Leonard Theodore Sasseen

So random family trivia, Ryan's great-great-grandfather was in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.  (I think that's right, someone correct me if I'm wrong.)  I've posted all the pics I can find of him online, but the family has more memorabilia safely stored away.  Granny and Renee are even more interested in this than I am.  On our trip out to Washington, Renee and I stopped at Buffalo Bill's house in Nebraska.  Check it out.  If you choose not to, the only significant photo you're really missing out on is this one.  That's Renee, the funnest mother-in-law ever.  She will kill me for posting this picture.  But you should know we have a no-holds-barred sort of a relationship, like friends.  It's great.

These pics were all pulled off an auction listing that sold over the summer.  I so wish we'd caught it sooner so we could've added these photos to those already stored.  It really makes me wonder who had all these pics of him specifically.  Someone who could've been a distant relative?  (Anyway, some photos blow up nicely, but others not so much.  Enjoy.)

There was a bit of scandal on set, with rumors of women dressed as men to get close to their boyfriend cowboys.  And Ryan's great-great-grandfather was pulled into it!  Here's a copy of the letter sent to his wife, explaining the mishap.

The letter is dated for June 25, 1913 is addressed to L.T. Sasseen's wife and reads, "My dear Madam: I regret very much that through a mistake of our press agent, the name of Mr. Leonard Sasseen, appeard in an article which went the rounds stating that some old sweetheart of his from the west had followed him in male attire.  This being the first season of Mr. Donalson with us, he was not familiar with the cowboy riders, and in this way got the name of Leonard Sasseen when he should have used Mr. Thomas Collins.  I regret this very much as Mr. Sasseen has been with me a great many years, and his conduct has always been above reproach.  I can assure you that your husband, Mr. Sasseen, had absolutely nothing to do with this story, and I am very sorry by mistake his name was used and that it has caused you and his family any annoyance.  I have written the Messenger who carried the story making a full explanation to them, and I trust that their denial of the article may fix everything all right.  Yours respectfully, (not sure of the first signature and) Pawnee Bill (Buffalo Bill)".  

We Love Kentucky!

Never thought I'd be that put-my-kids-in-matchy-matchy-outfits mom, but apparently I am.  Get used to it.  They're stinkin cute and I love it.

Elayna's got the dandelion wish down, but Cora's still trying to figure out how to blow all the seeds off.

This is my favorite picture of them.  Loving on each other with Grandaddy Rex's barn in the background.

SOME watchdog!

Fire trucks, an ambulance, and a small army of workers are right outside our house and Mati never barks or lets me know or anything. I wake up to a blazing red window and immediately start freaking out on my exhausted, just back from the field, sleeping like a log husband.

But being the grumpy bear he is, gives it a half a thought and rolls back over, telling me to find out if everything's okay. What?! The block could be burning down and he'll just leave it to chance? Not me! I'm putting some clothes on when I see a monster walk right past our window. Firefighters in full getup are knocking on our door wanting to check our home for Carbon Monoxide. Okay... please do! They explain that our neighbors had very high readings and just wanted to check things out on our side of the duplex. What does Mati do? Not a thing. Oh she knew they were in our house, but didn't offer one bark or even so much as a boof. THAT was weird. Well they didn't find anything and didn't recommend we evacuate the house since it wasn't likely to seep through our common wall. Y'all, my mind is not at ease.

And now neither one of us is sleeping. Ryan because of all the engine sounds and lights flashing just outside our window and me because I have this sense of responsibility to stay awake and protect my family in case they all pass out from poisoning. I know, that's dramatic.

Anyway, everyone's okay (I think). I'll be sure to visit them in the morning.

I am, however, just a bit dismayed at how little Mati, our protector from all things evil, cares about neighborhood happenings. We could all be dead and she'd be like, "My bed's so warm. I'm a happy dog."

Funny Girls

We can't take them anywhere.  These photos were taken at Reece & Lauren's Kentucky reception back in November.