Sunflowers

Last spring Jade's 4th grade class was given sunflower seeds to grow as a summer project. Here is a picture of what Jade's seeds produced...they are just starting to bloom...

After such a dry summer I was surprised that these sunflowers continued to grow but apparently sunflowers can grow even on hard well water about twice a week...or maybe more like once a week!!

She did well but I don't think a garden is in our future...at least not in mine!!!!

HALF WAY...20 weeks

I never took a picture while I was pregnant with either Jade or Jory...yuck...who wants to look at a picture of themselves, especially a picture where you are bearing more weight than usual! Well, that was my thinking with the first two but now I kind of wish I had a picture from when I was pregnant with them so, here goes it...20 weeks pregnant with the our 3rd child.

As most of you know, I had an Ultrasound (US) at 10 weeks and for some reason that US was accidentally deleted from the computer so, at 17 weeks they performed another US (which by the way looks great) and the technician told me she "thought" it looked like we were having a boy. Well, after the US I was scheduled for a doctors appointment that same day and my doctor told me that if everything on today's US looks good I wouldn't need another US at 20 or 21 weeks...WRONG I said! I really have my heart set on finding out the gender of this child as we did not find out with either Jade or Jory and after all I HAVE NOTHING BABY LEFT!! I really need to plan!!! So, after some negotiating with my doctor the following week, he has allowed me another US which is scheduled for next Thursday, September 3rd and we will find out for sure if this baby is a Boote boy or girl...stay tuned!

Up until this point I really haven't wore much maternity clothes...have just purchased a few larger pants and used the old rubber band trick on the waist, however, in the last week I have used some maternity shirts. I feel great and can't complain about a thing! I rodeoed last weekend and am officially calling it quits until after this baby is born. Although, Alan and Jade have "taken over" my horse the past month and both have been using him so he doesn't just get to stand around...yikes, if I don't watch it I may not get him back next summer! ;)

Jory Binford PBR

Here is Jory at Binford's PBR this year. He had the crowd cheering and hollaring. He loves to ride sheep and has now decided to move on to bigger and better things. After pestering us all summer about riding a bucking pony at the youth rodeos we finally agreed to let him ride one (only if he agreed to wear a helmet and a vest borrowed from some friends) at the last of the Dakota Series rodeos in Warwick about 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, we didn't get the response that we would have liked to have gotten...his response afterwards was "That was awesome!!"...Ugh...you mean you LIKED it was our thought!! We were hoping for a..."I am never doing that again!" So, now he is gearing up to ride steers at the final Youth rodeo in Mandan in September...again, under the condition he has to wear a helmet and vest! So, I found a used hockey helmet on ebay for $20.00...still searching for a vest...I hope this phase doesn't last long...

The other picture is from the ND State Fair...his highlight was riding the mechanical bull! YIKES!!

2009-10 School Year Begins

The 2009-10 Midkota School year began today. Jade started 5th Grade and Jory started 2nd grade. As you can about guess, Jory has been driving Jade crazy over the past week with his "Oh, I can hardly wait until school starts!" and the mere thought of starting school made Jade sick to her stomach! Anyways, we began today and are off and running! Speaking of that...I need to get the kids pointed in the direction of their beds! Ugh...hard to do when still light out!

2009 NDSF All-Around Champs

We took the kids to the ND State Fair on Wednesday for the Showdeo. They both did very well and Jory was able to bring home his First Buckle-he won the 8 and under All Around Buckle! Jade was fortunate enough to have won the buckle in her age division as well. YEAH!! They were both excited and are grateful for the buckles and the nice prizes in each event (saddle bags, feed, fly masks, reins, and a NDSF bag)...Thanks to the organizers and to the NDSF for the buckles and prizes! Off to more rodeos tomorrow and the final youth rodeo in the "Dakota Series" in Warwick on Sunday. Jory is hoping for a few more buckles...I think he has caught the bug (or maybe he had it before winning this buckle)...what do you think?

2009 Summer Rodeoing...

The kids have been very busy practicing and rodeoing this summer and thus far have been very successful! Jade has won the All-Around in both the June and July Mandan Youth rodeos and is leading her division with two rodeos remaining (one in August and one in September). Jory has done very well in the Warwick Youth Rodeo series and sweeped his age division at the last rodeo, winning all of his events so he came home with a big grin! Jade's love is Barrel Racing and Jory's love is Sheep Riding...oh, I hope he doesn't go on to be a rough stock rider...I don't think my nerves could handle that. He is only 7 so hopefully he outgrows this love. He does like to rope the dummy and so it is Alan hope that that continues!!

Another Boote Cowboy/Cowgirl...

Well, the news is out! WE ARE HAVING A BABY!! Our due date is January 15th so I am about 14 weeks along. Many people ask if this was a surprise and my response is this: "We" had planned for a baby about 3 years ago but that wasn't meant to be; we have to remember that everything is in His time; so we are blessed with a baby now! We are excited and pray for a healthy baby. Our kids will be fabulous help and Jade is excited, however, Jory is a bit hesitant but he will come around...he will have to. I have been feeling very good but could use a nap every couple hours...ugh! I feel like a lazy lug but I know I do need my sleep! We ARE going to find out what this baby is and so around the 1st of September we should know. We did not find out with Jade and Jory but feel since we have NO baby items left we need to get organized a litte. Please pray for another healthy Boote baby!!