Taking a Walk to the Bridge

Our house is in the background, as you can see by the clump of trees.

For some reason I can't explain, my kids love to walk down the road to this bridge near our house. They find it fascinating to throw rocks into what used to have more water than it does now. It appears that beavers have built a dam, and now only a trickle of water is seen. Otherwise, what water there is, is frozen. It is not a wonder that when we have a good rain, that it floods. There needs to be some serious work done to that creek and some cleaning out. Anyway, we walked down there today since it was a nice day for January and a few photos were taken. Our dog Marshall loves to go down there and usually ventures down by the creek. During the summer if there is water, he wades around to cool off. Kennedy and Raegan love it, my only concern is getting to close to the rail. They would stay down there longer if I let them, but what time they get they enjoy.
I am going to try and post more just for the fact that since my husband is in California, this will be a way he can keep in touch of what is going on here. Miss you lots Randy!! Love, Your girls back home.

Geese Everywhere!!

It is one of those sites that I don't think I have ever seen in the 10 years of living here. The winter months that have had the nice and cold days must be messing with these geese in regards to their migrating. You wouldn't believe the geese that are taking home around where I live. Sometimes you can't see them, but let me tell you what, they are loud. Today I snapped a few shots across from my house out in what used to be a corn field. Pretty amazing site. My brother-in-law says that usually the geese go south of here and then at night return to up around here. Enjoy the pictures.

A Week of Many Firsts!!!

Let me tell you what, what a week it has been for Raegan. On Monday Kennedy and her started back up in Gymnastics. Kennedy is now in Intermediate and Raegan is in beginning. It is her 1st time with gymnastics and I believe she enjoyed. She likes to tumble, attempt to do cartwells, and at times wants me to help her do a back walk over. Kennedy hasn't perfected the back walk over, but is very close. Get those belly muscles strong and it will be accomplished. She has been involved with this for the past year and a half. I feel that overall it is something good for them to be involved in and it is good physical activity.
Today, the 15th of January, my baby got on that big yellow bus. Of all days to start, it was downright bitter outside. Probably zero if not less. But, she did it, ran right down to the bus with Kennedy. I was so proud, didn't even look back to say goodbye. Plus, the bus surprised us and was here a few minutes early. She started in a new program that the school system got a grant for. It is an Early Developmental Program for 3 and 4 year olds. I don't know if her being 3 I probably wouldn't have sent her. How little do you start them out. They are already going to spend the next how many years of their life going thru grade school, high school and then hopefully off to college. It is long enough for them. I only hope that with this program, it just helps to teach the basics and I know it will be enjoyable for her to interact with others her own age. She will go 4 mornings a week.
Wow, doesn't that sound like enough for one week. Her daddy unfortunately missed the 1st time on the bus, but pictures will be taken.

A Night out at the games!! Go Bern.

Took the girls out to the ballgames last night. Bern girls lost by a point and the boys won. Wow, how things have changed. Those kids playing last night weren't even in school when I graduated. I am getting old. 16 years it will be this May, how fast it has gone. Marriage, kids, career, makes the years roll by. It was nice to visit with people from Bern. See lots of familiar faces. Some of them younger than me and have kids. My dad really loves going to the ball games. Likes to hang out with the Leuthold's. It is good for him to have that to do a few nights a week. Plus last night he got to spend some time with myself and the girls. With Randy away in California working, we have to at times find things to occupy our time. Seen my mom and grandma Dornes also before going to the game. My mom is here visiting for a few weeks and plans on staying Sunday night with the girls while I go to work.
When I go back to the old school, it just doesn't feel the same way and I know it won't. I realize that when my kids get up into Jr High and High School will be a whole new chapter in my life of activities on a weekly basis. It will be here before Randy and I know it.
Seen my niece Courtney, she plays ball and is a cheerleader. She really is doing well at Bern and has made some good friends. I took a few snapshots at the game of the girls and with their cousin. As you can see, Kennedy wasn't to keen on me taking her pic, Raegan is my photogenic one. So alike, but yet so different.

Santa did well!! Christmas Morning, what fun!!!

So I have to admit Santa did well this year. The girls got a WII, oh my gosh, that is lots of fun. Want to get the WII fit. It is so interactive and even though I am posting this a few weeks after, they enjoy it thoroughly, as do I and Randy. Those girls are figuring it out and let me tell you what, they can beat mom and dad.
Kennedy got an Easy bake oven, haven't tried it yet. Raegan got a new doll baby and it really sounds like one. They got some clothes. Also, some Moon Sand, it never dries out, but it is messy. It went to our basement. Kennedy and Raegan enjoyed Christmas as so did my husband and I. Even though we didn't do anything for eachother, trust me the remodeling I have been doing on our house this past year was Christmas enough for me.
For lunch we went to Randy's parents and spent the afternoon there.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Season and enjoyed the real meaning of what it is all about. Rejoicing in our Lord Savior's birth.
Have a prosperous new year.

Christmas Eve with Grandpa Hanni and Sam

Randy and I went to my dad's and went to Christmas Eve service with him and brother Sam. I had made Lasagna for supper, so we ate that and headed off. After getting back we exchanged some gifts. The girls gave my dad a new Union Pacific Calendar, and from all of us got a new John Deere tractor. He loved them all. The girls got some spending money which they have spent already. It was a nice evening and glad to have spent it with Sam and my dad.