Jace McCoy - 23 months

It's hard to believe that this little guy...

is going to be 2 next month!  He is quite the little character and talks up a storm, loves to play outside, loves his older brother and sister, most recently LOVES taking a shower and we now have to use "code" when someone is going to take a shower and doesn't need company!  He went through a little spell of thinking he needed to bite people to get their attention and we hopefully have surpassed this!  He definitely knows the word "No!" and does not hesitate to tell us that when he doesn't like something!   When mom isn't available, this little lady will do...

After having tubes put in his ears about a year ago things have gone very well until about 2 weeks ago and he definitely wasn't himself but he wasn't running a temperature!  Unfortunately, at our house if you aren't running a temperature or throwing up, there is no need to stay home or see a doctor.  Well, after spending 2 nights with little sleep and being a bear during the day I finally decided to take him in and low and behold he had DOUBLE ear infection!  I felt terrible but he is on the road to recovery! 

Christmas is going to be a lot of fun this year with our little man as he is very curious about all the presents!  He continues to keep us hoppin' and we just can't imagine what we would do without this little guy...especially when we get a "Mornin' Mom/Dad" or "I wove you!" with his cute little smile and even this little

face...

  

or the little "ham" he is...

or just the nice boy!

We just can't believe that you will be 2 soon!  Love you buddy!

Sedler Wedding

Steve (my cousin) and Candace's wedding was a couple weekends ago.  Jade handed out programs and Jory was a gift carrier.  They cleaned up pretty well and we all had a great time!   

Cousins...Bridger, Jory and Brandt

Cousins...Dawsyn, Cedar, Callie and Jade

State Volleyball Tournament

Our little school, Midkota, has 42 kids grades 9-12 and a total of 59 kids in grades 7-12 and we were fortunate enough to make it to the ND State Volleyball Tournament.  It was a great weekend and we ended up taking home the 3rd place trophy!  Our girls had an amazing season and I am so proud of all of them!  Here is a picture of the up and coming Mustang Volleyball girls...I hope they watched closely this weekend!  ;)  Jory even "trimmed" his hair for the occasion!  lol

  

Jory Basketball Season

Jory had 2 days off between Football season and Basketball season.  He was ready to roll as this was his first year of organized elementary basketball.  He had a good season and it was fun to see the boys improve throughout the season.  They placed 2nd in the final game/tournament of the season.  Congrats Mustangs! 

Veteran's Day!

I am a bit behind to be blogging about Veteran's Day but I thought these pictures were too great to pass by. So, I happened to be at the High School on Veteran's Day and I thought it was just really neat how the kids at the High School had recognized the day!   

Twin Day!

During Spirit Week at school we had "Twin" day.  Jory and his friend, Breck, dressed up as cowboys...SHOCKER!!  lol 

But the best "twin" of the day, in my opinion, was Sydney Gilbertson! She dressed up as ME! It was just too cute! I had to get a picture with her...she was all decked out in her mom's Silpada jewelry, she had her hair flipped out on the ends and a vest on (which is a staple in my closet)! I guess kids do pay attention!

Fall Pictures Shoot!

I had my cousin, Emily Bjornson, come to our house the end of October to take a few pictures of the kids.  The wind was blowing like crazy so we ended up heading out to Red Willow Resort and to one of our pastures near the lake, out of the wind, to capture a few photos.  I was very happy with the results and we were able to make one work for our Christmas picture.  Here are a few that I like... 

2011 School Pictures

2011-12 School Pictures...all I can say is that they are growing up way too fast! Their schedules are crazy busy but we enjoy every rodeo, basketball game, concert, volleyball game, and football game that they are involved in!

