Marathon

Well I'm so far behind on pictures I'm never going to catch up. I have to say I'm stealing this idea from Gayle. She was smart and just did a marathon post of all her pictures! Instead of trying to post each into it's own blog I'm going to just Marathon them all out of Flickr!

Here are the rest of our graduation pictures!
My step-sister and me! I'm going to be so sad to loose her! SHE IS THE BEST!!! The kids love it when Aunt Jess gets to babysit! To top it off, she cleans my house while I'm gone...or while I'm here. We have this running joke that she is my maid. As long as my maid comes home to clean on the weekends we'll be doing good! ;)



Here is my Mom and my BABY SISTER!! I know I had one of my mom and us girls, but I can't find it! :( Must not have uploaded to Flickr. My mom was able to come home from Canada to see my sister graduate. It was great to be able to spend time with her! And Lindsey will be missed as well! We won't have anyone to go fishing with! :(

Kaitlynn and I were waiting on daddy to get ready for graduations.



Sitting pretty. We're going through this phase where we WILL.NOT. look at the camera as soon as I put it up to my face! Driving this momma nuts!



My other Step-sister was also able to make it home from Washington State for graduation! We invited them over one day and the girls had a great time. Here are MacKenzie and my niece Jaylin. They're almost 9 months apart, but you wouldn't know it, they were like best friends!



Now to step back in time...or at least a week or so! For Mother's Day I got to go pick out flowers. It was Joel's weekend to work, and so the kids and I were going to go out for lunch with my grandparents. That morning Joel told me he needed the check book so he could go to town after work. I told him not to buy me roses, but to buy me flowers I could plant instead that way I could see them everyday instead of them dying...(guys take note! We don't always want cut flowers!!!!) We happened to get done eating about the same time Joel got off work, and so he just met us, and I got to pick out my own flowers.

Here they are partially planted!



My Mother's Day gift. Complete with Miracle Grow!



We also decided that we were just going to plant our garden. We'd been holding off because of possibly selling our house, but finally decided we were just going to plant it. If whoever buys it doesn't like it ... well tough!

Here Joel is counting the corn.



Of Course I wanted them to take pictures...the boys wern't pleased.



But lo and behold I did end up with a decent picture!



How many plants should I put in each row hun? Um aren't you the big farm boy? I don't know...you decide I'm sure whatever will be fine.



Yummy sweet corn. I can taste it already.



Here is my new FAVORITE hair do on Kaitlynn. Too bad she won't sit still long enough to let me do it anymore! :( I did it everyday for about a week, so I understand the ants in her pants!



Alas, we have figured out how to climb the gate! We've watched sister too many times.



What we haven't watched sister do is get down. She got stuck here. Although she's only attempted it a few times, it's been a week or so since she tried it last. We fell and bonked our head on the window when mom was in the kitchen doing dishes. She's learned her lesson!



That's all for today! But I know there are a ton more on my computer that I need to upload, and a whole BUNCH more on my camera that need to come off.

Dahrran is playing Baseball this summer and Joel is helping coach which is keeping us rather busy. So busy I can't even get the lawn mowed on time! I'm trying to keep up with blogs, but sometimes you've just got to let somethings slide. Unfortunately I'm not able to keep up! If you've left me a comment I promise I'll try to get to reading again, and commenting as well!

Happy Weekending!

Last Day of Preschool

MacKenzie had a great year at preschool this year and was sad to see it over! They had a great last day of school that included snacks, a trip to the park, and of course MORE SNACKS...cause Mrs. King always says "It's all about the Snacks."

MacKenzie with Mrs. King.



MacKenzie with Grandma K, who was always there to help out.

Graduations...just a couple

We've had 5 graduations in the family this spring. Which is part of the reason I've been away from blogland. Trying to keep up has been hard enough, and that doesn't include me blogging. Wading through the pictures on my camera has been enough to keep me busy!

My step sister graduated from College three weeks ago, along with my sister's boyfriend. We were able to make it to my step sisters ceremony and it was wonderful to see her walk across that stage!

One short week later my baby graduated from Kindergarten. I was strong, and didn't cry! It was the cutest ceremony I've seen. This is also the first year for Dahrran's school to put on a Kindergarten graduation ceremony. They even had a slideshow of their year in pictures! (If I can figure out how to put it up, I will!)

What do you want to be when you grow up? A farmer.



Getting his diploma.





Daddy and Mommy are so proud of you Dahrran Paul Cast!

So far behind....

....I'll never catch up! Seems summer has snuck upon us, and I seem to have snuck out on you.

Unfortunately what was supposed to be a quiet, non-busy, relaxing weekend has turned full of things to do. I'm hoping I can get caught up with everything, and maybe even plan a few posts ahead of time so that I don't leave for another 2 weeks.

