Good News/Bad News

Wednesday was a day of appointments.  I will highlight the good news & bad news.

Good News
Jenae got her sling off!!!
She got cleared to go swimming!!
Doctor said she could do any movement with  her arm that didn't hurt.
Aubree had no cavities!!

Bad News
Jenae still can not ride her horse :-( 
(Hopefully 2-3 weeks she will be back in the saddle)
Jenae had 3 cavities :-(

We spent much of the morning in O'Neill.  Doctor appointment, Dentist appointment, Back to the Doctor, then to the Library then back to the Doctor again, then to DQ for a quick lunch we were finally home around 1:00.  Big morning!

Kyle was home so he kept Whitney home with him. 

Jenae is pretty bummed out about not being able to ride.  This little girl defines herself by her horse riding and not being able to ride, it is like she is not sure what she is supposed to do.  Kyle took Aubree riding Wednesday night.  She road Speedster and got a long really good.  To keep Jenae's mind off of not getting to ride we went to the creek and we had so much fun!! 

All in all it was a good day!



Whitney & Jenae's first trip to the creek of 2013 when actually wearing their swimsuits!  If you look close you can see the thrill on their  faces from getting to be in the water.

I made them stay in the really shallow part since I was out of the creek taking the pictures.

This picture captures Whitney's wild & crazy personality!  She was a wild woman in the water.  No fear what so ever!!!

This is how I found Aubree Joy before bed last night.
 A hot summer night in a warm house and she was dressed like this????? 

Girls Night Out

We had a nice combination of getting things done around the house, relaxation & some fun too this weekend. 
Saturday I sent the girls off on some scavenger hunts.  They love going out and finding things, of course they had to make it into a contest.  They took Whitney out scavenging with them also.  I stayed in and got caught up on some house work.

That evening was the 2nd Annual Girls Night Out in Chambers.  It was put on by the Chambers FCCLA National qualifiers.  It was so much fun!  The girls were sad it came to an end!

Sunday we had Church & spent the rest of the day just playing catch up around the house.  I had a goal of getting the girls put to bed early, but with the Super Moon, they talked me into saying up so they could see it.  It was beautiful!!  I had fun trying to capture a picture of it.  I am embarrassed how many photos it took me to get the picture posted below.  There are so many settings to figure out how much light to let in etc to take photos in the dark.  It was a fun experiment & I was pleased with the outcome my photo of the Super Moon :-)


I took this picture on Sunday night of the Super Moon. 
It was so big and bright, just a beautiful creation God gave us to enjoy.

My Jewelry table set up at the FCCLA's Girl's night out on Saturday night.  I had 3 cute little assistants for the night!

Jenae & Aubree enjoyed all the snacks & treats that we available to those that attend. 

Whitney kept very entertained by the bean bag toss table.

Aubree getting her hair done.

Jenae checking out the raffle baskets.

 

Me and the girls.  Photo taken by Jody Bead at the Girl's night out.

Whitney having fun wearing glasses from the dress up table.  Photo taken by Jody Bead at the Girl's night out.

And here she is with a hat on :-)  She can be such a clown!!  Photo taken by Jody Bead at the Girl's night out.

Whitney & Trace

Trace is our little neighbor boy and he & Whitney had a good time together on Saturday night.  If he was much older, Kyle might have to have a little talking to with him since there is just a couple pastures that separate our places. For now it is cute :-)



Whitney & Trace checking each other out.

Thinking about a hug.

Aww... so nice!! 

Now, smell my feet!

The Super Moon before dark on Sunday night.  Love my rural life :-)

