• Fun with the Animals

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    Walking the animals!

    At Grandpa Russell and Grandma Penny’s house they had two dogs, cats, pony, and a horse that provided a lot of fun entertainment for the kids.  Everyday they played with the dogs, cat, and did something with the horse and pony.  Sometimes they went for carriage rides, combed them, rode the horse and pony, or led them around the pasture.  The girls enjoy anything to do with animals so these activities were a big hit!

    Colorado & Kansas Summer Trip with Family

    Karlie playing with Aunt Renelle’s dog!

    The girls love animals and are always game to spend some extra time with any animal.  When we were in Colorado we stayed with at my cousin Renelle and Eric’s house.  They have two dogs and two cats that are in the house so the girls thought that was awesome.  They had a blast playing with all the animals (well, except for one of the cats who booked it as soon as he saw us bringing our suitcase inside the house.

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    Brina petting Renelle’s dog!

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    Buzz and Misty were very excited to see the kids back in Kansas and came running (of course they were with Grandma Penny and carrying a bucket of treats too).

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    Brina carry a halter and a bucket of treats for Buzz and Misty!

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    Heading to the pasture with Grandma to spend time with the animals!

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    Brina leading Misty around.

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    Karlie was giving Buzz some exercise too!

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    The dogs thought it was a great game and were running back and forth as the girls walked Misty and Buzz!

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    Enjoying some time with the animals!

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    Brina loves Misty!  Such a sweet pony!

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    Buzz and Misty did really well being led by kids and a lead rope!

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    Brina would spend hours in the pasture if we let her!

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    Switched!  Karlie is now leading Misty and Brina is leading Buzz around the pasture!

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    Going for their last walk of the evening!

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    Beautiful Kansas sunset!  Taken in the front yard at my parents house.

  • Halloween Rice Krispie Treats

    Green cat with a “K” on it….wonder who that one is for?  We also found a purple cat with a “B” on it too! 🙂

    While Grandma Penny and Great Grandma Willa were here visiting we made some delicious rice krispie treats.  I made regular rice krispie treats and cut them out with Halloween (pumpkin, ghost, and cat) cookie cutters then the kids and Grandmas decorated them.  It was a lot of fun making these tasty treats together.

    Pumpkin Rice Krispie Treat

    Someone ate a Black Cat…….Karlie!

    Brina enjoying one of the rice krispie treats after she finished helping decorate!

    Colorful pumpkin!

    Spooky green rice krispie ghost!

    Decorating rice krispie treats with Grandma Penny and Great Grandma Willa.  The decorating team was MUCH faster than the cookie cutter, ha! 🙂

    A plate full of decorated rice krispie treats!

    Another tray full of pumpkins, ghosts, and cats…….

    After the girls got a chance to taste test one cookie we sent some of the treats home with the Grandmas, 1 went into each of the girls lunches for the next day, and the rest we brought to Community Group to share with friends.  This was a fun and easy Halloween activity for everyone to do.

  • Family Celebrations: “Welcome Ranch” Birthday Party

    This year did the girls birthday party celebration at Welcome Ranch.  It was our first year doing their party outside of the house and after calling several locations we made the decision to do it at Welcome Ranch.  Brina and Karlie’s personalities and tastes are very different (one of the many joys of having twins), however, they both LOVE animals especially horses.  Jake and I booked the party and when we sat down to tell the girls they were thrilled.  They were okay that we wouldn’t be decorating the house since they would be riding horses for entertainment this year.  I think every day after telling them they would ask “Is it this week?”  When the day finally arrived they asked every few minutes “How much longer until we can ride the horses?”  Thankfully we had another activity planned with friends earlier that day so that distracted them for a couple hours.  They were very excited when we were on our way to the horse ranch to celebrate.  Here are a few pictures from our day at Welcome Ranch:

    The sign at the entrance of Welcome Ranch said "Happy Birthday Karlie 6 & Brina 6"

    The girls were thrilled to see their names on the BIG sign at the entrance of Welcome Ranch!  “We have never had such a BIG sign to wish us Happy Birthday!”  They were pleasantly surprised and excited!

    Brina and Karlie listening carefully to Ms. Lisa's instructions!

    Lisa did a wonderful job of getting the kids (and parents) attention while making the whole experience fun for everyone.  She even got a few laughs when explaining the rules.  Brina and Karlie were listening carefully so they wouldn’t miss out on anything!  They picked out their ranch hats earlier that week at Wilson’s Five & Dime store on Lauren’s Road.  I was surprised they wore the hats the entire time!

    Karlie and Brina leading the way with Ms. Lisa to the horses!

    On our way to ride the horses!  Karlie and Brina led everyone with Lisa to the horses.  They were ready to ride!

    Brina talking and riding Montana! Loving it!

     

    Karlie all smiles riding Chocolate their miniature horse!

     

    Brina having a blast at Welcome Ranch!

     

    Karlie riding with Daddy on Montana! Hang on tight kiddo!

     

    Brina LOVING her time with the horses!

     

    Karlie riding on Mickey!

     

    Brina riding like a pro on Mickey!!!

     

    Brina and Karlie riding together on Montana!

     

    Karlie riding on Chocolate!

     

    Mommy and Brina riding Montana!

     

    Karlie volunteering to ride again! Always ready for another turn on the horses!

     

     

    Brina going for another ride on Mickey!

     

    Brina and Karlie on top of the Firetruck!!!

     

    Karlie putting out the fire!

     

    Brina putting out the fire!

     

    Firetruck at Welcome Ranch

     

    Daddy putting out the final flames!

     

    One of their signs at Welcome Ranch, love it!

     

    Happy Birthday Brina and Karlie!!!

     

    Karlie and Brina taking the candles out of their cake!

     

    The birthday girls enjoying a slice of delicious cake - Brina and Karlie!

     

    The girls liked their cat - Supervisor! They thought his name was very funny!

     

    Karlie had so much fun she crashed in the van on the ride home, too funny!

     

    Brina playing with her toys on the way home, love the crazy hat hair!

     

    Skipper joining in the birthday fun by wearing Karlie's hat!

    The girls had a wonderful birthday party at Welcome Ranch!  Lisa, her Mom, and the crew did an amazing job.  The kids loved riding the horses petting the animals (goats, donkey, dogs, cats, etc…) eating pizza, drinking ice tea, koolaide, a delicious cake and enjoying time with their family and friends.  Thanks to Welcome Ranch for making their birthday extra special and memorable.  We had a lot of fun celebrating with everyone that came to their party.

    Happy 6th Birthday Brina and Karlie!

    WE LOVE YOU!!!