Monday, March 30, 2009

Great week for the Winn bunch!

Last week was as busy as ever. I became Martha Stewart for a few days and re painted my front room and dining room, I'm still not finished but close. It looks OK, still some corners to finish. Casy and I celebrated our 17Th anniversary on Friday.
We ran north to a nice little restaurant in Payson, called Dalton's and had a great visit and dinner. Was a lot of fun, just to have some quiet time together.
Friday Shad and Casy, with KyLeigh went to Cedar City for the Bantam State Championship Wrestling tournament. Shad had a successful run and came home with a state championship, this was his 5Th. Kyleigh got to go swimming at the hotel and she had fun watching her brother and friends wrestle.
Friday night Dixon and I rode horses and then went for pizza and a movie. It was fun. Saturday morning came early and we headed for a bull dogging school in Lehi. Tom Lewis and his brother were the instructors, they are awesome.
The boys worked on getting off first and then to the ski dummy, then they jumped off horses on the dummies. Live steers came next and then lunch.
After lunch we went back to on the ground with live steers, that was a little wild!! After about 9 hours the boys had, had enough. They were so worn out.
Dixon and I ran up to Honeyville to get rope calves from Katy Bott. We visited with friends and then ran home.
Kyleigh's seventh birthday was Sunday. She was excited because they sang to her at primary and then her cousins were coming over. We had a fun time, Grandma made her a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, it was yummy.
I can't believe she is 7 already, theres no slowing down from here. It was a great week, this week we have the HS wrestling banquet, and our first spring rodeo, for high school.
Snow is in the for cast, oh so cold of a spring, I hope it warms up soon!!!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

WINNERS!!!!!

We finished up last week with the 5Th and under state finals in Tooele. It was a fun weekend, we hauled calves and the boys rode with pulhams after a morning of roping. They were in hog heaven, rope morning and night, Shad wanted to move their with Bruce and Lori.
Friday morning the fifth and under got rolling. Shad drew a good steer and was the only rider to make the whistle. He rode good and smiled when he saw the paycheck. it's always nice to start off with a win, we had some great runs, placing first in the team roping with our great little partner Taylor Boren. Shad hammered the corner and pantie hosed it they were 10 flat. Break-away we switched horses to Magic, a big solid sorrel mare that can run. She has been a little tough to get a long with in the box, so Shad hasn't been using her. We have worked on the box, he jumped out and roped a 3.8 winning second, Goats we had a good run and ended up 4Th or 5Th. Barrels and Poles we had solid runs finishing in the top ten. Shad won the All-Around for the day and won a nice breast collar, he was thrilled.
KyLeigh had a good day as well, she ran clean runs in both the poles and the barrels and she and shorty did great in the goats. KyLeigh has really been working hard in the goats and practicing every day. She finished 13Th overall for the year in the goats, as a first grader. Way to go KyLeigh Jo.
Saturday was the finals, Shad started off with winning the steer riding and the year end steer riding. He is having fun riding steers. Goats we changed horses and ran a 13 on Magic, finishing 5Th for the year. Barrels, unfortunately we knocked down our first barrel and finished 5Th for the year. Break-away we had a good run of 4.2 and finished 2ND for the day and 3rd for the year. Team Roping, we drew a fast steer, missing both of our heal loops finishing 2ND for the year.
We finished 3rd in the All-Around Race and had a blast.
The kids had a blast swimming with all of their buddies at the pool. Shad and Taylor spent every lick en minute in the pool, when they weren't rodeoing!! Emma and Aaron Hodson stayed with us and went swimming to. Its sure fun to see kids work hard, and learn lessons in life.
Shad was more upset that he had let his friend down in the team roping, and not helping him get his all-around points, then anything else. I told Shad how important it is to keep working hard, and that I was glad he was worried about his friend more than himself.
"When we have the power of God with us, nothing is impossible."

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Character

Dale Carnagie wrote this:
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. Words for the wise.
Patients:
Last night, Shad, KyLeigh Jo and I went to rope calves. I have been working on patients. They were in short running last night. Getting short with KyLeigh caused the usual tears, and a little pain. So by writing this down, I am so going to work on holding my tongue. Does it really need to be said? Make sure that I am so grateful that they want to ride and rope with their mom. To often we get caught up with ourselves, and last night that was definitely one of those moments.
So fortunate to have children to raise, the night ended better than it started and we had a great time. We had 7 horses to ride and a pen full of calves. I don't know anything that can be better than that!!!!! With two of the cutest kids on the planet, and the oldest out with the young men doing a little rock climbing. He came home with really sore for arms.
Ending the night Casy and I fixed the water heater. Bet u never knew we were plumbers, thanks to our friend who is a plumber. He broke his foot riding a colt so we were make shift plumbers last night and it worked out.
Remember to make this day a great one!!!!! And Danna thanks for the great quotes, especially this one from Dale Carnegie

