Hubbard Museum

Remi and I in our matching pink jogging suits.

While in Ruidoso we visited the Hubbard Museum of American History. No, for all of you that know me good enough, not my first choice. But.... being married to a History teacher and having a little girl who loves horses, we had to make the stop. Clint and I had been here once before and knew Remi would like the horse sculptures. They are pretty huge and somehow she managed to hold this one up. hehe

This one was her favorite because of the baby.

They were all pretty amazing how they were sculpted to look so real. Some running, hair flying out to the back like it was really blowing in the wind. A definate must do if you have a little horse lover and are in Ruidoso.

Winterpark

Beofre we hit the slopes in Ruidoso we had to try out Winterpark. It is a tubing area with big hills and even a conveyor belt to take you back to the top!

She thought she was really big taking her own tube up the hill.

You are supposed to stop yourself at the bottom of the hill BEFORE you hit the fence. We did abide by the rules but many others did not. It was funny to see them zoom down the hill and into the pile of innertubes and into the fence!

Remington liked the snow as long as it wasn't actually snowing while we were in it. I am so glad we got to experience this trip together. Thank you Father for blessing us beyond measure.

Winter Wonderland

We waited over an hour at Ski Apache for the "Torchlight Tree Parade" to start. It was freezing and we didn't really know what we were going to see. Finally they came down the mountain. Each skiier holding two torches and making a "tree" design. In the meantime they set off fireworks behind it. It was really amazing to see. Knowing how hard it is for ME to ski without falling, I think I appreciated it more.

Remington on her first day, ready to ski the tallest mountain. This before she actually put the skis on and tried to control them.

This is her teacher, Ms. Sandy. She said Remi did really great and even took her up on the lift to ride the Not So Bunny Slope with her. We were really scared to get Remi on and off the lift ourselves but managed just fine.

These smiles even though it is our last day and we are headed home. We had a great time and vow to go back before the next 11 years pass!!

Someone always decorates a tree on the way up to the ski lodge, and we like to take our picture with it. Only on the dangerous curves someone is watching for cars and I'm trying not to slip down the mountain so it is only Miss Remi this time.

You know Dasher and Dancer and.......

On the way to Ruidoso to ski we went through Ackerly, just outside Lameesa. They had the cutest "Reindeer resting area." They were up close enough to the fence to see and they even had all their names on the fence.

Remi couldn't believe that they were away from the North Pole, but we said it was probably just to let them rest a bit before the big night.

Some things that have been going on...

Remington was asked to lead the Lord's Prayer at her Christmas program for school. She did a great job and was so proud. We were pretty proud, too. ;)

Remi could hardly think of a thing to ask Santa for this year. She finally deciced it would be a Barbie Muskateer and Ballerina Bunny, (to keep her Ballerina Bear from last year company.)

Watching them light the tree at the Civic Center after the parade.

She was in the Parade of Lights in Abilene on the Nutcracker float. It was freezing rain and frigid temperatures so there were only a few and decorations were minimal. But they still had fun.

Remi loves to help docorate for Christmas. She has a tree in her room and a very good collection of Nutcrackers.(not shown)

God's Plan

So Sunday we joined Trinity Baptist Church here in Sweetwater. We have been visiting for months. I don't know if I was waiting for Clint to say, "Let's join," or for us to make the journey back to Abilene every Sunday to be with our sweet friends at Pioneer Drive or... I don't know what. It is a very sweet church, everyone is very welcoming, Remington is attending choir...... But............. i don't know. It doesn't feel like "home" yet. But I know with time it will. We were at Pioneer for 10 years and made lots of good relationships so it will take longer than a few months to have that here. I know that. I know this is God's plan for us to be here. I know. On this day I am thankful for a great place to worship, and the prospect of new friends... but I am also extremely aware of the sting of moving and leaving what we had. Call me a creature of habit, someone who doesn't like change, sceptic, whatever you like. I just know that no matter how uncomfortable it may be at times and how much we want to let God in on "our plan ," it is important, and crucial, we listen to what he has for us.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Late Birthday gift

Pappy and DD and all the kids came to bring Remi her long awaited birthday present! Yay! A Trampoline!

Taking Gymnastics last year taught her how to do a few little tricks and she was ready to show us how.

