Dinner

This evening, we gathered around the table with warm bowls of stew and biscuits.  Kiahra had spent the previous twelve hours embracing her first day at the Explorer Police Academy.  Needless to say, the conversation was animated and filled with insight into her day.  At one point, her brother inquired about the mile time which resulted in a rant-filled replay.  Kade listened politely, then suddenly he called, "Timeout," as he slid of his chair with purpose.  Kiahra came up for air for a brief moment, as we anticipated something important.

"Can I get some popcorn?" he quipped.

Birthday x 2

Sunday afternoon found us at the Thunder Hockey arena in Stockton, California for Kade's 13th birthday party.  Hockey is notoriously rough and tumble, making it perfect for rambunctious junior high boys!

Kade keeps an eye on the action!

Our rink side seats kept the action close!

My babies share the same birthday...and here we are together for a quick snapshot!

After the trek back home, we paused for cake.  Did you know there are 13 letters in "Happy Birthday"?  My youngest may share a birthday, but that doesn't keep them from being onry...

 Yesterday Chayse blew out her candles atop a strawberry ice-cream cake!  Yummy!!

Three teenagers and my little girl definitely keep me on my toes!  Hope the year holds lots of laughter and love as they continue to grow!

Dispatcher

"Klinghagen dispatch center, mom speaking."

"Did you receive my text message pics?  Which dress do you like?"

Never mind, I am in the middle of Costco trying to add food to pantry.

"The pink one is my favorite, but I forgot to transfer funds...could you?"

Simultaneously, another message comes in--my husband in LA sporting a tux for his business dinner.

Did I mention that I am in yoga pants and sweats as I stand in the aisle flipping through the formal wear photos?

"Will it do?"

Well, I think so.  I have never seen my husband in a full tux.

Another insistent message rolls in from another daughter, can she go to the movies?  The basketball game is over.

I can't answer fast enough as I checkout, so I cease communicating until I have loaded the Suburban.

I take the second persistent call, as the movie starts shortly and patience is not her best attribute.

Finally at home I transfer groceries and funds.

Then hockey is wrapping up.

Gone again.

Thank goodness it is Friday.

Hockey Rink

Discovering that the ice rink in our small hometown was now a hockey rink was like a surprise Christmas present for our son.  He was begging to skate there constantly!

The limited crowds gave him the opportunity to practice his shots--though there was no glass to stop the puck if it went high!

Plus he could play with his dad and cousin!

His cousin makes a goal!

With speed and agility he would skate from end to end handling the puck.  Of course, the ice wasn't groomed, so he had to pay attention!

Then he would score with his backhand shot!

The rink was open all the time.  

The schedule was for fun--which was exactly what it was playing with other boys and his family!

Family Fun

On the farm, fun is different than in suburbia.

On a wintry day, cuddling with a little cousin on the sofa and reading comics is fun.

Quiet country roads are perfect for cruisin' on the four wheeler--and walking to the creek just isn't cool!

Icy fun isn't groomed, so it requires a bit of boy power to sweep the ice--and then you can show off your jumps for the auntie!

Did I mention the crowds?  And the spectacular setting?

The smiling huntress is ready for the hunt.

As temperatures dropped outside, the Christmas eve fun heated up with gingerbread teamwork!

Little hands carefully decorated with candy...though they were equally apt to pop the sweet treats into their mouths...

...decorating cute faces!

The table waits for warm pots of soup, as hungry tummies wait for Christmas Eve fare.

Afterwards, gifts were exchanged!  The utter delight on my son's face in his anticipation left him glowing all night!

A smile I will never forgot.

Of course, this moment says it all!

Speaking of smiles, I love this one too!

Laughter rang throughout the night, and my sister's modeling of her Dr. Seuss pjs was no exception!

 Christmas morning brought more fun, and pretty pink cheeks were wrapped in pink!

A Christmas present with assembly required makes for industrious boys!

Holiday memories are so much sweeter with family!

Home

My white Christmas arrived with a noticeable chill in the air.  The flakes danced down gently, precariously balancing on every surface...even the barbed wire fence, as the sheep complacently enjoyed their breakfast in the background.

The blades of grass even sported suits of white!

The farmhouse warmly beckoned amidst the winter wonderland. 

The sun peeked out and the branches glistened on the tree that was planted by my grandparents when they were newlyweds in 1944.

The humble homestead.

The ol' cottonwoods tower overhead and their craggy branches jut into the sky.

A few mornings later the temperatures dipped even lower.

The barn shone in the early morning rays.

The sun peeking over the horizon, as I enjoyed my morning tea and my sweet hubby ventured outside to capture the glory!

Home, sweet, home.

Road Trip

Miles and miles and miles of road=nature's art gallery

Over the Sierra Nevada mountains we watched the sunrise majestically light up the sky. 

Then the sun set quietly over Utah.

As the evening fog rolled in and the sun slipped behind the mountains, the lake mirrored the beauty...

and with a touch of sunset vibrancy.

Landscapes always take my breathe away.  Perhaps the little prairie girls recalls her parents pausing in then evening to enjoy the beauty of the land they tolled over by day. 

Though I must admit on our return trip that as the miles rolled by, the camera stayed tucked warmly inside the case.  Wearily, we just enjoyed the scenery...leaving it to memory to recall the pink sunrise across the basin of Nevada.