Christmas Play

Our church puts on a play every year depicting the story of Jesus' birth. The girls were in it as a shepherd and a sheep. Reese decided she was going to be the best sheep ever. Sounds, movements, everything. Completely in character. It was pretty funny. She even kicked her back feet out like I guess she thought sheep do.

The play didn't last very long and the girls didn't have any lines, but I was proud of them. For once, Reese didn't flash the crowd and Riley was brave enough to stay on stage. All in all, a good night.

OKC Zoo

I know it has been forever since I have posted anything. Shame on me! Here are some pics of us at the Oklahoma City Zoo. The girls love this place no matter how many times we go. And everytime we go they want to take pictures with every single statue. No matter what, no matter if they are scalding hot from being baked in the sun for 8 hours or we have to wait until the family of 12 take all their pictures. It doesn't matter, we are going to take pictures at each and every one of them. Exhibits A-G.

Just about every statue we had to do a retake because they were never ready, or looking at the camera, or a bird flew by. They remind me of that movie "UP". The dogs are constantly being distracted by squirrels. I guess you'd have to see the movie to understand. We love em' anyways.

BANGS!

The other day I was trimming Reese's bangs because my mother had threatened for like the 100th time that she was going to trim her hair and Riley was watching. She says to me, "I want some bangs." I was like are you sure because once I cut them there is no going back, for several weeks anyways. She says, "yes, I'm sure." So....

This was the end result. I thought they looked adorable. BJ keeps calling her "Blossom". Remember early 90s show, Joey Lawrence, lots of bright colors and overalls, and of course bangs. The funny thing is Riley has a cowlick to the side of her forehead just like me, so as soon as her hair dried her bangs parted like the red sea. It was pretty cute.

Ranch Rodeo

We went to the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Ranch Rodeo in OKC last weekend. It was a blast. The girls thought that it was pretty cool. Here are a few of the events.

 These were the horses warming up before the rodeo started.

 Reese waiting for fun to begin.

 Riley waiting...in her usual "mood".

 This horse and next were the prettiest I thought. They might not have been worth a hoot, but they sure were pretty.

 Team Doctoring

 Wild Cow Milking.

 This is Malboro Man. For any of you Pioneer Woman followers you know what I'm talking about.

 This was the SugarLoaf Ranch. They are from our neck of the woods, more BJ's but I claimed them too. The Ely and the Pogue families were on this team.

 This was the girl's favorite event by far. They thought it was hilarious to see them get dragged around by that cow. Most of these cows were like, "I don't think so buddy!"

 Almost every cow would break free at some point and run back to the chutes out of the arena. The ring guys would have to run her back out, which just made her madder and a little bit funner to watch.

This is Pioneer Woman. Remember Marlboro man, this is his wife. Yes, I did take her picture from afar. She was sitting directly across the ring from us. I wanted so bad to go say Hi, but the entire night someone not from her party would come by about every 5 minutes for an autograph or to say hi. I thought she's been bothered enough. My telephoto lens will just have to be good enough. I know it sounds a little staulkery, but it's just because I believe we are kindred spirits when it comes to butter and our love of sweets. 

Anyways, we had a great time. We finally had to leave about 10pm. The girls were starting to mutiny from lack of sleep, since we had been up since 5:30 AM. We didn't get to see the end, but I found out later that Drummond Ranch won. Which is Marlboro Man and Pioneer Woman's ranch, so Go Team!

China Dolls

 My mom and dad just got back from china and brought me and the girls some chinese wear. I thought the girls looked adorable.

 Not so much adorable, but I thought the look on her face was priceless. Apparently she was not ready for this pic.

 Riley took this pic of Reese and I. I got 2 shirts from China because according to a slik factory worker I am the size of Godzilla and they don't make clothes big enough to fit us HUGE Americans.

Reese took this pic, so Riley and I were not quite ready. I was still talking to Reese and Riley was spaced out I guess.

