Kirk and Sharon's Anniversary

We'd like to wish Kirk and Sharon Happy Anniversary today. Hopefully their hike in Zion was as pleasant as they anticipated. Much love.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Letting Go

In the last 10 days we have had to say goodbye to a couple of horses and a cow. The horses do to age, and a cow...who knows. Ten years ago I never would have thought that an animal could play such a huge part in a human's life, but have truly learned it first hand. Both Carter's and Lincoln's horses went to a better place. As Carter said, "a place where Grandpa could watch over them and get them healthy." He also said, "Sometimes we just don't know what to do for the animals, but Grandpa knows. He will make sure everything is better up in heaven." I don't know what we will do for family horse rides. I guess double up for a while.

Harrison's Pine Wood Derby

We looked on line to get a few ideas for Harry's pine wood derby car. He picked a very simple car, which made it easier to carve. Harrison took his turn carving and sanding his car.

There were 13 other cars in the competition. Harry had to race all of them. It was scored on a point system; receiving points for how many wins.

Harrison's car ended up taking 2nd place. We were all pretty stoked about it...especially Harrison.

Carter and Lincoln's Birthday Parties

I promised the kids that they could have friend party's this year. It was tough trying to find the time to squeeze them in, but we did. Thank goodness they wanted the same theme. Of course it was "cowboy". We played a lot of fun games.

The 1st being: The Great Cattle Herd.


The 2nd being: Treasure Find in a Haystack.


The 3rd being: Roping Wild Mustangs.

The 4th being: The Ribbon Pull (usually done on a goat.)

The 5th being: Snake in My Boots.

The 6th being: Stick Horse Races.

They had Root beer Floats and Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes.

We started to take the kids out for a date on their birthday. The boys wanted to go to Golden Corral this year. They loved the never ending ice cream. They both said that they wanted to go their again next year.

This year for their birthday they wanted a cake that looked like their Mama Mary's Cabin. I didn't know exactly how to do it, but we gave it a whirl. The boys were please with it, so that's all that matters. Another successful couple of birthdays and parties. We'll have to see how Harrison's goes in June.

Birthday wishes for Braxton

Happy Birthday to Braxton!

Happy, happy birthday Braxton dear.

Happy days will come to you all year.

If I had a wish then it would be,

a Happy, happy birthday to you from me!

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to my sweetie pie. We are taking off for a long awaited and overdue over- nighter. We'll see you all in a couple of days.

I LOVE YOU JOHN!

Miley Monfredi

This is a picture of Miley just one day old, being held by her very proud brothers. After five hours of good pushing, and no results, both Cari and the doctors felt that something was wrong and decided to to do a c-section. Come to find out the chord was tightly wrapped around her neck and shoulder. Miley weighed 6 lbs 5 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long.

Look who's starting young.

I held a little birthday party for Lincoln today, and Brookelyn was there and even more excited about the party when Ben walked through the door. Brookelyn said, "This is the best party I have ever been to. I am so glad that Ben is here." First grade and she has already found her Prince Charming. What luck!

Baby Miley is Here!

Cari and Anthony had a baby GIRL this morning. That's a double for this birth date. Lincoln will love sharing his birthday with his beautiful cousin.

Congratulations!

Grandpa's Closet

The other day I asked Grandma if I could borrow her new sewing machine to mend a few things (mine bit the dust.) She told me that I could any time and if she wasn't around, to simply look on the floor of Grandpa's closet and I would find it. I ran over to her house today, and found myself a mess once again. Who new that a closet could do this to me? It gets me every time. I swung open the door, and there hanging in the closet were Grandpa's jeans; pocket knife still in place. I couldn't help it. Tears began to pour down my cheeks as I looked, smiled and reminisced of what a wonderful man Grandpa was. Man I love him! Friday is John's and mine anniversary. Married 10 wonderful years. As I look back, I remember being a little apprehensive about being a part of the Slack Family. Not because I didn't feel the love, or that I wouldn't belong. Our family's were just so different. Sheer bliss. That is all I can say. This family is great! And really...who wouldn't want to be a part of it? And to think that it all began with such a wonderful man; that of Grandpa Slack. I look back on the day of his passing. I honestly didn't know how life was going to continue on without him. He was truly a daily part of our lives. He was so tender and loving, especially towards our children. They loved and idolized Grandpa. He was more than just a Grandpa to them. He was their exemplar...in every way. He was the perfect hero one could ever look up to and aspire to be like. My thoughts of Grandpa Slack are nothing but of sincere gratitude and love for him. My heart is torn between the loss of a great man, and the irreplaceable loving memories of him. I never knew that one could feel this way about their father-n-law...but now I say, "Who wouldn't, when Grandpa Slack is theirs?" I love that darn closet, and a part of me hopes that it will never change. I suppose I will have these tears once again. And for me, that would be okay.

