It's Stock Show Season Again

January marks the beginning of a new year of course, and for the Phillips family it's always meant a new stock show season.  Now, a second generation of showmen are taking their place in the show ring.  Taylor has been showing steers for four years and this year his little sister Presley joined him.  It was hard to watch such a little girl out there showing those 1200 pound steers but thankfully Presley's steer Sprinkles was dog gentle.

The first show of the year is the Hamilton County Youth Fair in early January.  This is a good warmup show and Taylor has won the show one year and had the reserve champion another year.  The 2017 show didn't turn out exactly like we hoped for but it set the stage for the major shows to follow.

The Ft. Worth show follows our county show and brings the best steers in Texas to town for some serious competition.  It helps that at Ft. Worth you show your steers in major breed classifications such as Angus, Herefords, Polled Herefords, and so on as well as Exotic crosses.  Taylor and Presley showed Herefords and Taylor placed ninth in the middle weights this year and made the Sale of Champions for the third year in a row!

The kids didn't have any luck at the San Antonio show but at Houston Presley finally got old Sprinkles placed and made the sale.  We think that was quite an accomplishment for a first ear showman.

Presley getting Sprinkles set up for the judge!

Time to walk him, just follow me Sprinkles.

Taylor and Presley both in the Champion drive.

Presley has Chubbs looking good.

Ft. Worth show, heading to the arena.  We didn't go to the show this year since we

needed to avoid the crowds for a little while longer.

Bringing the steers into the Justin Arena at Ft. Worth.  You just hope something

doesn't spook them!

Making a F has never looked better.  This was the third year to get branded

at Ft. Worth for Taylor.

Houston picture and Presley looks pretty proud!

Love this picture!  That's a face of determination to keep that head up.

Wonder where she could have heard that?

Presley is posing with her Houston brand and is one happy girl!

The Austin Show finishes out the year.  Taylor placed 5th with his red steer

but they only sell two per class.

Presley matched her brother with a 5th place in her class as well.

Christmas 2016

When it's Christmas time in Texas, it's a very special time of year, so says George Strait.  But around here when it's Christmas time, lots of kids and grand kids show up, looking for Santa and food!  Christmas 2016 was a lot different than 2015 in many ways.  This year Beverly was feeling some better and was able to prepare by doing some decorating and cooking.

This was the year for everyone to be here for Christmas day.  We have to rearrange sleeping quarters and with young ones, they don't always sleep like they would at home.  This makes it difficult for parents but we always get through it and enjoy getting to be with our family.

The master "light Man" doing his thing.  We decided to use the old

Plain and Fancy tree this year.  We have had it for years and we use it as a

secondary tree, often in a bedroom or for the grand kids.  This year we put it

up on a table to give us more room and it was less tempting for the grands!

It turned out pretty well and it was easy to take down after the holidays!

We use special pictures on the tree, for special people.........

like Papa and Granny.........

Nana........

Grandad..........

and all the special ones in our lives.

The mantle with bubble lights from a long ago era.  This is a Santa

that Nana gave Beverly and Nana would have loved the bubble lights!

One of Beverly's Santa's, a gift from Jennifer when she worked at

Ben Franklin's in Stephenville.

Outside the old casa, the same old same old!  Every year we say that next

year we will do something else.  We'll see!!

The Hallmark musical snowman.  One of the grand kid's favorite.

 

Bev spent all day just wrapping packages!

All that wrapping and then the chaos begins.  But, isn't it fun!

Present opening time.

Aarrrghhh says Jack the pirate.  Probably has a good story about he lost his hand!

I don't know who was more excited about a Little House On the Prairie

coloring book; Presley or her Bebe!

Sam was checking out his new toy.  He didn't know it's a learning toy!!

Eagerly awaiting her turn.

Taylor needed a new cover for his phone.

Strawberry Shortcake doll just like her Mother got when she was little!

Remington got a new power tool set for Christmas.  Now he can

help his Dad when he works on the barn.

This girl wanted roller skates and she looks like she got her wish!

Jane all decked out in her fancy dress and new earrings!

Wireless earbuds!  He can have music now while he's clipping steers!

The hit of the party was the new rope swing.  Sam and Jeremy gave it try!

I'm next!!

Jack being pushed along by Presley.

I think this is all about frogs!

Remington is saying "Come on Taylor.  Lets go play."

The girl cousins having a turn at the swing.

Presley with her Christmas sweater!

It looks like a big pow-wow is happening among those in charge!

Remington is content to play in the Jeep.  Looks like he is checking to see

if the back tires are aired up!

Happy as a clam!  As long as he can turn and twist every knob and switch!

You never know what will be on when you start the Jeep after he has worked it over!

I do not know this man!

Skating practice is about to begin along the park trail.

The boss!

Remington is off again and that means Ashley is close behind.

A rare still moment, missing Sam and Presley.

And when it is all over, the reindeer must go back under the house until next year.

They all lose their heads when I put them to sleep.