The Big F-O-U-R and Language Lane

Bodey, you are the biggest 4-year old I know. You really have grown up a lot in the last year. I love that you are a leader. You have such a great personality and don't care what anyone thinks about you. Which can also be a bit challenging, but I still see it as a strength. You are our little redneck. I don't know how someone is born with "redneck" in them, but you were. You love everything boy - dirt, trucks, trailers, bull riding, demolition derby's, race cars, cowboy boots & cowboy hats. You are very excited to be 4 years old and starting your new preschool, but more on that in a second. Here are some shots from your birthday party:

This turning 4 stuff is very serious.

Now on to Language Lane! Bodey started his new preschool on Tuesday and LOVES it! At Language Lane, the parents are not allowed to walk their precious little babies into the school. Instead, you pull up in the carpool lane and a teacher comes to the door, helps them out, and walks them in. I was a little worried that Bodey would get nervous all of a sudden and not want to get out of the car. But quite the opposite! That big ol' preschooler just jumped out of the car and was running inside. When the teacher told him to wave bye to mommy, he could barely do it fast enough. Thank goodness, because I would have really struggled if he would have struggled. When I ask him how school was, he corrects me. It's not school, it's Language Lane!

Booker's a Kindergartener Now!

Booker is a proud and excited kindergartener! I'm glad he was strong, or I really would have been a mess. Since he was acting all big, no fear in his eyes whatsoever, mom made it with only welled up tears in her eyes. Phew! He marched right in the school, put his backpack and lunch on his hooks, headed to his desk and started coloring. He cheerfully greeted his new friends and was on his way. Didn't even care that we left. I can't wait to grab him at 3:55 this afternoon to hear all about it! Even though he probably won't have much to say... :)

Easy Enough

Tonight Bodey said, "Mom, you know why I like you?" I thought, this could be good because you never know what is going to come out that boys mouth next. "Because you're the sweetest mommy ever!"

Bodey-ness

• My little Bodey marches to the beat of his own drum, and I love that about him. I know I've mentioned several times that if you say black, he says white, but man oh man is it true. He likes to do things that he knows will push peoples buttons. Over and over again; especially to his brother.


• Bodey is the gassiest person I have ever met. And I've been with Dusty for 11 years. He farts, and busts up laughing. He loves to fart on people's laps. Just when you are thinking, oh, how cute, Bodey is actually calm and sitting with me. RRRRRIIIIPPPPP! Bahahahaha!! Funniest thing in his world. Not so funny to me, especially on Thursday when he announced he had a "wet fart." Yuck.


• Bodey has been starting most of his sentences with "anyways" or "except". Very randomly too. He uses "except" instead of "since." So it goes something like this, "Well, except you took my toy from me, I'm gonna take your toy from you."


• His random statement in the car yesterday when we were driving out to the lake was, "Mom, I know all about God and I know all about bull riding."


• Bodey has had his glasses for just over a year now. We go to the eye dr. on Tuesday to have them rechecked. I think he's come a long way. Not as much crossing when he's not wearing them, and seems to track better. However, it would be fun to see how many replacement pairs we have had to order. My guess is right around the 20-25 pairs range. Thank goodness for warranty and a mother-in-law that works at the eye dr.

Which Child of Mine?

People often ask me if my boys are twins. I am usually the only one who doesn't understand this question. I personally don't think they look alike. But, I guess it's because I know them best. Their personalities are SO night and day. I also see all their differences in appearance. However, this picture threw Dusty off, and I can see why!

Can you guess who this is?

Wyoming Vacation

This trip to Wyoming was bitter-sweet. It was so nice to get back and to see so much of my family. It has been a while since I have seen my sisters, my nieces & nephews, and my cousins. However, the reason we were all there was to have a memorial for my Grandpa Sherman, who passed away in February. It's sad that's the only time we all get to see each other... we need to make it more of a priority to see each other more often.

My Grandpa Sherman brings back such great memories. Every year on my birthday he would take me to lunch at Antone's for a cheeseburger. He worked out in the oil fields as a government trapper, so he would often bring us back pet horny toads. He always wore jeans, cowboy boots, a western snap shirt and a cowboy hat. I also remember him bringing me clove flavored gum. I thought it was cool, because it was from him. You could always find Grandpa at 11am at the local restaurant, eating half of his sandwich, and taking the other half home for his dogs. He never parked in a parking spot, he parked right up by the front door, and often left his truck running so his dogs could have heat or a/c. He had someone that printed jokes off the internet for him, and he always shared them, no matter who you were, or where you were. Most of them were dirty. He was a man of few words, but he was loved by everyone he came in contact with. We will all miss you dearly, Grandpa. Luckily, we scored you an awesome place to rest, in the outdoors where you can find true peace.

My dad and Uncle Tim.

Me, my oldest sister, Tina, and middle sister, Devon.

Booker and Bodey riding up to Grandpa's resting place in the back of the car with cousins, Audrey & Ethan.

I feel a sense of peace and relaxation when I reach this border.
Wyoming is honestly Heaven on Earth.

Booker flying off the wall in Thermop.

Bodey (who 5 minutes earlier had an extreme fear of the water) taking his turn!

The kids and their cousins at the cabin, aka What-the-hey.

While visiting Rapid City, we went to Reptile Gardens, did the alpine slide, rode go-carts and bumper boats, and spent time at the indoor water park. This was our favorite slide... it's like a toilet bowl!

Camping 101 - The Lot

There is this boy that lives down the street. He happens to be married to one of my best friends. I need him everywhere I go, because he is the best event photographer EVER! Thank you Johnny for capturing our camping adventure!

For as long as I've known Cori, I've know that the girl doesn't camp. Not only that, but the Ingram family doesn't camp. Jen grew up camping and loves it, and Kim is a fair-weather camper. As long as it's not too hot, not too cold, and not raining, she's game. A few months back I got this hair-brained idea that we should take all the kids camping. But, it would just easily break Cori in, not being too far from all forms of civilization. The Lot. My in-laws bought 10 acres outside Tongie and it was the perfect place for us to try it out.

Step 1: Set up camp. Dusty got off work a little late so he wasn't there when I got there to set up camp. However, the Ingram's were! Cori kept an eye on the kids and while Johnny and I got the tents set up. For never setting up a tent before, he did awesome!
Step 2: Start a fire. Two small problems. It started down pouring on us so our wood was wet. And secondly, my dear husband couldn't wait another second to eat, so he took off to town to get a burger. With the lighter fluid. Luckily he was fast and we didn't have to rely on wet wood, paper and matches.

Step 3: Wine.

Step 4: Good friends. This picture cracks me up because Avery and Bodey are the same person. Stubborn, bossy, wild. This is a bad combination when you get them together. They have a love/hate relationship. Here they were apparently friends. Later that night, enemies. The next morning BFF's again. Love them!

Dusty, Sharon and Morgen hanging out by the campfire. So glad they let us use their land to camp on!

And best for last, the three girls I couldn't live without.

The kids had an absolute blast. They had free reign, and took full advantage of it. They started the evening off with kickball and riding four wheelers, and ended the night catching fire flies and playing flashlight tag.

I think the thing I love most about camping is the memories. When I asked Cori if she would go camping with us, she actually posted on Facebook, "Friends don't let friends sleep in tents." But you know what? She did it... and actually had fun!