I finally caught a glimpse of the beauty -from my front porch!
just call me Picasso.
February 14, 2012 By 1 Comment
I’m pretty proud of my boxes. I’ve come along way.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Happy 12-year Anniversary to me and my Jdogg!
instaFriday {february 3}
February 3, 2012 By 3 Comments
It’s Friday! Hooray! I am so looking forward to having a low-key, relaxing weekend!
We started off last weekend by heading to Deadwood, South Dakota for a bit of birthday fun for my husband, and to pick up his birthday present -a puppy! {no, he didn’t get his blowgun *snort*}
Wally turned 25,000 miles on the way. Sniff. My baby is getting old.
The kids expended some of their never-ending energy in the pool, while mama relaxed in the lounger with a beer in hand.
Then, we ditched the kids and went downstairs for some adult fun- drinks and gambling. Only it’s no fun when you lose. Or when you wake up the next morning with a massive hangover.
At lunch, the breeders called and said they were running earlier than expected. We scarfed our food and rushed to pick up this guy.
adorable.
i.love.him.
The kids celebrated their 100th day of school this week! The 3rd graders were supposed to dress up as though they were 100 years old. Here is Bridger, Ashton is apparently “too cool”:
Also? *insert shameless plug* I launched a new website this week -Shrinking Kitchen! Go check it out!
linking up with 
digger
January 30, 2012 By 6 Comments
Meet Digger, a miniature Australian Shepherd.
He is 10-weeks old.
I pretty much die of cute every time I look at him.
Ozzie does not feel the same way. He changed immediately and was not a fan of this little baby pup whatsoever.
Until he discovered that, HEY! PUPPIES LIKE TO PLAY!
This puppy business might not be as bad as he first thought.
you capture: top 10 of 2011
January 5, 2012 By 21 Comments
Is it bad that I still have hundreds (or thousands) of photos from 2011 to go through and edit? I may get to it by 2018 at the rate I’m going. I loved going through my files looking for my favorites. Reminds me that there was much beauty in 2011, no matter how hard of a year it was! I couldn’t just pick ten, so bear with me.
My favorite photos of 2011:
Winter.
Sending a message to Grandpa Barnhart.
Cyndee’s tribute:
Sending messages to Cyndee in heaven.
Deserted schoolhouse.
Drilling rig.
Averie.
Twins.
Branding.
Roadtripping.
linking up with
to our water angel
December 23, 2011 By 3 Comments
I tell him that someone anonymously donated $500 to his Clean Water for Christmas project during the night’s sleep. He falls to the floor in shock and disbelief.
smiles. tears. lots of hugs.
overwhelming feelings of gratitude and love.
That $500? Will bring 25 more people safe drinking water, but oh so much more. TWENTY-FIVE children will have a greater chance at life. They will have the opportunity to grow and learn and pass on love and generosity. It’s so much more than just money. It’s LIFE. That’s like the twins’ entire classroom of 3rd graders being given a brighter future.
The sky is a little bit more blue today.
The sun a little bit warmer.
Thank you, secret water angel. Thank you.
Thanks to all of you for every kind word shared, every dollar donated, and every ounce of encouragement to my little boy. Our hearts are growing bigger by the day, and there are no words that can express our gratitude.
Merry, MERRY Christmas.
{if you wish to give Clean Water for Christmas, go here}
you capture {festive}
December 22, 2011 By 8 Comments
I simply cannot believe that it’s December 22nd already! Just this morning, we loaded up the truck {and trailer!} and sent Justin, Kane, the dog, and two cats to work. The kids still in school, the other cat, and I will follow tomorrow or the next day. How we are all going to fit in our tiny little home-at-work is beyond me.
This is the warmest Christmas in North Dakota that I ever remember. There are only a few remnants of snow from a brief flurry we received a few weeks ago. North Dakota. Not a white Christmas. Pure Crazy!
{festive}
Our youngest little man is swearing off Christmas presents for the 2nd year in a row! Last year, he raised $5,622 for charity: water, and a clean water well is currently being built in Ethiopia! How awesome is that? This year, his goal is TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. Bridger currently stands at $1,317 raised for people desperately in need of water. Did you know that a child will die every 15 SECONDS due to a lack of safe water? If you want to help Bridger change that statistic, you can donate on his secure web page, just click on the photo below!
I saw this mitten garland on the Land of Nod website and fell in love. I swear, I turn instantly happy every time I see it!
Christmas balls:
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
linking up to You Capture! Join us!
it takes a village.
December 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
This boy.
This little, blue-eyed boy with a BIG heart.
He steals MY heart.
His wish this Christmas is not for an iPod, Pokemon, or Legos. The one item on his Christmas list?
To raise $10,000 for clean, safe water for 500 people.
It takes a village, friends.
Can you help?
Will you help? Will you share his story on your blog, on Facebook, and through email? Or place a Pig with a Purpose at the center of your family gatherings this week?
Let’s harness the power of OUR VILLAGE to help another village thrive. We can do this, I know it.
Clean Water for Christmas.
Anderson Snow Bowl 2011
December 17, 2011 By 3 Comments
It was the perfect day for the first annual Anderson Snow Bowl 3-on-3 tournament!
Don’t be jealous of my cornstalk overalls. They’re pretty hot.
Averie, Bridger, and I versus Justin, Kane, and Ashton.
Bamboo vs. Outlaws.
It was fierce competition from the get-go.
Not really.
I think my teammates were more interested in eating snow than getting the football into the endzone.
The Outlaws prevailed.
Better watch out. We’ll get you next year.
instaFriday
December 16, 2011 By 4 Comments
Happy Friday, friends! What’s new? Are you constantly running around trying to get things done and wishing there were more hours in the day, like I am?
Do people even READ my blog any more? I have noticed that when I don’t write a lot, the comments kind of taper off. Weird. Note to self: Write more blog posts. So, if you’re still around, say HEY! in the comments! What’s on your Christmas list? What are you doing for the holidays?
Here is my week, in iPhone photos:
Saturday morning, we were having our laid-back, lazy morning and I came across this post from one of my favorite ladies in the blogosphere. I cried. I read it to the twins, then might have cried just a little bit more.
The twins, looking at the photos in the post:
The twins and our “pig with a purpose”:
We got our hair done, my roots were getting dang skanky, and the twins were looking like they were born in the wrong decade:
We played with a box. A big box. There may or may not be a child in there during this photo.
Bridger has been busy singing his little heart out at 539 different concerts this week. We got to have our own special “lunch date” on a school day!
Do you like my outfit? Pajama pants? I channeled my inner-person-of-Walmart for that one. My shoes are pretty darn cute though. I have them in gray and brown.
Ashton’s campaign to raise money for clean water ended yesterday. His grand total for his 3 months of fundraising? $1,100.10. Pretty awesome, huh? Bridger is still actively collecting money for his CLEAN WATER FOR CHRISTMAS campaign. I swear, he was the easiest person to shop for this year! You can give back by clicking here to visit his page!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
