Buck That!

Last night, we attended the Chase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo in Billings.  Once we arrived to purchase tickets, we discovered that is an annual charity event.  Upon further research, here's what I found out about the event:

- The Chase Hawks Memorial Association Story -  In September of 1994, a six-year-old Montana cowboy named Chase Hawks was killed in a tragic accident.  Family and friends gathered to form the Chase Hawks Memorial  Association (CHMA) with the goal of finding hope for others facing crisis and possibly easing some of their own heartbreak.  The Association keeps Chase's memory forever in the hearts of many while bringing the comfort of much needed assistance to many more.  CHMA is simply neighbors helping neighbors in the cowboy tradition of community spirit.

So sad :(  On top of it being a charity event, the Marines were also there gathering donations of cash and toys for Toys for Tots.  It was a great event which included Bareback, Saddlebronc and Bullriding only.  Most of the riders had just come from the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas last weekend which, for us, meant we were in for a good show; and we were not disappointed!

Rimrock Auto Arena (aka The Metra)

Minus the balding head in the shot, 

this was a nice action shot!

The rodeo clown, Crash.

Awww :)

 

Although these photos turned out fairly well, the best shots we got were with the video function on our camera so here are the top three videos we ended up with....very exciting!

 

Apparently you need buns of steel for this job!

Yikes!

This video needs no comment.

Needless to say, we had a great time and look forward to the next one :)

Go, Fight, Win!

For those of you who don't know yet, Elizabeth has decided to take cheer leading which is offered through one of the churches here in Columbus.  The season only lasts about a month and a half and they will be cheering for the alternative group of basketball players.  So, on Saturday we went to the church for her uniform fitting and a packet of information including the cheers and motions she will need to learn.  Although initially she was having second thoughts about going, once we got there she saw several other girls from her class and got more excited once she put on the skirt!

Sorry it's a little fuzzy; had to take it with my phone because, as usual, I forgot the camera :)

Getting Crafty!

While digging out the Christmas goodies, Elizabeth found a "sew-your-own-ornaments" kit that I had purchased for a million percent off after last season so we decided to dig in!  Although I thought we may give a few away, she is determined that they will all be hanging on our tree by Christmas :)

One down...nine to go!!

Birthday Wishes!

I know that this is my second blog post today but I wanted to pay homage to my bestie!  

So, enjoy some of these beautiful pictures of her as I say...

Happy Birthday, Karen!

Digging for garnets in St. Maries, Idaho

I know that she isn't fond of this photo but it's one of favorites 

because it shows off her fun-loving personality!

Halloween 2010

Karen and me during last year's Halloween party. 

The Pirate and the Bumble Bee...sounds like a kids book!

 

I am so proud that my bestie has an Elementary Education degree

and blessed that she was able to be my daughter Elizabeth's preschool

teacher two years ago.  This was her first graduating class! 

Elizabeth's birthday dinner September 2010

(P.S. Made a personal sacrifice to post this picture).

Karen with husband Chris (aka H2)!

Showing off her fun-loving side again at the

American Cancer Society's Relay For Life 2011.

Chris and Karen with Karen's mom Rusyl and step-dad, Kirk.

They are wonderful people :)

The beautiful bride with her sisters Dawn (left) and Kaycee!

Halloweens past...

Karen and watermelon friend Verity!

Halloween 2000. Dawn, Ansel and Karen.

Proof of our undying love for each other...and cocktails!

Karen with 4-H steer, Opie at the 1996 Lincoln County Fair.

Karen showing her crafty side :)

Chris and Karen at our wedding October 2003.

I could literally go on and on with photos of my bestie but I think you get the picture (no pun intended).  Karen is fun and spontaneous, hard working, creative and I'm so blessed to have her in my life.  So, Happy Birthday, Karen!  I miss you and wish I could be there to celebrate but it'll just have to wait a couple more weeks!!

   

Happy Halloweeeeeeeeen!

On Monday, like most other families, we prepared for the traditional "begging for candy".  Unlike year's past, however, this year did not include a trip to the usual decorations, punch recipes or a trip to the liquor store!

Our Halloween kicked off with a party at school which I helped out with.  I was in charge of a game so I made a pumpkin face and some noses and had the kids play "Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin".

Not bad for free hand, huh?

The kids also playing the mummy game where they wrap each other in toilet paper!  Elizabeth broke out of hers while I was replacing the batteries in my camera (stupid camera) but I managed to get a photo of her wrapping up her friend Sammie.

Eating rice krispie goodies, courtesy of me!

Elizabeth coloring her Halloween cup.

After the party, we went home, had some homemade chicken noodle soup, 

then headed out to terrorize the neighborhood!

While we were out and about, we discovered a fabulous house full of the Halloween spirit!

I know the video is a little dark but I hope you can see how cool it was!

Pictures of more uber-decorated homes!

Yo Ho!

 

Dancing?

We met at least three cats during our outing...no black ones though :)

Once we got home, Elizabeth and I posed for a picture in our costumes

then took inventory of the booty!

Rare picture of the photophobe butterfly with her witchy captor!

Plenty of candy for all three of us to be sick :)

All in all, it was a fabulous evening of tricks and treats!  

Hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween!

It's Relay Fun!

