Breezy Hike at Caprock Canyons

Monday, February 19 –

Atlanta and Jordan stayed an extra day so that we could go to Caprock Canyons State Park near Quitaque. Atlanta really wanted to show it to Jordan and the kids. Sadly, Aspen, Carolina and Nathan were too sick to go, but our small group had a lot of fun anyway. The wind was really blowing, but once we dropped off in the canyon, we hardly noticed it at all. We drove around checking out the prairie dogs and buffalo, then found a place to picnic before going on a hike down the valley.

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Big Group at Crosbyton Church

Sunday, February 11 –

With the Goodwin’s in town, we all attended church in Crosbyton because Laredo was preaching there that Sunday. They served lunch as well. It was fun and Laredo did a great job.

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Fun in the Front, Fun in the Back

Thursday, February 22 –

We had fun playing with the kids in the front yard and the back yard.

The funnest thing to do in the front yard is ride in the wagon.

Coconut always has to jump in. She really loves the wagon.

In the backyard is a playhouse among other things. Here we are having a tea party in front of it.

Steel is the uninvited guest.

Marian is red riding hood.

Steel is the wolf, but he doesn’t look too ferocious.

Looks like Robin Hood has come by for refreshments.

Little John is thirsty, too.

 

 

 

Blast from the Past

Saturday, November 11 –

Nathan’s best friend from high school, Steve Johnson, and his son, Luke, stopped by for a visit today. He and Nathan swapped stories about their high school days and caught up on the latest family news. Most of the stories were well-loved re-tellings, but there were a few new ones that we hadn’t already heard.

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Nathan Shannon and Steve Johnson. New Deal High School 1983

Here’s how they looked in 1983 after a successful game playing with the New Deal High School Lions

Fun Week with Callahan

Monday, October 16 –

Since Laredo had a week off between classes, he and Andrea and little Cal got to spend some time at the ranch. We loved having them here close enough to really get to know Cal. He’s so darling and sweet.

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We also discovered he likes dirt.

 

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The A,B,C’s of a Great Weekend

A is for Axel

B is for Bella

C is for Courtney & Cim

Put them all together and it makes for a darling family and a great weekend. They spent time here with us and at their old house down at Afton. Everyone had a great time playing with Bella and getting to know baby Axel.

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McKittrick Canyon Hike

Tuesday, August 1 –

Because we thought we hadn’t walked enough the day before, we drove about 45 miles south to the northern end of the Guadalupe Mountains and hiked up Mckittrick Canyon. It’s part of the large Guadalupe State Park. It took us most of the day to hike from the trail head to the McKittrick rim and back. We took our time and stopped to rest and take plenty of pictures.

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This cabin built in the forties by the original owners of the ranch was tucked away in the valley

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This interesting feature is called, “The Grotto”

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2017-08-01 14.06.46Stairway cut through solid rock on the ascent to the rim.

Stairway cut through solid rock on the ascent to the rim.

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Our first peak over the rim as we approached the top. The valley on the other side is very impressive.

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It was a beautiful hike and we were so fortunate to have a cool overcast day. We drove back to Northfield that night. We were very tired.

 

 

 

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Baby Shower for Courtney in Midland

Sunday, July 9 –

We got up early and traveled to Midland in order to attend a baby shower for Courtney that the Fairmont Park church of Christ was giving her for her expected baby boy in September. After the shower we got to visit with both our Midland grand babies and then attend church with them on Sunday night before returning home.

The first thing we did was meet for lunch at Cracker Barrel.

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Then it was on to the shower for the girls. The Fairmont ladies really outdid themselves with a darling outdoorsy hunting theme for the decor.

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Courtney got so many cute and useful things at the shower.

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Afterwards, we went back to Cim and Courtney’s and played with the grand babies again.

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Cim gave us a demonstration of lifting using his homemade atlas stone.

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The evening brought another fine sermon from Laredo at Fairmont Park church of Christ. It also gave us a little more time to spoil Callahan and Bella.

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Dinosaur Valley State Park and Creation Museum

Saturday, April 15 –

We took a little side trip on our way home from Dallas. We spent some time in the Glen Rose area. We went through the Creation Museum, ate lunch at a great BBQ place and then spent a few hours at nearby Dinosaur Valley State Park.

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The museum was great. They had some nice exhibits including a small scale Noah’s ark. We also had fun at an antique shop before stopping for lunch.

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Then we headed back out of town past the museum and on to Dinosaur Valley State Park. The only draw back was the fact that since it was Easter weekend and perfect weather, we weren’t the only people there. But it was fun and we definitely want to go back and explore further sometime. (when there are no crowds)

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Stockton and Carolina were able to cross the river and see the dinosaur tracks near the other bank in a place or two. They enjoyed getting to swim and cool off.

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Bible Bowl

Friday, April 14 –

A group of several adults and teenagers traveled to Dallas today for the annual North Texas Leadership Training for Christ convention. The kids were competing in the Bible Bowl competition which took place on Friday evening. This year’s study material encompassed the entire book of Acts. The competition consisted of four rounds of 25 multiple choice questions per round.

The kids had been practicing on Sunday afternoons for a while as well as lots of personal study on their own. The kids were divided into two teams of four. A boy’s team and a girl’s team. The competition between the two teams was pretty fierce.

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We left early and stopped along the way for lunch.

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Once we arrived, everyone split up to check out the other competitions and the vendor booths.

 

 

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As the start time drew near, our two teams were eager to begin. The girl’s team consisted of Carolina, Sarah Robertson, Anica Carolan and Kimber Robertson. The boys team was made up of Randall Robertson, Brance Boger, Luke Carolan and Stockton. The teams lined up in vertical rows.

 

 

 

 

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They all did very good. The girl’s team got a gold medal and Carolina a personal silver medal. Stockton got a personal gold medal and his team a silver. They made some new friends, too.

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First Anniversary

Sunday, March 12 –
Laredo and Andrea are celebrating their first anniversary today. This picture was taken yesterday when they were out and about.
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Andrea has been such a wonderful addition to the Shannon’s. She and Laredo make the sweetest couple. We can’t wait for the baby that is due in May and I know they’re getting so excited. If you missed my post on their wedding, well, it’s not your fault…I just did get it posted. See it here.

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Wildfires

Saturday, March 11 –

Today has been cool and misty, but this has been a devastatingly hot, dry and windy week. Abnormally high temperatures, low humidity and 35 mph winds fanned the flames of several wildfires in the Texas panhandle. Choking smoke was an issue as far south as Houston. Everyone has been affected by the news of lives and livestock lost and ranches and homes burned. Here’s a video featuring some pictures and footage from this week found on the internet.