Halloween

This year Connor was the only one who dressed up. He was an 'indian'.

A new chapter begins!

We have officially moved to the ranch! We will be working on the ranch and we'll get to see our bucking bulls almost everyday! So I know almost everyone who reads this knows how hard ranching is, but there might be some who might think "How hard could it be? There are big open pastures that the cows roam around in, eat, and take care of themselves right?? Oh no!- Henson will be mending fences, building corrals, feeding the animals that are not out to pasture, checking each pasture to make sure none of the animals are on the wrong side of the fence, doing day-long horse rides to move the animals from one pasture to another, hauling water, loading and unloading hay, cleaning out horse pens, welding stuff, breaking and halter breaking colts, branding, and I'm sure there's more, but I can't think of them right now. ( I bet Cleo could think of some more)

And all of this Henson's parents have been pretty much doing themselves! So we decided we needed to come and relieve them, cause Henson says they're getting too old. Jerry and Nancy are the hardest working people I know and do EVERYTHING together. They are also the most generous and selfless couple in the world! They do so much for everyone and I have never heard them complain or ask for anything in return. What a great example they set for us- we love them to death!!!

We are all excited for this change, but also bummed. We have made a lot of friends in Flagstaff and the surrounding areas and will miss them so much. We are so happy that Connor and Ross (Henson's baby brother) get to grow up on the ranch together. I am looking forward to living closer to family again and hopefully that means I can ride my horses more with all the babysitters!

I will post pictures as soon as all this moving madness ends.

Weekend in Payson

Last weekend Henson's sister, Tally, took us to Grandpa & Grandma Spurlock's house in Payson. We had a great time with the Grandparents and we got to relax for a change. Sunday was a beautiful day so I took the family outside for pictures. Hope you enjoy!



Haidyn is sitting on the very first saddle that my talented husband made.

Navajo rug weaving

A couple of months ago I asked my grandma if she could weave me a saddle blanket and being the awesome grandmother that she is, agreed. I was so excited and while she was putting the loom together I had an epiphany- "I should learn how to weave!!!" So we made a small loom for me and she started my saddle blanket. She finished my 3' x 5' blanket in about three weeks. Here is a picture of me and my brand new saddle blanket (its folded in half). The rug behind me on my right, and the little one on my left are some she wove a long time ago and gave to my mother who then gave them to me. The one in the middle was given to us as a wedding gift by Nancy (Henson's mom). Sorry the picture is crooked- Connor was my photographer.

Here is a picture of mine...... two months later. It is hard for me to find time where I can work on it without someone 'trying to help me'- All you parents know what I'm talking about. I have just done straight lines for now cause I haven't learned how to do other designs yet. Weaving with only one color is an art of its own, and coordinating colors and coming up with a design is just crazy! But I'm sure I'll get there one day. My grandmother is now weaving Henson a saddle blanket. I'll post a picture when it is finished.

Here is a picture of my grandma holding Haidyn a while back.

Winn Family Reunion

This year we had the Winn family reunion at Lyman lake for the second year in a row on Labor day weekend. It rained a lot but there was a lot of sunshine too. Thanks to all the chefs in the family we ate real good- we had fajitas and shrimp boil (a tradition) for dinner- yummy! The adults sat around the campfire and talked nonsense, the teenagers played cards, and the kids (or their parents) made bottle rockets. I think Connor's (I should say Henson's) went the highest and had the coolest spin on it.


Last but not least, we all had fun on the boats. Life jackets and Cowboy hats- it doesn't get any better than that!

No more Bean

Last week we lost Bean. I have had her since 2001-she was just a pup. We have been through a lot together- she lived with me in college, and was probably a little upset when I married Henson and her spot in the bed was taken. She welcomed Connor into our home and was also accepting when Haidyn came along too. She developed cataracts when she was about three years old and still got along very well. We will all miss her and maybe one day she will be back, but for now we can just hope that she is in good hands.

On a brighter note, a couple of months ago Henson's mom gave us a german shepherd puppy named "Filly" she isn't small anymore and is such a good dog. Nancy was originally supposed to give her to her sister but ended up giving her to us- I guess she is where she is supposed to be.

A True Cowboy

Henson just started breaking his 500th colt (I might be exaggerating but he has broken a lot)! It is really neat to see the transformation that Henson is able to make in these horses. The colts come just barely halter broke and in a day or two he will have them saddled. After a few more days he will be riding them out on the ranch gathering cattle! He learned from his dad when he was 13 and has been doing it ever since. Pretty soon he will be teaching Connor! (right now he is making me train my own horse but that is a whole 'nother post!')

Mom and Dad bought me a new "jumpoline"

I love to jump on my new jumpoline. I especially love to play 'bucking bulls' with my pops. He 'bucks' really high and I can hang on really tight. Thanks mommy and daddy!

We love bucking bulls!

My Daddy and I put Haidyn on my bucking bull toy the other day and she seems to love bucking just as much as I do!

A day on the ranch

We took a break from Antelope Hills and spent a week in Sanders and at the ranch. Here are some pictures of when we all went out to Crazy Creek and moved the cows to another pasture, branded and all that other fun stuff. By the way, that's Todd stretching before getting on his horse.

