April and Kevin's big day!

Today is April and Kevin's big day! They are off to Vegas to be married! I am so happy! I could not ask for a better son in law, I will be proud for him to call me mom and Zoey to call me Grammy :)
I am sad that I won't be there to enjoy the big day, but I get to watch it on video and will post some pictures just as soon as I have them.
See you there my sweet baby girl! I love you!

Sei Bella "You are Beautiful"

Meet Bella, her name means, "you are beautiful" and she really is! We already love her very much. Bella is our newest member of the family and she fits right in!
Karma, Ginger and Molly like her too, it took a little while, and she still aggravates them from time to time, but she really is loved.

Nauvoo

Welcome to Nauvoo and Carthage!

We had a fabulous time in Nauvoo and Carthage!
We went to the Carthage Jail first and met up with Eric and Rozanne and the kids. Took a tour and found it to be an incredibly spiritual experience!
After Carthage, we went to the Nauvoo Temple! The Temple is just awesome! We were fortunate to be able to do a session there, considering the pageant going on and all, they also had several weddings but thanks to Rozanne, we made a reservation and got in! Loved it!
Next, we drove around and visited as many places in the town as time permitted before going to the pageant. The pageant was absolutely fantastic! We are so very proud of Rozanne and Eric and the kids, and Rozanne's parents! they all really worked hard and did a great job. It was very interesting to watch the way they all portrayed the life of Joseph Smith. the actor that played his part was spectacular. I would suggest that anyone who has not been to Nauvoo or one of the pageants needs to go!

It's too hot in Missouri!

Wow, it's been awhile since I have posted!
Well, I just wanted to give a little update.
It is hotter then ever in Missouri! I suppose this is typical for July, I am ready for winter!

I did not post this earlier, but now that some of the sadness has worn off I will say a little something.....
We have lost Bob! We will miss him very much! It is so hard to lose a pet, they are so much a part of our lives and we don't even realize how big a part until they are gone.

I will always keep a place in my heart for Bob!!

Peter & Peeps -- Rescued Baby Hummingbird Fed in Hand by Mother

Our very special day!

April 21st, 2010 Our very special day! We started our trip in St. Louis! I had a fantastic experience for my first time in the Temple of our Lord. I cannot even begin to describe the feeling of wonder, awe and peace at the opportunity of entering into the Lords House!        

We went to the Temple in St. Louis again the next day because we didn't have to fly out until later that evening, so we took advantage of the time in St. Louis together.

Later that evening, we flew into Salt Lake where Jeanni picked us up at the airport. It was so good to see her and the kids! The kids sure are growing up beautiful and fast! we miss them very much!
On Friday, we went to TJ's graduation then dinner at Sunshine and TJ's house, what a great visit! we had such a good time and loved seeing everyone!

On Saturday, we went to the Salt Lake Temple where Kent and I were sealed for time and all eternity! Now I know that I will be happy forever, I will be with the love of my life not only now, but forever! I am so blessed! This was such a special day for me, TJ and Jared were able to be there, and many people may not know this but they are both very special to me, both of them were an example to me when I first knew them, they shared their testimony with me and this stayed with me for years. I think that if it was not for the honesty and sincere devotion to our Heavenly Father and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I would not be where I am today and I would not have the testimony that I have! Thank you boys!!!! I love you!!!

I can't stop thinking of next month and what a special time this is for Kent and I.
Preparing myself spiritually and emotionally is one thing, I have been doing that all year with the anticipation of the blessings that will follow my Endowments and our Sealing, now it is less then a month away and I can't believe it!!!
Am I really ready to enter into the Lords House???? Well, as amazing as it seams, I believe that I am....  Most of you who know me would have never thought it to be true, but surprise, it is! And I have  never been happier and more at peace with myself having learned so much this year, the knowledge of our purpose here is a precious thing to have and hold dear. I am so grateful for the testimony I have been given.




The thought of Kent and I being sealed together for all eternity in the Temple is just incredible! Kent has made me the happiest person on earth and I hope I do the same for him. We are truly meant to be together forever, I know this!
I am so happy and excited! I can't wait to see everyone who can make it.

Workin' at the ranch

It's good old fashion hard work! It's also a lot of fun, I am working with my dad building this fence, and the greatest part about it is spending some quiality time with my dad!
I also like the outcome!

It may not be perfect, and some people may not like it, but I LOVE IT!! Me and dad made it and it is extra special for that reason alone!

I love you dad!

April, Kevin, Zoey and Adison come to Missouri!! Fun in the snow!

We had such a great time!
Adison is so smart and fun! I just absolutely had a blast playing in the snow and just spending some quality time with her and April.
Kevin and Zoey are wonderful, it was so nice to get to know them.
The visit was way too short as usual, a week needs to last longer!!

I miss them already.......

December on the ranch!

