Happy New Year!

I still have yet to blog about Courtnie's wedding and then Christmas but here it is, New Years Eve! So, I guess I'll skip ahead and wish everyone a happy New Year! May this year be the very best yet with plentiful blessings, good health, and happiness in abundance! I'm so very grateful to everyone in our lives! Thanks for all that you do and for your unconditional love and support! 

Much Love, 

Trevor, Katie, Tate and Bowen Probandt

Thanksgiving 2012

Every year I have more and more to be grateful for. This year is no exception. Our family has grown with new babies and new members through marriage. And I couldn't be more happy! My family means the world to me and every holiday I am overcome with the love and support that we are so blessed to have. My boys are growing up in an extraordinary family and I'm very proud of that.

 My sweet boys in matching shirts from Gigi and Papa (if you see the double T it's more than likely from Gigi and Papa) 

 Such a handsome big boy

As soon as we get to the ranch Tate must get out the rope to practice his roping skills. While the boys played outside the cooking and preparing was still underway. (I was mainly snacking and trying to stay out of the way)

Unfortunately, one tradition continued. The dreaded Stuffing curse! A couple years ago Victor was pulling out a pan of stuffing and the dish fell to the floor and this year history repeated itself..only, this time it was Gigi who dropped it. I heard a loud crash and lots of laughter and yelling. I didn't know what had happened but through the laughter I heard Trish telling everyone they better not tell Victor what had happened! It was too funny! And for anyone wondering what we did, we scooped up the top layer and ate it up ;-)

and it was delicious! 

 And later he and Daddy got some special bonding time in out by the arena. 

 And Bowen enjoyed his evening ride with Papa.

Grandma P spoiled the pups

 and the married couple's enjoyed their first Thanksgiving as Mr. and Mrs. Eric and Stephanie Probandt! 

 and little mister after his afternoon nap...love that sleepy look

and can't forget that this year was little Jacki's first Thanksgiving! What a precious baby she is!

 Our sweet baby boys are getting big!

This is the best family picture we could muster without the boys losing their minds...what is it with boys and having their picture taken?!

 Then we went to Nana and Grandaddy's house for Thanksgiving Part II! 

 The boys played in the backyard until it was dark 

and then got some Nana lovin'

 and then got busy indulging in more delicious food for dinner. Geez, I love this time of year!

Brother hugs

Oh my goodness, my heart just melts looking at these pictures and remembering their sweet giggles.

 One night in the midst of wrestling and wallering around on the floor they decided they'd hug. And what a reaction they got! Trevor and I laughed and clapped and said "yay, good boys! How sweet!" 

So they clapped 

 and laughed

 and hugged more

and Bowen even climbed into Tate's arms for a big bear hug! It was funny and sweet until Tate dropped Bowen. Luckily it wasn't too far from the ground ;-)
Love those little boys more than words can describe! 

Trevor's 30th Birthday

I had planned on taking Trevor away and if possible throwing him a surprise bash in maybe New Mexico, but things didn't work out so we were here for his 30th. I still wanted to surprise him with something special and so I rounded up some of our closest friends and family to come over on Saturday. I told him to go shoot his new bow and have a guy day and then come home around 6:30 so we could make our reservation at The Grill. But, I was really running around like a maniac trying to clean the house, cook lasagna for 20 some odd people, decorate, and make sure everything was still secretive.  It was all going okay until Lauri called and said "Trevor's parked at the park and can probably see the sign!" which was not good! I had told everyone to park at the park and come in through our back gate-I had put a huge bright sign outside of our gate to show which house was ours as to not give it away when Trevor pulled up and everyone was parked in our driveway. I immediately called Trevor and told him Dad had a package at his house for him and he needed to go pick it up. He said okay and went over there. When he got there I called and told him that Dad had just brought it over so to just come home. He said okay and headed home. I got everybody in our back room and turned off the lights and waited. When he came inside I greeted him and showed him the decorations for his party. He then exclaimed with joy "ahhh, Babe, you decorated! I love it! Thanks" he's pretty sweet like that! Then I walked him further back (he still didn't know anyone was here) and everyone popped out! I was so surprised the boys were quiet and didn't jump out as soon as they heard their daddy. He was so surprised! I jumped out with my camera and to my dismay, my battery died! I wish I could've got the look on his face! It was great! So, I'm so glad that everyone was able to share his big birthday. I'm even more glad that he didn't ruin his own surprise! hahah

 His yummy cake! Poppy seed apricot

 It's supposed to read "oh deer, Trevor is 30!" but some read it "oh, Buck" I guess it works either way

 Bowen had got bit by something on his ear and it swelled really big and was super red. He didn't seem too bothered by it but Dad took him in later and we had a scare but turns out it's okay. 

 Playing with grandaddy

 silly boys

 The Grandpas celebrating

 and Mr. Carson and his parents celebrating with rice cereal...crazy kids

 cute faces

 Tate dancing

 Boys watching football

 Carson decided to join the dance party

 I think Trevor was happy :-)

 Whit and sweet Mallorie!

 Family picture minus the men

 the boys helped daddy with the candles

 they were special sparkler candles!

 Tate really had to work hard to put em out

 but we celebrated long into the night

 Aunt Kim and Tate playing

 Trish and Shelly watching on as Trev opened gifts

 got a cool light hat for hunting

he was testing it out for daddy. It works well!

I think Trevor had a great time! I'm so thankful for all of our friends and family who were able to join in celebrating Trev's big 3-0! We love you all very much and look forward to a whole lot more birthdays!

Wildflowers

These pictures are from our trip to Round Top in May. The wildflowers were amazing! So, this isn't an important post or of super cute babies but I thought I'd give ya'll some pretty-ness. Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

Pumpkin Patch 2012

We love going to the Pumpkin Patch out in Grape Creek-it's put on by the church out there and they do such a fabulous job. It's filled with all sorts of neat things for kiddos. The boys had a blast as usual and the only problem was getting them (ehem, Tate, cough cough) into the truck to go-or for that matter to pick a pumpkin. They were more interested in the dump truck and the big pumpkin house. But that's okay, as long as they have fun. 

 Bowen was in love with this pumpkin house. I think he was pretending it was his house. He'd look outside the windows and get all excited and climb all over it. Such a cutie

 and the mandated "picture with a pumpkin"

and I LOVEEEE this picture. A girl I know was behind me trying to get him to smile and this is the look he gave her. HILARIOUS! That's Bowen for ya!

 Tate and the dump truck

 he did not want to get off this thing-or share it---ever!

 Bowen and daddy being silly

 and this neat little airplane-my little pilot

 silly guy---with his fluffy "doodlefeathers" as we call em

 and Tate's mandated "picture with a pumpkin"

and off we went with our family of four pumpkins



And here is a flashback to 2011's Pumpkin Patch visit...my how time flies!