Mark Wins a Blue Ribbon!!!!

Most you know Mark has been working for some good friends of Gary and Tracie's over the last few years working horses. He spends hours driving them, cleaning up after them, enduring the crazy weather in Wyoming and spends quite a bit of time traveling to various horse shows throughout the year. Although Wyoming is not the state of his choice, the Messengers have been good to him providing him room and board along with a paycheck.

Equestrian competition is not easy. There are a ton of variables that play into competition, such as the judge's personal preferences, the mood of the horse, the environment you perform in, your attitude that day and more.

Well, apparently the stars were aligned last night as Mark entered into the Amateur Team class last night. Mark drove a nice pair of horses and walked away with a blue ribbon. Needless to say he was thrilled - as were all of us. His work paid off and it is a coo to have accomplished this at the stock show.

I was glad I got to be there and share in the moment. Mark is not huge on expressing his feelings but the smile on his face told it all.

Great drive Mark!

Cooties....again!

So cooties invaded the house again. Kailei has had some sort of bug the last few days. Zeb ended up keeping her home from daycare on Thursday and I stayed home with her Friday. She basically had a temperature and "the coughs" (as she calls them). She was in great spirits and business was usual during the day except for extended naps and the usual wakeful nights. We missed out on a Friday night playdate but by Saturday decided we spent enough time at home.

Keara has had a cough for the last few weeks. Nothing else, just a cough so who knows if Kailei caught it from her. Keara did manage to make it out Friday to attend a birthday party at her friend Caroline's house. It was a cowgirl party complete with pony rides. She had a great time.
At least one of us had some fun entering the weekend. :)

Cousins

This weekend has been a weekend of cousins interacting. Saturday night Khiem came over for a couple of hours and played with the girls. I'm not sure what he thinks when he comes over and the girls have no interest in playing ball with him but they somehow manage to have a good time.

Then Nic and Sydney came over today. If the girls weren't tired from last night, they sure were tired today. With an even number of kids they easily paired off and did their thing. I love when they are together and when they get along so well. Sometimes I think it is easier to have the four kids here than our normal two.

I took Nic and Keara to see the movie "The Water Horse". Nic really liked it and I think Keara did too when her head wasn't in my lap. She cried during the sad parts of the movie and it just warms my heart that she will soon be crying with me during the Hallmark commercials.

On another note, we received some news that my Nana is sick and is going to be undergoing surgery soon so please keep her in your prayers. We love you Nana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Talent Show

So Friday night was "family night" which simply means we make a point of eating together and spending time together. Not that we don't do that other days but sometimes between the dance lessons, Chinese classes, homework and household chores we don't spend as much time together as we like.

On "family night" the girls can choose what they want to do and Friday they decided to have a talent show. I'm not sure if we are Broadway bound but the kids were stars in our eyes. Perhaps you will enjoy some of the footage we captured as well.

Our Little Fashionistas

These fancy girls are routinely found parading around the house. The glamour can be blinding. :)

Date Night

Every once in a blue moon we manage to escape the madness and Zeb and I go out on a date. I treasure this time more than you know. Talking about grown-up-things, in grown-up places is just a treat. Naturally of course we end up talking about the kids but the opportunity is there should we want to talk about something else.

Our date Saturday night consisted of dinner at Ted's Montana Grill and viewing The Chinese New Year Spectacular. Friends from the MWCC group joined together and made this a great evening. Everyone looked great in their dress-up clothes and none of us had to eat mac and cheese. Those items are symbolic of a good night.

I enjoyed kicking off Chinese New Year with friends and we will continue to prolong the celebration over the next few weeks.

Too Cute Not to Share