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merry christmas from the family ~ 2015



photo by Ashley Lenard Photography


photos by Ashley Lenard Photography


Worrell Wanderings
2015


It is said that every experience leads to growth. Such truth exists for us and preparing our Christmas letter to share a piece of our lives with family and friends is a reflection of not just our experiences, but the realization of how much we have grown with each passing year. We certainly don’t think we are all that interesting but want to share our every day happenings with those we consider part of our tribe.

Pecos is the tallest kid in third grade but that comes as no surprise. He’s just 9 years old but is on target to reach the 5-foot mark before the candles on his next birthday cake are lit. His first show heifer had her first calf this year, a monumental event that has him eagerly planning for the next one. When a bull catalog turns up missing from the magazine rack we know it is probably stashed away in his room. Same goes for the Sullivan’s Show Supply catalog. He had quite a bit of success at stock shows this year with his Hereford heifer and loves showing off the hardware he’s collected. It will be a challenge to keep him in front of the backdrop especially since he’s become fond of it. But it’s the friendships he’s making along the way and pride he has when he does well that keep us in the barn working to get him to the next one. He’s also raising a show pig for our county stock show in January but says next year he’ll be ready for a steer. Too bad our barn and his mother are not. He played first base for his machine pitch team this year and put those long arms to good use catching some wild throws. He has a competitive drive that runs deep and pushed him to the front of the pack in the 600-meter event of our summer track program. Casey thought he could actively participate in conditioning practice only to realize his endurance isn’t quite what it once was. Pecos looks forward to golf lessons in the spring but for now practices in our pasture driving range.

Brazos turned 5 and marched into kindergarten with his typical gusto. That soon wore off and his amusement with education now centers primarily on the social opportunities provided. He’s still a self-proclaimed chicken rancher but Casey is nonetheless working on talking him out of raising broilers when his turn arrives for a 4-H project. He says he may show a pig, which means it is a little too soon to convert the pig pen to another cattle run. In the meantime he loves all animals and has assembled a nice little funny farm. At the rate he’s going we’ll have enough variety for our own live nativity scene next Christmas. He’s quite the comedian...just ask him to tell you a joke. If he can’t seem to remember one be prepared for him to make one up on the spot. He’ll keep going as long as you keep laughing. He relished our family vacation to Florida this summer. It was a dream come true for him to visit LegoLand and he thinks we should go back...every week. Ever the adventure-seeker, he donned an Evel Knievel jumpsuit for Halloween. There seems to be no end to his energy level so there’s a good chance we’ll sign him up to bounce and catapult himself within the confines of a padded space for gymnastics classes. Ninja training is not available here in Harper.

Erin still enjoys photography even though the time to practice is limited. The end goal of her learning is yet to be defined but for now she appreciates the opportunity to attend workshops and study as much as she can about it. She spent a week this summer in Santa Fe, New Mexico capturing much of the enchanting landscape. She can’t wait to return...anyone care to join her? The women’s photography conference she attended this fall introduced her to new photography friends that are sure to expand her knowledge and adventures. She finally took the time to attend the Ag Media Summit this summer to network and learn from others who share the same passion for agriculture communications, but she was beyond humbled when they honored her with the Best of the Bunch photography award. She continues working for Demeter Communications along with taking on a few freelance projects. The ability to share her skills, help others and learn something new keeps her wanting more. That may sound like quite a full schedule but it is all built into and around the time it takes to be a full-time mom, wife and dreamer.

Casey has successfully avoided the accidents and mishaps that should accompany the number of hours and miles he spends on the road. He’d like you to believe it has something to do with cat-like reflexes, but we know he has guardian angels working overtime. He’ll keep at it as long as the customers keep calling although none of us would mind if he had time to finish a few big projects here at home, like expanding and improving the show barn. We are thankful he has the health and ability to continue doing some of the best beef carcass ultrasound work for the finest customers. We say it every year but they really make the time Casey is gone from home worthwhile. Don’t ever doubt that he’ll work all day then drive all night to get home in time to spend time with the boys and Erin. He’s enjoying being a stock show dad and has ambitious plans for adding to the show string. Erin has her reservations about the number of bovine under consideration. Her efforts to divert those plans are coming up short, especially when he has Pecos on his side. It’s only a matter of time until Brazos abandons Erin’s idea for a larger and expanded chicken pen and coop in favor of dad’s scheme.

We appreciate each of you for being part of our lives, sharing our experiences and witnessing our growth. We hope it somehow blesses you, inspires you or at the very least makes you laugh. But above all we hope you experience the peace and joy that comes from celebrating the birth of our Savior this season so that you too may witness growth, for as John Henry Newman said, “Growth is the only evidence of life.”


Merry Christmas and Happy Blessed New Year,
The Worrells

Casey, Erin and the RiverBoys