Grandma Julia and Kayla

Grandad showed up for a visit and tells Kayla about the big surprise

All the kids (even goat kids) seem to love the new slide

Eric tries out the new slide

A new slide what fun

a little picture of the summer months more to come

Eric did not like his crib as a toddler bed at first : )

sleeping little guy

Michael and the big mess

Kayla and turkey ruby begonia Cueros racing turkey. I can't figure out how to rotate it and don't have time to start over.

Alyssa and Peek a boo napping (peekaboo opened her eyes just when I shot the pic)

Baby goats its about time

Our goat finally had her babies.

I loved seeing Eric when he first saw the new kids. Dolly is doing well and is putting up with everybody looking at her babies.

just some news

No time to post pics but a quick update : ).
Our goat is still pregnant about 6 weeks past what we thought was her due date. She has lots of milk and is huge. Our cow (Star) is due to calf in june after a lot of work trying to get her bred last year. Our new horse Flicka fits in great with the herd and I like her but she's not turning out to be trustworthy enough to make her into a lesson horse so we got another horse just this week that we haven't even named yet : ). He is a big sorrel gelding that seems pretty gentle so with more time we'll know how well he'll work out. I (Linda) am now working full time on the 2010 Census interviewing locals that the census bureau still needs information on. Thankfully Sarah and Alyssa are able to help out by babysitting in the afternoons until Greg gets home. Kayla and Eric are doing great and enjoyed the day at the zoo today with playgroup. Kayla said had fun at the zoo with her Grandad and Grandma a few weeks ago and when we left the zoo today she said "Last time I went to the zoo with Grandma and your dad huh mommy?" Cracked me up. Eric loved the turtles and obeyed quite well without having to have his hand held which made him feel so grown up. Greg has also been working hard at his current job as well as doing some PRN work for another company on the weekends. He and I were both busy keeping my dad busy while they visited in April since we had to build a chicken house for our 10 little chicks. My dad did a great job building a chicken house with what we had laying around the yard from demolished buildings after last years storms : ). I think he preferred building the beautiful playhouse he surprised the kids with when they arrived in TX this spring. Well if I can I'll post pics soon but it wasn't working when I tried it and I really must get to bed this full time work is wearing me out but I do love the job.

I am not doing so well at keeping this blog updated. Facebook has a few updates but not many there either. Anyways here are a few recent pics of our family. We went to Wimberley TX to celebrate Easter and the birthday of our niece, Abby. The family picture was taken immediately after an easter egg hunt and the kids were pretty hot but they sure had fun! It was great to spend Easter with Greg's side of the family. We missed seeing Uncle Stephen, Kayla says she wants to tell Uncle Stephen she missed him : ). It would have been nice to spend more time with everyone and Kayla also said that Grandma Johnson didn't get to be with us enough!
Then a few days ago Grandad Goodall and Grandma Julia arrived to visit from Arizona with a special surprise on a trailer behind their motor home. Grandad built this wonderful playhouse for Kayla and Eric. It is the greatest and both kids are very excited about it.

Eric is going to be 2 in June and Kayla will be 4 in August. Its hard to believe they are growing up so quickly. We enjoy every day with them. Life keeps us busy and Greg's job is going well. Linda will start work as a Census taker at the end of this month so at that point life will be even busier but the job is temporary and Linda is looking foreward to a change in daily routine for a while. Give us a call or send us an email or something we'd love to stay in touch with you.

Valentine Hug and First ride on Flicka

Eric's way to hug : )

First ride in roundpen (in my ownership)

fencework before first ride

groundwork before first ride

As you can see in the above pictures this month has been filled with some horesriding on our new mare Flicka. When we got her she hadn't been ridden in over a year and her last few rides weren't pleasant including getting her rider off several times in a row. I restarted Flicka as if she had never been ridden and she is doing quite well. She does have some trouble spots and needs to learn how to soften in the jaw and bend at the poll but overall she's doing good. I enjoy riding her. I don't know what her future will hold or if she'll make a gentle enough horse for beginners but I'm going to give her the chance. These pictures were taken Valentines day afternoon which was a little rushed or I might have cleaned myself and Flicka up for better presentation in pics LOL. The day was a great day including sunday school, Worship service and Coffee Happy hour at our church. We had a small Valentine party with our kids so they could enjoy the many wonderful gifts they got from Granparents. Sarah spent the day with us and we had a nice time celebrating our love for each other, our family and God's love for us.

new pics and updates

These pics were all taken at the end of January. The kids are doing well. Kayla is 3yrs old now and loves gymnastics, animals and running as well as any other activity that doesn't require going to sleep : ). Eric is now 20 months and despite his allergy to protein is growing like crazy. He LOVES riding horses and cries when you try to end the ride. He plays so well with Kaya and is one tough little dude! Greg and I are doing well and enjoying our home in the country despite a few big storms that seem to keep blowing down everything we build before we can even finish a project. Kayla in the hat Beth made her when she was a baby

This is Flicka. We got her about a week ago. She is fitting in well with our other horses and cows.

Here Eric is running down our road. Sarah took this picture while trying to keep up with Eric and Kayla running free on 10 acres no simple job I assure you.

I love this picture of Kayla and Eric exploring the property. The dog belongs to our neighbor and seems to think guarding us is part of his job. His name is Fred.