I haven't COMPLETELY read the owner's manual I will admit it, but..... I really don't think this is the purpose of the safety net! ;)

Nutcracker 2009

Have you ever been to the Nutcracker at the Paramount? If you haven't you have been missing out, but don't worry! You can still see it, but you'll have to wait until next year. It will be well worth your wait!

This was Remington's first performance in the ballet. She was a Tiny Angel in the Land of Sweets.

Clint got to go backstage and be one of a few Dads who were "Angel Pilots," who got to help all the angels "fly." No... he didn't wear tights! ;)

I had so much fun fixing her hair and putting make-up on her. She loved all the glitter!

The Mouse King and The Nutcracker battling it out.

Dancing off stage. Her part only lasted about 2 minutes, litterally, but she had so much fun.

Getting ready to fly behind the "scrim." (a black screen in front to keep them just a tiny bit hidden, mostly so you can't see the Angel Pilots.)

The Little Mermaid

Granny made her this outfit for her birthday party so we lucked out that she wanted to wear it again for Halloween.

Remi's first real trick or treating experience. After about 30 minutes she was ready to eat some of her loot and go to bed.

Who's a Pretty Bird?

"Mommy I want to be a peacock for Halloween!" me: "A peacock?!@# Are you sure? " Thinking all the while how in the sam hill am I going to make a peacock costume?

I quickly decided that it would be a perfect idea! Those feathers are so gorgeous it would be hard to make them look bad. She was so proud every kept telling her they liked her costume. I think she made an excellent peacock. And so did the judges at the TSTC carnival, she won 1st place in the costume contest! But... after two nights of blue sparkle powder and glitter on her eyes, and feathers in her hair, and having to take a bath, of all things, she said she "was DONE being a peacock!" So for trick or treating she was Ariel.

Remi and her friend "Captain America." (aka Caleb from school)

We enjoyed going to the FBC carnival even though it was so windy it nearly blew Remi's tail off!

Spooky Parade

Halloween at Sweetwater Christian School. You can't wear your costume, BUT... You can wear a Halloween shirt but only a shirt, not the matching skirt and tights, I found out later. Ooops. Sorry Mrs. Cleckler. The kids went on a "Spooky Parade" singing Halloween songs to three of the banks close by the school. They practiced for weeks to learn the words to 5 or 6 songs. Really, really cute. Who knew there were so many songs about little ghosts and pumpkins?

Remington has had so much fun already this year at her school. She is learning to read and can sing a few songs in Spanish. She has gotten to be the Line Leader several times which must be THE job to have. And she gets the biggest kick out of her PE coach calling her Remington Steel every day. We are so blessed to have found this place for her.

Three little Pumpkins Sitting on the Gate

Love this family, love this time of year. Remi's smile looks a little like the one in the middle huh?

She ended up adding eye lashes and her name before it was all said and done.

I'm not sure why, but Clint always makes his look scary.

we love punkin carving around here. we always have at least three, but this year Remi wanted to just draw on hers.

Ride 'Em Cowgirl!

Well, it wasn't your traditional kind of rodeo. It was a bicycle rodeo. That's right. A rodeo where you compete to see who can earn the most points in different areas of bicycle ridin' skills. This was Remi's 2nd time to participate. Last year we didn't know what to expect but this year she was ready! She won FIRST PLACE!! She ran down to the front when they called her name like she had won a gold medal in the Olympics! It was so fast I didn't even have time to get the camera turned on. But she as ready for a picture a few minutes later with all the first place winners.
Before one of the events. Practicing her best smile for the score keeper... just in case her skills were a little rusty.

Weaving in and out of the cones and trying not to look away from the course.

Mermaid Party

We had so much fun at Remington's Mermaid party. Thanks to all of you for coming! She already planning what she wants for next year. Oh man..... only a year away!

Relaxing with Daddy after swimming and doing tricks.

Remi had been looking forward to her party for weeks. She was all smiles!

My Aunt Sandra lent me her cake pans to make Remi's Mermaid cake. It was fun and turned out really cute.

Remi's Granny made her this Mermaid outfit to wear at the party. we will probably be a Mermaid for Halloween, too.

Everyone swam and had a great time. Even Remi's sweet friend Payton came from Clyde. It was good to see her again.