Christmas season

Kyra with our tree

Not a great family picture, but it works

Kyra adding the finishing touches (with help from dad, of course)

Not too fond of Santa this year

If that is not ornery, I don't know what it!

I think we might have our hands full....

This picture just reminds me a lot of Travis and I when we were little

Cheking out the movie

Papaw and Kyra

I figured since I have been home sick the last 2 days, I would update my blog since I had some time.  The lovely flu has been making its rounds at the Leman household, but Christmas It just reminded me so much of us when we were that age.  Kyra just keeps getting more ornery every single day.  She must get that from her dad!! 
We obviously went shopping the day after Thanksgiving and got some pretty good deals.  I think this year is the first year that we have driven home in the daylight, but we did leave at 4:00 in the morning so I think that was enough for the day.  It was an interesting ride home, with Carrie stuck behind a ladder and everyone holding bags on their laps since the back was already full.  We had a blast!
We also went to get our Christmas tree on Sunday, which is always fun.  This tradition has been around for my family for as long as I can remember (except last year when mom and dad decided to be scrooges).  We go find our tree, cut it down, visit the gift shop, then have hot chocolate on the way home.  I love huge, tall, fat Christmas trees.  I thought that is what we got this year, but it turned out to be a little on the short side....oh well! 
Well, that's all for now.  Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday!

Does this man look 30?  Well, he will be tomorrow!

Happy 30th birthday to my husband tomorrow!  I love you and hope you have a fantastic birthday.  

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!  Last night Alyssa and I took Kyra trick or treating. Bart wasn't able to go because he had a fire.  We had tons of fun.  Kyra did so well when we were practicing at home.  She would say trick or treat, thank you, and Happy Halloween.  Do you think she would say anything when we actually went?   NO!!  She did a good job, though!  She was the most adorable Minnie Mouse I have ever seen.  Afterwards, we spent the evening with Drew and Kristen and their kids. It was so much fun and we need to do it more often.  All in all, it was a great fall break.  Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband tomorrow. I love you very much!!

This video is of Kyra, Allie, and Tay dancing with the Easter Bunny.  They love it!

The cutest Minnie Mouse ever!

Kyra, Allie, and Tay

Kyra and Tay

Kyra and Olivia

Cohen, Kyra, and Olivia

Fall Fun

My love for fall began this year as the pumpkins we planted started to grow, take over our backyard, then turn orange.  I was so excited to have pumpkins to decorate with and share with family and friends.  We are guessing that we produced 50-75 pumpkins. Knowing my love for pumpkins, Russ bought us a gigantic pumpkin that Kyra loves to climb all over.  Yesterday, we decided to spend the afternoon carving pumpkins.  I love to carve pumpkins and can't wait to buy the new designs every year from Walmart.  I think my mother deprived me of carving pumpkins, which is why I love it so much now.  Kyra enjoyed it for quite awhile.  For one of the pumpkins, we told her to make a face and we would carve the pumpkin like her face. She got bored after awhile and decided she would rather watch a movie.  She loved it when we lit them!  It has been a good weekend of fun and relaxation.

Kyra and the big big pumpkin

A cut picture of mom, Kyra, and Tenley

Cleaning out the pumpkins

Kyra deciding a movie would be more fun

Our finished products

Happy Birthday!!

Yesterday afternoon the Leman family got together to celebrate mom's birthday.  We ventured out to the Wheatfield bowling alley, where it was nice to have fun bowling and not have to leave smelling like a big cigarette.   After bowling we headed to Luke's to eat.  We then headed back to Phil and Amber's for some delicious cake and ice cream. We had a great time and we hope mom had a fun time celebrating her birthday. 

The gang in action

Kyra and mommy being silly

Kyra and daddy

Just being silly

A great picture of Bart and his mom

Me hangin with Kyra and Tate

Kyra takin in the games

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Down on the Leman Farm

Kyra reading a book while doing her business

Is she really doing her business?  Yes!!

Visiting her kittens

Feeding the new calves

Letting the calf lick her hand

Let me just begin this post by saying that I was born and raised a town girl.  I don't think I had any pets of any kind growing up and didn't really care to.  Boy has my life changed!!  I never imagined....1.  I would be living in the country  2.  I would have pets, let alone a whole farm. 

It all began with the dogs that moved with us.  Then came the chickens.  After the chickens, we got some kittens.  Then....I was talking to Bart after school one day this week and he tells me that he has a surprise for Kyra and I.  He told me that is was something that we were going to have to do everyday.  My first words were "Not another animal!"  Keep in mind that during our dating days, Bart had bunnies, dogs, a raccoon, and a skunk.  So, you can only imagine what I was thinking.  I came home to 4 baby calves!!  So, we spent the next evening feeding the calves and playing with them.  Kyra is in love with all animals and not one bit scared.  She loves her cows and can't wait to see them everyday when we get home.  She was so mad at me last night when I wouldn't let her play with them because I didn't want her to get dirty.  I will say that I'm still not 100% country girl, but I'm getting more used to the idea! 

I forgot to mention that the first 2 pictures are the beginning of the potty training process.  Kyra has now gone to the bathroom a few times in the toilet!  I just thought those pictures were too funny not to share. 

Random events

Kyra practicing for her pictures

Kyra showing off her new backpack

Getting ready to head to Patty's

Chopping season

Celebrating my birthday

Summer has officially ended!  Kyra has begun a new journey this year at Patty's.  Last year she stayed with Grandma Leman and Corrie, which was nice for the first year.  We avoided a ton of sickness and felt like she received tons of personal attention and care.  This year, Kyra has started going to Patty's.  She loves it! There are lots of kids (mostly boys) to play with and she loves singing, dancing, and playing with people her size.  She has done well with the adjustment. 

This week has also been the start of chopping season.  Bart has been gone working long hours, but we have been able to go ride in the tractor with him a few times.  Kyra loves it and we enjoy spending time together.

A big thanks to my wonderful husband (and his mother) for the cake for my birthday.  Kyra couldn't keep her fingers out of the icing for a good picture.  We are off to the beginning of the school.  So far so good!

18 months!

Kyra turned 18 months yesterday!  Time has flown.  It seems like yesterday we were bringing her home.  Bart's brother, Phil, just recently took her 18 month pictures for us.  They turned out great!  Here are a few of my personal favorites. 

A trip to the zoo!

Taking a picture by the waterfall

Kyra was very intrigued by the ducks

Kyra with grandpa and grandma

Checking out the animals

Oh no!

Even the #1 Nascar racer took time to get his picture with us!

Taking a rest on the rock

Too much zoo!

On Saturday Bart had a bachelor party all day so Kyra and I decided we wanted to go to the zoo.  I had b een wanting to take her all summer so this seemed like a good time since school is starting on Thursday!  I asked mom and dad to go as well.  We all had a great time.  I figured Kyra would love it. She loves our animals at home, so I was sure she would like the zoo.  Her favorites, I would say were the monkeys, cows, and the dolphin show.  She really wanted to pet everything!  After the zoo, we headed to the mall, which dad was especially excited for. After we ate at On the Border, we headed home.  It was such a fun day.