Rewind back to last summer 2013..... Part 3

Bow Fishing

My brother-in-law took the kids bow fishing one night.  Bow fishing includes catching (spearing) Alligator Gar with a barbed arrow.  See photos below to see what these (ugly) creatures are.  The kids had a wonderful time.  

Jessie & Ison bowed the same Gar

Jessie's (small) catch

A bigger Catch

The LARGEST Gar was bowed by Melanee

It was so BIG that they had it weighed and measured to see if it was the largest catch in Texas. 

It wasn't the largest but it was a close second!  

So Awesome!!

Games

Bill found one of their family's childhood games called "Skittles" created by Carrom.  He got it all cleaned up so that we can start playing it.   After doing some research on it recently I learned this is a game created in the 1920's. It is played with spinning tops, and 12 hardwood pins.  You try to knock down as many pins as you can with the spinning top.  Points are scored depending on which tops are knocked down.  It's a blast and was a BIG HIT with everyone.  Thanks babe for finding this game for us.  

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You can find this game on Amazon or Ebay if you are interested in getting one of these for your family.

Father's Day

I was so blessed this year to get to spend Father's Day with my Dad.  It's been a few years since that has happened.  It also happened to be the last day my parents and nieces were going to be here in Texas, so we had everyone over for dinner, games and fun times spent with each other.  

Valerie, my Dad and my FIL in the background. 

I don't know what mom was doing but I just love her tongue hanging out!  LOL

She does this often when she is concentrating on something.  It's cute isn't it?  

(She'll probably kill me for posting this) 

Just finishing up dinner and dessert.  MIL in the background.

Valerie created a photo album for dad for Father's Day.  

It was awesome! 

Filled with so many memories. 

 Pretty sure my dad loves it!  

Having my parents and my nieces here with us for a couple weeks really made my summer extremely wonderful. It was really hard for my dad to be here with having to have dialysis every other day, scheduled at a center he was not familiar with. He struggled a few times and did not feel well often.  I am just so grateful that he came anyway, to visit and see our new home and our little FARMily.   I don't know if he will be able to ever make it out here again so I just feel really happy and blessed to have him here with us. 

RODEO 

After my parents and nieces left for home, we still had another week or so with Jessie before he had to go home.  We made some great memories that I will forever cherish. 

Rodeo time!  Jessie couldn't miss this opportunity since he himself is a rodeo boy back home, 

bull riding of all things! So dear hubby, Jessie and I went to our local rodeo. 

We had a wonderful time.  I was very impressed with how rodeo's are done here in Texas.  

They take the rodeo just as seriously as High School Football.  

If you have ever been to Texas you will know exactly what I mean by that.  

The rodeo grounds

Rodeo Royalty bringing the colors in.  

We had a really good time and will definitely make this a tradition.

Jessie all studded out with cowboy hat and new T-shirt!  

Pretty funny shirt if you ask me LOL!!

Jessie talked me into getting myself a cowboy hat.  

It's a comfy fit!  I like it!  

Wonderful memories were also made at Joe's Crab Shack.

Love this kid of mine!  So handsome!

And we couldn't miss out on stopping by Cabela's of Fort Worth

This is my new favorite photo.  He wanted a photo so he can show off this new hat.  

I just love the photo because it shows off my boy!  

Having my parents, nieces and Jessie visit really made my summer special.  I miss having these people around living close-by like we used to, so the times we do get to spend together seem that much more important, more special.  So thankful for Memories that will last a life time!!  

Rewind back to last summer 2013.... Part 1

Since I have a lot of catch up to do on this blog of mine I will start by going back to last summer because it was the best summer I have had in a very long time.

In June of last year (2013) my son Jessie came out to spend the whole month with me.  I was so very excited. Also in June my parents brought two of my nieces with them and spent over two weeks out here visiting. Splitting their time between me and my sister Valerie who lives about 30 miles from me, Jessie and my nieces got to see and do so many fun activities with all of us.

Since there are so many things to tell you about I will have to break this up into different parts so as not to make one huge long post that will take forever to read.  So this post is Part 1 of Summer 2013.

The first family activity took place on June 8th one of the first days after everyone arrived.  We took the family to Mineral Wells State Park for some kayaking and fishing.  Considering it was June, the temperature was very nice and tolerable.  The kids had a blast!  Dad and Mom seemed to really enjoy it as well.  I enjoyed having everyone around and watching them have so much fun!

