Vacation Day 2

This morning everyone got up and ready (minus our kiddos) and made their way to the fairgrounds to start setting up for the party.  My little ones must have been worn out from the previous night because it was close to 9 before they got out of bed!  While they were sleeping, Ma-maw and I finished ironing everyone's wedding clothes.  Once the kiddos were up and dressed, we made our way out to help with the decorating!

Julianne needed a higher seat in order to supervise appropriately.

The florist arrived with fresh flowers and small vases to be used on the tables

Little Miss was more than willing to jump in and help with the decorating.  Although, she was disappointed there were no streamers and balloons...

The head table - the bride's and bridesmaids bouquets will be added after the wedding.

Aunt Katie wanted to keep the decorating simple, and it turned out beautifully!

The finished cake - the topper was custom-done: it says Mr. {&} Mrs. Ricklefs with a snowflake.  The mugs were a gift the couple received early - one has Mrs. and the other has Mr.  I then added the ribbon for a little something extra.

Back in January when Ma-maw and I went to Iowa to help dress shop, Ma-maw had the idea to make a photo prop of a couple and a snowmobile.  We mentioned the idea to Aunt Katie, and she thought it would be fun as well, but was unsure what Brian would think.  Turns out, he thought it would be a fun idea too!  So, that became my big project.  I searched online for various pictures of couples on snowmobiles, and I sent them to Katie and Brian to decide what they wanted.  I was lucky enough to be able to use a projector at school to blow the image up and trace it on butcher block paper.  I brought it home and over the course of a week created the following master piece...

I think the groom and bride were happy with the way it turned out...

I even got Dallas to get his picture in it with me

We finished the decorating party with pizza and drinks, and then everyone went on their merry way to get cleaned up for the rehearsal.

Katie and Brian chose to do an outside wedding at the Historical Society on the edge of town.  There is a lovely flower garden there, and it made the perfect setting for the intimate wedding they wanted.

After rehearsal, Brian's parents treated us to dinner.  Pa-paw managed to get a hold of Julianne before the meal.

I then convinced the other kiddos to join them for a picture...

Dallas and Daddy waiting on the food to arrive

Little Miss doing her thang...

We ended the meal with cherry pie and ice cream for dessert...Sugar thought it was the best part!

One more picture of the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs.!!!

Until next time...

More Fun in the Snow

We've been out of school this week because of the snow.  Dallas and Reba have been taking advantage of the time to play outside in it.  Today, Daddy was able to join, too!

The cats enjoying the sunshine

Julianne took her first solo trips on the sled, and loved it!

I was able to get them to stop long enough to snap a photo of my snow bunnies

Dallas even took a few turns pulling Julianne on the sled

Ice Cube even came out to play!

I think he liked it, too.

Until next time...

Meet Ice Cube

Earlier this week, Pa-paw had a lamb born and his momma couldn't take care of him, so Ma-maw has been taking the little guy with her to work this week in order to try and save him.  Ma-maw gave him the name Ice Cube since he was so cold and weak when they started feeding him a bottle.  Pa-paw called Dallas and Reba to see if they would take care of him, and of course, they agreed.  Today, we headed out to meet Pa-paw, Ma-maw and Aunt Lisa in order to bring Ice Cube home.

I snapped this picture of the trees on our way back home.  It had been snowing pretty heavily on the drive there, but had stopped by the time we were heading home.

Once we got home, the kiddos were finally able to get their hands on the little guy.

Little Miss had to get her turn holding him.

Both Dallas and Reba are very eager to help with his feedings.

Think they will be this excited at 2 a.m. when he needs to be fed?

Julianne wasn't quite sure at first what to think, but she is warming up to him.

Ice Cube in his new pen (he is in the garage, not in the house! unlike at Ma-maw and Pa-paw's house)

Until next time...

#PrezDaySnow

We woke up this morning to a beautiful snow covering!  Today was a snow make-up day; therefore, the kiddos were not scheduled to go.

Thankfully, the temps were bearable this morning, and Daddy had a work delay.  Everyone bundled up and headed outside.

Charlie and Fred were loving the snow too!  Fred even pulled the kiddos around on their sleds.

We don't have much of a hill for the kiddos to go sledding on, so we improvise and pull them halfway down the slope in the backyard.  In the picture, Doug is letting go of Dallas, and he can then make it the rest of the way to the barn (where I'm standing and taking the picture)

Shortly after taking the picture of all three kiddos, Julianne went in for a cat nap.  I headed inside after the sledding, but looked out the back window to see Daddy pulling Dallas and Reba on their sleds.

Unfortunately, Big Red (the lawnmower) didn't like the cold and stopped running!  

The ultimate supervisor back at work...

During this time, Daddy got a call from work that the station was closed for the day due to the snow.  The kiddos were super excited to have him stay home and play all day!

Later in the afternoon, we were back outside, and Dallas commented on the snow that was falling.  It was amazing how defined each snowflake was...

And finally, what's a snow day home from school and work without a snowball fight?

Until next time...

It Snowed!

We actually got a small amount of snow on the ground, so I bundled everyone up and we went outside to play!

Dallas and Reba found their sleds, and were trying to find a hill to go down, but they didn't have much luck.  Sugar just liked being able to walk around and go where ever she pleased.

They finally convinced Momma to pull them!

Julianne liked it for a little while, then she wanted to be able to walk on her own

The snow was really weird...it was more of little balls, and it was not good for trying to build a snowman or make a snow ball.  Maybe another time...

Until next time...