Where we've been...

Sorry for the absence of posts and pictures. We have been relatively busy.

The kids and I made our annual Ruidoso trip with the aunts, uncles and cousins last week while Robby was at ag. teacher's conference. Unfortunately I got there without my camera, so here''s a recap.

Fishing--Sadie caught one fish and T.S. caught the pond liner. I successfully unhooked the two fish that were caught in our group. I'm pretty sure that impressed a few of the cousins--I'm also now an expert at unweaving fishing-line "nests" at the end of poles. We didn't lose any of the 6 kids in the pond, either.

Golf--Jay was kind enough (and brave enough) to take the cousins golfing on the 3-par--T.S. was thrilled.

Horse races--T.S. loves watching everything and picking a horse. A friend of ours had a horse running, and it won! Sadie got to be in the picture at the winner's circle.

Swimming--the Tirey cousins are definitely Olympics bound. Our annual diving "competition" was another success.

Around the condo--fun among the cousins, games of catch, rocket launching and hanging out.

Shopping--I'm ready for school--thanks Jay for watching the kids so I could go shopping!

Overall, it was a great time. We all enjoyed our time with family. Hopefully I'll remember the camera next time.

Today we are cleaning house in anticipation of my sister's family's visit. They'll be here for a few days and then the Wilbourn newlyweds will arrive--I promise to take pictures.

The Week in Review

We started back to school on Monday. Sadie had her fiddle lesson and her first little dribblers practice. Tuesday, Sadie and I worked her lambs and prepared the pigs for the Arctic air that came in Wednesday. We put a lot of hay in their houses. Wednesday, Sadie had another basketball practice. Yesterday, I took care of feeding and watering everything in the sub-freezing temperatures. Sadie seems to be sick, so she and I are headed to the doctor today with the hope that she will be well enough to show Friday.

Robby has been overseeing washing and clipping of all of the pigs and lambs in preparation for the Happy International Livestock Show on Saturday. He has actually been making it in fairly early--by 9 or so each evening. Thanks, in part, to some great students who are willing to help everyone out. Hopefully those same guys will be willing to help wash Sadie's lambs and pigs today since Sadie can't.

The weekend looks to be a cold one. Hopefully I'll have pictures of the show on Saturday or Sunday.
Stay warm!!

The Week in Review

This week was another fast but good one.

• T.S. and Sadie were both recognized for character counts. Teachers choose students who exemplify good character. Those students are announced on Friday morning--they get their picture taken, a treat and a crow (that lists their name and what they are being recognized for) on the wall around the scarecrow.
• Sadie got to make sound on her saxophone (pictures soon).
• Dance/cheer class started and Sadie is working hard with her lambs to get ready for the Tri State Fair in two weeks.
• T.S. still really likes Kindergarten. He is big on the rules and procedures. He is in charge of snacks next week.
• A dove flew into my car today as I was headed to town. Some nice people at the gas station in Amarillo pointed it out to me. They seemed very disturbed by it. I just smiled and said, "That happens sometimes." They just looked at me in disbelief. Robby was kind enough to pull it out for me when he got home. In hindsight, I'm wishing I would have said, "Yes, I know. It's dove season."
• Robby and the kids have hunted once this week--they were disappointed with only bagging one bird. T.S. used his BB gun to shoot dragonflies. "I pretended they were doves and pheasants."

We're planning on getting together with friends this evening. Tomorrow, Robby is helping a friend cook brisket and will be gone most of the day. Monday it's business as usual--we have school.

Family Update

Just a quick note to let everyone know what we are up to.

• Robby is in Aledo. His dad is having his prostate removed today. Prayers are appreciated. We'll head south Sunday to meet up with him.
• Sadie is still busy with basketball. She has been going to school early every morning to hone some math skills and practice UIL--she is very dedicated and on-the-ball every morning (unlike her mom who thinks you shouldn't get out of bed unless the sun is up.)
• T.S. is a hoot and is busy every day with something new and adventurous. We seem to have his asthma under control. He is very good about his "breather" every morning and night and is ready to go purchase the rocket he earned by filling his chart for that.
• I am in the process of finishing my order of 110 bottle cap necklaces. If Wal Mart would just have the ribbon I need, we'd be in business.