Mmmmm yummy

Last weekend was filled with more outside summer activities then we ever imagine could happen in 2 days. Here is just a short list:

1. Enjoying steaks from our freshly butchered beef on Friday night with my husband, daughter, and father.
2. Sleepover with our oldest nephew who sweetly accepted the cheerios with no milk since I haven't been to the store in 3 weeks.
3. Grayson helping Papa in the hayfield.
4. The purchase of a new Polaris Ranger and many rides around the field to enjoy it and see how fast it would go. Boys...
5. Truck pull and Webster County Fair in 100 degree temperatures...blughhh.
6. Swimming.
7. Mowing as quickly as 3 acres will allow so you can get out of the heat and in the pool. (see #5)
8. Harvesting apples from Grandma Curt's apple tree and freezing for the winter.
9. Picking blackberries at the farm dad has rented since I was little. There were still a bunch yet to ripen but we made a haul the first go round and plan to return for more!

I am sure I have forgotten many things that we did, but all I know is I was worn out all week after such a wonderful weekend filled with reminiscing and new memories made with the family I love so much.

Round and Round we go

It wouldn't be summer without the Webster County Fair and a hot, sticky summer night on which to attend for the simply pleasure of a yearly, greasy, mustard covered corn dog and lemonade. Why you ask would one want to spend $16.00 on three corn dogs and $4.00 on a lemonade plus the cost of admission, well for the simple reason of pleasing your nephews and seeing them smile the cheesiest smile as they go round and round on the rides and come back each time begging for more.

Our little Matney bug got to enjoy her first ride at the young age of 15 weeks. The only one that was Mommy approved since I had to ride with her the Merry Go Round and at first she was a bit dazed, but by the end she was smiling and cooing--until the Division 3 pulling trucks started up and scared her to death.

All in all the fair was a success even though it was 95 degrees and we were all sweating like pigs.

The first of many...

The morning of July 12, 2010 dawned as a hot and muggy start to the week, but it ended with a happy little girl who made it through her first day of school and quickly her first full week.

Our little angel baby started her first day of daycare at A Touch Above in Strafford on July 12th after having been loved and cared for by her grandmas and grandpas (as well as her favorite auntie) for the 6 weeks leading up to her first day. I never thought I would be dropping my little bug off for her first day of school for the next 18+ years so as the day approached I grew more apprehensive and sad. I know it is a great opportunity for Matney to grow and to become flexible, but it was hard to imagine that 3 months had gone by since she was safe and secure in my belly. I also don't want her to grow up thinking that mommy and daddy didn't love her enough to stay with her all the time as well as I don't want to miss a single change in her life. I know that it is best for her though so that Brandon and I can provide the necessities and luxuries in life that she will need and want. As my mom keeps reminding me, Abby and I turned out just fine, and we started daycare at 6 weeks or so of age.

I have to say I am pretty proud of myself for only calling to check in on her on the first day after being used to calling everyday to check on her or a couple of times a day. I even called Brandon to see if he thought it would be okay if I called. :) I knew I had to cut the cord sometime since I won't be able to call 1 or 2 times a day when she starts kindergarten. Picking her up after her first day made me realize we made the right choice in the daycare. She was so happy and worn out that night when I brought her home and it was easy to see that she was well cared for and happy with her teachers. Her second week has been much easier on Mommy and I am already seeing changes in her. When I get her in the evening she smiles at me as I pick her up and melts my heart each time as if she is saying, "my Mommy is here to get me and I love her so much" and as we leave she laughs out loud at the boys as they say "BYE! BYE!" and at the teacher as we talk about her day.

I still can't believe my little bug is big enough for daycare. It will probably be tomorrow and she will be starting highschool. I pray time slows down so I don't miss a thing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE GRAY

Our little Grayson turned two on July 13th and had many celebrations for his special day. We were lucky enough to get to host his "farm party" at our house along with a pool party. We are so blessed to have little Grayson in our lives. I always say Matney will not need a brother because he loves her so much and hardly lets her out of his sight when he is around her (he will be her protector from all the boys). That is only one of the many reasons we love our little Gray Gray. Here are a few more:

1. He is so animated no matter what the situation and has this adorable little look he gives you as he turns his head in a "I know exactly what you are talking about" kind of way.

2. He loves unconditionally whether it be the cat, his brothers, mommy, daddy or his tractors.

3. He enjoys many aspects of life from farming to the occasional torturous shopping trip.

4. He will get the best of us down when he runs in to the kitchen saying, "Nack, Nack, Nack" as he points to the exact cabinet with all the snacks. How he knows I will never understand. Let's just hope his monkey habits of climbing up on the cabinet (I think big brother taught him this) to get the goodies does cause him harm.

5. He listens to everything you say so intently and seems to understand everything.

6. He is so lovable and never seems to have a bad day. No matter how many times we hear him say tactor, tactor or Sazzie, Sazzie (Sassie the cat) or anything for that matter, it only seems to brighten our days to see his zest for life.

7. He is a pro at the "who do you love" game and will tell whichever person is asking him that he loves them. Even if we know he is just playing the game, it still makes your heart melt when he says you name.


May God bless our sweet, middle nephew with a long and prosperous life. If I never have a boy, I will certainly take him or any of the little guys for that matter. We have a special and unique bond with each of our nephews that we hope will only grow as the years go by.

July 4th

As the tradition has become, the Carpenter-Biggers-Crawford families joined up at the lake over the 4th of July for a weekend of relaxation and swimming. Uncle Brent, Jackie and Tyler were not able to join us this year and were missed, but fun was still had by all. Though the weekend was not scoorching hot and the rain did fall, we still had a great time and got in plenty of water time. (No pics of the swimming as I am scared to take my camera to the water--ask my mom if you want to know why.)

We enjoyed yummy food, adult beverages, ice cream (two bowls for Grayson--people just can't say no to him!), fire works and Brayden and Grayson's first parade. I believe they were the first ever entry in their age group. We are so proud of them for making it through the entire parade route and Abby, Dad, and I are pretty proud of our decorating job on the gator. We were all excited to go out and buy 4th of July decorations after the holiday this year so we will have the best entry next year with all of our babies involved.

Matney and Kennon fell in love with the fireworks and watched them intently. Matney would get mad when they stop and scream out, but when they started back up she would start to smile and coo. We can't wait for next year when all the little ones get to participate in the parade and can swim in the lake!

PS: There is a picture of Grayson on the collage with a big bump on his head, and no we did not beat him up. He got stung by something and his forehead just kept getting biggers, thus we named him Rhino.

Matney's Dedication

June 27th dawned warm and beautiful and was a perfect day to dedicate our beautiful daughter to the Lord and to her Christian faith. God has blessed us to find a church home that is very welcoming and is strengthening our relationship with the Him each and every day, so we quickly decided we wanted our little girl to begin her Christian life early and with the blessing and help of our loving family as well as our church family.

Daddy kept saying I was overdoing it, but once I reminded him that Matney only has so many "extra special" moments in her life, he realized it was worth it. The day was filled with several pews full of loving family and friends as Alex asked for the guidance and support of all those present to lead our little love in her new journey with the Lord and the afternoon was full of delicious food and swimming to celebrate our little loves special moment with those we love. We pray that God will bless and guide our little angel baby each and every day of her life, and lead Brandon and I to provide her with the best life full of Christian morals and values.