Later that week they went over to my sister's home to spend some time with them.  She took them to Build-A-Bear where they were able to build their own bear. 

I think it is cute that 17 year old Jessie chose a bear too.  Over the last year he has taken an interest in being a cowboy and doing some bull-riding so he chose a cowboy bear.  Don't you just love his styling outfit?  I sure do!  LOL

Jessie & his Cowboy Bear

Melanee and her Texas Bear

Parker & his Batman Bear 

Mikayla & her soccer player bear (dog?)

Aunt Valerie also took them to the Aquarium and Swimming at the neighborhood pool.  Fun times were had by all.     

At the Aquarium in Dallas.  I just love this photo!

Swimming Fun with Cousins

Thank You Aunt Valerie for making sure they had a fun time while I had to work.

This is the end of Part 1...... look for Part 2 coming up soon.  

Counting my many BLESSINGS

I feel that I  we have been very blessed this week.  My dad made it through a very high risk surgery on his heart and is now at home recovering.  He was in the hospital for 11 days undergoing some sort of testing every day including frequent dialysis.  He made it home though and that is a Blessing!  His kidneys no longer function and so he has to go to dialysis 3 times a week for 4+ hours.  He has had cardiac problems and diabetes for several years now but added to that is his renal failure now; so you can't even imagine the diet he has to be on.  It's crazy!  But we are blessed.  We were planning for a funeral so to have him home and have a little more time with him is truly a BLESSING!!

I have been in Utah for 10 days now and will be here a few more days. We are helping mom care for my dad, and getting other important things in order.  We  my brother, sister and brother-in-law are completely gutting mom and dad's bathroom and redoing/updating it to be more "disabled" friendly.  Tile floors, tile shower, new paint and bars installed so dad can balance himself while showering.  When it is finished it will be the best room of the whole house!   I am so thankful that I have been able to be here for so long spending the time with my dad and with my family!  To not have been able to be here these past few days would have killed me.  This is another BLESSING!!

And since I have been here in Utah I got to spend some quality time with my son.  He was able to come up to Salt Lake and be with me and the family for a few days; and when I took him home I was able to spend an evening with my daughter.  That was really a BLESSING!!

Another blessing is that I found a school that offers the degree program I want, sent them my transcripts and learned they will accept ALL OF MY CREDITS plus give me an ADDITIONAL 9 credits because of the types of classes I have completed.  This means that I have already taken all of the prerequisites and can jump right into the core classes.  I am so happy about this!  So ya this is most definitely a BLESSING!  I will graduate from CTU on April 14th and then begin the bachelor's program at Kaplan University on April 19th.  I am still a little sad that I won't be able to continue at CTU because I really loved it there and am leery to go somewhere new and unfamiliar.  Who knows though, maybe it will be an even better experience.

The final blessing I will share with you is the blessing of having a terrific husband who loves me and supports me in all I do. He works very hard to provide a good living for our family and takes care of so many things just because he wants to make me happy.  I am truly BLESSED!  I have missed him so much!

Of course there are many more blessings that I have received that I have not shared with you, but that doesn't mean I don't recognize them or that they don't matter.  I am very grateful for all of my blessings especially for a loving Heavenly Father who has watched over me and my family in our time of need.  

I really am a Blessed woman!

Worries...

What do I have to worry about?

Today its these four things....

Dad

Son

School

House

My Dad - My dad is in failing health.  He hasn't been well for some time.  However, he was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday.  He has been in renal (kidney) failure for a few months but on Tuesday they were barely functioning.  He was retaining tons of fluid and was basically drowning on the inside.  He couldn't breathe.  His heart was having to work so hard that he suffered a series of heart attacks over a 4 day period. They are starting dialysis.  Once they get the fluid out of his body they can then begin to look at his heart to see what is going on.  Me and my sister are heading to Utah to be with him and our family.  Prayers are appreciated!

My Son - Lets just say he is a troubled teenager in need of prayers too!  That's all I can say about this on here.  Just need lots of prayers for my beautiful baby (almost 16 yr old) boy.