Lil' Miss comes over for a visit! She is mom and dad's little girl!

MoJo...Donalds kitty! She is really cute, but never opens her eyes for pictures....her eyes are really light blue. She is super fat and loves to go inside Donalds house when he lets her in, but she gets into lots of trouble so she stays out most of the time. She looks very much like Steve's cat RIP "Ozzy". We all miss Ozzy!

This is Girda, She is our first Hereford and produces really pretty babies! Girda is very friendly and loves to be petted, but she especially likes to eat, watch out if you have range pellet's in your pockets, she will find them and you might find yourself knocked over on the ground with her digging in your pockets!

Meet Girdie, this is Girda's baby! She is in the earlier pictures when she was born, she is growing up so nicely! She was born in September.

This is our newest member of the ranch, she is due to have her baby in February and we are really hoping for another heffer! We have not named her yet, but are thinking of Birtha, if anyone has any suggestions, let us know :) . She is a bit shy and doesn't like to be petted yet, but give me some grain and a couple weeks with her and she will be just like Girda!

Daisy, Lady and Tucker, cruisin' in the ranger with me. I really don't think they know they are dogs, otherwise would they not be in the back???? Oh well, we love our pets very much!

This is Buster, mom and dads other dog! He enjoys visiting and running all over the ranch! His favorite hobby is chasing deer! That doesn't make Kent very happy. Buster is a good boy though, he was what people call dump dogs around here. Someone just drove out to our creek and dumped him off, he moved on over to the ranch and called it home. We like him because he is very protective! and quite cute too!

What are we thinking?

As I was sitting here tonight feeling sorry for myself because I am not feeling well, a bit of a cold....I was thinking if I did enough for everyone for Christmas......Mom Bass said she recieved her cookies, but they were open and all broken......Same thing as last year.
I was also wondering to myself where we are going to come up with the money to fix the Hardy furnace that is broken......which Kent and I had an arguement about earlier.....
Then I turned and looked at the fireplace burning hot, our pets all around to comfort me when I feel ill, spoke on the phone with Kent and told him how much I loved him, pulled up the computer and saw this you tube video that Eric posted and really wondered what I am thinking?

Christmas is Christ's birthday.....in which we only celebrate once a year with giving gifts to each other and putting santa's and lights all over to spread the Christmas cheer!

As I was praying about my financial concerns, it came to me......

Christ is the one truly giving, every day of the year!

My furnace may be broken, but I live on a ranch with more wood then we could burn in twenty years, it just takes a little work.
My husband may be away for some time working, but I have a wonderful husband, who works hard to take care of his family and the most wonderful man in the world!
I have not missed a meal.
I was able to make something for everyone to mail out for Christmas.
I have everything that I need and then some! I think most of us do!

Our Family is the best gift that our Heavenly Father has ever given us, let's spend this Christmas understanding the true meaning of Christmas and remember who we are and all that Christ asks from us! In return, he gives us eternal life, family and everything we need here on this earth!

The gratitude I feel right now is all I need for Christmas!

This is really great! Thanks Eric!

Tis' the Season!

The tree is decorated! The weather is cold! All we need is the snow!

updates on Blossom and Collette's mini dairy!

Blossom is now much bigger and she was a year old in September! She is now in with Calvin the bull and we are hoping for a new baby in November 2010! This will sure make my milk bill go down! I purchase fresh milk from my best friends the Stumps, and make my own cheeses, butter, yogurt etc.....Soon I will be milking my own! Blossom is a beautiful Holsteen that we got last year when her mother died and she was orphaned. Her mother was just as sweet as her and we miss her.

Our newest member of the family!

Here is baby Girdie, she is sooooo beautiful and I am really excited she is a girl! Also, guess what I asked for Christmas?????? I got to pick her out yesterday, I will get a picture just as soon as we are sure which one!

We are Blessed

We are so blessed this year with many deer on the property! They are just so beautiful to look at every morning and night! Not to mention great hunting! Kent is ready to get the big buck he has been feeding for 4 years now.....He is ready! We have seen him several times, but have no pictures yet. We will have a picture soon I hope!

Happy Thanksgiving

I am so thankful for the many blessings that Heavenly Father has given to our family! We had the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with Eric, Rozanne, Jessikah, Tessa, Alex, Jarem, Kyle and Jessica in Tennessee. We had a wonderful visit and great food!
We are looking so forward to everyone coming to the ranch around Christmas or after!
We now have guest rooms, so there is more places for people to sleep! No Kyle and Eric, you don't have to camp out LOL.

I will post some new pictures soon, we have some good pictures of deer on the property, I am just waiting for Kent to come home with the 12 pointer for a picture of that.

We really missed everyone else on Thanksgiving but are sure you had a fantastic one as well as us.

Talk to you all soon!

Love to all!
Collette and Kent

My handsom man and his new bride! Love forever!