Monday, March 16, 2009

st.george rodeo pictures

The Weekend

Well heres a quick catch up. Once again it was the stinky wrestling gym, and the rope pen. Casy and I split up this weekend, Dixon, Ky and I went to rope calves at the Cattoors. Casy and Dixon headed to Pleasant Grove for our first Greco Tournament of the season.
Shad did well at the greco tournament, he wrestled his best. Met some new opponents and needs to sharpen skills in the grecco department. Casy said he did very well, winning two and loosing two, all close matches.
Dixon and I saddled calf horses and team roping horses and headed for a night out doors. It was very nice to track calves in a bigger pen, so good for our horses. Troy and Dixon tied calves and then alternated roping. It was fun, Dixon did well and our young horses did fantastic. Hat's off to my big cowboy for being such a hand. I don't know to many boys who can make a calf horse and then go to beatem on it.
Kyleigh had fun riding and playing with Kassie. She loves her friend who is older but so cute with her.
Saturday we had a tournament in Nephi, Shad won first. The matches were not to challenging. Dixon had to ref, I know he loves that ha ha.
Sunday was a super good day, I teach the 11-12 girls in our ward. We talked about how the Book Of Mormon was put together in the beginning. And how many sacrifices were made by Martin Harris and Joseph Smith. It was a great discussion, I love to share my testimony with others and I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon. So glad I am able to read and ponder those great words..
Heres to a super great week!! Practice, Practice, Practice for 5th and under state finals in Tooele!!

Friends

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

sliding into home again

Aha you thought we had joined the baseball team, nope that's not on our list we are just a bit to busy for one more thing. Once again on Wednesday night we have finished a great night of practicing, the boys rode some bulls and some mighty frisky bucking calves. Shad said they were juicy, juicy.
Then it was off to homework for Casy and Dixon. Shad and KyLeigh went to their favorite hang out spot. The Shepherds land of the ponies, its better than BMW bike racing just costs more. They have an adventure each time they go.
The Fackrells and i met up to Spanish fork to have the legend Dr.Jeff Monroe work on some calf horses. Inject a little b vitamin and lift those tight muscles to work a little better and faster. he is amazing at what he does.
Shortly after returning home we saddled team roping horses and it was off to the barn. Dallin and his dad Kevin came down for practice. Man are we lucky to have such great partners who like to practice. I rode my favorite mount Magic, cooked dinner,read stories, listen to little children pray(my favorite) fed, fixed a horse corral in the dark, checked in with a text with my favorite park city girl, Danna. Close up this day by prayer, a little scripture study, meditation and oh ya WATCH THE BACK OF MY EYELIDS!!!!! I LOVE THAT PART

Monday, March 9, 2009

Friends Great to Have them

So today was windy, and cold. So I opted to run inside at the gym, and find a little fake sun shine. Nothing better than going to Hawaii, for 17 minutes and coming out a little browner than you went in.
Life is so great, the little kids and I hauled calves to the barn, with some horses and a goat. Practice was great, Shad roped good. Magic a mare that has been a little box crazy worked great for both Shad and I. We just took things slow and had some fun.
Elisa and Alexa were there riding so Ky and I worked our horses through the poles. It's nice to have a friend show up to give advice, especially when your six year old knows more about pole bending than you!!! On to goats and we finished up. Fun night, Casy and Dixon went to the buck outs in Spanish Fork, Dixon got on two buckers and made the whistle. He had a great time.
The past couple of day's we have been able to reflect a bit on those who are so close. We have been so fortunate to have some of the greatest kids in our home. From hosting rodeo's to rope schools, to just giving refuge.
Two tall 6 foot girls we chased around all of high school. From basketball games to hauling a calf horse when they didn't have one. Casy had been taking them to a bunch of high school rodeos when a friend asked them how are you Winn's? They just replied oh we just are and that's kinda our dad. So another friend came up to Casy and said I didn't know you were married before Wendy, he laughed and still kept hauling the dazzling duo up and down the high school rodeo trail.
Cara and Christy have grown up since then. Cara is married and has been baptized a member of the church. Christy has a wonderful little girl who just turned one the other day, and has a great job. We first got to know them showing horses in 4-h.
It simply amazes me the mom they have. She is a hero of mine, working on her and her fathers ranch. From haying to calving, yoga to painting, teaching 4-h watching her grand kids grow. Carol we marvel at all you have done and all you do. Cara and Christy were so blessed to have a mother who always put you first, and probably still does. So nice to have someone to look up to.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Come what may and Love it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVNYhcYEwIE

