Oh My! Look what I've done!

This fine mare is headed to Montana and ultimately Alberta from Texas. Oh let the fun begin!

Here's to a great 2013 showing Lo Lit Chic!

Can't wait until I get to ride her!

An Historic Moment!

First time ever that Rod's kids have been at the same place at the same time! A Great Weekend for sure, and such fun kids!
From Left to Right:
Trent, Hailey, Mickenzie, Tyler, Chelsey and Cole!

The whole gang together! A Great Day for Rod and his family!
Left to Right:
John, Chelsey, Maddie, Trent, Mickenzie, Rod, Tyler, Hailey, Kelly, Kristen, Cole!

Love these guys each and everyone!

Polson, MT 2012

I love Montana in October. This is the south end of Flat Head Lake from our Hotel room. Yes it is time for the annual Live Locally 5km run, 20 October 2012

This year it was Dixie (me), Barb Pilling and Karen Bevans who got to go. This is before the race, waiting in the Rain and really working hard not to get cold before we run. (Kaylynn & Marilee where are you?) Next year, right!? We missed you!

Right after the race! Not cold any more, it didn't rain while we were running thank heaven! Karen and Barb did great! Dixie on the other hand didn't make enough time to run before and therefore didn't do as well as she did in 2010. There is always next year, and I know what I have to do! We had fun and laughs along the way and that is the real reason I go.

Our picture with our new shirts on the dock at the hotel. Such a fun race, and I love Polson, MT. No wind and warmer!!

Only in Montana! Had to record this little gem from the Snappy store in Kalispell. I carry my gun into stores on a regular bases don't you? We found some good buys here though!

Yup you got it, in front of the hotel in Polson, after we cleaned up.

I enjoy this little 2 day outing with the girls! We have fun singing, chatting, shopping, eating, oh and of course running! 

I'm thankful for such great friends, for the fact that I can run, even if it is slow and the chance to see such great countryside! 

Next year, hopefully the WHOLE gang will be able to make it and maybe even some more!

What I learned:
Barb to Waitress: "What's the soup of the day?"
Waitress: "It's Friday!"
Translation, soup of the day on Friday's is Clam Chowder, regardless of the restaurant. Did you know that? I didn't know that!

Ziggy and Ace

Just thought I might make note of a couple of fun things that have happened over the summer.

Meet Ziggy!

He is the newest member of the family, born 26 June 2012

" You know I'm cute, handsome, and completely ADORABLE!"

Ziggy is a border collie - red heeler cross and one tough puppy!
I've had him since 18 Aug 2012 but he got really sick and at one point I thought he was going to die. Luckily for us, we worked hard at keeping him hydrated, prayed hard and thus Ziggy is one of God's "tender mercies".  Thank you to the Nunn's for such a nice dog. I feel lucky to have him! (I'm glad Hanna thought I needed a dog.)

" I ain't afraid of no Cat!"

The other fun thing is that this nice grey gelding is "Wranglers Slidin n Grinnin" known as Ace. He was bought by Niki Flundra last fall. Niki is a trick rider and Ace has been moved up into her show.

Ahh, isn't he totally and completely loveable? Here he is waiting to perform at the Pincher Creek Rodeo in August 2012.

Here is Niki doing her thing, no bridle, no saddle and a bull whip!

Then she lays the horse down and has her helper stay with him.

Now Ace shows what he can do. Niki moves him around the other horse with nothing other than her body language and the whip (which is an extension of her hand).

Now Ace side passes over the other horse. Not natural at all! But Ace does it willingly and calmly, and of course the bay horse takes it all in with no problem.

The cute little helper finishes things off with a wave and a smile.

And out of the arena we all go, no halters, no lead ropes!

Great job Niki and Ace! Can't wait to see what's next for you guys!

It is so fun to see Wrangler War Leo babies out there doing such neat things. Wrangler was a great horse and he has some pretty fine get out there taking good care of their owners. It was an honor and privilege to own and ride such a nice horse as Wranglers War Leo!

At Last!

October 2011 was a Great Month for Dixie Dee!

Take a good look to the North!

Another look North with a fine herd of Cattle!

Now a look to the West!

A look South!

Yup that's it! 

It's my land, it's paid for and it's a beautiful thing!

It Was a Perfect Day!

Lucy and I went to Waterton Sunday night to check out the trail head for our Rowe Lake trail ride. Of course we had to head up to Cameron to check the lake out. It was a beautiful night and we played around with the camera. Just in case you don't know, Lucy loves the camera!

Woke up bright and early this morning to get horses ready for our ride to Rowe Lakes in Waterton Lakes National Park. Here we are on our way up, Barb riding Downey, Marilee riding Tiffy, Colynda riding Spider, Shauna riding umm I don't know, and Kaylynn riding Lena. 

And Hali our leader, riding umm, I don't know, a young horse on it's first mountain ride.

