed to be conquered, so down he went to go and pull EVERY dvd out and empty the pots & pans cabinet! Never a dull minute around the Abshire home front.

PS

Being such a big helper, he knows how to

"pick it up ~ put it away".

That makes the messes & memories more enjoyable on Mama!

It is branding season around here, which means lots of great rides to gather the cattle that needs to be branded. I was blessed to be able two weekends in a row. I missed one of the most beautiful pictures, because I didn't have that great small camera that my man got me for Christmas, in vest pocket! I was thrilled because the cow boss said I had graduated to harder areas of the ranch. With that graduation came more beautiful country. We had some long days but no problems ~ a close call, but no disasters. We had plenty of help, which is always a plus. I got to brand a couple of calves, which is was pretty special to me. My buddy, Steve, gave me a great job & had fun with me wearing a white shirt to a branding! I had two words for him ~ spray & wash! We all had a great time doing what we love. Afterwards we enjoyed fabulous food and a nice time of visiting.

Benny is on the left, Steve is on the right, & together we make the three amigos! This Amiga hasn't learn to throw a rope yet, so I am on the ground crew.

The cow boss is working on the ear markings. They have a very distinct ear marking that you can see a long way out. He is neat to watch work.

I got to brand a couple of calves.

John helped me with one & I got to do the other by myself.

As for this job, we aren't going to go there!

Happy Trails!!!!

Kung Fu Hopie

Hopie has wanted to be in karate for a couple of years now. We wanted her established in school before she took on anything extra. We finally decided she could do it. The discipline of the art would be good for her temperament. Don't tell Hopie that! So here is our little Tae Kwon Do student.

Hopie is learning the basics before joining the class.

She is loving it.

Tae Kwon Do will be very good for her.
Papa has been practicing at home with her and she is excited to show her master how much she is working on things. She just doesn't yell at class, which has us totally baffled. We as her parents KNOW she can yell, but won't at class. We know that she will as soon as she gets comfortable, so watch out master!

New Years Day 2010

Happy New Year from the Abshire Clan!
We decided this was a great opportunity to head to the beach. The water is never too cold for the children. They are crazy! So off in the jammies we go........beach bound. Rob surfed, the girls chased waves & collected treasures, and Luke fed the birds!

It was a good time!

Elizabeth's Birthday

Having a birthday the day after Christmas can stink. You are tired, it has been crazy. You probably have traveled Christmas day and are pooped. You are maybe even a little tired of "celebrating". You just want to rest and figure out how all these new things work that you got for Christmas. So, yeah, it can be a stinky day to have a birthday. How do I know this.......my birthday lands on the day after Christmas. It causes problems for my family who "just saw me yesterday". I use to get gifts or cakes decorated with poinsettias. Heck, I went 18 monthes without a birthday one time. We decided to have my birthday in June instead on December. I had to call everybody on June 26 and nobody remembered. I give up!

Then I got married.............
My man understood my birthday and has always made it special. I get my favorite breakfast and the royal treatment for my birthday. This year though my man did GOOD! He surprised me with a Kindle, which is a fabulous gift if you are a reader. It goes perfectly with my Slanket that I absolutely love! I personally choose to wear my Slanket like an oversized robe ~ wrapped around me and all the way over my feet to keep them warm! (Because having cold feet is just wrong!) I love my Kindle & my Slanket! He did good.
Then as if that weren't enough, he took me skeet shooting at his Mom's. He borrowed a 20 guage to see if I would like it better than our 12 guage. I had a blast. I found I liked the 20 guage better and wasn't near as sore the next day. I was a regualr Annie Oakley that day. Well maybe not really, but I had a lot of fun! I got to see this sight ~ which I could handle EVERY day!

Baby Girl (in the middle) is retiring out at the ranch.

Baby Girl and I have had some fabulous rides together.

I got to spend the day with my wonderful family!

And do one of my favorite things....shoot skeet with my man!
Okay, I know I am not in the photos but
someone had to capture the day!