School - I was contacted by my college a few days ago to tell me that the bachelor program I was due to start in April will no longer be a degree program offered at that school.  This means that I need to choose a different degree program or find another school that offers the program that I want and hope they will accept all my credits.  I was REALLY very excited about starting that program (Financial Forensics) and I do not want to go in any other direction.  I am really upset by this!  So I have been searching out schools who offer the program and sending them my transcripts to help me decide on what to do.  I love the school I go to and I don't want to change... but I suppose I may have to.  Just not happy about that!  I just hope my credits will transfer so I can stay with the decree program I have wanted to be in.

On a side note... I will graduate with highest honors with an associates of science in accounting degree on April 14th.  I am SO EXCITED!  I am now finishing up my last two classes.  

House - We had to fire the builders we had been working with to build our home. I hated having to do this because I really liked them personally. However, after 3 months they finally gave us the bid price to build it.  It ended up being WAY OVERPRICED.  After looking at other homes and other builders we realized we were going to get the shaft if we continued working them.  So we have chosen to go a different route with another builder.  We have a new builder, a new set of plans, and a more affordable price.  This makes me happy but it has been stressful and VERY worrisome!


Well I guess that just about covers it!  I sure hope I can move past the worry stage and into a much smoother, worry free life!  Is that even possible?

Autumn on the Farm......

On Saturday I woke up to the most beautiful day so I took this picture to capture the moment. 

This is Autumn at the Farm...  

It was nice and warm and sunny. Sandals and Capri wearing weather! (I almost took a photo of me wearing my sandals, but I didn't).

And these are our Babies..... (Two of them anyway)

Meet Cinnamon and Baby Cakes

And this is Cesar

sunning in the pasture

I am so happy to say that it is December 1st (Already?) and I am still wearing my Sandals and Capri's... and I am not missing the snow at all!  

It is supposed to be cold and rainy over the weekend and into next week so I will enjoy this while it lasts!

Christmas is around the corner and soon there will be a ground breaking on our new home.  Can't wait to get started!  And.... my parents are coming for a visit!  They will be here on Sunday (if the weather and roads are decent).  

Lots to look forward to!  

Now I just need to finish the Christmas shopping and start the baking and the candy making.  

What are you looking forward to?  

Texas Part 4 - Parker's Baptism & Lockheed Martin

Besides wanting to see and visit with family, there was another reason for our Texas vacation.  My nephew, Parker, was going to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It was another really great reason to be there during that time.   My parents came from Utah to be there, and it had been almost a year since I had seen them.  And so we were able to spend time with both families.   I'm really glad my sister, Valerie, and Billy's parents and family all live within 30 to 40 miles from each other.

Here are a few photos of the baptism.

Parker with his parents

Bob, Parker, Valerie

Parker with Gpa & Gma Alldredge 

(my parents)

Parker and his dad in front of font

Parker with his Dad

Both Grandfather's

Both Grandmother's

The Alldredge side of the family

Bob, my parents, Valerie and Parker

Parker with his cousin at the luncheon

 Luncheon after the baptism

It was a great day.  I am so glad I was able to attend and participate by playing the piano for the baptism.  Parker, thank you for inviting me!  I am so proud of the wonderful boy you are.  I love you!

___________________________________

Later in the day after the baptism, we met up with Bill's parents.  We were scheduled to go on a tour of Bill's dad's work.  He work's for Lockheed Martin in Ft. Worth and he was able to give a tour of the whole plant.  He had to go to a lot of trouble to get the proper security in order for us to see the plant and I am so grateful for him doing that.  This was another major highlight of my vacation.  

The plant is HUGE and we had to drive golf cart type vehicles in order to get from one end to the other as it is over a mile long.  This is where they actually build fighter jets from start to finish.  At the Ft. Worth plant they are currently building the F-35 Lightening and the F-22 Raptor.  

 

It was an awesome place to be able to see where and how our fighter jets are created.  My father-in-law has worked there for years and has a very important job.  He has invented many things that have been patented and used in the building of some of these aircraft's.  I always new that he is a very smart and knowledgeable man, but I didn't realize how much until I saw his wall of fame in his office.  Love him!  Thanks Dad for making it possible for us to see where you work and what you do.  

This day is the last day of our Texas trip.  The next morning we flew back home to Bozeman, Montana.  We left 100 degree hot and humid weather and arrived to a rainy and cool 55 degrees.  That is Montana for you.  

We had a wonderful week spent making memories that will last us a lifetime and beyond.  Thanks to all my family for making it awesome!  Thanks for the many laughs, good food, card games, and all the wonderful experiences we got to share with everyone.  I am blessed to have two wonderful families that I love.  