Jade Nicole - 12 years old (7th Grade)

Jory Alan - 9 years old (4th Grade)

Jace McCoy - 20 Months

Grandparents

Unfortunately, with 3 busy kids, a busy husband and a job one of the things that doesn't happen enough is stopping at my grandparents homes!  So, today Jade and Alan went to a breakaway jackpot, Jory was deer hunting with some friends of ours so Jace and I headed to town to visit!  My grandparents mean a lot to mean and have taught me so much over my 40 years!  My grandparents have taught me to work hard, go to school, do things that you enjoy, treat people like you would want to be treated, "pay it forward" and to help your community!  I try to do these things and try to instill some of these same values in my kids.  My grandparents have always been there for me and continue to do so!  I have been very fortunate to have all of my grandparents live very close and to have had 3 of my grandparents not only watch me grow up but my kids as well!  Not many people can say that!  My Grandma Mac is 92 years old and I don't know that she missed a rodeo within a 90 mile radius this past summer!!  Love you all!!


    

Lefse Call!!

I knew this phone call would be coming one day but I didn't think that this past Monday I would receive it!  My grandmother phoning me with, "I just made a batch of lefse, and it's my last, so if you want a piece, run over and have one!"  My thoughts, "Really?!?!  The last batch!"  My response, "I will be RIGHT over!"  Well, as far as I'm concerned...Lefse isn't any good, unless it is HOT off the griddle and my Grandma Lorraine knows that!  So, off I went and enjoyed the last good round of lefse and also some good conversation with my Grandma.  Grandma's lefse making began at night with Grandpa Lyle "ricing" the potatoes and then she would usually wake up early about 4:00 AM and be all done by 8:00. She has made lefse for years, not only for our family but many other people!  "Rolling" lefse is hard work, especially on a person's back and she said she just can't do it anymore!  I completely understand this!  Our lefse phone calls have gone on for years...when she made lefsa, and it worked for me to run over there usually before work, I was there!  If you have nevered enjoyed a piece of HOT lefse right off the griddle, you don't know what you are missing.  People say to me, "Just warm it up in the microwave!"  Well, that is NOT fresh lefse and it just doesn't taste the same!!  Also, there is many different versions of lefse, some people make it thick, some thin and some super thin.  Well, my grandma's is super thin and when hot, butter spread and sugar sprinkled...it is FABULOUS!!  You have to understand, I didn't JUST stop by to eat, although those of you that know me well, know I love to eat, but because we usually solved all the "problems of the world" during my 15 minute lefse stop!  LOL  So, now that the last lefse batch has been made, she is going to have to come up with some other food item...so that our early morning "lefse" meetings turn into maybe "Omlette" meetings!  Love you Grandma & Grandpa!

 

      

Schaefer Girls!

When we moved to North Dakota, the Schaefer girls, Jordyn and Kacie were 2 and 4!  We rodeoed with their dad and still do today!  They have grown up to be beautiful ladies and we love them dearly!!  We took this picture at the Roughrider Finals the end of September! 

Fall Fun!

My nieces, Karsyn and Lauryn, and my nephew, Kade, were here a few weeks ago after school  to play. They raked up some leaves and were playing in them....here are a few pictures!

Jace

This little man continues to keep us smiling!  He has quite the little personality!  Here he is hanging out (sitting on Jory's football helmet) waiting for his big brother to take off his football gear! 

Football Season

Connor and Jory - 1st FB game

Jory along with one of his friend, Connor, played 4th grade football this year!  They played with the Carrington Club and had a blast!  Practice started the 3rd week of August with practice every night (except Fri., Sat., & Sunday) for the first 3 weeks.  Once games began they either had practice or a game on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.  His season ended the 2nd week in October wrapping up in Devils lake at the "Super Bowl".  He played quarterback and loved every minute of it!  Look out Minnesota Vikings!  ;)  

Jory played against one of his rodeo buddies, Colter Soderholm!

First Team Ropin' Check!!

Jory and Alan roped together in the Mixed Team Roping in Fort Yates the end of August and ended up splitting 2nd/3rd place with another team!  Alan headed the steer and Jory came in to gather up both back feet!  The crowd went wild and Jory was all grins!  Although, I think Alan was too!!! ;)  Once they received their checks in the mail, I had to take a picture of them holding their checks!  Congrats you two!! 