Saturday, March 7, 2009

MARRISSA WEDDING TODAY

THIS IS THE GREAT CONVERSATION IN OUR LIFE; TO RECOGNIZE AND BELIEVE THAT THE MANY UNEXPECTED EVENTS ARE NOT JUST DISTURBING INTERRUPTIONS OF OUR PROJECTS, BUT THE WAY IN WHICH GOD MOLDS OUR HEARTS AND PREPARES US. HENRI NOUWEN

MARRISA IS A MIRACLE OF GOD, WHAT A GREAT TIME CASY AND I HAVE HAD, HAVING HER AND JEREMY BECOMING PART OF OUR FAMILY. LIFE'S JOURNEYS ALWAYS BRING NEW EXCITEMENT AND SOME JOY,TRIALS, TEARS AND LOVE.
CASY AND I HAVE EXPANDED IN THE HEART DEPARTMENT. MARISSA HAS TAUGHT US MUCH ABOUT LOVE, SHE LIVED WITH US HER SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL FOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS. THOSE 7 MONTHS MOLDED OUR FAMILY TO BE MORE UNIFIED. I'M EXCITED TO CALL HER ONE OF OUR CHILDREN AND SO GRATEFUL WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE HER IN OUR HOME.
JEREMY IS AN ANGEL OF A HUSBAND FOR HER, HE IS EXACTLY WHAT WE PRAYED FOR. SO WHEN YOU DON'T THINK GOD LISTENS, STOP AND BE STILL. HE IS EVERYWHERE, OUR THOUGHTS, OUR PLEADINGS, OUR EYES, OUR EARS.
THEY ARE SOON TO BE PARENTS AND US SOON TO BE GRANDPARENTS, WE ARE SO EXCITED. WE LOVE THEM, I SHOULD BE KICKED FOR NOT HAVING THIS PICTURE ON THE WEB SOONER.

Friday, March 6, 2009

friends from the past words

The home is the first and most effective place for children to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self control; the value of education, honest work, and the purpose of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home.
The slide show below are some of the greatest friends we ever had, and have had. What a great teaching lesson these horses have been. Buffy died while taking Dixon to the top of Mt. Nebo, was his favorite, boy was she fast, and good looking, liked to buck. Maybe Grandma can remember that's why he got her.
Good old Candy, I don't know how many times this mare brought us to the pay window. She taught many children to ride, she taught my children the diligence of staying with it, and to work hard. This was the first horse I actually taught to run the barrels, poles, team rope. I never thought she would amount to anything, never did Casy.
Tonto, words can't say what a great horse this was, from college rodeo, to shad and dixon learning to rope calves and heel.
Buck still going strong, we love him Kyleigh is learning to ride bareback on him. She can lope, trot and smile all at the same time. Good times for us to reflect back on, thanks to heavenly father for the opportunities.

friends from the past

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

7 Interesting facts about me

My sister tagged me this morning so here are 7 things you may not know about me.

1. I was 5' 5" i was a Jr in high school, and weighed 160 pounds. I grew 7 inches to 6'0" when i was a Jr and played center and post on the BB team.

2. I can run 7 miles in 52 minutes, i am working on 10 miles by the end of the month

3. I have been married longer in the temple than not

4. I won the County Fair steer riding when I was 8, no wonder my boys are crazy bull riders.

5. Casy is 7 1/2 years older than I am, Craddle robber.

6. I wanted to be a boy the entire time I grew up until I was married!

7. Only 1 year and I could graduate from college with a business degree.

8. I can chute dog steers with the best of them and still ride a steer with my boys!!

I tag Shawna, Teresa, Marrissa, Danna, Jade, Lisa

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

spring brings lots of action at the winns

I always know when March rolls around, I better get off my sleepy little winter butt and get busy. This year April will start with high school rodeo and also our annual K.C.Jones rope school it will be held April 9,10,11 in Nephi. This will be our 7Th rope school with the Worlds Greatest Roper.
K.C. does a great job with horses and kids. We also have Joseph Kimball come with K.C. The duo are great, Joseph has hauled alot with K.C. and they really help one another out. In April we will have two days of private instruction, Thursday, Friday and then Saturday we will have a break-away school for beginners and intermediates. Private lessons will be $150.00 per hour, you can block out as many hours as you want, bring as many horses as you want, and bring up to 3 people. The breakaway on Saturday will be $200.00.
It has been such a privilege to have these men in our home. They are both return missionaries and always strive to do their best. Both of them always loose themselves in the service of others. Our children have grown to love them, and we love to have them in our home.
Heaven I'm sure is smiling when K.C. and Joseph show up. We look forward to the school. May 2 will bring a benefit for Joseph. It will be held in Salina you can find the flyer on Allhorseutah.com.
The benefit is coming together so good, I am so excited. Danna Shaw from Burns Saddelry has donated a custom made saddle and Double Dollar, Pulhams have donated cattle, The Black Hawk has given the facility. So many are pitching in to make a great day. Man I am so blessed to be in the presence of angels. Lucky am I!!!