Our new addition

Things in life have been so hectic, that I failed to post the announcement of a new addition to our family. We are going to have another bouncing baby boy, I am due December 25th. We are very excited and look forward to seeing what new personality will be joining us, and what kind of mischeif he will bring into our lives.

An Update

We haven't had the internet on our computer, so I don't have pictures to put up. We have had a fun August. We went on our family vacation and had the Dixon reunion. Right now Justin is building fence in Enterprise, Ut and the boys and I are staying in Park Valley until he is done. I can't say what we are going to do next, because we don't know for sure. I'll keep you updated and hopefully pictures will soon follow.

Moving

There are more pictures I want to post that are previous to this time and what is going on, but I thought for those of you who are curious about us and our lives I would give a little up to date information. For the last couple of months we have been toying with the idea of going back to school. And last week we decided to quit our job due to some dishonest things that were going on, or that have been going on for the last six months. The owner wasn't very nice and gave us three days to be out of our house, so we dug in and got everything packed and moved into a storage unit for the time being (our stuff that is). On Monday the 28th we left Miles City, MT and camped all week until we got to Utah today, Aug 2. Justin is going to start school and we feel good about our decisions and the unknowing future ahead of us.

Time with Grandpa and Grandma Dixon

On June 30-July 5 Grandpa and Grandma Dixon flew up to visit us. While they were here Grandpa build a chicken run on our chicken coop. Todd was a great helper and he thinks grandpa is great. We had a great time and were sad when they had to go home.

Grandpa wrestling with the boys.

Grandma reading to the boys.

My little paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys)

Todd begged to wear these shirts, so we have now been to hawaii through hand me downs. We went to open a gate for Justin and I got lost so we didn't get it open. It was a waste, but the kids got to ride the horse and were very happy about that.

Happy Birthday Justin

On June 26th Justin turned the big 30 and that is what his cake was suppost to be too. Todd put all the sprinkles on the cookies. Luke was in bed by the time we blew out the candles so he isn't in any of the pictures. I think Justin had a good day.

Justin and Todd blowing out the candles, (he didn't get them all out in one breath). That is Clifford Russell in the background.

Justin, Todd and Kayla (Luke was asleep)

Todd enjoying his spoils.

Haying Time

Justin and Todd in the swather. It is haying time at the triangle eleven. Todd thinks the swather is the greatest thing in the whole world.

Tooth Trouble

It happened last wednesday. The boys were playing in the family room when all of the sudden Todd started to cry. It wasn't the poor me cry, it was the I'm hurt cry. I ran in there and there stood Todd with blood coming out of his mouth and his lip bulging. His tooth was sticking strait out. Luckily Justin was outside and was able to haul him in with me to the dentist. We ended up having the tooth pulled so we now have two little boys with missing baby teeth. (Lukes is a front tooth, he fell.) Anyway, that is the drama of last week.

Happy 4th Birthday Todd!!

Todd's birthday was on May 27th. That day we went branding and got home late. I always make a fun cake, but I didn't have time that day. We ate leftovers, opened gifts and went to bed. I felt bad but I took lots of pictures. Well meanwhile I lost my camera and the pictures that were on it. So this last week while my mom and grandparents were here we celebrated his birthday again. I made him a lightning mccqueen cake and grandma gave her his present. Here is our fun evening.

Todd getting ready to blow out candles.

Todd blowing and Luke thinking about it.

Todd opening his gift.

Todd, Luke and Grandma Larsen with his new "John Wayne" play set.

The Miles City Bucking Horse Sale

We went to the Miles City bucking horse sale. It is a big thing around here, so we thought we would go experience it. The day started out with a parade, then the sale and seven horse races. We also went to the street dance with four different bands on different corners. It was a fun day, but I am glad we only had to travel 30 miles.

All of us after the sale.

Two eager spectators.

The parade. Todd loved the tractors.

Buddies

The other day Todd pulled both of these horses out of his room. One for him, and one for Luke, they who-yipped and herded their cows. They are quite the team.

Todd isn't one who likes to go to bed at night and be left out. Many a night you will find him sitting by the night light looking through books. Tonight I guess he finally gave in and fell asleep in the doorway. So cute.

Week with Rueben

This week our good friend Rueben came to visit from Ennis. He helped Justin get some of our cows ready for branding. Justin rides Rueben's colts that he raises. One imparticular stubborn bucking horse is going to be sold in the bucking horse sale this weekend. We will have pictures and updates. Here is a picture of Justin and Rueben on some of his horses.

This was this morning before Rueben left for home. The boys love him and Luke has taken a special place in his heart.

Branding

This weekend had our first of like six brandings. It was a fun day and the boys, all three of them really enjoyed themselves. I had an alright time too. I didn't feel real great, but I made the most of it and wrestled a few calves.

Tractor Incident

The tractor incident we had last Thursday was an eye opening experience. It had been raining and there was slick, slimy mud. The only way to feed was on the tractor. I had the boys with me and Luke distracted me. When I looked up I was at the edge of the road. I tryed to turn it back on, but it sucked me off. I thought for sure it was going to roll, and really it should have. I know the Lord was watching out for us. I will pay better attention in the future. This picture doesn't quite do it justice, but that is were the tractor was sitting and the bale I was hauling.

Baby Chicks

This week we went into the chicken business. Todd was so excited and has done a good job feeding them. Unfortunately he loved two of the chicks so much they died. We had to convince him to be careful and he has done better ever since. Now our only problem is the dogs, they keep trying to get in. The hotshot has worked pretty good at keeping them away. O and the other day I tried to burn the coop down, (the heat light got to close to the sawdust, oops) luckily I saw the smoke in time and the chicks are okay and so is the coop.

Moving the tack shed

On wed. we went and got this shed. It is on skids so Justin and Mike used the tractor to load it and push it on. Justin was very excited to get this shed. He is going to use it as his tack room. You will notice the backhoe it the back. Some workers were fixing our sewer, yay. Finally.

An afternoon in the sun

Today we spent the afternoon at one of the ranches the owner owns on the tongue river. They bangs vaccinated, then they had to get all 500 heifers across the river. The boys and I were good spectators, the boys exploring and me watching. The boys were hoping for a ride on the horse, but they got tired out before Justin was done, so we came home. The following are pictures of our day. The boys throwing sticks into the river (don't worry grandma I made sure they were safe), Todd by the baler, he thought was so neat, Justin hearding yearlings to the river, he is the one at the back. There is also a picture of Todd on some old equipment, which he loves, and me and the boys along the river. It was a fun day but the boys were exhausted by the time we got home.

Our yard

Our house was put in just before we moved here so it isn't landscaped yet. All winter we have dealt with a lot of slick, sticky mud. Here are a few pictures.

This one is in Feb. shortly after we got here.


This is right next to our house.



This is the back.



This is Justin just yesturday smoothing things out so we can plant grass.

Easter

We had a great time on Easter. We decorated a bunny house, threw eggs and most exciting of all the easter bunny came and left us treats.