Battle in the Saddle

This past weekend we loaded up again and went to Oklahoma City for a ranch horse competition at an event called "Battle in the Saddle." The ranch horse competition that Casey participates in involves "showing his horse" to score points and obviously the person with the most points wins. There are several elements of the performance (which lasts about 6 minutes per horse) including changing leads, stopping, spinning, cutting a cow, roping, and dragging. Casey took a young horse that he has just started training to show at competitions like this. He did great and was very pleased with how his horse performed. We had a blast tagging along and taking in Oklahoma City. Casey's parents, sister, and niece and nephew also came with us. And, just because I know you will notice.... our nephew Boone has a black eye and swollen cheek because he got hit with a golf club in the face! Yes, OUCH. It is actually looking much better, but you will still notice it in the pictures.

Finished and walking his horse out of the arena - I didn't get many pics of the actual horse show because I was video tapping.

Taos is more interested in the cow hanging from his stroller than the horse show at this point.

Sitting with Casey's mom - Posey.

Boone, Avery, and Dandad

Helping hold the reins

Avery and Boone in front of Casey's stall

Grandparents holding Taos

Ready to swim at the hotel!

Boone and Bella are ready too.

Taos' first time in the pool - not too sure how he feels about it??

Casey with Aves and Bella

We also got a chance to go down to Bricktown in Oklahoma City where they have a little riverwalk, ballpark, and places to eat. We ate at Toby Keith's and it was excellent food and a super fun atmosphere. Somehow I didn't end up with any pictures from that evening so I wanted to add that.

Summer

This summer has already been going by way too fast! I am just now catching up with blogging our past few weeks because we have been so busy. There are several new posts, so keep looking down the page. We have been enjoying being outside as much as possible and traveling some too. Here are a few summer pics.

I made a strawberry cake to take over to some friends' house. The remaining half was on the counter the next day and I walked into the kitchen to find this - a little munchkin on the counter with a fork digging in! Yum!
Happy Father's Day! My husband is the best dad every and his kids adore him. We love you Casey.

Ready for the pool

He is also ready for the pool, but slept the whole time this day....

Aves loves the water.

And he slept this whole trip to the pool too - makes it easier for me to play with Aves.

Yes, I did actually get in a swimsuit and in the pool - scary, but hey it's summer and so hot!

Me, Aves (and her goggles) and my cousin Betsy at the Abilene Country Club pool

Bets and a tired munchkin

Don't foget to keep looking down for vacation and birthday blogs!!!

Santa Fe

Summer vacation has begun! Casey and I took a long weekend trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. We had to take the little man along since he is... well, attached to me for the next few months. Avery went to Colorado with Nona and Papa so she was in good hands. We stayed at a resort on a golf course and it was a blast.

Casey and Taos in the resort lobby
Hotel pool - even though it was a little cool for swimming to us... looks like fun
Catching up on some sleep - and no, Taos doesn't sleep with us. His pack and play was set up right next to our bed. After I fed him, he fell back asleep and I laid him down by Casey while I got ready.

Me and Taos at the Plaza in downtown Santa Fe.

Native Americans lined up to sell their handmade art. The jewelry was beautiful!

The miraculous Lorenzo staircase in an old church downtown - very beautiful and interesting.

Sweet baby is getting so big

Camel Rock

Morning golf

Beautiful Towa golfcourse

This is how little man rode along with us - he did awesome and it wasn't too hot at all. Yes, I did play too, but am awful so there are no pictures of me golfing!

On our last night there, we ate supper at a nice restaurant. It was such a fun trip and went by way too fast.

Fun Valley Colorado

Last week my family traveled to a little place near South Fork, Colorado called Fun Valley. It is an awesome place to escape the heat and hang out with family. We go every year with whichever family members are free to attend. I miss the relaxing weather and no schedules already.

Campfires for smores every night - yum

My grandpa, Pop, with his 2 great grandchildren This was Avery's absolute favorite thing to do - ride the "train" around the resort... over and over again!
Taos in his "Roy Rogers" outfit


He wore it to the Fun Valley dancehall one night!

Me and my cousin Betsy

Betsy with Aves

Casey and my Dad showing off their fish.

Avery and her Nona

My mom, Me, and Avery

Avery's 3rd Birthday

Time flies! I can't believe we just celebrated our sweet Avery's 3rd birthday on July 3! She is such a joy to our lives and we have loved every minute of the 3 years we have gotten to watch her grow. Here are a few things about Avery:

Favorite colors: pink and purple

Favorite food: cheese

Favorite TV show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Favorite animals: Her dog Kate and horse Little Buddy

Favorite game: Chase

Best Buddy: Hazen

Nickname: Munchkin, Munchie, Munch or any other form of the word Munchkin

At age 3 she is 36'' tall and weighs 26 lbs. Yes, that makes her tall and skinny. We can't believe how fast she has grown. Take a look at her 1st and 2nd birthdays...

Here is our sweet Avery on her 1st birthday

Happy 2nd birthday

And here is our big 3 year old riding her new bike from Dandad and Posey.
She also got a new set of real golf clubs. They are precious and she loves carrying them around.

Cousins Chloe, Creek, Boone, and best buddy Hazen and the party.

Singing happy birtyday with her My Little Pony Cake.

Opening her princess fishing pole from her Daddy!

Taos sporting a party hat - he enjoyed taking in all the action that night.

The next day, we went to Canadian to watch Daddy in a 4th of July rodeo. His team won second place.

Best Buddies

My handsome Taos even wore his pearl snaps!

Happy 4th of July!