Life As We Know It

Fall at the Arboretum

Our friends Emily, Grace, and Caleb were very sweet to invite us along (FREE) to the Dallas Arboretum with their membership. The babies (mine anyway) were pretty demanding, but we managed to capture a few pictures.

Since coming home from the Arboretum, Brooke has said every day, "Mommy, I want to see Grace and the Punkins!"

We love our friends!

Keely & Caleb

...and we're not so happy...

"I do NOT like pumpkins, Mom!"

Brooke saw Grace folding her arms like this and totally copied her!

Too cool for school.

*****************************************************************

And because I can't resist...

Brooke and Grace ~ Fall 2009

Brooke and Grace ~ Fall 2008

Brooke and Grace ~ Fall 2007

Riding the Range

On our last day at the Bar H, David, Kelly & I rode horses. David and I had not been horseback riding since our honeymoon in Mexico. Brooke was not happy when she heard she wasn't joining us.

She ended up having a blast with Grandpa, Aunt Beth, and Uncle Elton.

My horse was named Coco. She was very sweet.

Howdy!

David and Star

Kelly and Casper the Friendly Horse

Along the trail we saw prairie dogs, a hawk, wild turkeys, doves, a donkey, and a "beefalo" (cow/buffalo mix--Charles Goodnight's idea!)

two cows and a beefalo (the red one)

We swung by and picked up Brooke at the end of our ride. She had NO fear of the horses or riding! Even the ranch owner was surprised.

Mmm...Tasty!

Guess who invented the Chuckwagon? My relative, THE Charles Goodnight. And guess who had the privilege of enjoying an authentic Chuckwagon dinner? We did!

Chicken Fried Steak, beans, bread, peach cobbler.. Yum!

Nearby stands a historical museum where we learned even more about Charles Goodnight and his time period.

Charles Goodnight's actual chuck box!

These were from the night before where we also enjoyed a homemade steak dinner.

Aunt Beth & Kelly (and the Goodnight family book)

Kickin' it at the Bar H Dude Ranch

WARNING: Picture overload (as usual!) I just love my family so much I can't stop taking pictures of them :)

Last weekend we packed up what seemed like our whole house and headed to west Texas.

Destination--- The Goodnight Reunion.

Yes, that's right. I am related to the famous and legendary cowboy Charles Goodnight. Remember learning about the Goodnight-Loving Trail in 7th Grade Texas History? I thought so. This was our first trip to a Goodnight Reunion.

We met Mom, Dad, Kelly, Aunt Beth, Aunt Joyce, & Uncle Elton at the Bar H Dude Ranch just outside Clarendon. We stayed on the working dude ranch all weekend. I felt like a real Texan!

We spent a big part of the weekend just hanging around the ranch. I was especially thankful for all the willing babysitters!

Kel & Aunt Joyce posing in Joyce's cute little cabin.