Idaho & Washington State

My travels this week took me to the National Western Stock Show in Denver and then on to Spokane WA and Moscow ID.

Below are pictures from Idaho & Washington State.

Be sure and click on all the pictures for a larger view - especially the panoramic pictures.

Beautiful farming country.

Really cold though.
They said the snowfall this year is a little more than normal.
Panoramic view looking south. The open areas without trees are cultivated fields.
Still looking south. The ridge you see in the background is just south of the Snake River.
They farm some pretty steep slopes.

I would like to see them plowing these fields.

These pictures are taken on the side of Mt Moscow.




More farm ground.


You know its tough winter country when you have to leave your Cat by the highway to plow the snow into your farm/ranch.

Truly beautiful farming country.

A closer look at some of the hills they farm.

Check back next week.

Stock Show 2008

Collingsworth County Stock Show

Jack and his freshly washed goat - Fred.
Kristen in a pre-show discussion with Bev


Making sure we are dressed properly.
Zachary, Jack & Kristen.
Kristen helping a future showman in the peewee show.
The Sheep Show
Zachary & Kristen



Taking a break before the goat show starts.
Waiting to show a goat.

Congratulations -or- help from Bev?
Jeff Sherman is a great Ag Teacher.

Grant Field having fun in the peewee pig show.
Forest Field did a great job with his first year pig project.

Kristen with one of her pigs.

A proud dad!
Kristen accepting the "All Around" buckle. She won Grand Champion Goat and Showmanship in the Sheep, Goat & Pig divisions.
At the premium sale with her Grand Champion Goat.
Jack with his Reserve Grand Champion Goat.

Zachary with his Sheep that took 2nd place.

Here is a video clip of Kristen showing her pig. You can see why she won showmanship. (click the play button)

Check back next week...........

2008 - Happy New Year!

Tradationally we don't send out Christmas cards or Christmas letters.......It allways ends up being New Year cards & letters. One year it ended up being Easter Greeting.

Fortunately this year it happend by the 2nd week of January. With Kristens help.........Thanks Kristen!

Dearest Friends & Family,

It’s amazing how fast time can fly by! Here it is 2008 as our faithful Heavenly Father continues to bless us abundantly.

Mom and Dad are staying busy as always. Dad is working for Idexx Laboratories. I think the airport people see him more than we do. He is a Sunday school teacher & Jack’s Boy Scout Leader. When he is home he spends his time working on his blogs & playing with Abby & Chubbs. Mom continues as the Head Start Family Services Assistant at Wellington Elementary & sells real estate for Chad Holland in addition to her other ministries.

Nick is working on his basics at Amarillo College & is employed at TAC Air where he refuels planes at the Rick Husband International Airport in Amarillo. He still wants to give all of you a ride when he gets his pilot’s license. We took the picture on your card at Nick’s 20th birthday party in November.

I am finally a senior & senioritis has definitely set in! I have been accepted by West Texas A&M University in Canyon & plan on majoring in Ag Communications. I am working at the Wellington Leader as a typesetter, reporter, & photographer & write a weekly column called Kristen’s Corner. Three pigs, two goats & one lamb keep me busy after work. I also work with youth ministry for our church & the conference. I placed 1st in the District 4-H Food Show with taco soup & get to compete at State 4-H Roundup.

I now have to refer to Zachary & Jack as my younger, bigger brothers due to the fact that they are both taller than me. Zachary is a sophomore. He works part time at Owens Supply in Wellington. He enjoys hunting but the only deer he has gotten so far this year was with mom’s suburban. He received his 4-H Gold Star Award in November & has a lamb. He spends his spare time hunting & hanging out with his friends.

Jack’s in the seventh grade & really loves the social aspect of school. He is quite the ladies man! He participated in UIL & placed 6th in Number Sense & his 4-H Food & Nutrition Team placed 4th. Jack also likes to go hunting, hang out with our cousin Matt & play with his goat, Fred.

Abby is such a good watch dog! We had a new addition to our family this year. Chubbs is a Corgi & was given to me for my birthday by Nick. He keeps Abby young. Robert, our mama kitty, had 4 kittens & then adopted 4 orphan kittens.

This has been a tough year for my family. My Uncle Dennis passed away this past September. It was a shock especially since he was only 40. Then my mom’s Aunt Christine passed away on Thanksgiving. It’s been stressful, but we are working through it together. Special people never leave us even after they are gone. They live in our hearts forever as we try to reflect their love, generosity & kindness to all we meet.

May our precious Lord bless you incredibly in 2008!

Love, Kristen & Family

We hope you enjoy our blog. Be sure and look through Blog archives on the top right. Or, click on the links below and enjoy some of our highlights from the past year.

~~~Thanks, Neal Odom ~~~

Jan - Stockshows

Feb - Moms birthday

Mar - Birthday weekend

Apr - Jr-Sr Prom

May - Neal's travel

Jun - Lots of summertime fun

Jly - Bents Fort in Colorado

Aug - Cousins Camp

Sep - Football & The Blues Brothers

Oct - Dennis Wilhelm

Nov - Awards & Birthday

Dec - Family at Christmas

We try to update our blog weekly, so check back often.

Bev's Birthday & Happy New Year

Dec 31st - Bev's Birthday



Cake by Neal, icing by Emily Hill. Thanks Emily you saved the day!
Bev with her favorit middle son.
We weren’t sure how many candles to use, so we used all we had. Its probably okay we didn't have that many.

Zachary is a thoughtful son, helping his mom blow out the candles.



Family of the birthday girl.

Guest of the birthday girl. Matt Wilhelm, Corey Manuel, Jacob Killian, Jeremy Wren & Aleyne Means




Its great fun to bring in the new year with young people. Aleyne Means, Jeremy Wren, Kristen Odom, Jacob Killian, & Nick Odom

Great food!

A little new years eve dancing.



Okay, a lot of new years eve dancing.



Abby the dog even participated.








Happy New Year!






May God bless us all with a personally rewarding year.