Olivia's First Day of School

Today was Olivia's first day of preschool and what a difference a year makes! She was just as excited to go as she was last year, but this year there was no clinging onto Mommy for dear life! When we got there she found her cuby with her name and put away her backpack and then headed to the back of the room to play with the toys. When Daddy and I said we were leaving, she kissed us goodbye and went back to playing! When we came to pick her up she was playing on the swing-set with another little girl and was in no hurry to leave. WOW, she has become such a big girl. One of her teachers even remarked at how much more outgoing she was. She was able to answer all of the questions they asked of her. There was no pretending to be shy or fingers in the mouth. Yeah Olivia!!!!

Getting ready to leave in our new outfit! (I am not sure how I ended up with such a girly girl!!)

Showing off our cool backpack!

Playing on the playground with a new friend. Ethan was feeling a little camera shy this morning and didn't want to have his picture taken with big sis! He was a little upset when he had to leave Olivia at school, or maybe it was just the toys! He did ask us where his school was. I am going to have to see what I can get him involved in.

It's a ................

Many of you know that Olivia has her own heifer named Sassafrass. Sassafrass and I have had a love-hate relationship basically from day one. As far as Angus cattle go she is a fairly well bred animal (if I do say so myself) from one of my successful cow families. Her mother and great-grandmother have been great mommies and have had great offspring. This family only has one serious flaw; They and I do not get along! My dad however loves them and is still upset that we no longer have "The Babe", Sassafrass's great-grandmother. Well when Sassafrass was born we decided to register her in Olivia's name. Olivia is a card carrying junior member of the American Angus Association. Last summer we showed Sassafrass at the PA Angus show, which she did well at, however we were unsure if I would actually be able to take her in the show ring due to the fact that every time I attempted to work with her she would try to beat me up. Well it would seem that she is a true diva, who likes be washed and having her hair blown dry and then to be fed all she can eat hay while standing under the fan and someone to clean up behind her (literally)! Because when show day arrived she was a perfect angel. I should mention here that my father thinks she is a pussy cat that is ever so perfect and doesn't understand why we don't get along. Anyway I digress, I was able to show her, she walked and stood wonderfully, and she won first place in her class. That was July!
In December of '07 my Dad and I found her with her hind leg caught in the round bale feeder and terribly stuck. It was an ordeal to get her out and once we did I could tell that her injuries were pretty bad. Most intelligent people would have been done there and cut there losses. But not me! Being that I work as a veterinary nurse for a fantastic large animal veterinary hospital I couldn't just stop. So we loaded her up in the trailer and headed to New Bolton Center (NBC). Which I might add I managed to swipe my first deer while following the trailer down the road (I really think this is was "the Babe" trying to get even). Once we got to work we discovered that the her lacerations went to the bone on both sides of her lower right hind leg. Meaning that she was in deep do0-doo! Again most intelligent people would have ended it there and cut their loses, but not me! She had surgery to clean the wounds and then a cast placed. While at NBC she managed to terrorized several of my co-workers. You see she has mastered the art of intimidation. She throws her head around and knocks you silly. If you keep her head up by holding onto the halter well she can't do and gives up. Yes, it took me awhile to figure this out! Anyhow she ended up having months of antibiotic injections, bandage changes and two, yes 2 more surgeries the whole time being pregnant. So I was not entirely convinced that if the calf made it to term, that it would be alive. I am happy to say that this morning Sassafrass had a bull calf (a boy)!!!!!!!!! So needless to say Olivia is on cloud nine that she has a calf that she is hoping to be able to lead. Lets just hope he is a looker and will make a good show bull!!

Sassafrass, Pop-pop and Olivia at the 2007 PA Breeders show!

New mom and baby August 29, 2008

A fantastic vacation

We just got back from a week in Ocean City New Jersey. We had fantastic weather and an even better time. The kids loved the beach. We were on the beach before the life guards and didn't come off until after they left. We built lots of sand castles, Olivia, Daddy and I did anyway! Ethan liked to come along like godzilla and knock them down!!!

We all had fun burying Daddy up to his chinny chin chin!


Olivia Chasing the seagull that stole Daddy's crumb cake right out of his hand!

Rides on the boardwalk! They had just a little fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think they rode every ride they possibly could have ridden and were still looking for more to go on.

I also want to send my congratulations to my cousin Kristen and her family! While we were on vacation she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl! We can't wait to meet Presley Marie (even though I was convinced she was having a boy)!

When I was expecting Ethan, there were 3 of my cousins also expecting at the same time. Ethan was the oldest and the youngest cousin was exactly 2 months apart. This year there is 4 of my cousins expecting once again. Presley is the first of this round. We can't wait for the arrival of rest.

Happy 4th Birthday

We celebrated Olivia's 4th Birthday! Where did the 4 years go? It is amazing how time flys and how grown up she seems. While Olivia continues to grow straight up and not put on little weight, Ethan is growing in leaps and bonds as well. He is really stretching out and has lost a lot of his baby pudge. So instead of my cute little pudgey baby, he is developing into a lean, mean, handsome machine!
Olivia choose a princess theme

Opening presents
Even Ethan got in on the action!

Happy Birthday to you!

Weekend at the Eastern shore

We went to Maryland to visit my good friend Kari and her husband. Olivia and I were in their wedding in October. This was the first time we had made it down there. The drive was better than I could have anticipated. Olivia watched her movies and Ethan took in all the tractors, combines and boats that we passed. He would ask, where are more tractors Mommy? I couldn't have asked them to be any better for a 3 hour car ride! We had a wonderful time with Aunt Kari and Uncle Chris. Their house overlooks a large pond and is surrounded be farmland. Its beautiful!

There was a small beach a few miles from their house, where we were able to go swimming and play in the sand. Olivia and Ethan had a blast (so did the adults)!

Ethan was very tired after a hard day playing in the sand and swimming!

Kari, Ethan, Olivia, Torin (the cutest little dog!) and Chris
There was even a little carnival near their house. The kids loved the rides and games
Torin posing for a picture with Olivia and Ethan!

We had so much fun with Aunt Kari and Uncle Chris, no one wanted to leave. On the way home, we stopped at a farm stand and they had the coolest playground. It was a combine that had been converted to a slide and you could sit in the cab and pretend to drive it. Needless to say, anyone that knows Ethan, knows that he absolutely loves tractors or anything involving tractors. He thought this was pretty cool!

Happy Birthday Pop-pop

We celebrated Pop-pop's birthday. Olivia and Ethan helped him blow out his candles (he is 30again!), open his presents and sample the cake!

First Annual Cousins picnic

We had our first annual cousin's picnic this past weekend. We had a wonderful time. It was really nice to catch up with everyone, as well as see how much the little "Guies" have grown! There was plenty of swimming, a moon bounce and in true family style more yummy food than we could possibly eat!
Thank you to Shawn and Tiffany for hosting such a great day.







Trying to get a picture of all the little guys was very entertaining. We definately have a few "hams".