Shannon Ranch

Birthday Party for Magnus

Friday, April 16 –

Sweet Magnus turned two on April 17th. Laredo and Andrea hosted a get-together at their newly completed home in Afton to celebrate the occasion. Andrea’s family came from Midland to join all the rest of us from Motley and Dickens county for lots of good food and fun. Andrea made an Argentinian specialty called “Cannelones” which was delicious and followed this wood board appetizer dish called “Picadillas”.

Laredo had just finished making this amazing table. Perfect for homeschooling and large group meals.

Everyone wanted their turn holding the newest babies, Daniella and Mia.

Later, we helped Magnus eat his apple spice birthday cake.

Later, I loaned my cell phone camera to Bella who managed to get some interesting pictures of the party from a different perspective.

Video

For complete Funeral video click here.

Laredo Graduation Honors

Saturday, May 18 –

This morning at the Sunset Church of Christ, graduates of the 2019 class of the Sunset International Bible Institute were presented with their hard-earned diplomas. Laredo had actually finished his classes last December, but returned to officially get his diploma with his class. He’s been preaching at Slaton, Texas at the Hearts Together church of Christ for a year or so.

Following is a short video of the highlights of Laredo’s

graduation.

Callahan checking out the program, scanning for names he might recognize..

Everyone is so proud of Laredo and Andrea.

They had a hard two years with lots of studying but stayed with it to the end.

The Kerux award is so named because Kerux is the Greek word used in the New Testament for a herald or messenger of the Gospel. It is called the Ed Wharton Kerux Award because of Ed’s Bible knowledge and ability to clearly deliver the gospel message. The plaque is awarded every year to the student selected by the faculty as being an exemplary speaker. Laredo is pictured on the left with Ed Wharton and on the right with Andrea’s uncle Brad Buxton of Oklahoma City.

Former Sunset graduate and grandfather of Andrea, Mike Crowley congratulates Laredo.(also the preacher at the Matador church of Christ where the Shannon’s attend)

Granny with Laredo.

Afterwards we celebrated at Fuddrucker’s restaurant. I was so busy eating that I forgot to take pictures, except for a couple of Magnus enjoying time with Andrea’s mom, Rut.

Graduation Banquet

Friday, May 17 –

We traveled to Lubbock to attend a banquet in honor of the graduates of the Sunset International Bible Institute. It was held in the life building at the Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock.

During a humorous presentation during the program, part of one of the jokes was about Laredo.

Receiving their SIBI lapel pins

Hannah’s Baptism

Sunday, September 30 –

The Tidwells and Pringles came down to Matador today to church. It was the first day of our Fall Gospel Meeting. After lunch we came back to the ranch. Hannah was ready to be baptized and wanted her daddy to baptize her in one of our stock tanks. It was a great thing to witness.

Dorothy Rainey Jones Funeral

Wednesday, July 25 –

This is a picture of my dad (in his uniform) with his siblings. He is pictured with his five sisters and his brother. There was a younger sister, also, that came along later or perhaps was too little to make this pose. My Aunt Dorothy is the youngest girl pictured on the far right.

Although so many of the siblings and their spouses have passed away, and will be sorely missed, their legacy goes on in numerous children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Save

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.

We left early and stopped along the way for lunch.

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

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.

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.

Rogue One + Babysitting

Monday, December 19 –

The kids joined up with Cim, Courtney, Laredo and Andrea and some of the Phipps and drove to Plainview to see the new Star Wars movie, Rogue One. Aspen, Stockton and Carolina even dressed up in costume for the event.

Stockton spent hours making this cardboard shore trooper suit and finished it just in time to wear. (the glue was literally drying as we took these pictures)

Aspen recreated the lead female Rogue One character of Jyn Erso

Carolina dressed as the iconic Princess Leia in her Hoth snow outfit.

Meanwhile back at the ranch…

…Grammie and Granddad got to babysit sweet Bella.

Jennifer Ward Baby Shower

Saturday, February 27 –

How fortunate that Atlanta was in Texas when Jennifer’s shower rolled around. We drove over to Clarendon a little early to do some antique shopping. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find very much open in Memphis or Clarendon, but the shower was fun.

Shower in Midland

Sunday, January 31 –

The ladies of Fairmont Park church of Christ in Midland, where Andrea’s father is the pulpit minister, showered her with gifts galore. Andrea’s grandmother, Judy, aunt, Denise, and cousin, Makenna as well as the Shannon ladies, traveled to Midland to be a part of the event.

Britt Brashear Wedding

Friday, August 7 –

We attended this beautiful wedding at Walnut Tree Weddings just west of Olton. It was a really neat spot. The weather was perfect and it was fun seeing some of my relatives, too.