Kenzi's Graduation

Wow, it is hard to believe but we have a graduate amongst us. Randy's daughter Kenzi Smith graduated from H.S. over the weekend. She's a graduate of Lansing High School, Lansing, KS. It turned out to be a beautiful day despite the rainy day just prior. It was inside, originally suppose to be outside, but the football field was just a tad bit wet. Afterwards there was a dinner at her grandparents house. It was nice to enjoy the sunny day!! Posted in the pictures are Kenzi's mom, Jenny DeMoranville along with Randy. Kenzi's grandparents, Roger and Betty Becker. Also, included is Kenzi's Uncle Royce Becker along with his boys, Ethan, Corbin and Maveryk.

Girls Playing in Grandpa's Creek

One nice spring day, don't remember the day to be exact, Kennedy, Raegan and I went up to my dad's while waiting on Randy with planting. The girls love going to the creek, so we drove down there and they skipped rocks, walked in the water, and caught some very small frogs, some dead and some alive. Yuck!! Anyway they had a good time, so here are some pictures from that beautiful day!!

What do I do? Cheerleading!!!

Okay, so I am in this dilemma. My girls the free spirits that they are, are showing strong interest in being little cheerleaders. The place where they go for gymnastics has cheerleading. Kennedy and Raegan have partaked in gymnastics but want something more exciting. This entails competitions and more expense, but I think they would have such a good time and benefit greatly from it. To me it is a way of boosting their confidence of performing in front of others and plus doing things I can only wish I could do. Plus, it is a good way to develop friendships outside of school.
Raegan has been working on her back walk over. Uses the couch daily practicing and does a good job. Kennedy has gotten this down with the help of the couch too. It is neat to see the progress. Get the stomach muscles strong and they'll be able to do it on their own. Raegan has been trying to get me to help her do a back flip, that isn't going so well, took a foot in my face yesterday and said that's enough. But it is amazing how she wants to work on flipping over backwards. When they get these down, I'll be like wow, wish I could do that.
I think I am going to go for it, what do you think?

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.