While I've got your attention could you all say a prayer for Joel and his family this weekend, Joel's uncle passed away last night after a battle with cancer. Could you also say a little prayer that my mom makes it home safe next week. They drove over 18 hours from Canada a couple weeks ago to attend my sisters graduation, sadly they'll be heading home sometime next week!

I'm still alive!

This last week was crazy. A scrap book thrown on me, family to spend time with, roasts to cook, salads to make, flowers to plant, graduations to attend (3 to be exact, all of which we were immediate family!) and relaxing to do!

I'm hoping to get through the 423 pictures I've taken in the last week! So maybe this afternoon I can get through them and start blogging again! Have a great MONDAY!

Not Me Monday

It's been a while but Not Me Monday's are BACK! Not sure what Not Me Monday's are all about?? Check out MckMama's blog for more info!

While out running errands waiting on MacKenzie to be out of preschool, I did not buy myself a whole bag of Peanut Butter M&M's to eat as breakfast. After getting to the car, opening the bag, and dropping an M&M on the pavement, I did not pick up said M&M and eat it. Then again...maybe I did, like I'd really waste a Peanut Butter M&M!?

When my dad asked me if I was going to work on a scrap book for my baby sister this week, I did not consider saying no. Then when he showed me all of the pictures I had to go through to make that scrap book, I did not tell him this would come back to bite him in the Ass. Because daughters are to respect their parents, honor them, and do as they ask. Really dad, 18 years worth of pictures....and a WEEK to do it?!?! SERIOUSLY! (although I do love you, and I did agree to do it! UGH, stressing!)

After buying my mom's mother's day gift I did not then text her to tell her that I was working on her gift. I also did not tell her she can't have it until after she leaves to head back home! I also did not get the chance to tell my mother-in-law "Happy Mother's Day!" So Dolores, if you're reading this I hope you had a great Mother's day!!!

Remember the PB M&M's I did not buy? I did not mix them with some peanuts, and regular M&M's this week as a sweet/salty treat. I also did not then proceed to pick out the PB M&M's and eat them by themselves!!!

I know there are more, but for the life of me I can't remember, and my house is calling me to clean it!

Mother's Day Giveaway!!!!

Mother's Day is fast approaching, do you know what you're getting that special Mom in your life??

As for me I'm all set, just waiting for the day to get here. What am I asking for as a mom? Really it's simple, I just want to sleep in past 6:50! You know breakfast in bed would be nice, but since DH has to work this weekend, I won't ask for much! Really it's all about spending the day with my kids and family. Usually for Mother's Day the children and I go to the local nursery and pick up some flowers to plant. If we decide to do that this year it won't be as many flowers as normal because of the house for sale. I've decided I'm not filling EVERY single planter like I've done in the past, there just won't be a place for them at the new house (if we get the house sold).

There are a few Mother's Day Giveaways going on in the Blogosphere. Two of which I wouldn't mind having!!!

The Cloth Diaper Whisper is having an AWESOME giveaway, and I'd be in heaven if I won!
Go on check out the loot!

1-bumgenius One size Diaper in FLEECE
1-FuzziBunz One Size Diaper
1-Haute One Size Diaper
1-Rumparooz G2 One Size Diaper with 6-r Soaker
1-Wahmies One Size Diaper
1-Happy Heiny's One Size Diaper
1-Planet Wise Hanging Wet/Dry Bag
1-Planet Wise Wet Bag Small
1-Thirsties Fab Wipes 6pk
1-Earth Mama Monthly Comfort Tea Bags

Go on, get yourself entered, there are MANY ways to enter, and you have until May 13th!!

Another great giveaway is being held by Lyndsay Stradtner is having another great giveaway over at her blog!

She's got an awesome purse up for grabs, and I wouldn't mind having it as well!!!! While you're there, check out her awesome pictures. I'm hoping when we go to Texas in January that we can get some lovely family shots done!! She's great at what she does!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Open House

This weekend we had an open house. I can't say that it was a complete success, or that it was a disaster because you see NO ONE showed up. It didn't come as a shock to me when our agent told me this but yet it did. COME ON PEOPLE! It was beautiful yesterday. Needless to say the news of it was frustrating.

We do have one little nibble though, and so we're hoping for the best. The acreage we're looking at is still up in the air, but we're still praying on that as well. It's hard to be strong when you have no idea of what the future holds. The unknown of it all is one big ball of stress that I am ready to be done with.

If you're the praying kind, could you please put a little prayer in for us?? We're ready to be "farm people" and have an idea of what the future holds. Dreams are all we have right now, and their fading as fast as my tulip petals are falling.

Field Trip to Stuhr Museum

We have this great real living history museum here in Nebraska. Our school takes the children on field trips there each year. As a child I remember most of the attractions, but it is nice to go along with Dahrran on the many field trips he will take.

