The Ranch- Moving Day March 2014

We have a Smith Family Ranch!  Last Thursday was moving day.  I watched the Dallas kids so Jeremy, Luci, and Kirk could move in.  I took the kids down on Friday afternoon.  The house is beautiful.  Luci has done an incredible job of decorating and designing the house.  Everyone has their own room and there is a bunk room for the kids.  It is very comfortable and can accommodate a huge family like ours. Jeremy has done an awesome job including the family in this adventure.  We all arrived on Friday and spent the whole weekend relaxing and enjoying each others company.  The grandchildren played outside all day.  Travis made some washer boards and introduced the kids to the game.  They loved it!  All the adults, except me went hog hunting on Saturday night.  So here is how the story goes-  trained dogs with GPS sensors chase after  these wild hogs ( they destroy the land) and grab their ears.  Some one then comes and kills the hog with a knife.  Barbaric I know- but they did kill a hog.  I guess I will get used to the hunting here- but I was happy to stay with all the kids and get them to sleep.  That is 6 kids all five and under- just call me the baby whisperer!  I enjoyed every minute and so did Kirk.  That is the best part, because we all know how much he enjoys the outside and camping.  Luci feels the same way.  So all were happy in the beautiful accommodations including dish TV and internet.  We look forward to many memories there and of course will be going next weekend.  Thanks Jeremy and Luci for this great adventure.

Here are some pics from the weekend:

Polaris Ride!

So happy to be here!

Caleb playing outside!

Riley eating corn on the cob!

Washers!

Abbey, Wyatt, Kirk, and Travis

Kirk with Abbey and Brooke

Time spent with family is time well spent. Family is the one constant element in life. Count Your Blessings, Bella

Spring Break 2014

Spring Break was awesome this year.  I flew out Friday to Austin to see Abbey, Justin and Wyatt.  We had a great weekend watching movies, visiting the Austin Aquarium and yes there was Conan's pizza too! On Sunday Kirk and Connor picked me up and we went to San Antonio to see Brooke and her crew.  We had a great time playing with the boys, taking walks and just relaxing.  We had to leave on Tuesday as Connor had plans to spend the rest of his Spring Break with Paige in Colorado snow skiing!  I did get to spend some time with the Dallas kids as Jer and Lu were preparing for the big Ranch move! Pics from Spring Break 2014!

Abbey and Wyatt

Austin Crew at the Aquarium

Loving on Mr. Wyatt

Love the boys!  Kirk, Travis, Hudson and Caleb

Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'

Robin Williams

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Wedding Time- God Bless Kyle and Rachael

Weddings of family friends are always so much fun!  The whole family (adults) was invited to be a part of Rachael and Kyle's wedding. Abbey and Justin came in from Austin for the wedding  It was a beautiful wedding.  Rachael and her brother Jon were childhood friends of our children.  In fact we went to church with them for about 15 years.  We watched them when they were youngsters and spent plenty of summer days at the pool and vacation bible school.  Jon is no longer with us and we miss him dearly.  His sister was absolutely gorgeous on her wedding day.  Her are some very amatuer snapshots from yours truly to capture the precious moments:

Lynn and Rachael

Justin, Abbey, Luci and Jeremy

Lynn and Connor

Robin, Mom of Bride and Abbey- beautiful!

Kirk and Lynn

Daddy and Daughter Dance

With the Bride

“You're off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting,

So... get on your way!” 

― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Wishing you much love and happiness Mr. and Mrs. Wenokur!

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face shine upon you,

and be gracious unto you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance unto you,

and give you peace.

Count Your Blessing, Bella

February in San Antonio

Kirk and I went down to San Antonio to see three of my favorite valentines in San Antonio on February 14-16.  We had an awesome time just relaxing and enjoying all the grandsons.  We brought Carter from Dallas so he could play with his cousins.  So here we are on our little walk- aren't we brave?

       Pictured from left to right Hudson (2) ,Wyatt (1), Caleb (1), Carter (3)
Hudson and Caleb are Travis and Brooke's, Wyatt is Justin and Abbeys's and Carter is Jeremy and Luci's

                                 

Carter and his Pops

Hudson and his blankie

My Girls......We missed Luci!


A daughter is a beautiful reflection of God's grace!

Cousin time!


"What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies." – Rudolph Giulian

Count Your Blessings,  Bella