Our Aweful Beautiful Life

 We kicked off show season with this set of calves in mid-January at the Central Indiana Winter Spectacular, a first time show down in Cloverdale, Indiana. I'm not sure what was more fun - being with our kids and friends at a cattle show, or listening to our kids meddle over the thought of staying in a Motel 6.  (Backstory on this one -- when I worked at Purdue/in the Conference division, I held a few conference at The Hyatt in downtown Indianapolis. When I had events there, I'd earn points. We then would use those points for free night stays....I think I had maybe 15 or so over the years. So, the only hotel my kids know, is a Hyatt, because unbeknownst to them, it was FREE.....which is the ONLY reason we stayed in such a nice place with young kids. So, imagine their dismay when the Motel 6 in Cloverdale didn't have an Eagles Nest rotating up top, or an indoor pool and hot tub/workout area. We have officially raised hotel snobs.....because when we finally took them to the k...

 Everyone now and again (at least once a month it feels like, in this house.....) - there's a 24 hour span where life is just flat WEIRD. You look back like, "did this really just happen? Is this my life"? Thankfully, this little flashback will be one we can laugh and shake our heads about...... Friday was just a day. Em had Addi here. It was a virtual school day. Keaton had show and tell with his classmates (Mrs. Brown you are a BRAVE lady....that's a lot of chaos). Colton was doing his thing. I was trying to work. Keaton, somewhere in the midst of showing off in front of Addi cut a chunk out of his hair....but thankfully, 10am came and we got them all onto their zooms. I had a short respite before the girls were asking for help with Math and lunch time was nearing. And seriously.....#math. Ugh.  Colton was un-impressed that he had to write three paragraphs about why PE should be required. "It just should. This is dumb"....was not a Mom approved response to...

 January is here, and look at me....8 days in and already blogging. Aren't I cute? (I've been hardcore catch up blogging for the past 4 days to be able to use a coupon to print the yearly book. If you know me, you know that's not a lie. :)  After our lowkey NYE  - things have picked up a bit. The guys went trapping Saturday morning and had more luck than they bargained for. Jacob called Jason for assistance, because instead of a coyote being in their trap, there was a bobcat! Because it's illegal to shoot bobcats right now (I don't know if it's because they are protected or if its because they are out of season.....either way....no dice on the easy option....), they had to do a release. Videos below - it was quite entertaining. Commentary was not Mom approved.....the things you kids learn when you're with your dad are always headshaking, but I'm thankful you are making memories with him! HA  We also got our first significant snow of the winter season -- ...