Red Willow Bible Camp Quilt Auction

This is the 24th year that my parents have been involved with the Red Willow Bible Camp Quilt Auction, of course, Louis and Alan have been involved since getting their auctioneering license.  It is usually held towards the end of August each year and we donate our auction services.  Each year, church groups donate quilts as well as art items towards the auction.  Proceeds from this fundraiser (typically in the $20-30k range) help the camp with special projects or operating expenses.  Next year marks 25 years....pretty amazing!   

2011 First Day of School

J & J's first day of the 2011-12 School Year AND Jade's first regular bus route ride!  Jade begins 7th grade and heads to Glenfield to the Jr High/High School, requiring her to ride the bus every morning!  Jory begins 4th grade in a combined (4th/5th grade) classroom, with Mrs. Gleason.  Jade and Jory have always just rode with me to school each day, so riding the bus has been a change for Jade.  Of course, after school each day she has volleyball and so catches a ride back home every night with a couple of high school girls!  Thank You Shaye and Alyssa!!!     

Jace's Buddy!

All of the kids have their "buddies" at rodeos...this is Jace's!  His name is Pete and they are 2 months apart and have fun "ranching" or just hangin' out together at the rodeo!  Pete has a 3 older sisters...Jada, Macy and Ruby!

G&G and their "rodeo" grandkids!

Grandpa Ron and Grandma Shelley pictured with their "rodeo" grandkids and their year-end "winnings" at the last Dakota Youth Rodeo Series rodeo!   Some pretty.lucky.kids!!!!   

Dakota Youth Rodeo Series Ribbon Roping Champs!

Jade and Jory with their Ribbon Roping Buckles! For those of you not familiar with rodeo, Ribbon Roping is a team event that consists of a roper (Jade) and a runner (Jory)! Jade must rope the calf and dismount her horse (similiar to the calf roping) and Jory runs to the calf and grabs a piece of the ribbon that has been tied to the calf's tail and then runs back to the roping boxes to the judges. Jory cannot take a piece of the ribbon until Jade is touching the calf. It is a really fun event to watch and can be quite funny although, sometimes dangerous too!

Jade and Jory did very well this year in the Dakota Youth Rodeo Series and ended up winning the year end buckles! Way to go guys!

Playin'

Jace playing with Uncle Larry's stick horse that he made for his grand kids!  If you can see, he is even galloping like a horse...it doesn't take long for kids to learn!  Although, he has had quite a bit of learning in that department!! ;) 

Jory and Breck

Jory and Breck hanging out on the bucking chutes at the last Dakota Youth Rodeo.  Jory and Breck are both going to be 4th graders this year at Midkota.

Sorry!

Before I continue to try and update you on our "life in the fast lane"!  lol  I have to apologize because I haven't been very good at keeping this blog up to date!  My life the past 2 months has been consumed with rodeos, volleyball, football, auction sales, ND High School Rodeo Assoc. duties, being a mom, ranch wife, and last but not least,  my JOB, Business Manager for our school district! Yikes, my life is full!  Anyways, I will try and get some pictures and updates on here.  My Grandma Lorraine reminded me on Wednesday that I hadn't blog in a while...ugh, that's right, I forgot about that!  LOL....so here it goes!  A little "smatter" of what has gone on that past 2 months!  For those of you that have missed my updates...enjoy!

Rodeo Buddies!

Jade and some of her "Rodeo Buddies" watching the arena during one of her Jr. High Rodeos.  (Left to Right) Lauren Topp, Jade, Cedar Anderson (cousin), and Jada Maher.  Some very talented girls!!

Favorite Toy!

One of Jace's favorite outside toys is the Cozy Coupe that Jade received for her 1st birthday from Uncle Louis and Aunt Kristi!  I am glad I kept it because he has spent a lot of time "driving" around this summer! 

Grandma Boote visits!

Grandma Boote and some more of the Boote family from Iowa came to visit us this past weekend. They were able to take in an auction sale on Saturday and then a Youth Rodeo in Devils Lake on Sunday. Saturday night we celebrated and early birthday for me (Nikki)! We had a great time and look forward to have them visit again! Below is a couple picture of Grandma Boote and the kids!

Jory, Grandma, Jace and Jade