The new arena/corrals

This is for the Hiatt family way ober dere in Texas. I posted this picture so you all could see how the new corrals and bucking arena are coming along. Its going to be way cool!!! Now we won't have to take all our bulls all the way to Sanders to buck them.

I am officially 3 years old!

May 15th was a big day for me- It was my BIRTHDAY!!! I had a dinosaur cake and got lots of toys, I had such a good day and was so happy that my uncle Ross was there!

My sister is getting big!

Micah Haidyn is getting so big. I can't wait till she is old enough to play with me. Mom says I need to quit being so rough with her, but I'm just trying to make her tough.

Don't mess with Bryan & Lyndrea!

Here is a picture of Linny with her karate instructors- and a picture of the class. Bryan and Linny are "fully awesome" and can kick some butt!! It was neat to watch the kids in action. We usually only hear about how good they are from Jerry- he brags about them all the time!

Congrats Amberlee!!

This weekend we celebrated Amber's graduation from NAU. GO AMBER!!! I also had to post a picture of Nancy with her beautiful jewelry that Reaves and Ransom sent for her birthday. Good pick boys!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENSON!!!

This year we had my Daddy's 26th birthday party at Buffalo Wild Wings. We had good food and good fun. I loved that I got to spend the evening with the family- I bet my Dad was happy too. Oh yeah, thank you for my stickers and dinosaurs Grandma!!

Alfredo sauce recipe

This is Connor's mommy. I just wanted to post this easy recipe for you all to try. We love it, hope you do too. If you all have a good recipe you'd like to share please post it. Thanks!

1 pint heavy cream
1 stick butter (or 1/2 cup)
2 Tbs. cream cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (more if you want)
1 tsp. garlic powder

In a saucepan combine butter, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Simmer until all is melted and mixed well.
Add the parmesan cheese and garlic powder. Simmer for 10-15 minutes on low.
You may wish to season with salt and pepper.

***I cook boneless skinless chicken breasts in 1 Tbs. olive oil, 1 tsp. minced garlic (jarred or fresh) and a splash of soy sauce, but If you have a better way to prepare the chicken let me know. Thank you!!

Easter

This year i spent Easter at my Papa K's and at Rossy's house. At first I didn't get what easter egg hunting was all about but Ross and I got the hang of it. I don't know why anyone would want easter eggs with money in them... it's all about the candy filled ones!!!! But my mommy bought me some books with the $12 that I found- so that was cool.

Payson

We all went to Payson last weekend, it was a lot of fun. When me and my Mommy and Daddy got there, everyone was at the movies so we decided to go too. Ross and I are only two years old and of course we couldn't pay attention to a grown up movie so Mom and Tally took Ross and I to WAL-MART!! We looked at all the toys and had a great time. The next day, we saw the chickens, chased a cat around and played with Grandpa and Grandma Spurlock's water dispenser. I can't wait to go back to Payson with everybody and visit with Grandma and Grandpa Spurlock.

Electric tape

I found some of my daddy's tape the other day and I put some on my chin and my forehead- I thought I was so cool until I tried to take it off...... I took the piece that was on my chin off first. It took me a while cause it really hurt, but I finally got it off. I didn't even try to take the piece on my head off. My daddy finally took it off a couple of days later.

Henson (pictured with Kenny)

1) He's sitting in front of the tv. What is on the screen? A funny DVD- we don't have satellite or cable :-(
2) You're out to eat...what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Ranch
3) What's one food he doesn't like? Lemons- he says, "only girls eat them"
4) You go out to eat...what does he order to drink? Dr. Pepper or Lemonade
5) Where did he go to High School? Valley High School in Sanders
6) What size shoe does he wear? 8 1/2 depending on the brand of boot
7) If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Quality saddle making tools- Also bucking bulls, if that counts
8) What's his favorite type of sandwich? Homemade grilled ham and cheese??
9) What would he eat every day if he could? Tamales
10) What's his favorite cereal? LIFE with cinnamon
11) What would he never wear? A cowboy hat the HE didn't shape. It drives him nuts when guys wear goofy shaped hats.
12) What's his favorite sports team? NONE
13) Who did he vote for? He didn't vote. I didn't either- Yeah, I know.
14) Who is his best friend? I hate to say Todd cause Todd acts more like his GIRLfriend.
15) What's something you do that he wishes you didn't do? Buy celebrity gossip magazines
16) What is his heritage? Cowboy?? LOL
17) You bake him a cake for his bday...what kind of cake is it? Chocolate
18) Did he play sports in high school? Football and Baseball
19) What could he spend hours doing? Riding horses, working on a saddle or leatherwork, anything that has to do with bucking stock
20) What's one unique talent he has? Making friends- Everyone loves him, especially me!!!!

WOW!!!

This is a picture of when I met my baby sister. I couldn't believe she was finally here!!

At the hospital

Here is the first picture of Haidyn and our Mommy & Daddy. She weighed 7lbs and 15oz- bigger than I was!! She was born on Jan.25th at 9:15 in the morning.

Micah Haidyn

Here she is!!!! I would post more pics but my internet is down still so whenever I need to get online I have to sit at Safeway and use their wi-fi.