Chuck E Cheese Party

After the toy show yesterday, we stopped at Chuck E Cheese for a birthday party the kiddos were invited to.  Thankfully, they all grabbed a nap on drive back from Taylorsville.

When we arrived, Dallas and Reba each got a cup of coins, so they were off to play games!

After 45 minutes or so, it was back to the table for pizza...

...and then back to the games before cake.

I think it is pretty safe to say they all had a great time, and they all slept like rocks last night!

Until next time...

She's a Bronc Rider!

Remember how Reba typically backs out of riding the mechanical bull at the NAILE?  I figured out today why that is.  I was at the mall getting the tires rotated on my van (you know the mall that has Sears and not much else - like the Commons in Columbus).  Anywho...Reba loves to play on the quarter ride machines while we wait - pretending the entire time, I don't put any money in them.  Today, she loved the horse, and it hit me!  She wants to be a bronc rider, not a bull rider!

Until next time...

Horseback Riding and Golf Outing

One afternoon, Doug and I decided to take the kiddos on a horseback ride.  They always loved when our neighbors in Iowa would take them for rides, and they loved this ride as well.  It was very hard to take pictures while riding; therefore, there are not too many to share...

Doug and Dallas on their horse, Conan

Reba and Momma on our horse, Elmo

A self-portrait

While we were horseback riding, the others went golfing!

Brian (far left) chipping - or putting

Everyone watching Aunt Katie sink her putt

Until next time...

Oh, What Fun!

It is to ride, in a one two horse open sleigh!
Aunt Katie treated us all to a sleigh ride through Humboldt one evening.  Lucky for us, the weather was mild for the second weekend of December!  The kiddos loved listening to the sleigh bells on the horses and admiring the lights.

Downtown Humboldt

Near the end of the ride is one house that is known for it's decorations - the following pictures are all from this one house!

Our sleigh driver told us it costs $6 an hour to run the lights for this house alone!

A nice family shot at the end of our trip

Dallas wanted to pet the horses

And, of course, so did little sister!

Until next time...

Horsin' Around

One night last week, the neighbors came down the road on their horses. Dallas always loves to go see and pet the horses, so we made our way out to the road. They asked if Dallas wanted to ride, and he said yes, but he wanted to ride with Dad not Craig (the neighbor). Craig very generously got off and let Doug and Dallas on Dandy. (Remember Dallas' first horse ride?)
They did a few laps around the yard and up and down the driveway. Then Dallas wanted to ride with Momma.

Reba even got her very first horse ride with Kathy.

Kathy was going to take Reba around the yard, but Jack started to act up a little, so Reba rode with Momma on Dandy. Reba was as relaxed as could be - notice the thumb in her mouth!

Dallas finally got on with Micki and they trotted up and down the driveway. Dallas thought it was great getting to go faster.

The next night, Kathy called back and asked if we wanted to come down and ride again. We said sure! Doug stayed at their house with Craig and Reba while Dallas and I rode down the road with Micki and Kathy. When we got back to the house, Doug rode around the arena with Dallas. They made it up to a lobe a few times. Needless to say, they were having a blast.

Reba checking Dandy's nose out during one of her breaks from running with Doug and Dallas. Why did God make a baby's hand the perfect size to fit up a horse's nostril?

Until next time...

Iowa State Fair - Day 2

On Thursday, we were able to walk around and enjoy the different sites of the state fair. We had bought a package of tickets for Dallas, Doug and I. The package included a ride on the sky glider, a ride on the giant slide, a pony or camel ride, one ride on the mid-way, admission to the model train or snake exhibit and $5 worth of fair food! It was well worth it, and Dallas had a blast.

As we were going through the cattle barn, Dallas caught this steer before it got out the door :) Dallas going down the giant slide with Dad

It was so fast, he lost his hat!

Dallas even got to take a trip with Momma

A trip to the fair wouldn't be complete without seeing the butter cow.

We had to take in all the antique tractors

and the new tractors

The view from the sky glider

Dallas on his very first mid-way ride...just call him the "king"

There is building at the fair that has various birthing animals (pigs, cattle, sheep, goats, ducks, chicks, ostrich, etc.) Dallas got this great looking hat after seeing the piglets

Dallas absolutely loved the pony ride!

There was a small petting zoo as well - apparently, the goat was tired of the feed and went for Dallas' hat instead

Dallas was a bit shocked when this big guy licked his hand

Until next time...

Horse Ride

We went on a tractor ride tonight, and saw our neighbors were out on the horses so we stopped. They offered Dallas a ride! We first tried putting Dallas on the horse with Mickala, but he didn't like that...so Doug got on and rode too.
Thankfully, Craig got the camera out to capture Dallas' first horse ride!

Thanks again Craig, Kathy and Mickala for the horse ride and pictures!

Until next time...