Texas Part 2 - Geo-Caches and a Temple

The next part of our Texas trip consisted of taking Parker and Valerie on their very first Geo-Caching adventure.  We explained to Parker that he needed to gather some items that he could trade for other items in the Geo-Cache's we find.  So Parker put together a backpack full of all kinds of things to trade.  He loved the idea of a treasure hunt and that he had to use stealth so non-muggles (people who don't Geo-cache) don't see us finding the location of the Geo-Caches.

This first stop was a Geo-Cache which was located in a park near Valerie's home.  We got out our GPS' and  the coordinates and began the search.  When we got to the general location where we were within a few yards of the cache, we explained to Parker that we were looking for an Ammo Can that could be hidden under bushes, rocks trees etc.   I may have had the GPS pointing the way, but Parker had the eyes.  He found that cache like he had been doing it forever.  He was so excited.

Here is a picture of Parker as he found his very first Geo-Cache.  So Happy!  

Valerie and Parker Enjoying Geo-Caching

On the way back to the car I saw this red cardinal.  I had never seen a cardinal in real life and I was very excited to get such a great close up. I have always loved this bird, even though I have never lived in places where they live.  

Seeing this bird brought back a memory from when I was in elementary school I had to do a report on a bird of my choice.  I chose the cardinal.  I don't remember much about the cardinal except that I had to do a bunch of research.  Back then there were no computers and it required actually going to the library and looking at books and also the encyclopedia.  I was also required to draw a picture of one. I remember the time I spent getting it just perfect.  I also remember that I received an A on this report and I was so happy.  Good memory!  

Beautiful Cardinal

Now back to the Geo-Caching!  

The second Geo-cache was located in a different park near a river bed.  And again Parker was the first one to spot it.  It happened to be located inside a hollowed out fallen tree.  In this picture you can see part of the  tree beside Parker.  Parker is an excellent locator.  He has great vision to spot  things others can't find.  

Parker's 2nd Geo-Cache

After this one we drove to Denton (about 30 minutes North) where we planned to locate two more Geo-Caches. This ended up being an interesting one because it ended up being on an LDS Church property.  It was in a beautiful wooded type location but boy it was a hard one mostly because we had to traipse through thickets, burs and thorny bushes.  Again, Parker found this one too, but he was not happy about all the thorns that was scratching us all up.  He didn't understand why someone would make it so hard to get to.  LOL.  I realize now that I didn't take one picture, and the only reason I can think of is because it was such thick bushes and trees we were in that once we found it we just wanted to get out of there.  Good memory though! And now I know where the LDS Church is in Denton, TX just in case I need to know that information in the future.  Ha!  

The next one is at a historical site in downtown Denton.  

This one was at the Firefighters Memorial and Museum.  In order to get the coordinates for this one you had to add the common names that was printed in the cement around the memorial and then add or subtract another number to it.   

Unfortunately, we spent about an hour searching and searching and never did locate this cache.  We found out later that others had not found it either.  They have been doing some construction on the property so we are thinking that this cache had been removed.  Parker did not want to give up, and was mad when we decided to give up.  

Firefighter Memorial

This next picture is one of my favorites.  It looks like Parker and Grandpa are in a deep discussion.  Cute!

Dad and Parker taking a break

Love this!

Big Smile Parker!

Later that day we took a drive over to Dallas to see the Dallas LDS Temple and to visit the LDS Bookstore.   For those that don't know what LDS means, it is an abbreviation for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

The next several pictures are ones taken on the temple grounds.  

Dallas LDS Temple

My beautiful sister Valerie

Us!

My beautiful and funny mommy.  

She might not be happy that I posted these pictures but I just had to.  

Sorry Mom!  

But you are a knockout!  

*Am accepting bribes for removal of picture LOL

Us again!

Dear Hubby - Cool Picture

I love to see the Temple

I'm going here some day.  

We had a really wonderful day!  Really great memories were made.  And I have created geo-cache monsters in Valerie and Parker.  Parker called me the other day to tell me that they have found a total of 21 cache's since we have been there.  Billy and I began two years ago and have only done 19.  So within a two week time period they have surpassed me.  Yup... they are Monsters!    

If you haven't done any Geo-caching, don't know what it is, or want more information go here