Week recap

My birthday weekend/Monday turned out to be a great few days. I knew with my birthday falling on Father's Day was going to be a tough weekend. In addition to that, Saturday was the Chambers Jr. Rodeo and I knew Jenae would be disappointed knowing she could not participate. The weekend did have its ups and downs, but more ups than downs ;) My Mom came out Thursday and stayed until Sunday. I am so thankful she was able to stay that long. The girls didn't want to see her leave and wondered why she just couldn't live with us when Kyle is on the road. I have got to admit I would be happy with that arrangement too;) Since that is not an option we will be happy for her visits! Our weekend project was getting Jenae and Aubree's room cleaned and reorganized. It was a huge project, but I am very happy with the outcome. The sad thing is that I didn't pick up my camera all weekend long. Except for Saturday night when I took pictures of Lacey's boys. She and Jacque came down for supper and we we out and did a little photo shoot. They are such good boys and they are little cuties that it was a lot of fun! Since I didn't take any pictures of Mom's visit, I guess she will just have to come back soon :) Kyle got home early Monday morning. The girls were so happy to have him home. Marilyn fixed prime rib for supper with all the fixing to celebrate my birthday and Father's Day. She topped it off with Rolo cheesecake bars. It was all so yummy!!! Chip and Aubree gathered wood a bonfire. It was our first one of the year. Threre is something so relaxing about sitting around a fire on a nice evening. I did have my camera along and I got a lot of fun pictures. Since a picture is worth 1000 words, I added a lot of pictures to this post. It was a wonderful weekend (& Monday:)  

 

 

Anson Boy's Photos

Riley Age 4

Colin 18 Months

2 little cuties!

Tuffy getting a drink from the creek when we were having our bonfire.

Grandpa Chip & his 3 grand daughters.  They sure think the world of their Papa Chip as Whitney calls him!

Whitney with her Dad & Papa Chip watching the fire.

She thought she was a big cheese and climbed up on the chair & just chilled!

Jenae Grace

Whitney enjoying her first S'more.



Aubree Joy

It would not be a bonfire with out a swim in the creek.

Whitney was a mess when she got out of the water. 

Kyle & Whitney

Grandpa & Grammy watching the girls be silly in the water.

We had several deer come right up to where we were at. It was very cool!

We ended the night with a beautiful Nebraska Sunset :-)

That’s What Parents Are For

As we are headed into Father’s Day weekend, I find myself really missing my Dad.  It has been almost 3 months since God called him to his heavenly home and I still have such a range of emotions.  I want to dedicate this post to my Dad and what an amazing Father he was.  I am so fortunate for the 34 years he was with me on this Earth.  He was a man who sacrificed   his own dreams to let his kids have  amazing childhood's.  The last time I saw my Dad was after I got back from my trip to Houston TX.  Kyle had qualified for the rodeo there, and I had mentioned to my Dad that I would like to go.  He was the one instrumental in getting me to book my plane ticket and said to “go & have fun!”  He and Mom would keep Aubree & Whitney while Jenae stayed back in Chambers with Chip & Marilyn so she wouldn’t miss school. 

I would like to share a little bit about my awesome Dad and my last memory of him. 

“That’s What Parents Are For”

 Kyle was already in Texas with the horses  and trailer and I was to fly out of Omaha to meet up with him.  I would then ride back to Nebraska with him so I just needed a one way ticket.  I like to fly out of Grand Island especially when I am flying just one way.  It is easy to stop and get my vehicle from Grand Island on my way home. When I started looking into flights, a ticket from Grand Island to Houston was almost $500 for a one way ticket.  When I saw those prices I decided to forgo my trip and save my money for another trip with a more reasonable rate.  My parents knew how much I loved and wanted to go to Houston and one night my Mom called me to say she found a flight out of Omaha for $220.  I said “thanks..but no thanks….I did not want my vehicle left in Omaha as it is make the long trip home from Houston even longer.  “  Mom then said “your Dad said he would take you down to the airport and drop you off.”  I hated to have him take a whole afternoon to taxi me to the airport, but like I said before he was insistent that I go!  He made sure to make me feel like it was going to big deal  to take me to Omaha.

The morning I was headed out for Houston, I went to start my van and the battery was dead!  I had been having some problems with my van battery & my van is a 2011 Chrysler Town & Country , it is a new enough vehicle that I should not have been having trouble with the battery. Chip came over and got my van jumped and said “maybe your Dad could put a new battery in your van while it is parked at his house”  I mentioned it to Mom, what Chip had said and she said she would talk to Dad about it, but I never said anything to Dad about it.  I didn’t want to make him feel bad if he didn’t get around to it….but who am I kidding, I knew my Dad would take care of it for me as that is just the kind of Dad he was. 

