Shades of Cooper

I thought this photo of Cooper holding a wooden pumpkin looked cute.  He was about 2 1/2 years old.

I'm not sure what he's doing in this photo.  I know what it looks like he's doing.

 Pretty impressive catch for a little guy!

It looks like the player has the ref in a neck hold while the cheerleader just tries to look cute!

I think is the tiny mud puddle that Cooper used to paint Savannah from head to toe.  He's managed to cover himself as well.

This little guy likes to fish.  

Cooper poses with the family, including cousin Kate

 

1st day of school.  August 15, 2023.  4th Grade

He's growing up right before our eyes!

Classic Savannah

 Random shots of Savannah through the years.  She always makes me laugh!  

She was about a year and a half old here.  She had been happy to see whoever found her playing in the dryer,until she suddenly realized that she probably shouldn't be in it. 

Savannah kisses a fish -- because Sadie told her to. She was close to 2 1/2 here.

 

She was 3 in this picture.  I think Cooper found the only mud puddle in the area and painted her from head almost to toe.

Savannah with her "boyfriend" Wade Cerny

Don't know what was going on here, but don't you love those big brown eyes!

She's about 5 1/2 here.

This was supposed to be a picture of us with Sadie after her first softball game, but if you look closely you can see Savannah dashing by behind us.

No explanation needed.  Just a stinking cute little rascal! Age 6 1/2.

Since she's wearing a mask, you probably don't recognize Savannah sitting on the big chicken.

This was Halloween 2022, but she also wore this costume to help Sadie and Cooper at the Houston Livestock Poultry Auction in 2023.

August 15, 2023 -- 1st day of 2nd grade

Softball, Baseball, Tee-Ball, Swimming

 These kids do it all.  They are into multiple sports, 4-H, academics and probably things I'm not aware of.

Sadie

Sadie was an All-Star in Little League 10U softball this year.  She catches, plays infield and has been working on pitching. 

Swimming

The 1st place team with Coach Nava

 Breckyn Drapela, Harper Hubenak, Sadie, Annie Aertker

In Red Wave swimming, she and her 100 yd freestyle relay team swam to 1st place at the 2023 TAAF State finals. They qualified for Nationals which is every other year.  It will be in San Diego next year.

Cooper

Cooper plays baseball and swims, too.

In Little League he was chosen to play on the 8--9 Year Old All Star Team which were the District 18 Champions.

He was also on the 10 Year Old All Star team and they were also District 18 Champions.  

 

 

I'm not sure which age group is in the picture below, but I love the picture!

 

When he swam in 2021, he won State in the age 6U 25 yd. backstroke. He qualified for Nationals, but they did not go.

This year, 2023, he placed 2nd at the TAAF State Championships n the 8U 25 yd backstroke.  He also qualified for Nationals which is held every other year.  Next year it will be in San Diego.

 Cooper with Red Wave Coach Nava

Savannah

At seven years old, Savannah doesn't have a lot of different sports and activities under her belt yet.  

Still photos don't do her justice.  You need video to see what a fun, happy, active little person she is.

She played tee ball for a couple of years and graduated to softball this year.  At this point I think she is most interested in the popsicle after the game.

Here she is with cousins Kate and Carlee who cheer her on when they can be at her games.

October 2023

Skipping ahead to October 31, 2023

 

 

 Sadie, age 11, on the left.

Cooper, age 9, on the right.

Savannah, age 7, in the center

 

 

Halloween

Savannah went as a skeleton this year.  

Elks Member of the Year

 From a Facebook Post by Robin on March 22, 2023

I’m gonna brag a bit on this guy! (And he’ll be mad at me, but I’m doing it anyway)

He holds us together, he is the most modest & humble, God-fearing, honest, patient guy!

He enjoys volunteering & supporting for the numerous local organizations, even though it makes his (our) crazy schedule more chaotic, he does the time and helps without second guessing. You can always rely on him to be there and help with whatever messy or difficult task you have. We are all so lucky to claim him as ours!

Last night, he was honored as the Elks member of the Year.  It was a complete surprise to him.

He is a leader and I pray my kids can find a partner in life that has the same drive and love for life and his family like Chad. 

 Chad with Tracy Oldag

Some Days are Just Good

 A Facebook post of Robin's from May 15, 2022

You know how some days are just good?  Today was one of them!  Simple (busy) living with your people and enjoying the beautiful day!

Baseball with the boy, listen to Kate Bubela/Carlee Bubela and team on KULP 106.7FM & 1390 AM The Texas Legend rock it and move on with El Campo Lady Bird Softball, a good late lunch in Glen Flora at Schellers and running into Clinto Robinson and finishing off the evening by flagging down the Ice Cream Truck in the middle of the field and then some evening farm riding.

Chickens, Chickens, and More Chickens

With a lot of help from her family, Sadie had a super great year when it came to raising chickens.  Chad had a smallish "barn" to fit next to his large barn.  It was heated, cooled, and wired for WIFI so video could inform them of temperatures inside as well as how the birds were doing when no one was around.

I'm doing this post quite a while after all this took place, so forgive me if I don't remember it accurately.  I think the first batch of chicks were intended to be raised for the Houston Livestock Show as well as the Rodeo Austin show.

We all participated in making sure the birds got up and ate as much as possible. By the time of the Houston show, some of the boy birds could barely stand up.

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Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Sadie's pullets did well enough to make the sale in Houston. Since Sadie was Lot 168 out of 172, Robin and I had plenty of time to enjoy the milk punch that was offered.  Milk punch! It’s one of my favorite adult beverages. Who knew they would have it there? I thought you only got it at the bay!

Robin and I enjoying our complimentary milk punches.  We enjoyed several of them.

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Rodeo Austin

The next show was Rodeo Austin.  Sadie took the cockerels (boy chickens) to that show.  Her boys got Reserve Champion!  Since this was the first year of competition for the Hensley's, it was very exciting!!!

Chad, Sadie, & Layton

Sadie & the guys

Sadie and one of the judges

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Wharton County Youth Fair

They had a new bunch of chicks for the last show of the spring -- the Wharton County Youth Fair.  The new chicks got the same attention and loving care as the previous batch.  And guess what happened---

They got 2022 WCYF Grand Champion Broilers!!!

Chad, Layton, Sadie, Brooklyn

All in all 2022 was a great first year of competition for the Hensley Family!