We were fortunate enough to get to see the 1890's farm. We got to see where/how children in the late 1800's got to live, and the many chores they had to do. We started off learning about the outhouse or privee. The children were told how if they were living in the 1800's they would've had to use it when they needed to use the restroom. They also got told how at their age they would probably be potty training their younger brother or sister, thus the reason for two seats.

Next we headed to the chicken house where the children were told they would have to care for the chickens, and gather eggs.

Off to pump some water for ma to do the dishes. Each child was able to pump the well and get some water for ma and her dishes.

We then called Pa, by ringing the supper bell, and headed to the barn where we took care of some animals. Helped "milk" the cows, and then helped shear the sheep. Dahrran was lucky enough to be the boy who got to jump and squish the wool down in the sack.

It was a long hard day on the farm, but we survived. Here is Dahrran's class outside the barn with their teacher and our tour guide "gram".

Off to the park for some lunch and some fun play time. There is this A-M-A-Z-I-N-G wooden fortress at the park. I'd love to go back there sometime, but considering it's over an hour away and we don't regularly go that way, it probably won't happen.

Here are the kindgergardeners with their Bronco Buddies. In the school system there are high school students that are called Bronco Buddies, and they get to come along on field trips, parties, and such throughout the school year. It's a great program!!!

And the field trip wouldn't be complete without a stop at the local Adopt-a-pet, and vet clinic!

What does it take?

To get rid of the dandelions? We've tried Scott's Turf Builder plus Weed Control, 2-4-D, you name it we've probably done it! I'm so tired of seeing those little yellow blossoms pop up in the yard.

The sad thing is, my children love them. The one "flower" that I'll let them pick as many as they want without getting upset. Why can't I just get them to pick them all though? Whenever I go to mow the lawn MacKenzie will come running up to me, and say "please don't hurt my pretty flowers, I love them SOO much."

What does it take to get rid of them...that or convince my kiddos that we HAVE to pick every last one of them!? Any suggestions?

Prom Pictures

My baby sister had her senior prom the weekend after MacKenzie's birthday. I was a little sad as I took these pictures. You see this will be the last prom, we have a houseful of girls getting ready here, for a while. I'm not full of words today so I'd just like to share the pictures.

Here is my sister, then her hair, then my two sisters and the kids.

My step-sister, her date, her hair. The kids LOVE when aunt Jess comes to babysit. And I have to say she's my godsend sometimes. She is great with the kids, and to top it off she helps clean house, and does my laundry. Whenever I just need a pick me up, Jess comes running to the rescue!

Then there is my step-brother. Would you belive my step-sibblings are twins? Yup.

The group shots, first the three, then the group that got ready here! The one in the other pink dress is my cousin Katie. Lindsey and Katie are pretty good friends, and classmates!

My sister and step-sister will both graduate from High School this year. What a party that will be!

Catching up

MacKenzie's birthday was about 2 weeks ago, and I'm just now getting the pictures off my camera! Just wanted to share! :) I can't believe my baby turned 4. Although it seems more like she should've been 5 (and if you asked her she was). You see this girl is TALL. She's been wearing 5/6 clothes for close to a year now. There are days when she acts older than her britches, but we still love her just the same!

For the kids' birthdays we don't usually do a big cake, infact the only cake we've ever had professionally made was the one that Dahrran smashed on his 1st birthday. Either I have made them, or my sister-in-law has. Usually a few days before the kids' birthdays we go to the store, they pick out the cake mix, and something small to go on top. This year MacKenzie chose Disney Princesses that you can change their clothes that are rubbery.

She was pleased with her cake. We even tried something different this year with the frosting. She wanted "strawberry pink" frosting, so I went ahead and flavored the frosting with Jello. It turned out kind of neat! Not sure if I'll do many more cakes this way, but it was different from the normal plain ole jane O!



Before I knew it Great Grandma & Great Grandpa (my grandparents) were here. As I headed out the door, MacKenzie was already ahead of me helping Great Grandma out of the car.



She was even kind enough to hold Grandma's purse.



Of course we had to eat first, grilled hot dogs, baked beans and potato chips.





Kaitlynn enjoyed the candles as well.



Make A Wish!



It was time for presents, and MacKenzie had to make sure that Great Grandpa made it okay.



She recieved the movie Bolt....which we've watched a gazillion times. Fortunately I'm not sick of it . . . . . . . yet. It's quite the cute movie!



It's time for Daddy and Mommy's gift.



This girl has been BEGGING for a "Baby Potty's To Go" since NOVEMBER! When she didn't get one for Christmas she was none the less disapointed. I waited a while to see if she'd still ask for it. To our luck she still was a month later. When I saw one on Clerance for a 1/3 of the normal price I picked it up.



As mommy cursed, grumbled tried to get the doll out of the packaging, the girls had fun playing in the box.



Perfect size!

So Happy Birthday my sweet little girl. You've grown so much since your birthday, and I can't wait for the rest of the year! Love you bunches!