Dear Dad,

It's your birthday again, #58, the 11th one you've spent in Heaven.  We still miss you like crazy, especially on days like this when we know we would have been with you if you were still here.  We would have wrapped up a box of cherry cordials (I never really liked them, but ate them anyway, cause you liked them so much) and bought you a card telling you how great you were (and we would have really meant it).  Instead, we just fill our heads with lots of memories and wish you were here.

Dolly and I went and bought each other matching bracelets for your birthday.  With cowboy boot charms, because, until you were sick, that's all you ever wore.

And on the way home, we saw that once again, the star was lit up for the season on your birthday.

We stopped and visited the cemetery.  Dolly and Chief put up a little Christmas tree on Sunday.  She picked up the ornaments that had blown off and put them back on the tree.  There were footsteps in the snow from others who visited you there today.

This time of year is always the hardest.  Whenever we get together as a family, there is a big gap because you are missing.  I continue to be thankful that I have the hope that we'll see you again in Heaven someday!  Love you.

Catching Up

The last time I blogged, several months ago (!), we had just gotten a bunny.  The bunny lives with the chickens and goats.  Our other bunny left the safe zone of the pasture and hasn't been seen in a week or so.  :(

Now we have a puppy.  We didn't need a puppy.  They are a lot of work.  And if they are a Saint Dane (St. Bernard/Great Dane cross)  they will get really big and eat a lot of food.  But we couldn't resist his cute face.  So he's ours.

The pictures above were taken when we first got him.

He's 3 months old now and already 50 pounds!

Oh, and then we got a horse.  He lives up at my aunt's house, so she takes care of him in the morning, and we go up every afternoon/evening to take care of him.  His name is Charlie, and Ryley is in love.

Other events of our lives since I last blogged:

Color Vibe 5k:

Benefit Pull:

My brother and other family members and friends organize this annual tractor and truck pull 

to raise money for families in need.  

My brother Trav and his family came from Ohio.

Here, Quin and cousin Gauge are hanging out at the pull.

Gauge's 2nd Birthday:

Gauge loved his cake, another creation by my friend Julia!

Quin, on the other hand, cried when we cut it.

This was the first time these cousins were all together.

My kids and my brothers' kids.

The past couple of months have been a bit of a blur.   We sold the plow truck and JD has officially "retired" from being the plow guy.  He has a work truck to use as part of his job, and not having a second vehicle to worry about has been nice.  

The big kids played soccer and are now playing basketball.  I could probably find some soccer pictures if I tried hard enough.  BUT if I don't just go ahead and hit "publish" it could be another month before I do so.  I'm going to be better about posting.  I'm going to be better about posting.  I'm going to be better about posting.