April-May

We celebrated Brooke's 5th birthday at my parents with my sisters and families, and my grandparents.  It was beautiful and we enjoyed time outside, played cards, and visited.  The next weekend we had Easter at Dan and Kim's and also celebrated birthdays for Jenae, Cooper, and Brooke.  The kids had a great time playing together and the weather was wonderful.  We have been so blessed this spring. 
For Brooke's birthday I attempted to make Kumla ? not sure on how to spell that.  Let's just say I have a lot of learning to do!  It was definitely entertaining.  She is sure growing up too fast, and very special to us.  I don't know what we would do without our "Brookie."  Allyx and Jace got to enjoy the ride for April,and enjoyed seeing and playing with everyone as well.

At the beginning of May we branded calves.  It was a rather hot day, but everything worked out well.  Allyx kept asking: "will they get me", and we kept reassuring her no they are on the other side of the fence.   Tyson, Cooper, Kellen, Brooke, Allyx, and Riley all got to ride in the pickup with Grandma and loved it. 

We had my Grandma Mestl's 80th birthday party at Franzluebbers.  It was a great night.  We played a silly golf game the family made up, had great food, and lots of fun watching the kids play.  I always thought having a lot of cousins growing up was fun, and now it is fun watching my kids play with their cousins as well. 

Mother's Day we met Dusty's family at the L Bar B in Clearwater. The food was great, and afterwards we went to the park to let the kids play.  It was a beautiful evening.  

The school year went fast, but now I guess we will adjust into our summer routine :) We are anxiously awaiting our move to town.  A month from now it will probably not seem chaotic at all, but I have a feeling the next few weeks will have a different story. 

Jace is 6 months old!

My chefs busy at work.

Cooper, Brooke, and Jenae

Grandma & Grandpa Mestl, Grandma Troyer & Jace

Brooke blowing out her candles on her actual birthday! 

March

Jace after his first haircut from Grandma.

Jace before his haircut!

 The girls enjoying the nice weather!

 A few pictures Aunt Halie took for us when he was 4 months old. 

Well March has really gone fast this year.  At the end of February we helped my Grandma move to an apartment.  We have had beautiful weather and have gotten to be outside a lot.  I am not even sure where the time went or what we got done, but we sure seemed busy. 

January-February

Well January came and then we ended up with several funerals within one week.  Dusty's Grandma Forre passed away.  She was a wonderful lady who was loved by many, and is deeply missed by all of her family!  My cousin lost a baby, and we had a friend pass away also.  After that very sad week, we seem to have continued with the rest of the business that life brings. 

The girls and I went along to the Lincoln rodeo with Dusty, they had a great time!  They sure don't like to miss anything.  The last weekend in January Dusty was in Rapid City.  Dusty and Troy placed in the rodeo, and had got to mess around a bit while they were up there.  Amanda and Kathleen came to hang out for a few days.  The girls loooove it when they come to visit!  They played hide and seek, for a very long time, played with games and puzzles, played the wii, and ate and ate! 

The first couple weekends in February were pretty calm and we stayed home most of the time.  It is great to feel like we are somewhat in a normal routine for this semester of school.  This past weekend we worked cows and then moved a few to a different field.  On Sunday the kids and I went to Beemer for the day.  It was nice to see my grandparents, and be around Grandma Troyer's as they sort for the move. 

Allyx with sticky cotton candy fingers.

The girls at the rodeo.

Brooke enjoying the cotton candy.

Troy, Dusty, & Travis

Jace 3 monts old!

He likes to sit in the bumpo and check everything out!

Playing on our huge hill :)

The girls were busy playing, and then I hear..."take a picture of us"