I get down to Dad & Mom’s house with Aubree and Whitney right at noon.  Mom fixed Prime Rib for dinner and we had such a nice time visiting and enjoying our yummy meal mom had fixed for us.  Dad said “well, are you ready to get going?” I said my good byes to the girls and off we went.  I had asked Dad if he would want to take me down to Omaha in my van and he laughed and said “NO!”  I knew my Dad would insist on taking his car, but I wanted to offer.  I said “will you at least let me give you money to cover the gas on the way down”  Again he laughed at me and said “no, get in the car!”   I said Dad, but you are doing so much to help me out, you’re watching my kids & taking your afternoon to drive me to Omaha the least I can do is pay you some money for gas”  Dad responded with “That is what parents are for, Halie” 

We had an awesome visit all the way to Omaha.  Reminiscing about the good ol’ days.  He drops me off at the gate and threw a $100 bill on my lap and says “go have fun!”  I knew better than to argue with my Dad over money, he would always win, but I said “Dad, no, I am not taking your money.  You are already doing so much for me”  Dad replied again “That’s what parents are for, Halie”

I went on to Houston and had a fabulous time with Kyle.  We made the long drive back to Nebraska and Kyle dropped me off at Dad & Mom’s house so I could get my vehicle and pick up the girls.  When we pulled into the driveway I noticed my van was no longer covered in mud, but all shinny and clean.  Dad had taken it into the manual car wash on a February day and washed it all up by hand for me.  I then went in the house after visiting for a while  Dad said “I got you a new battery for your van.  It is an interstate brand battery with a 5 year warranty on it.  You will have no more trouble with your battery”  I was so happy he had taken care of it for me.  I pulled out my check book and started writing out the check and said how much was it?”  Dad says “don’t worry about it.”  I said “Dad, I AM paying you for this.”   He said “no you’re not….Happy Birthday Halie”  Well my birthday is this Sunday.  Who would have thought that last time I saw my Dad he would have given me my birthday present 4 months early. 

I sat around and visited a little while with Dad & Mom before loading up and heading home. When I started to haul my girls bags to the van I noticed not only had my Dad washed my van, but he vacuumed it out and had the inside shining just as much as the outside.  I went in and thanked Dad again for what he had all done for me and my vehicle and he said “That’s what parents are for” 

After I headed for home, I looked down at my gas gage and saw it was full!  My Dad also made sure I had a full tank of gas to drive home on. 

I am so thankful that I have this wonderful memory of my Dad.  It is just one story of how giving and generous my Dad was.  He was an awesome guy and I am so glad God gave him to me as my earthly father for 34 ½ years!    

Newman Grove Q125 & Kelcey's wedding

Kyle was on the rodeo trail all weekend  & the girls and I were on the go as well .  Actually we had a nice extended weekend.  The girls & I packed up Thursday morning and headed down to Mom's house.  It was very nice and relaxing on Thursday.  We stayed close to Mom's house that day and just enjoyed being there.  Erin & the kids came out to ride the pony.  The girls had lots of fun playing with them. 

Friday was the real start to the Q125 celebration.  There were several thing to do around town that day and we all ended up at the park for a BBQ.  I ran in to so many people I had not seen in years!  Some classmates, a previous employer, lots of family, friends and neighbors.  It was really nice to run into and visit with so many!  Jenae had fun meeting some of my classmates.  I am not sure what they all thought of my chatter box!  That night several members of the family gathered at Mom's house to start putting together the Forre Family Float for the Parade on Sunday.  Heather went to a lot of work to make it all happen.  It tuned out so beautiful! 

