8 Second Ride

A couple of weeks ago, Colton participated in a rodeo. He did the "mutton bustin'" (riding a sheep). He did great - our little rodeo star! Yes, He Won!! Pretty good for a kid who hasn't ever been around sheep or rodeos! I have uploaded the video of his ride. It does not include the footage of him trying to run away from his dad before they put him in the chute. He was scared and holding on for dear life! Enjoy the ride...

yes, he is hitting his head on the fencing at the end....

afterward he kept saying "Dad, I don't ever want to do that again"

He won this trophy and halter

(we don't even own a horse)

Au Revoir

A few weeks ago we bid "Au Revoir" to Jason's brother, Justin, and his family. They are in France while he is studying in an International Business program there to receive his MBA. We sent them off with a French farewell complete with Berets, moustaches and french cuisine. We will miss you, Justin, Megan, Avyn and Dawson. Have fun - we'll look forward to a visit next year!

A french farewell

Our French children

The Hazzard Cousins

(very difficult picture to get!)

1st Day of School

The picture on the left was taken 4 1/2 years ago when I was bringing my sweet baby boy home from the hospital. The picture on the right was taken today -

he and I together on his first day of Pre-K.

I can't believe how fast the time goes - but here we are entering his school years. He is so excited and had a lot of fun on his first day. He drew a picture of his hand, read books and ate snacks. He also said he glued but that was all the information I got.

Some Moms stayed for the book reading - The Kissing Hand - and at the end we placed a heart sticker in their hand and kissed it to tell them good-bye. I had tears in my eyes but managed to kiss him and leave without crying. I did, however, cry while making the traditional 1st day of school cookies - a tradition my Mom began with us that I intend to follow with my kids.

Here are a few more pictures of Colton on his first day of school.

Ready for Pre-K

Kinzie wanted to go with him she kept saying "too,too"

Ready to enter Cross Timbers Elementary

Colton with his friend Corbin

with his teacher - Mrs. Metzger

and her assistant - Mrs. Pepper

Photos by Julie

Colton is 4!

In February, Colton turned 4. He wanted a "Shamu" cake. He has really loved Shamu since we went to Sea World last year. As I was laid up with my knee, my Mom helped me get his cake around. I was able to sit at the counter and shape Shamu out of rice krispes and decorate him. I thought it turned out pretty cute. Colton had a lot of fun with his cousins and loves all his toys. He got a firefighter suit like Daddy's and wanted to wear it. Thanks for helping with his party and making his birthday special!

Moms shouldn't Sled

This winter we had a lot of snow which was tons of fun for Colton. He loved catching it on his tongue, making snow angels and sledding. At Christmas - they went sledding at Mimi and Gran'pa's house. Here we are in January, sledding at our house. As you can see, we hooked the sled up to the 4-wheeler and took off. Jason is driving in the first pic, Colton and our neighbor, Kelsy, are riding on the sled in the second pic. The third pic is me in my immobilizer because when I went, I hit the mailbox and broke my kneecap. After surgery placing a screw in my kneecap to put it back together I have been healing and am about 3 weeks into PT now. It has taken 5 months to get to this point and they tell me it could still be 3-6 months before I can run, jump or kneel. So let this be a lesson - Moms (wives) don't let your husbands pull you on a sled!!

Kinzie turns 1

OK, so I realize I haven't kept up-to-date very well but we'll try
this again. I couldn't tell you everything that happened since last Easter so we'll just say - we've been busy. Thanks to the people who created these blog backgrounds - maybe it'll update us a little!



Here are pics from Kinzie's 1st birthday. She enjoyed her presents but never go into opening them up herself. She did however really enjoy her hot dog, strawberries and especially her cake! She ate practically every bite of her cake. She had one of the butterflies and she devoured it without even making much of a mess. No icing everywhere for her.....she made sure it all went in her mouth! She's a girl after my own heart!






Our thanks to our family who helped her celebrate her big 1st
birthday!