4th of July

 Yesterday was the 4th of July. Our town always has a really neat parade. The girls love going to the parades. It probably has something to do with all the candy they throw out. It of course was 98 degrees at 8:30 am when we got there. We parked the car in prime parade position, walked to Hop n Sack for snacks, which was only 2 blocks away. 5 minutes after we got back the girls had to go back for a bathroom break. Guess who got nominated for that trek?

 We all waited patiently for the parade to start. Reese layed down while she waited because sitting up just expends way too much energy.

Riley was the official candy retriever, while Reese guarded the candy hat in the shade. But she did patriotically wave her flag, which Riley got for her. She also tested about 8 pieces of candy just to make sure they were ok for riley. What a great sister, right? This is how much Riley knows Reese, Riley put all her favorite candy in her dress pockets because she knew it wasn't safe with Reese. And so Reese wouldn't figure it out, Riley gave her a tootsie roll every once in a while. It was quite comical. Made the parade worth it for us sweating adults. Hope everybody had a great 4th. Now, back to the grindstone.

A whirlwind of craziness

I know it has been a really long time since I have posted anything. I feel like if I post something I have to have my camera. Well, that hadn't been happening lately. I haven't been taking it with me anywhere because I feel like I am running from on thing to the next. So, I will try to catch everybody up on us. SO, down here it is dry, so dry we are all going to wither up and blow away. It's kind of depressing. We are in the middle of hay season (what little there is).  The girls are swimming like fishes every chance they get. Riley has learned to swim under water now. We still have "no name". He has planted himself in a dug out hole and said you can't make me leave. BJ is working his fanny off, trying not to have a heat stroke. Hopefully I will have more to post next time.

Happy Birthday Billy Jay!

Today is my middle brother's birthday. He is 26. Ahhh! How old am I? Okay, never mind, this isn't about my insecurities. Anyways, I love my brother and cherish every annoying year he's been here. I don't have any baby pictures or I would embaress him to death.

 He's old enough to have his own sweet little boy

I love you Billy Billy Don Billy. Your the best! Have a wonderful birthday.

Chicken and Dumplings-The right way

My mom has made this for as long as I can remember. According to her she has tried every way possible to make these and this is what she has come up with. She has deemed me worthy to know this recipe. It is the biggest hit with all my family. And it is super easy. Easier than you'd think for such a great flavor.
Start with a whole chicken, or if you don't like dark meat you could use chicken breasts. Boil your chicken in a good size dutch oven or large pot till completely done.

 This is what it will look like when it's done. Kinda falling apart. Turn that pot of water off, you will come back to it in a minute.

 While your chicken is boiling, if it's a whole chicken, there will be yucky stuff to skim off the top because his innards are still in his gullet. Just skim it off no big deal, don't be grossed out.

 Next make your dumplings. They are 1 cup of flour, 1 tsp of salt, and 3/4 cup of ice water. Mix these together in a dough form. Use lots of flour to roll it out pretty thin.

 Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 1 inch strips. It doesn't have to be real accurate, just get it close.

 This is the pan you boiled your chicken in. Get the water up to a rolling boil. Make sure the liquid in the pan is half full. Let your dumplings dry out just a little while you are waiting for your water to boil. When it boils, pinch off each strip into 2-3 inch pieces, again it doesn't have to be precise. Scoop up all that flour you used to roll out your dough and throw it in the pot. It should be about a handful. Let those boil for about 10 minutes.

 Your chicken should be cooled off by now. Shred the chicken, peel off the bone, if you have to take a knife and cut it up into small pieces or shred further. Put your chicken in the pot when your done.

 At this point turn it down to low and cook for 2-3 hours. Salt and pepper to taste. Allow it to thicken up.

 Riley and Reese's approval. I never have any problems getting them to eat this. Especially when you combine it with a little garlic bread.

Enjoy the chickeny goodness!