County Stock Show

The Hamilton County Stock Show was this past weekend.  We figured out pigs are SO much easier at a stock show than steers!!  Less to bring, smaller animal to clean and take care of.  It was COLD!  The heaters that were supposedly new this year didn't do much.  We girls layered up.  I felt like the Pillsbury Dough Boy but I didn't get too cold.  

 Here is Daddy giving last minute instructions. 

 Karson and A-A-Ron

Both of them showed really well.  He got 2nd in his class.  Got pinned his first time out AND made the sale!!  Not too bad for their first time.

Nana and DadDad (didn't get a pic of him.  He stayed under the heater!) came to cheer on Karson.  We sure missed Mamme!

Not So Happy New Year's Day

Well this little guy...Boo's Batman...didn't make it.  She walked him on New Year's Day evening and he must have stressed out or something.  He had a fit and fell over.  He didn't last long after that.  She was so upset!  She plans to try again next year.  :)

New Year's Eve

This year we spent NYE at home by ourselves.  It was nice!  We played Phase 10, watched a movie, talked and laughed, ate some good food and just enjoyed being together.  Didn't make it til midnight, though....:)

2016 was a busy one! We showed steers, tagged the Silos, celebrated Boo turning 11, cheered for and played basketball, redid Reagyn's room, watched Karson's induction into the National Honor Society, went to the River Walk, saw an awesome Christian concert at Harvest America, spent Spring Break in Houston, and even saw the ocean.  We celebrated Karson's 14th bday, got to spend Easter with the fam, watched Boo play softball, went to a trampoline park, celebrated Karson's 8th grade promotion, went to summer camps, swam at Langston's crossing, floated in the river in our very own back yard!, visited the Botanical Gardens, and watched Karson play some baseball.  We visited Roaring Springs with the fam and got to see old friends, sent Karson off for a week to Belize on mission trip and celebrated Camryn and Zoey's bdays.  We went shopping the Saturday before school started (mistake!) and went bowling, went to a Texas Tech game with friends, started school, watched Karson play football, watched him win several games (YAY!), practiced bow shooting, went to Secret Keeper Girl, and went to homecoming in Hico.  We had several visitors...Mamme and DadDad and Nana came several times.  We played silly games, spent Thanksgiving with family, celebrated Reagyn placing 4th in UIL, listened to Reagyn play the flute, showed pigs for the first time at the Hico barn show, and enjoyed Christmases with family.  Christmas Day we spent at home and are now enjoying our break.  

The year was full of ups and downs, busyness, laughs, tears, worries, proud moments, embarrassing ones, but there was one constant through it all.   We experienced it together and the Lord was right there with us.  And we know He will be right there with us in 2017 as well.  Psalm 139:10 says "Even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me."  I love that He is always there to guide and support us in all that we do.  May we seek Him first in all things in the new year!

Christmas Day at Home

We drove back home Christmas Eve.  Christmas morning I was the first one up!  I enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate with a blanket and the air conditioning running!  Finally about 8am they decided it was time to get up.

Yes, I got them gloves and toboggans that they didn't need. :)  We opened presents then went to Sville to see Rogue One.  Such a good movie!  10am on Christmas is the perfect time to watch a movie too...not very many others out and about yet. After we got home, Lanny cooked a pork loin on the new pellet grill.  We played games and hung out.  It was a great family day!

Christmas at Mamme and DadDad's

Christmas Eve was spent at Mamme and DadDad's house.  The kids were super excited to open presents.  They felt like Shannon and Crystal took FOREVER to show up. ;)

 

 

 Karson had been waiting months for his new Xbox!  

 Reagyn got a new bike.  Here she is on Christmas Day at home riding....yes...in shorts!  It was a beautiful day.   She also got a new bean bag chair for her room.  I apparently didn't get a pic of that!

 I got a cow bell for football games!!!  Andrea won't be the only loud fan now! :)

We also got a pellet grill.  LOVING it already.  Thanks Mamme and DadDad!!

We had fun visiting, playing games, eating and just hanging out.  Donnie joined us and brought everyone's favorite desserts...and envelopes! :)

The kids really liked the Saran wrap ball with all the prizes in it.  Thanks Aunt Crystal for the awesome idea.  Gonna have to make that a new tradition.  We sure missed Shane, Ashley and the girls!