Shannon

I've had a special request for a blog post

They requested some updates on our doggie, Shannon

Here is Shannon a few days after we brought her home. She was an Easter gift to the girls

We had actually been at a friends house recently and they had 4 dogs, 2 small ones, 1 medium sized one and 1 large one.

Kaiden was deathly afraid of all of them

Kyle decided right then and there that we needed a new dog so Kaiden wouldn't be afraid

He searched the newspaper and found a gal near by who sold "Mini Beagles"

With cash in hand and girls in back, we headed over to pick out a beagle

We couldn't help but fall in love with this one and brought her home

She got the name Shannon because I didn't let Kyle name any of our children Shannon :o)

Shannon went from a cute little puppy (see her there behind Kyle)

To a rapidly growing dog. She is very protective and gentile with all the kids

She loves her kennel and always needs a few blankets to lay on so it's extra soft

She is our vacuum cleaner after meals

and has become quite the foot stool size :o)

Some may call her overweight but we like to call her healthy!

Turns out she isn't a Mini Beagle but a regular one and that's okay with us

Love you Shannon!

Hungry for more

If you haven't read 'The Hunger Games' yet

You need to!

I have had this book sitting in my kindle for a few months. 

I just haven't gotten to it yet

Then I heard all this commotion about the movie coming out

Last Sunday at work, I read the first book (there are 3 books in the series)

I couldn't put it down!

I read for 9 hours straight!

Then on Monday, I had to download book 2 

I never had a chance to read for more than an hour or so at a time but all my free time was consumed with the books

Then finally Friday came. I was back at work for another 9 hours to kill

(I actually work for 10 hours but I do have to work a little)

I finished book 2 and read half of 3

If anyone knows me from my younger years, you know that I am not a reader. I would to anything to not read. I would ask people about the book, watch the movie, anything but actually read the darn thing.

So for me to actually read all 3 books in a week, impressive!

Then today, Sunday, I couldn't wait any longer. I had to go see the movie.

It was amazing! I won't ruin it for anyone so you HAVE to go see it.

The book is way better and goes into so much more detail but the movie was good.

Now I can't wait for the other 2 movies...and to find another good series!

Happy Hunger Games!

4 - 0

It's my brothers birthday today! 

The big 4-0!!!

That's him. We like to call him Uncle Cory!

Today is his actual birthday but we celebrated on Saturday, St. Patricks Day

We started off down by the green fountain

We went with Grampa and Gramma

In all of our St. Patty's Day attire

Awe, family pic

It was really windy that day

Then we headed off to the farmers market down the street

In search of Uncle Cory...at least that's what we told Bryson so we didn't have to wait for an hour to go down the blow up slide :o)

When your a kid and you see a big hill...you have to roll down it!

The boys

We found the famous Woopie Pie lady and stopped to enjoy...they were really good!!

A leprechaun!

Then it was back to Grampa and Gramma's house to wait for Uncle Cory

We played golf

Go Fish

And relaxed after an amazing dinner made by Gramma

We had all of Uncle Cory's favorites...Pork chops, stuffed peppers and all the fixings!

Then it was time for cake!

It was a fun day!

Happy Birthday Uncle Cory!!!

Cold

It was so chilly yesterday that it hailed!

Yes, in March!

It was great. 

So we quickly cleaned the house, went to the grocery store and put on a fire.

We all snuggled on the couch and enjoyed family movies and some play time

Then we finished off with some of the most delicious Shepherds Pie

We love cold, rainy Sundays!

Echidnas

This is my cute little Echidnas from Australia!

It was Kaiden's very first play at school today. 

The play was all about Australia

See her in the heart jeans?

The play had both of the Kindergarden classes in it - about 60 kids!

We went on a plane all the way to Australia!

We heard songs

and went on a Jeep tour to see all the animals

See my little Echidnas?

She's been practicing her lines and songs for weeks!

She said all of her lines perfectly!

I'm a proud Mama right now!

Up North

This is cousin Ashley and her new car!

Ashley is an amazing young lady. She's 16 and a sophomore in high school. 

She goes to the New Mexico Military Institute and is on the honor roll and moving up ranks like crazy!

She's also an amazing dancer.

We went up to my in-laws this weekend to celebrate all of Ashley's accomplishments and to see her face when she was presented with this awesome new car!

(I was actually taking a nap when she first saw the car so I missed out on a priceless picture)

The kids had a blast and all diets went out the window for the weekend

We enjoyed homemade chips and salsa

Escargot, homemade Caesar salad and Filets!

(We all ate the food too fast and I didn't get a picture.)

For dessert we enjoyed S'mores!

We were going to roast the marshmallows over an open fire but the wind picked up and we didn't feel like starting the desert on fire.

We finished the night off playing with tools, playing a game of hide and seek and watching the stars

The next morning the kids were up with the sun and outside driving the John Deere

You can't go to Grandaddy's place without a ride on the Polaris

It was pretty chilly so the girls were bundled up with jackets and blankets and took off into the desert with Daddy!