I loved this picture at the end of the day!
The other favorite thing about my birthday is looking forward to "Birthday Dinner". Rob's birthday is the 30th so we always head to dinner in between our birthdays to celebrate. I love this dinner out with our best friends. I look forward to it all year. Keri got her buddy a gift card for her new Kindle - she is the best! Happy times!

Christmas at Joyner Ranch

Christmas continues with Aaron's family. Eric & Tracy head to the ranch for Christmas with Mom & Papa Bill. Tracy got a new camera from Eric and snapped the day away. Mama was experimenting with my new camera that Aaron got me. He got me a small Nikon camera that will fit in my vest pocket when I am working cattle. He was tired of hearing about how much I wish I could of snapped a picture of that......

So here are some shots from Christmas at the ranch.

Luke got the opening present thing down this year! How cute!

Abbie loves presents!!!

Hopie loves the golf chart! See stops in to say "Hi" to Dee Dee!

Aaron & I had Bill & Mom's brand put on some vests for Christmas.

They loved them. Aaron & I were so excited.

Thrills me to see this cowboy sittin' in that fine lookin' jacket!

Happy Trails....Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2009

When I was a child, I can remember hardly being able to sleep on Christmas Eve. I am back to that again with children in the home. They bring such joy & energy to the home. We all headed to bed late as it was because we take in a beautiful candle light service at church for Christmas Eve. Then we head to our friend's home for supper & a cookie decorating game that we play every year. So hopped up on the sugar & fellowship, it is always hard to get to sleep. Once asleep the children rest all night. I, on the other hand am up every two hours, like a child! I am excited for them and the excitement of the morning.
Christmas Morning

The children were tickled to see the presents.

Luke is all about Thomas the Train.

All Hopie wanted was a "Littlest Pet Shop".

Abigail got her first real sewing kit.
We didn't get pictures but

Papa was thrilled to get an ipod from Mama.

Mama is in heaven with her new Slanket

and camera (to her surprise)!

Up the mountain we go...................

We get to my sister's for Christmas with the family.

We had a lovely time.

Mama opening more toys......the packaging will drive you nuts!

What is up with my cheesy children..........

Long, fun day of giving & receiving ~

celebrating the greatest gift ever given...JESUS!

Papa & Abbie listening to the ipod.

Not a creature is stirring....not even a Mama!

Extreme Make Over

For Christmas this year we decided to surprise the girls with re-doing their room. They have wanted a make over on their room for a couple of years. I don't know why, didn't they like the Noah's ark ceiling fan from nursery days, ballerina bedding from 4+ years ago, & a bunk bed?! I do regret not getting before pictures. So we started collecting things for this make over. We had the date set for a week before Christmas. The girls got out of school for Christmas break and their Auntie Keri picked them up to spend the night. We got to work the minute the girls left for school that day. We couldn't have done it without a girlfriend who came to our rescue that day. It was so neat to see the transformation of our little girl's room. It wasn't a zebra print that Abbie wanted but it is beautiful. The canopy scored major points! The girls were absolutely surprised! They love their room. It has stayed the cleanest it has ever been. We should have done this a long time ago! :)

We got the girls a trundle sleigh bed that they have wanted. They were so excited about their bed. Papa & Mama are excited about getting rid of bunk beds with Luke around.

It is crazy how big their room looks.

They got a new bookcase and we found the perfect place to hang a quilt that their great-grandma made them. As an update, they got a new purple boom-box for Christmas from their Aunt & Uncle.

We did good! They love it!

Merry Christmas girls!!!

Nutcracker Obsession

Abbie & Mama went to watch the Nutcracker ballet this year. It was such a treat. Abbie was so excited the whole time we were getting dressed and driving there. She had never been to anything like this. Once we found our seats, I took her down to the orchestra pit to see the musicians that would be playing. She was in awe! Once the ballet started it warmed my heart to see her eyes light up at the dances. She would lean over to me and in a very excited voice tell me, "I know is song!" She was tickled pink to be there. Needless to say, I have had a ballerina spinning around the house ever sense.