Rodeo

Earlier this month we ventured over to the Spokane County Fair to see the rodeo. Brad claims to have never been to a rodeo before (which I have a hard time believing since he grew up in Idaho). And since cowboy blood runs in my veins, I decided we needed to go.

First we checked out what the fair had to offer. It was pretty typical fair stuff until we ran into the Mutton Bustin' booth: A venue where parents were putting their 4-6 year old children on sheep to see if they could hold on for 6 seconds. Sort of like a child version of bull-riding.

We cheered on the kids (many of whose rides ended in a face full of dirt and tears) and laughed at the parents. It was great. As we walked away Leah cried "I want to ride a sheep!" Maybe next year...?

Unbeknownst to us, the rodeo was actually a national-circuit rodeo (not just a small county affair). So the cowboys were really, really good and the rodeo ran very smoothly. It was probably the best rodeo I've ever been to. We saw bareback riding, calf roping, bronco riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. Some of the cowboys had won upwards of $200,000 this year in their events and there were national champions from recent national rodeos competing. It was awesome! We all loved it!

Leah liked the barrel racing

Lainy liked the clowns

I came away thankful for good, old-fashioned fun and thinking about cowboys and horses and my Grandpa Smith. I seem to a remember a time he entered my sister and I in mutton bustin' and laughed his head off when my sheep just sat down instead of running. He passed away two years ago the night we were at the rodeo. It seemed appropriate to be doing what we were doing that night. He would have loved it. Love you, Grandpa!

My beautiful grandmother and cowboy grandpa

Kindergarten

Alaina started kindergarten last week. Here she is in all her first-day-of-school glory:

When the big, huge bus that was taking her to school pulled up that first day I almost didn't put her on it. It looked way too big and she looked way too small. Lainy, however, was totally unconcerned and jumped on the bus with a little wave at me. She's too grown-up these days.

After she came home Lainy told us how she had helped a little boy in her class. He was crying for his mom and Lainy asked her teacher if she could help him. Her teacher said, "Sure!". So Lainy went and talked to the boy and "calmed him down" and helped him write his name. Isn't that sweet?

Coming home

One of the perks of having Lainy in school is one-on-one time with Leah. We've never had much before (last year when Lainy was in preschool I had my little nanny job). I love having Leah all to myself. She starts talking the minute Lainy gets on the bus and doesn't stop until we pick Lainy up 3 hours later. Who knew she was such a chatterbox? It is adorable and I am in love with my little 2-year-old all over again.

On our way to get Lainy

I admit, I am enjoying having a schedule again. Summer was pretty awesome - we played with friends and went swimming nearly every day - but it's nice to get back into a routine. Know what I mean?

Here's to a great school year!

Alaina's Birthday

Lainy requested two things for her birthday; a party with friends and an ice-cream bar. To make things even better, my parents promised to come celebrate her day with us.

The party with friends request was a little tricky. When I asked Lainy who she wanted to invite she listed a whole bunch of friends from Seattle. I had to explain that we could only invite friends from Spokane which was, well, a little sad for her. Since we moved here not long ago the list was much shorter (made up mostly of the resident families we have hung around with all summer) but we were able to get a fun group together. We held the party a few days before Lainy's birthday. Her little friends (and moms) were so sweet to come and so sweet to give her fun gifts. She had a blast! Thank you so much, friends!

The ice-cream bar was totally easy and completely Lainy's idea. When we lived in Seattle she loved going to Menchie's - a self-serve, pay by the ounce frozen yogurt place. We went there a lot and have missed having it a block away. So we made our own! We went to the store, picked ice-cream flavors and a whole bunch of toppings, and had a great spread. It was really fun! I think we'll do more ice-cream bars in the future...

As promised, my parents got into town the morning of Lainy's birthday. They were so sweet to do more traveling (they had just barely returned from a trip to Africa). We spent a fun couple of days together celebrating our favorite 5-year-old and hearing all about Africa. We love you Mom and Dad!

Gotta love Leah's face in this one. ha ha!

Happy Birthday Lainy! We love you to pieces!

P.S. I have decided that I need to take more pictures at significant events - somehow I only end up snapping a few. Are any of you like that too?

On Our News

So, we're having a baby. We're having a bit of a hard time believing it ourselves, but it's true. We're trying not to be nervous about moving across the country with three kids next summer, but we figure the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves. And we are grateful for that. Things will work out. So here we go!

I was a little blind-sided by morning sickness this pregnancy. I got away with next to none with my previous two. I'm not even sure if it was morning sickness. It felt more like all day extreme nausea, dizziness, and fatigue that left me on the couch for the better part of 4 weeks. Luckily the Olympics were on and Brad was home in the afternoons and...we survived. I know women go through so much worse than that and I am really blessed. I'm happy to be feeling much better now.

I learned (again) that I have the sweetest little girls in the world. Lainy helped Leah get snacks and go potty and they suddenly started playing really well together. They broke my heart and made me super proud all at the same time.

We told the girls after our first doctor visit a couple of weeks ago. We had brunch in the park and broke the news. They are so excited. Lainy asked a lot of questions and said she hopes it's a boy. Leah thinks the baby is in her tummy, but I'm sure she'll figure things out later.

I've always wanted a Spring baby... We are happy and incredibly blessed!

And Counting...

We're counting our blessings...

Our next is due the end of March.