I'm going to get serious for a moment.  As most of you know, I am a volunteer for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.  You know this because, chances are, you've gotten a letter, email, text, telegram, or carrier pigeon containing a donation request from me.  Now, I realize how hard you work for your money; how hard it is to go without the things you want.  However, I also know how hard it is to hear a diagnosis, to watch a friend suffer and to say good-bye to a loved one.  To me, there is no comparison.

Relay 2006

On February 14, 1998 my friend Dawn was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, or ALL.  Valentine's Day.  At the age of 20.  I can't begin to imagine what went through her mind sitting in the hospital hearing those dreaded words, 'You've got cancer'.

After three rounds of chemotherapy, a failed experimental treatment and a bone marrow transplant in Iowa City, a last ditch effort and 10 months in the hospital, Dawn went into remission in June 2000.  During her stay in the hospital, Dawn missed the 4th of July, her 23rd birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.  Thanks to the encouragement and support of the oncology team (and a day pass), Dawn participated in her first Relay For Life event, finishing her first Survivors' Lap in a wheelchair just five months after her transplant.

That is why I Relay.

My Relay Family

 It has been my pleasure and honor these past 12 years to serve as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society.  Each year, during our Survivors' Lap, I get to see hundreds of people, a sea of purple shirts, walk their first, fifth and even last laps.  These people, these survivors, are a reminder of why I send out those letters, bake all those cupcakes and stay up all night; to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.




So this year, when that pigeon is tapping on your window, please take a moment to think about your friends and family, neighbors, co-workers or even your family pet who may have been diagnosed.  Think about why you've been asked to participate in this incredible opportunity.  Think, 'Yes, I can help'.

 

Please share my passion by visiting our website at

 www.relayforlife.org/coeurdaleneid 

and support the American Cancer Society Relay For Life!

P.S. Since beginning to write this blog a few days ago, my dad Bill passed away due to complications from prostate cancer.  As my half sister Deana continues her fight against breast cancer, I ask that you find it in your heart to help those that have passed, those that are fighting and those that have yet to be diagnosed.

Santa Goes Postal

On our monthly trip back to Idaho for a visit, we found ourselves in need of a post office.  So, since we were in the big city of Coeur d'Alene, we decided to make our way downtown.  Once we got there, Elizabeth and I decided to wait for Steve in the car and it's a good thing we did!  Minutes later as we people watched, who should appear but Santa Claus himself!! 

We were so surprised!  What?  Santa?  In October?  In Coeur d'Alene?  Why?  Well, the only conclusion to come to was that Santa, although spending most of his time in The North Pole, must spend his summers vacationing in Coeur d'Alene.  So many people spend their summer days on the lake fishing, jet skiing and boating...why not Santa?  And of course he must have been at the post office looking for early Letters to Santa, right?

I don't think Elizabeth ever believed that this man was in fact Santa no matter what reason I came up with for why he was in Coeur d'Alene in October at the post office.  Kids these days!

The Electrical Appliance Anniversary?

In case you didn't already figure it out from the title, Tuesday was my and Steve's eighth wedding anniversary.  Yes, eight long years ago Steve and I got married in our hometown of Eureka, Montana on a perfectly Fall kind of day, not unlike the day we are having now.  Warm and sunny, colorful leaves and that smell that only comes from falling leaves and pumpkins.

However, according to my "extensive" research (aka the five minutes I spent on the internet) the eighth anniversary is the Electrical Appliance anniversary.  Is it just me or have wives spent years trying to make their husbands understand that although practical a toaster or vacuum just doesn't say, 'I love you' to your wife?  And here I discover that we are in fact supposed to buy each other electrical appliances.  Do I smell burning bras??  Just kidding!  Anyway, in spite of what this random website had to say, I chose to buck the system and buy the most romantic gift possible: 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'!

And now, for your enjoyment (or amusement), here are a few photos from our wedding day;

 

Me and Steve :)

Our beautiful wedding party. L to R: Desiree, Hilary, Bill, Steve, Danny and Chris.

Granddad and me (I'm the one in the dress).

 

 With Steve's parents, Marlene and Bruce

With my parents, Joetta and Bill

The traditional cutting of the (cup)cake!

 

 

Garter Grab!

First Dance

  Father-Daughter Dance

 And now for the fun stuff!!

                   Steve, Danny and Chris karaoke style!

                  Seriously Chris, I'm beginning to think you have a 

                    not-so-secret obsession with wigs 

                  (this is one of three pictures I have of you in drag!).

        

           Friends Chris and Karen

Family friends Meg and Pat

Great Aunt Jane and Great Uncle Ray

           

         

  I don't think Uncle Ray completely understands 

how the whole bunny ears thing is supposed to work :)

As family history (and pictures) show, you are all lucky that Great Uncle Ben used his index finger!

Terry and Desiree having a laugh :)

Maybe a little too much fun (note the half empty bottle of wine; or is it half full?)!  Just kidding, Granddad was seldom photographed
any other way...it was his "thing"!



       




I have to say a lot of the other photos I have from the reception were taken with disposable cameras which, as everyone probably knows by now, aren't very good.  So, most of the photos were too dark to share. 

I had fun looking through my wedding album and sharing my photos.  For those of you who are interested, here is the link I got my anniversary gift info from:  http://marriage.about.com/cs/anniversaries/a/wedannivideas.htm

 

Chris and I Hilarious!                   

 

Let me leave you with one last photo that is one of my favorites :)  Happy Anniversary!