Birthday wishes to my 7 year old.

A BIG Happy Birthday to my sweet Lincoln...or is it Hammie...perhaps Ham Dog. What ever the case I hope your day is an awesome one.

Happy birthday to you LINCOLN!

Birthday Wishes!

Happy Birthday to my big 5 year old. I love you with all of my heart and am thrilled you are a part of our family. I sure hope that your day is a terrrrrrific day.

Happy Birthday to Carter!

Auction Finds

John took the kids up to the Auction in Cedar on Thursday. They sold Retard's calf, and returned home with two cows and five calves. We have found that the Jersey cow is really mean, and now don't know what to do with it.

The kids have been having a great time roping and riding the three bigger calves. I never thought that I would say this, but I LOVE being a small town farmer's wife. It really does have it's perks.

A Fun Place to Play

Some of you may have known this place as a silage pit, others a home for a few pigs....well this generation has given this place a whole new meaning. Now it is known as the "coolest hut ever."

Isn't it great how through time anything can be adapted?

Sleepover with Jex

The boys had a great time having a sleepover with Jex. They were wondering if they could have one every weekend. They had a great time playing with train sets, watching t.v., and visiting with one another until 1:00 pm or so.

This is the lower pond at the field. Lincoln and Jex looked at it for a while and then drew up a plan as to how they were going to cross the pond and get to the island.

This is their drawing of the pond and island. They had a variety of ways they were going to make it across. If they made it, Jex said that he was going to stay there and live forever. All we had to do was throw some food over to him.

Jex and Lincoln first tried making a raft/boat, but they couldn't get it to float, let alone stay together.

Plan B...walk across one of the four fences that divided the water into quarters. They did what it took, and everyone made it to the island. Although more muddier than they began, mastering what they set out to do was worth it all.

The kids riding back to the house after Uncle John told them that they needed to work for a few minutes. No one liked the idea, but did it anyway. When bored, they asked to go to the house. Lincoln kept saying, "Jex didn't come to work. He came to play. So we're going home where we can play and dad won't make us work."

Jex, we would love to have you come and sleepover again sometime. All visitors are welcome at any given time. Thanks for the memories. Hope to make many more in the future.

Miniture Horse Rides

Jake made a special trip down to Hurricane to show off his miniature horse. Those of us in town truly enjoyed our visit with Jake, Judd and Jex. The rides were definitely a bonus. My kids could hardly get enough. I think we will have to be looking for a little horse of our own.

Thanks for the ton of fun Jake! Let's do it again soon.

Jake gave Grandma a special little ride from Deward Wadsworth's home up to the cemetery.

Cheryl, thanks for sharing your boys with us for a couple of days. We loved every minute of it!

St. Patrick's Morning for the John Slack Family

I took my children to my sister's home for a few days during our Spring Break. While there, Saint Patrick's took place. The kids made a trap, with a piece of solid gold at the top, sitting on the trap door. St. Patty's Day morning, the children found my sister's dinning room a little messed up. Those silly Leprechauns tossed the room up a bit. This is the note our Lucky Leprechaun left for the kids. The last picture is when the kids discovered that the Leprechaun had tricked them once again. They were not thrilled about that! For sure they thought that they had him Next year we'll get 'em.

You have a birthday, shout hooray!

We want to sing to you today.

One year older and wiser too.

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday Troy!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day Everyone!

I sure hope the Leprechauns found your home. You'll have to let me know if any of you caught one. I'd love to hear all about it. Hope you are wearing some sort of green. If not, my kids are prepared and will seek you out.

Happy belated Birthday to you.

Happy belated Birthday to you.

Happy belated Birthday to you.

Happy belated Birthday to Les.

Happy belated Birthday LES!

Fun times in the garden.

Brookelyn and Braxton helping Grandpa plant a garden.