Horse Riding Fun

 One of Leah and Ella's favorite things to do on the farm is ride the horses. 

 So this year when they asked to ride and my dad kindly obliged, 

 they were all smiles. 

I also decided horse riding might be a good occasion to break out my nicer camera. 

Enjoy the non-phone pictures. 

Even Annie enjoys her time on the farm. 

 We were to THANKFUL for a trip to Kansas for Thanksgiving and the nice weather while we were there, even if it did get cut short from the Blizzard of 2018. 

Kansas Visit

I like to try to visit my family in Kansas at least once a summer for a week.  This summer we ended up going in June and got to be there during wheat harvest.  Wheat harvest is always one of my favorite times of year and I find that I miss it so much since we don't live in Kansas anymore. Corn harvest in Illinois just doesn't have the same appeal to me as wheat harvest, it just something about a big green tractor in a field of wheat.
We were able to spend time in Manhattan, Dorrance, Salina, and time just relaxing on the farm.

We took supper to the wheat harvest crew and I took my big camera along to take some pictures.  These certainly remind me that I need to be better about using it.

 I love Emily's face in this one, so much personality! 

 Leah and Emily love playing together.  I love that they're such sweet friends.  

 Ella at Natalie's softball game, it was hot!!

Natalie plays at the same complex where I played softball growing up and I can't believe that I have a niece who is old enough to play competitive softball.  Being there brought back so many memories.  

And now for the iPhone pictures of the rest of our trip.  What did we ever do with our cameras on our phones?

 We were able to spend Father's Day with my dad.  Here is papa with his four granddaughters. 

 Another one of Ella at Natalie's softball game. 

 We spent a couple of quiet mornings on the porch.  I'm not sure if it's me getting older or having two kids and being busy, but I sure enjoyed our quiet mornings of sitting on the porch.  

 Leah got to ride in the combine with my brother, John.  I'm not sure what she thought of it, she didn't say much, only that she got kinda dizzy. 

 A visit to Manhattan is always on the 'to-do list' when we make a visit to Kansas. The splash park in Manhattan is one of our favorite stops. 

 Tim met my parents and I in Missouri and we took the opportunity to pick up some fireworks for the 4th of July celebration in Dorrance.  Leah and Pursley helped pick out the fireworks.  

Ella and I weren't too sure about all this fireworks shopping.

And just like that our summer visit to Kansas is in the books (or blog!). 

Stay tuned for more summer fun pictures and recaps. 

Abilene Carousel {Spring Break}

On Wednesday of Spring Break we headed to Abilene to check out the C.W. Parker Carousel and Old Town Abilene.  Since the weather wasn't too great, we just rode the carousel, looked at the old log cabin, and looked around at the indoor quilt show and telephone museum.

The carousel, which was built in 1901, still runs and the horses rock back and forth during the ride.  We had the place and the tour guide to ourselves.

The museum inside had a little replica carousel and plenty of quilts to keep Grandma Debbie occupied.

Such a fun little excursion for spring break and a place to plan to re-visit when the weather warms up.  

Brenneman Family Christmas

On the 23rd we loaded up and headed to Kansas to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family.  It's always a good time and Leah loves playing with her cousins, Natalie and Emily.  We attended church on Christmas Eve in Salina and then celebrated Christmas on the 25th with brunch and presents. 

It's a little difficult to get everyone to look in the same direction :) 

     After spending a few days at my parents, we headed even further out west to Dorrance to celebrate with the Siefers side of the family on the 26th.

But first, a few family pictures...

It was so good to see my grandma and extended family.  I sure wish we could have stayed longer, some years the holidays just never last long enough. and my time in Kansas is NEVER long enough.  The 25th was over, but our Christmases were just beginning.  From Dorrance we headed back home for the night and to celebrate our Christmas as a family of 4.