6th Photo in the 6th Folder

Here's a random photo tag from my cousin, Terri. I had to dig in my Old Photos to get a usable 6th folder. My current album's 6th folder was professional photos I took of another person that I obviously didn't care to post:). So, here's Sierra at her 5th grade Strings Concert.

She's Growing Up on Us!

Do you notice anything different about our sweet Sierra Dawn?

How about now? Look closely.

Okay, we'll make it more obvious and show you both ears at once. Now, do you see? Yes, at the ripe ol' age of 12, Sierra is old enough to finally get her ears pierced. It was a surprise to her. She had asked about it in the past and I would just say that she wasn't old enough. So, when we came up to the store to get it done, I was shocked to find her saying that she didn't want to. I guess she had talked to a friend or two about how painful it was. I couldn't believe it. I reassured her that it was no big deal, but that she didn't have to do it if she didn't want to. So then, of course, she wanted it done. And, she didn't even flinch.

Piano Calvacade

After playing at the carnival all day, we got to come home and go to a piano calvacade that Lance and Sierra were playing in. They did a great job. Todd and I were so proud of them. Above, is Sierra's group but she is hidden in the back. Below, is Lance's group. He is in the black shirt. Sorry the pic. quality is horrible. It was pitch black since I was so far back, and so I tried to lighten it in Photoshop. Well, even if we don't have good pics, I wanted to post about it to let my kids know that they are AWESOME!!!

Sierra had gone to a sleepover the night before. After she played, she crashed in her chair. Poor girl. Too much playing....must be a rough life.

Houston Spring Carnival

Last Saturday was our elementary school's carnival. We had a great time together. I was in charge of all the games, so I had been preparing for it for about a week and a half before. I headed down that day at 7:30 am to set up. The carnival was 11-3 and so by the time I cleaned up, I was home around 4:00. It was a long day for me. But, it was all worth it because the kids loved it and the school earned a few bucks:). Here's Wes at the Frog Toss.

Here's Wes showing you one of his prizes....I can't tell what it is though. He's got quite the cheesy expression though.

Zane and Weston after bouncing in one of the inflatables.

Sierra and Wes going for a train ride.

Here they go down the big inflatable slide.

And, no carnival would be complete without a snow cone (and cotton candy for that matter....which they also had:).

Zane on his train ride.

My three cute kids with their snow cones (cause we missed Zane in the first shot when he was on the train).

Zane trying out the Ping Pong Toss.

And, lastly, the three of them trying the Tic Tac Roll. Lance did make an appearance at the carnival but he hung out with his friends....far, far away from my camera. I don't think that was a coincedence.

Here's a couple of movie clips from our fun at the carnival. The top one is Weston going down the slide. The bottom one is Sierra and Wes racing through the inflatable obstacle course.

Party Time!

This is the year that my kids get to have friend bday parties and so Sierra really wanted to have a sleepover. What fun. Eleven girls. That's a MAJOR sleepover. What does one get with eleven girls?

Eleven Beautiful Faces.

Lots of Hair Curling.

Lots of Nail Painting.

Tricks on each other. Yes, the bday girl was not left out from getting cake icing on her nose. During the night, girls in sleeping bags were t.p.ed (toilet papered) and faces were drawn on. Some girls slept outside on the trampoline. Some girls insist they stayed up to 5 in the morning!!! Sorry to the moms if they have cranky girls today.

Andthen there was lots and lots of music - singing and dancing and giggling. It was so fun to watch. The girls took turns performing for each other. They didn't know what song they would get. We would see how well they could sing and dance with it.

It makes me wanna have more of them....well, until my lack of sleep kicks in. Then, I'll change my mind when I get all cranky. What a great bunch of friends for Sierra. It'll be a party to remember.

All of the girls dancing. Well, Sierra was getting a drink by the fridge and when I scanned over to her, she went shy on me.

Kynlee & Megan got the song Hakana Matata from Lion King. They had some fun up "on stage".

The Perfect Way to Celebrate a Horse Lover's Bday

First, we went out to dinner as a family. Sierra got her present from us....just what she asked for. An ipod. Yes, a non-horse related item. Yes, I was shocked too. Could she be growing up?

While we ate dinner, Weston shared with us another one of his many talents. Coloring....two handed. Amazing and cute. It gets it done twice as fast.

After going out to dinner, Sierra and I left in a separate car. I surprised her by taking her to see Cavalia. What a spectacular show with beautiful horses and amazing acrobatics and tricks. We loved the show.

Movin' Up!

