My Birthday

My birthday fell on Sunday this year.  I worked at the store Saturday. Cathy and the girls cropping that day were so sweet to celebrate it with me.  Here's my cake and the flowers were from a cropping friend who got them out of her own yard. I thought that was so sweet! Aren't they beautiful?! We had a great time together!

On Sunday the kids cooked lunch for me. What I didn't know is that they had also invited a few of my closest friends too! We had grilled pork chops, chopped potatoes with cheese, green beans and tossed salad. It was wonderful! Keannon cooked the meat while Vanessa fixed the rest. We also had watermelon! I absolutely love watermelon and usually have it for my cake! This is proof I have liked watermelon for a very long time!

Later in the afternoon Keannon, Doyle with the help of 3 or 4 other guys came to help move and reassemble a swingset/fort that was given to them.

Kennedy could not wait to get on it and swing!

 Checking out ever part!

Trying out the monkey bars!

Trying out the climbing wall.

Checking out the slide!













Kashton joined in after his nap.

These are some happy kids!









As you can see, I didn't get any pictures of me on my birthday. Actually my friend Teresa took one of me at the store. I just don't have it for the blog.

Have a good one!

Unusual Opportunity

A week ago this past Thursday I had gone to feed horses on my way to work which is my usual routine. While I was waiting on them to finish eating I saw a large bird land in a tree just south of the barn. At first it looked like it's head was white. I said out loud "No way!" I thought I was looking at an eagle. An eagle has been spotted at our local State Park but the probability of it landing on a tree inside the city limits just down from my barn was just a bit absurd! I finally got a good enough look to tell it wasn't an eagle but it wasn't the kind of hawk I normally see. I tried to zoom in with my camera but

that was pointless. I decided to walk to the truck to get my SLR with a zoom. All the while I'm muttering under my breath "please don't leave" please don't leave"! I get back to the barn and he's still in the tree. I am in awe. I've never seen this type of hawk before! It made me late to work but I didn't care! (My boss didn't mind either I might add!) I looked it up and discovered that I think it's called a Mississippi Kite.

I felt so privileged to have gotten this opportunity.

That evening while I was in the yard with the dogs, I noticed this butterfly on my flowers.

Have a good one!

The Cross

On the East side of Mineral Wells located on a hill is a white cross. It can be seen best leaving town. It is the result of a vision of Leon and Evelyn Wiggins. The cross was erected in 1986. The surface of the cross was originally made of wood. Over the years and exposure to the elements it was showing great wear. A local group called Pray Mineral Wells long with several churches came together to organize a restoration effort as a symbol of what God is doing in our community.

This picture was taken by someone else the day after restoration looking toward Mineral Wells.

I was unable to attend the day of restoration. A few days later though I had the idea of going to the cross for sunset pictures.

The position of the sun when I first arrived.

I went in front of the cross to get this shot of the setting sun shining on it.

The sunset was not as colorful as I had hoped but it still made for some great pictures. It was nice to have a different location in which to view a sunset.

I took this using my zoom. I could have lightened it a bit but decided I liked it the way it was.

This really is a beautiful view. I need to come do this again.



Have a good one!

Random

The end of T-Ball season (May 16th). She actually had one more game but it was a make-up the next day and I worked at the store. Vanessa was trying to get ready for a garage sale and asked if I could take her. After the game she wanted a snow cone...so I bought her one! She decided on "Watermelon". Imagine that!

Giving Dixie a kiss (May 21).

(May 22) Granddad giving Kashton a ride in the wagon. See how he's leaning against the ball? He sure looks comfy!

Kennedy has an itty bitty grasshopper on her finger. If you can't see it click on the picture to enlarge for a closer look! (May 31)

Pooper Scooper

Every time Kennedy goes with me to feed she wants to scoop horse poop. This was our conversation.
Me: why do you like to scoop poop?
Kennedy: because it's my favorite part of helping you with the horses.
Well, I can't argue that!

that's quite a scoop that for a little girl!

I would have her put it in a wheel barrow but I had mine full so I just told her to put it in the pile I already started.

Proud of herself! Wonder if it will still be her favorite part when she's 12?!








Have a good one!

Sunday Sunset

A week ago Sunday, we had some chances for rain and the clouds made for a pretty sunset. (We did get some rain. A little over an inch)

I so enjoy watching the sunset evolve.

The clouds behind me (the East) had color before the ones in the West.

I turn back around to the West and the clouds are beginning to show color.

This view is looking North.

That is water you see in the dark part of the photo.

The color is beginning to fade away.

The last of the color.







Have a good one!

Dance Recital

This was Kennedy's second year to perform in the annual Dance Recital which May 24th. She did really well this year. While we were waiting for the doors to open to find seats Kennedy poses for me. She looks so tall here! Well, she is tall!

The little girl next to her belongs to my neighbor. Her name is Samantha and she's the same age as Kennedy. Their birthdays are four days apart. Kennedy sometimes goes over to play with her and her two other sisters when she's staying with me.

Each age group performed a tap dance routine and a ballet routine. This is Kenned's tap dance routine. It was really cute. It was called."Circus Clown"

Even though this picture is out of focus I love it! This was actually part of the routine.

Her next dance was the "Fairy Dust Ballet". Such a cute ballerina!

Our little "fairy" with Mom!





Have a good one!