Grandma's House!

Everyone needs a "Grandma's House"! This is the place where you stop while in town for all kinds of things. Cookies from the cookie jar, a quick shower, use the computer, perfect place to park and watch the fireworks, oh the list goes on and on....
Mostly I think it was fun to just hang out for a few laughs with Grandma and Grandpa Vadnais.

Laura Low Vadnais
15 June 1922 - 16 April 2013

Laura Low Vadnais, my Grandma, passed away the day before my birthday. I'm happy for her that she is on to better places and better things, but I have to say that I miss her and I miss "Grandma's House."

This is Laura and Laurier's Wedding picture, 30 Jan 1943. Married in the Cardston Alberta Temple. 
I just love these old photos and this   
one even more!



I told Grandma that I liked this picture so she wrote on the back for me! So cool that I have her picture and her love in her handwriting!!!

I call this one "Young Love"!

I just love this picture! Grandma on their first tractor 1952.

Laura and Laurier Vadnais family, 1966 or so.

Back Row: Lavern, Joy, Ken, Bruce

Front Row: Susan, Laura, Laurier, Gordon

Same family in the mid to late 1970's!

Low 4 Generation Picture

Dixie, Rod and Kelly Bevans (The cute kids on the knees) with Anna Joy Vadnais Bevans, Laura Low Vadnais and Brigham and Antris Gedleman Low. (Oh those kids are cute, sweet, adorable....)

Grandma and Grandpa Vadnais 2003! Oh how I love them!

1952ish

I love this picture! It was one Grandma took!

Layin 11's !!

This is so much fun to do!! 

I went to Helena for some coaching on my very nice reining mare, Lo Lit Chic! Renee is an excellent coach and I feel like I made some break through's on learning how to ride this great mare!

Oh it is so much fun when things come together! Oh and notice that I'm not wearing a winter coat!! It was great outside weather!! Double ya hoo!!!

See what's left after the dust clears!!

Now that's what I call Layin 11's!!

Oh it is so much fun to do!

Finally Made it to Helena!

I finally made it to Helena to see my new horse Lo Lit Chic. She has been in Helena from Texas since the middle of December. I tried to go south to ride her, but "Ole Man Winter" had something to say about that!

I love her, I love sliding and spinning her and I have high hopes for a fun and successful show season 2013!!! It's great to get back to riding and improving my riding. She is a very nice mare and I do have to learn how to get the best out of her.
Some of the names on her papers are: Bueno Starlight, Grays Starlight, Peppy San Badger, Bueno Chex Too, Smart Chic Olena, etc.... 

I'm very lucky to have the chance to ride such a nice horse and I can't wait for the show season to start!

Oh I should have more pictures, but it's hard to take pictures while riding and leaving 20 foot slide tracks, Ohhh that is Funnnnn!

Renee Pipinich, Renee Pipinich Reining Horses, is my trainer & coach, and she knew that LC and I would get along, a huge Thank you to Renee for picking out such a nice, fun mare to learn how to ride and show!!

I also was lucky enough to sell a nice Wrangler Mare while in Helena. It was a good trip south on all accounts!

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!