My little girl turned twelve on Tuesday. She is no longer in primary now. She is in young women's. YOUNG WOMEN'S!!! Wow. I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday....no, not really. Shoot. Thank goodness for pictures cause I don't remember much. But, I do remember how much I loved my baby girl. She was my fastest delivery....I arrived at the hospital at 8:00am to be induced. The Dr. said I was already having contractions(even though I wasn't feeling anything yet) and so he broke my water at 8:15am. Sierra was born at 8:46am. ....Talk about a nice, fast delivery. And, she has been nice to me ever since.

When Sierra's hair was this length, she had the cutest curls. Unfortunately, as the hair grew longer, the curls disappeared. But, she was still beautiful with that thick, blond hair and those big, blue eyes.

I don't know if it was because she had a big brother or because her mother is this way also, but Sierra was a born tomboy. Lovin' bugs and all from the beginning. It's probably a good thing too since she ended up with two more brothers behind her. She's gotta be tough.

Luckily, she could still have a princess side to even out the tomboy side. Sierra loved all the Disney princesses when she was growing up. It was so fun to see her prance around in her princess dresses. She was Cinderella this year for Halloween.

Sierra became a big sister at four to Zane. And, she has been helpful ever since. She is always willing to help and she's such a hard worker. What a wonderful daughter.

Oh, and I can't post about her first 12 years without including the infamous self haircut. Boy, did she butch it. She wanted no bangs. So, instead of growing them out, she thought she should just cut them off! Lovely, huh?! Oh, well. You gotta learn to laugh at yourself, right?!

By Kindergarten, her hair had grown out enough to pull those growing bangs up. And, so this was her hairdo for the year. Still adorable. This was her first day of school at Franklin South.

Sierra has been an animal lover from day one....much like her mother. She loves her cats, the bunny she had for a while, our dogs....

...and the horses. Here is her obsession just starting out. Here is Sierra starting horseback riding lessons on Dandy when she was eight years old.

And the obsessive fire was fueled with our purchase of Pepper. He was/is a stubborn pony, but luckily Sierra was more stubborn. (probably one of the few times her stubbornness is a plus:). But, boy, is she the best rider around now.

Happy 12th Birthday Sierra Dawn! I would have liked to have had another daughter, but Sierra more than makes up for only having one. She is a wonderful girl. Really. Such a hard worker. Such a good helper. I can't believe she's in Young Women's now. I love that we both enjoy horseback riding together. I love spending time with my girl. She's beautiful inside and out!

Lunch at the Farm

A couple weeks ago, I was reading one my ol' high school friend's blog. She had a post on this cute restaurant that looked so fun. Her kids were running around playing outside at the restaurant. I thought to myself, "That is the kind of restaurant that I need for my kids."
Well, this weekend Lance was gone snowboarding with the deacons and teachers from church. On Sat., Todd and I were out running errands with the three younger ones. I remembered her post and that the restaurant was out where we were going. And, so my easy-going, spontaneous husband said, "Let's go there for lunch today." As we drove up to it, I realized that I had noticed it once before a long time ago, but I don't usually drive down Ray. It's the cutest restaurant made out of an old farm house....with cute picnic tables outside. And, to make it even better, we loved the food. Well, not Sierra. She had a hot dog. Apparently, they use "natural casing" hot dogs that she thought had a too chewy of a outside. (Todd tells me later it's cause it's the intestine? hit my gagger)

Anyways. We had a great time. Todd had some pesto burger and I had the same thing but in chicken. Yum! The kids loved being outside. There was this HUGE, old tree that we had to get a photo by. Isn't it neat the way it splits off into 3? But, they do have signs up saying no climbing...talking about torturing a kid:)

Zane is having fun taking pictures lately and so he took this one of the rest of us by a citrus tree.

Oh, and how can I forget?!!! My son's got talent, so I need to share! Here at the restaurant, he doesn't have a straw for some reason, so he proceeds to show me how he can make his very own homemade straw...with his own tongue! Way to go Zane! Always entertaining!

Thanks Jennifer for the great tip to eat at Joe's Farm Grill:)

Renaissance Festival

For the 6th grade field trip, the kids were going to the Renaissance Festival. Sierra was so excited and wanted me to join her. Since I don't usually go on the field trips (I always have a little one at home), I told her I would come. Thanks to Kelly and Michelle for taking Wes.


Here are (l to r) Raquel, Sierra, Rachel, and Sammie having fun with the Painted Lady.

Sierra and I posing in front of the Tree Man. Was he from Lord of the Rings?, I wonder.

We were able to see quite a few shows. Here's the daredevil, juggler act.

And, here's the Jousting Show. We also saw a Sword Swallowing show and a Whip Cracking Artist (he was on Time Warp....as he told us about ten times:).

Our group of girls.

A Music Fairy? All I know is she handed shiny rocks that the girls liked.

We had a lot of fun. I'm glad that Sierra wanted me to go with her.