Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We had a blast at Thanksgiving. We headed up the hill to Grandpa & Grandma Cavey's, for dinner. The whole family was there, armed with FOOD, hugs, & enough laughter to make your side hurt! The three siblings are too much together! Throw in some spouses, and crazy kiddos you have a recipe for side-splitting laughter! We have so much to be thankful for. My heart was so touched looking around at my family. There is a sticker I saw once that captures these moments:

"We may not have it all together,

but together we have it all!!"

Nicholas getting brave with his Uncle Aaron

One little 'turkey" in the air!

One "ham" in the air!

One princess in the air!

And they all come tumblin' down!!!

Silly cousins ~ Ashleigh & Abbie

Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Enjoy your turkeys!!!

Halloween 2010

Valentine's Day

I came across a quote that has just stayed with me regarding men & women. It seemed appropriate to share it for Valentine's Day.

"Sometimes when a woman falls for a guy, she [asks him to change], and he changes so much that she loses her Huck Finn, the rascal in the man she fell in love with. Men are willing to change to make you happy -- but don't completely take the boy out of the man. You're gonna miss him." ~Matthew McConaughey

This is so true. I have seen it.....heck, I have lived it. I married a Huck Finn almost 16 years ago. He would do anything for me. I have grown to love, appreciate, and respect that "Huck Finn" of mine.

I love him so.

Happy Valentine's Day!

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!

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!!!

Halloween 2009

Happy Independence Day!

We had a quiet day around the house for July 4th this year. Abigail was finishing her packing for camp tomorrow and wanted to hang out at home. So we swam with our buddies next door, made home-made ice cream, & barbecued. We took in the city fireworks from our front yard and had a few of our own. Luke fell asleep during the fireworks, even with all the booms.

Abigail being very cautious!!

Kayanna being Kayanna!
+

Some of our own fireworks!

Luke & Landon taking it all in.

Hope, Abs, & K K hanging out with the family.

The thing we learned is that our children didn't know what the 4th of July is about. When asked what the 4th of July was they informed us it was a day of home made ice cream, BBQ, & fireworks. Yeah, we do all that but "the why" of our celebrating they didn't know. Our freedom comes at a high cost and desire for our children understanding of this as they grow up.

Happy Independence Day!!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Mama is tired but what a fabulous day I had today. My girls have been so excited for Mother's for a couple of weeks. They have had me excited for this special day! Abbie has been plumb giddy the past week and today I understood why. The day started bright and early with the girls jumping into bed and wishing me Happy Mother's Day. Okay, truth be known, Papa wished me Happy Mother's Day before anyone else did, but lets not steal the girls joy. After lots of hugs & kisses they couldn't wait any longer, Mama open your gifts! So I open the sweetest card with hand prints of my Kayanna Hope along with several cards she has made me. She also made me the best scarf with her, Abbie, & Luke's hand prints on it. I will never forget those sweet little hands that have held tight to mine. Abbie was so excited for me to open her gift. She made me a great hot-pot-holder ever, colored by herself! Also, she has spent several recesses over the past two weeks making me an incredible horse blanket. She knotted this blanket with an eye for detail. I was blown away at this gift. How very thoughtful my babies were for Mother's Day. Papa then fixed me an egg in a bird's nest for breakfast (my favorite). I truly felt the Queen of my home for a day! I will treasure these moments in my heart.

You will notice a box of candy to the right. This was the funniest gift I have received in a long time. Our family friend, Bob, has asked me several times what stay-at-home moms do all day long. He really can't figure out what they do all day. I have told him that, "We lie on the couch, watch TV, and eat bon-bons!" It has been the source of many jokes, especially with my girlfriend Keri & me. He has caught us numerous times visiting with each other. We are either dropping children off or rounding them up or rocking on my front porch watching them play in the yard. He has made it a point to ask us where the bon-bons are. So he made the best laugh out of special ordering Keri & I each a box of bon-bons from See's Candy Store. I laughed so hard when he delivered these. He has left me NO excuses. You will find me lying on the couch, watching TV, and eating bon-bons! Bob, is the best! I love a good laugh! I had a delightful Mother's Day and am ready for bed & a book

but NO bon-bons!

Happy Thanksgiving in April

Last week we received a wonderful frozen turkey from a sweet neighbor that was moving. We could have had turkey for DAYS with our little family or have a Thanksgiving meal in April! We have so much to be thankful for. We enjoyed celebrating Thanksgiving in April with Liz's folks, our sweet neighbor Terry, and Bob our buddy.


A table full of thankfulness & fellowship!

Hopie ~ relaxing on Bob & watching Papa play wii tennis.

Give Thanks to the Lord, for He Is Good
Psalms 106:1 (ESV)
Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!

Easter 2009

Luke 24:6 "He is not here, but He has risen."

We stand in awe at the cross and the work Jesus did there. Thank you Jesus! We are thankful for an empty tomb and a risen Savior.

The Abshires hope you had an Easter filled with the hope that our risen Lord & Savior brings!

We had a fun day of celebrating the resurrection with friends and family. The children had a visit from the Easter bunny.

Abbie had set out cookies and carrots for the Easter Bunny and a note that thanked him for sharing Jesus' love with other children. They found Easter eggs in the back yard and loved it. Easter service was filled with worship and fellowship that blessed our hearts.

Jesus has risen and lives today.

We also spent the rest of the day with Liz's family.

At the end of the day, Mama laid with Abbie, as she was going to sleep, and asked, "What was your favorite part of today Sweetheart?" Abbie's response brought tears to Mama's eyes. She replied, "When I lined up my Build-A-Bears and shared Jesus with them and they all asked Him to come live in their hearts."

That is the hope of Easter and she gets it! Thank you Jesus!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Yes that is green spaghetti!
Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Abshire Clan!

Christmas 2008

Christmas started bright and early here at the Abshire home. The girls were so excited for Christmas morning. We enjoyed cooffe cake (Jesus' happy birthday cake) and presents. It was such a joy to see their faces. We enjoyed a visit from Papa Bill & Grandma Kay in the morning. The the Cavey Clan came for a Christmas dinner, presents, and a Christmas play put on by our very own Abbie Abshire. We had a wonderful day of celebrating our Savior's birth. A day filled with love, family, and memories.

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve candle light service at our church. The Christmas story was shared from the Word and beautiful songs were sung, turning our heats toward that first Christmas. After the candle light service we headed to our friends home for some good food and lots of laughs. As one of their traditions, you draw a name of someone there and make a representation of them out of cookie dough. It is too fun. Miss Kathleen drew Abbie's name and made the cutest cookie. Hopie drew Mama's name and it was quiet a creation. Papa somehow drew Mama's name too and made me a heart cookie (because I'll always have his heart) and a horse cookie (for my "dumb" mare that doesn't like him). It was a fun evening!

Mama's Little Helper

This has been a wonderful Christmas season. We did less and slowed down this year and loved it. Mama realized how big her girls are getting. She had alot of help with Christmas baking. We made our traditional "Buckeyes" ~ peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. Abbie helped roll the peanut butter balls. It was a sweet time of working together, talking over things, and making memories.

A Walk Through Bethlehem

As part of our Christmas traditions we take "a walk through Bethlehem". A 7th Day Adventist church reenacts what the time around Christ's birth might have looked like. It allows people, especially children, to experience the excitement around the birth of our Saviour ~ Jesus. Our children love this event.
Jesus is the reason for the season!