Saturday we got up and went to the carnival that my Aunt Connie was responsible for putting on.  It was through the church with matched funds from Thrivant.  All proceeds go to local mission work.  It is so much fun for the kids.  All prizes are donated and most of them are gently used toys, but the kids don't care!  They are just happy with all the new treasures they accumulate.  Many of which we will probably donate back for next year :-) 

We headed out about 12:30 that afternoon for Kelcey's wedding in Dunning.  It was nice to see all the Whitaker Aunts, Uncles & Cousins.  The wedding was very nice & Kelcey looked just beautiful.  We stayed for a little of the reception then made our way back to Mom's house.  She kept Whitney for me and I didn't want to leave Whitney with her too long!  Also there is not a great way to get from Broken Bow to Newman Grove.  Lots of turns and I am not near as familiar with those roads as I used to be so I really wanted to make it back to Mom's before dark. It was a big day of traveling and i think it kind of wore Jenae out with her broken arm, but it was worth it all to be able to make it for the wedding. 

Sunday was another big day.  I spent much of the morning packing up and organizing our bags.  We were back in town by 11:00 for day 2 of the carnival.  The parade was at 4:00 followed by the hamburger feed, dance recital, and talent show.  The girls & I pulled into home at 10:00 that night!  What a weekend!!!! It was a lot of fun and worth every bit of the exhaustion I felt yesterday :-)

The parade of tractors drove by my Mom's house.  It was so cool to see so many tractors on parade and so cool that they drove right by!  It was such a beautiful day!

Jaxson, Whitney & Jace at the BBQ held at during the opening ceremonies of the Q125.  Whitney thought it was so fun to sit behind Jace in the stroller.  Normally I can't get her to sit in a stroller. 

The crowd was HUGE at the park for the opening ceremonies.  You can see by the smile on Aubree's face that she was having a blast.  Not sure she knew anyone else on the merry go round, but she didn't care.

Jaxson & Whitney playing at the park.

Jenae was a little bummed that she could not run, jump & play as hard as the other kids.  A funnel cake help cheer her up.  Whitney & Jaxson sure were happy to help eat it up.

Everyone working hard to put the Forre Family Float together.

We finished off the night with snow cones.  It was a really fun day!



Jenae & Aubree with Kyle' s cousin Becky at Eric & Kelcey's wedding.

The girls waiting for their food at the reception.

Jenae, Chase, Aubree & Trey at the reception.

The bride & groom making their first appearance as Mr. & Mrs Eric Buck :-)



My cousin's Trevor & Michael at the kids carnival sponsored by the Shell Creek Church. 



Mom & Erin worked hard running different booths at the carnival.

My cousin, Heather, had a booth at the carnival doing hair stencils.  Herr she is putting Aubree's stencil in.  Notice Jenae looking at herself in the mirror. 

Brooke with her hair stencil.

Jenae's blue star :-)

My Mama & Little Whitney at the carnival.  Whitney was enjoying some cotton candy while "helping" Grandma run her booth.

My Aunt Connie felt bad that Jenae did not get to participate in some of the things the other kids did with her broken arm so she let her draw out the winning ticket for the carving made by John Williamson.

Me and the girls in front of the float.  Mom kept Whitney, it would have been a long ride with my sassy 1 year old to try hold on to.  In case any of you are wondering what the EEEE stands for it is the 4 E's (get it...Forre)

Kellen, Aubree & Brooke on the float.

Brooke, Cooper, Allyx & Erin on the float.

Jenae & Tyson on the float.

My Dad's 4 sisters. A wonderful group of gals!!  Never going to be a dull moment with you are with this bunch!

The parade had well over 100 entries in it.  We were 62nd in the parade and when we got done with the route several floats were just getting started.  The kids jumped off the float and ran over to started gathering candy from the parade entries that were just getting started. They all ended up with huge buckets full of candy!

After the parade there was a hamburger feed and the little dancers put on a little dance show.  They did such a good job!  My adorable niece Brooke is the little dancer the front center of this picture.  She did so good!!!  I am glad we got to stay and watch her!



Whitney thought the dancers were great & really would have like to climb on stage with them and shake her little booty!! 




Whitney and her little dance moves.



Whitney got a lot of attention from my Aunts.  She loved anyone that wanted to hold her.  I am pretty sure she would have happily went home with any of them! Here is Whitney with my Aunt Linda.

Whitney sitting with my cousin Jason's little girl Madison. 



Me and the girls by the float at Mom's house after the parade.  The flowers were already off the float so it is not as pretty as it was, but I didn't get a picture of it before the parade.