The weather was perfect, no wind, no flies, sunshine, blue sky, excellent company, fine horses, scenery that people come from all over the world to see,... oh I could go on and on but I'll hold back for the moment.

 Here we are at Rowe Meadow, Hali is taking the picture!

The gang all mounted!

It was a trick getting the camera going and mounted before the click of the shutter.

All around the treats!! Oh you know we solved the world's problems and had a few laughs along the way! Love these women! I'm so lucky to have such fine friends!!

A Perfect Day! 

What I've Been Doing!

July has been a busy month so far. First I was lucky enough to get to Moroni's Quest on the Food committee. Let me tell you feeding 375 or more bodies is no easy task! Our committee was well organized and we didn't have too many problems, it was alot of work but fun none the less.

Moroni's Quest is a great production that takes alot of effort by so many people, but I think it is worth it! We are lucky to be around so many people that give so much!

We are handing out sack lunches on the first day. I wanted to be out where the Nephites were to get a taste of what was going on. As I was handing out the lunches alot of the youth thought I was part of the temptations in Lehi's dream. Ah poor kids, hungry and don't know if it's good to partake. ( I loved it of course, and no I wasn't part of the great and spacious building at that point!)
So thankful to have a chance to experience Moroni's Quest in some fashion for sure! If you ever get the chance to participate leap at it, it is one of the best things EVER!!

The second week of July was spent at Beehive Camp. I've been called to the Stake Young Women's and was in charge of  organizing the camp for about 55 fun Beehives!! We spent two nights at the Magrath Stake Campground and it was perfect!!
Here we all are wearing our green "It's Better to Look Up!" T'shirts.

Neve Dewey designed the logo, we used the Beehive and put it on the left side. It was fun to see everyone in their Green Camp shirt!

This is what we did at camp, thank heaven we had some heat!

We went down the waterslide, over and over and over again!!

The girls loved the waterslide, we almost couldn't get them off it. It's a long sheet of black irrigation tarp "stuff" that uses irrigation water. Fun, Fun, Fun!!! When I went down for the first time, Shayna Olsen had me go behind her so she could give me the "Shayna Shower"!! She ducked down and made the water splash right in my face the whole way down!! We all loved it, and it felt good in that heat!! It was a great camp, lots of good help from all the wards and girls! A fun thing to be a part of for sure!! Lucky me!

And to finish off, I've been working on coming up with some names for the foals of 2012! A couple of nice looking buckskins don'tchya think!? The one on the left is a filly and the one on the right is a colt! Any suggestions?

(Do I really have to go back to work?)

Grandma Joy's Stick Horse Rodeo

Grandma Joy (aka my Mom) decided that she wanted to have a Stick Horse Rodeo for her primary kids. (She is the primary president in the Leavitt Ward). Mom has more energy than most and she loves the kids. She really is amazing at the things she can get done and the love that she has for the little ones!! Just for the record, the primary president is 68 yrs old. (Didn't want to say that too loud)
Notice the header, see who is leading all those cute munchkins!!

Look up Grandma Joy!

Tommy Jr, Mom's great grandson all the way down from Lacombe to join in on the party. "Grandma can't have a rodeo without me!"

Zak Bevans. One of my favorite pictures of the whole rodeo!

Before we got wet!

A little Mutton Bustin'!

I love this picture for so many reasons: Carly is adorable, Kaylynn is involved, it's raining and Mom is there coaching as only she can. She stood there (3 hrs) and worked with every contestant, cheered each one and offered aid when needed. This was Mom's rodeo and the kids LOVED EVERY MINUTE!!

A little Pole Bendin'

My little friend Lucy, hanging out in the rain, knowing I'm taking a picture and giving me the "look".

More of the "Look".

" Ok, I'll smile!" How cute is that?

Brad Sommerfeldt, the Judge of the "Rodeo"!

My Dad, so good to support Mom in all her "little" projects!

Can I say I love this picture too! Yup I love this picture!!

A little Bronc Ridin'

What a cheerleader that lady is!

The clown worked hard, I'm guessing he's wonderin' if real bulls aren't easier than the Stick Horses? :)

Some more Pole Bendin'

Go Annie, Go!!

Some Goat Tyin'

More Goat Tyin'.

"Dad, isn't it 2 back feet & 1 front foot?"

The Help!

Such good people to support the kids inspite of the rain!

 "You know I'm Cute!" "Adorable in fact!"

Some Wheel Barrel Racin'!

And that would be some Mutton BUSTIN'!

Mom worked hard on putting this event together and it paid off. The kids had a riot, everyone was so good to help and memories were made and that is what bein' a kid is all about!!

Really, what would it be like to have an event like this in the sunshine and no wind?? I wonder if we'll ever know???

Rebecca Proffit did a great video for YouTube entitled "Children's Rodeo" by coolhomeschoolmom. Great music and great shots of the kids in action.