At the Rodeo

Gloria and I got new cowgirl hats! Gloria went to the rodeo as a cowgirl princess.

JB went as JB

Bull, what bull?

Oh, that bull!

More pics at the cattle drive on base

Cattle Drive Through the Base

JB found a horse with his name on it.

Max, Benaiah, and the base commander, Col Thomas, as well as Gloria peeking through.

Gloria was sooooooo happy to have her picture taken with the Rodeo Queen.

And even more ecstatic to sit on her horse!

We were surrounded by longhorns where we had parked ourselves to watch the cattle drive on base because they stopped at our corner for grazing and so that the cowboys and commanders could mingle with the crowd and get in an interview for the paper. This was right outside Max's office and we had no idea they were going to stop there. The long horns were amazing and surprisingly docile.

The boot

Oh it's a boot, but where's the other one? Aunt Kristin and Gramma Shell each bought Gloria a pink John Deere boot...wrapped separately. She was a bit perplexed that she only found one boot in the box, but when Daddy was filming her she said "thank you Aunt Kristin for the boot...please send me the other one." She was very sweet about it and accepting of it.

Her next to last present, a boot-shaped package. She was relieved to have both of them. I guess she's big enough to handle practical jokes, being a big 5-year-old. Overall, I think she had fun at her princess, swimming birthday party. Mommy was relieved when it was over, but thought it was fun too and glad we did it. Tomorrow is her actual birthday and she has a couple of presents left to unwrap and a promised helium balloon coming to her.

Opening presents

Reading her card and receiving her money - $10!

Studying a very artistic card from her friend.

Can you tell it was a pool party?

Did you notice the balloon under my shirt?

Gloria at her Birthday Party

We celebrated Gloria's birthday on Saturday (although her b-day is not until Tuesday, which is my due date for the next baby) and had three families over for swimming, lunch, cake, and opening of presents. This is the cake portion of her birthday celebration. Her face isn't so clean for the pictures, but it's her birthday, she can be messy if she wants to, right?

We all go a little crazy in front of the camera sometimes...

JB mowing

A good way to get out some of his energy and get the lawn mowed even if the lawn does end up with mohawks...that's how it looked when I first mowed the lawn at age 20!

Neighbor Cows

This is to show that the cows really are almost in our front yard. I'm not sure how good we are for the cows though, the other day I saw one with one of our big pieces of packing paper in its mouth that had blown away when we still had boxes of paper in our driveway. She looked like she was trying to eat it.

Here is a calf playing with a ball that blew over the fence last night in a storm. One of our inflatable boats that we used in the pool also blew over to the barbwire fence where it met its fate...

It was fun seeing the calf play with the ball this morning...

Homeschooling with JB

Does JB look interested in reading? Normally it's like pulling teeth getting him to read to me lately, but I think I may have had a breakthrough and I hope it sticks! The other day I had him read to me while I was fixing dinner. He did so much better when I wasn't sitting there with him, prodding him along. He read faster and stayed focused when I only occasionally came over if he needed a little help. This would be great if it works like that every time because I could get something done while listening to him read and wouldn't have to get frustrated trying to keep him focused all the time. We'll see if it works...

A widdle wizard... I mean, little lizard...

Cooling off in the pool

We have really enjoyed having the pool in our back yard. It's a great way to cool off right before or after dinner, which is when we usually end up taking a dip. It has helped JB and Gloria become better swimmers as they get thrown around in the pool by their dad.

Benaiah is also getting more comfortable in the water although he still does not like floating on his own. He wants someone (preferably mom) holding onto him at all times. The bravest he got was yesterday when he had floaties on his arms and he wanted me to let him go and hold onto my arms while he kicked...it's a good start!

Sparklers

This picture was on a camera that we haven't downloaded pictures from in a while. This was from early July. It's cool how the camera followed the light of the sparkler as it moved.

Our Backyard Oasis

Basil was planted near the fountain at some point and now I have plenty! Our potted plants are growing new leaves again after having traveled in the open flatbed trailer and losing almost all their leaves! The kids have been watering them constantly from the fountain and they love the heat.

Max mowed and trimmed yesterday which made the backyard feel clean cut and even more refreshing!

Eating popsicle on the fountain rocks.

Happenings in our new home...

Gloria got creative with the camera. Makes me look kinda tall, not to mention round...

Benaiah found a "fwoggy" hopping along on the back patio. I thought maybe he was hurting the toad when he held it funny, but that was nothing compared to when JB and Gloria got a hold of the toad. Let's just say he had a few rides in the "waterfall" of the fountain.

Max drained the pool and we moved it to a different location where it was more even. It is now filling again. Thankfully, we have a well, so we are using all of the underground water Oklahoma has.

Benaiah digging and "chopping" a tree.