Various Events

The other day the kids and I took a trip to downtown Albany just to check out the shops, and it was like stepping back in time. I put Rachel in her stroller and Jaxson, Rachel, and I were able to browse around, get a delicious old-fashioned chocolate malt from the pharmacy, and check the mail at the post office in one trip. We really had a good time. There is a great kitchen supply store that I will have to check out at a later time when I'm not maneuvering a stroller and four grabby hands.
Jaxson is becoming an expert fisherman. We were down on the pier yesterday morning and he dropped his hook in the water without any bait. A few seconds later he yanked up his line and plopped a little perch right onto the pier.
I have to brag on my husband. When we moved in we realized we didn't have a dishwasher so Shawn insisted that I order a portable dishwasher. I roll it up to the sink and hook it up each night and in the morning it rolls back into the corner. It has just enough room for all our plates, bowls, silverware, cups, bottles, etc. I didn't realize how much time it takes to handwash all those dishes until the first day I used it. It really is a great time saver.
Last, but not least, this morning we were getting ready for church when all of a sudden there was a really loud noise outside. Long story short, it was a helicopter! The guys, Shawn and Johnny, were wanting to do a deer census for the ranch, but Shawn assumed it would be cancelled because of the weather last night. Well as it turned out the weather was just fine this morning so Shawn went on a helicopter ride before church. He had a blast and Jaxson was very impressed too. When Shawn got out of the helicopter Jaxson told him he had to take him for a ride. Shawn's dad was here visiting and was able to get some pictures so hopefully I will be able to post some.

Adventures

The kids and I made our first trip to Abilene this morning. It was a bit of an adventure only because I didn't study my map as well as I should have before I left. It all turned out fine though. I miraculously ended up where I needed to be and then we went on to Walmart. FYI, Abilene has the biggest Walmart I've ever been in. It's new and very clean. Jaxson helped me with our shopping, and Rachel helped by being very cheeful and having fun. I even let Jaxson get a gel filled "Scooshy Ball" at the check out. Of course everyone can relate to having to learn the layout of a new Walmart.
I was a little nervous about the trip home due to the fact that we were loading up for the forty-five minute trip home right at Rachel's lunch time. Thanks to a teething biscuit though it was just fine. We only had to make two stops. I noticed a bee trying to get out of the back window as soon as we got on the highway so I had to stop and let it out. The second stop came when I heard Jaxson say, "Look mommy, an elephant!" I looked back to find the scoosh dripping out of the scooshy ball. Thankfully it was a very easy clean up. I can't say the same for Rachel and the teething biscuit, but I knew that was going to happen. It was either a biscuit covered baby or a forty-five minute miserable car trip.
Oh, I have another addition to the Jaxsonism list. A "tickle box" is a tackle box to the rest of us.

Jaxsonisms

I know every kid makes up their own words. I thought I'd share a few of Jaxson's recent sayings that make us chuckle.

"Winter vines"--Wind turbines
"Goggly-ears"--Binoculars
"Blood juice"----Fruit punch
"It's not conformance"--I have no idea what this means.
"Gatorater"--A Gator utility vehicle and Gatorade
"Wronghorns"--Well, that sounds good to us.

Jaxson is really enjoying his time here at the ranch. His favorite part of everyday, and I think Shawn's too, is after dinner when they take a ride on the Gatorater. They are usually gone for about an hour and Jaxson comes home talking about all the wildlife he's seen. He's also very familiar with Sunflowers and Snow on the Mountain Flowers.

Miss Rachel

Here is a recent picture of Rachel. We were at a birthday party for some friends at the beginning of August and their mom took this picture of Miss Rachel playing with a ball.

Sunflowers

Jaxson and I were looking at a book with paintings in it and there was a picture of a sunflower. The book asked why the sunflower is named such so I asked Jaxson. He said, "Because they have to shine."

Then we came to a painting with purple trees and I asked him if he'd ever seen a purple tree. He said yes so I asked him where had he seen a purple tree. He pointed to the picture in the book and said, "Right here."

We made it!

Well we made it to Albany thanks to lots of help from many wonderful people, but especially my father-in-law Don, aka Paw-Paw. First things first--apparently the mail doesn't deliver out here so we have a new address:
PO Box 524
Albany, TX 76430
And for those of you interested our phone # here at the house is 325-762-3530. We still have the same cell # for now. We are doing well, starting to settle into a routine. And boxes are slowly disappearing. Shawn has hit the ground running with Johnny, literally. They are out hiking right now. Shawn has spent the majority of his time learning the layout of the land with Johnny, who knows just about every square inch of the 25,000 acres. He's a great guy to which Jaxson has taken an especial liking. Johnny is the current wildlife manager, by the way.
Rachel is doing well too. She's adjusting to having to share a room with her brother. Really the only issue is naptime when they just want to stay up and talk with each other. I just decided to put Jaxson in our bed for naps. Although today it seems he has decided to sing The Ants Go Marching instead of sleeping.

Where we're headed

For those of you wondering our new address will be:
PO Box 524
Albany, Tx 76430

Here's the link to the ranch's web page for any that want to check it out:
http://www.stasneyscookranch.com/

Graduation Pictures

What a Weekend!

Well Shawn managed to get his ring and a diploma all on the same day. It was very busy but a whole lot of fun. I've never been more proud, and that ring sure looks good! We thank God for His grace and provision that got us through these years. Now all that's left is to pack up the house and move! Oh and when Jaxson saw his daddy in the cap and gown he said, "I want to be a pirate too!"

No mas escuela, no mas libros....

We are officially done with school and espanol! I say we like I was the one taking the classes. Graduation is 2pm Friday and I will post pictures of Shawn in all his glory. Hooray, or should I say, "WHOOP!!"

First Post

Well I managed to at least get it started. I have grand intentions of keeping you posted on our Wildlife Adventure. We'll see if Shawn likes the name.