Wyoming

Growing up, we spent many summers going to Wyoming to my aunt and uncle's ranch. When my sister, Amanda, who's been in Vietnam and Thailand the last three years, came to visit, she had a great idea to all go to Wyoming. She brought her boyfriend, Ben, who we all loved. Our parents, aunt and uncle, and three cousins: Lindy, Katie and Jackie, and their families all were able to be there. It was the first time we'd all been together in years and it was the BEST time. I hope we don't wait another 15 years to get together.

On our drive up there, it was just me with the kids so we stopped a lot and checked out some of the sights. The girls camped every night out in a trailer by themselves (like we did with our cousins growing up) next to Amanda and Ben. On Saturday night, Amanda and Ben did fire dances for us all and we did fireworks.

 We rode horses everyday. Kylie and Bailey are getting good riding alone. Kade is getting close to being able to ride alone. It was Ben's first time riding.

We had a ton of fun riding four wheelers and tractors. We did a balance rope and just hung out with everyone.

 On Saturday, the kids had a scavenger hunt that Auntie Carol planned. They were in small teams: Kylie and Jackie, Kade Hollis and Carsen, And Jaxon Bailey and Dad. The adults did a relay race Jeremy and Brent came up with. We rode the ATVs, threw tennis balls across the pond, sorted cups and built a tower. The teams were: Team 1- Brent, Carsen, Ben, Amanda and Lindy. Team 2- Katie, Jackie, Marcia, Paul and Jeremy. Team 1 dominated.

 The kids and Auntie Amanda and Ben, did a lot of swimming a fishing in the pond. Jaxon would have stayed in the pond all day if he could have.

This was one of our best vacations all summer. Thank you Uncle Doug and Aunt Carol for letting us all invade your home! We can't wait to do it again.

4th of July

Our family are big fans of the 4th of July. Paul and I met on the 4th of July 10 years ago. We always try to do something fun. Our new favorite thing is to go to Wyoming and visit my aunt and uncle's ranch. We love it and always have the most fun!
I always take way too many pictures, but I wont show them all... Here are a few of my favs.

We always love riding...

 Jaxon's first time on a horse with his big brother.

 My cousin Lindy's little girl with Bailey.

Out in the pastures

Going down the lane...

Back to Aunt Carol and Uncle Doug's house (notice they're riding all by themselves.)

And playing/fishing in the pond...

 Jaxon in his makeshift "playpen" out of the fire pit moved (there was no ash I promise!)

On the 4 wheeler with my cousin, Lindy and our kids. Lindy and I got into some trouble with the 4 wheeler as kids. We may or may not have flipped it. Some of my best memories as a kid are hanging out with Lindy and my cousins at my aunt and uncles. Good times!

 4 wheeling in the dry lands. Then we went looking for bones. Yes animal bones, gross I know but they thought it was the coolest ever.

 Bailey holding a decomposing steer head. Gross but she thought it was awesome

 Playing outside getting all dirty...

The kids adored the cute baby kitties, frick and frack.

On the last night, Paul and I got to help my aunt and uncle herd some cattle. One of their steers had escaped and we helped herd them over. Carol and I were on horseback and Paul and Doug were on the 4 wheelers. We felt like fish out of water for the most part but had so much fun! Who would have thought? It rained a little and I almost fell off my horse when it fell on its knees while galloping (so scary!) and I am so sore now but loved that I can still ride a horse after all these years! Paul flipped the 4 wheeler too, It was awesome watching him and Doug ram into the steer with the 4 wheelers. PS. A side note: Cows are nasty. They poop everywhere, stink and are kind of mean. I will never feel bad about eating a steak or hamburger EVER.

The boys playing "baseball" with roman candles.

Happy 4th of July!

Wild Wild West

We LOVE being around family and going to Wyoming is becoming our favorite vacation. There's so much for the kids to do. They rode horses, fished, swam in a pond, took care of baby geese, fed animals, went to a rodeo (well the opening day anyways), and tons more. We had a blast! Thanks Auntie Carol and Uncle Doug for a good time!

We rode horses everyday. Bailey loves Lucky and Kylie loves Two Winks. They all had to catch the horses, brush them and saddle them before getting to ride. They had to try every brush (they even tried them on the dog Addie). It was cute to watch.

Kade decided he wants to be a farmer when he grows up. Uncle Doug gave him a farmers hat and we even got him on a tractor. When I asked him what he's going to grow he told me "Mommy, I'm going to grow tissues just for you,". I'm not sure how that will work but it was quite darling. He'll make a great farmer. They boy loves dirt!

Every morning they took the baby geese out of the barn, and at night fed them and put them back in the barn. One night they didn't close the door all the way and had to search for them but found them by the creek. Aren't the geese cute?

Fishing is lots of fun, especially in a pond loaded with fish that all bite! They must have caught a hundred fish. We threw all of them back but a few didn't quite make it... oops.

On the last night we went to the county boot kick off that starts off rodeo week. Kids did barrel racing on stick horses, there were booths, bouncing toys and there was a country band playing. It was a great way to end the vacation!

Wyoming Vacation: Day 1

Last weekend (Wed-Sun) we went up to visit my aunt and uncle in Wyoming on their ranch. We all had a blast. I went little over board on the picture taking (is 145 pictures in 4 days a lot?) so I put them all on picassa (click here to see them all). I will show you some highlights here... I'm breaking it up by day to make it easier... so here we go...

Day 1
We all had colds so we got a late start and didn't get out to Wyoming until about 7 pm but we still got there early enough to see the animals, run around a bit and shoot off fireworks.
This is the kids waiting patiently to go see the animals when we first got there.

This is my favorite picture of Blake. He was just so excited to be out of the car and seeing all the animals.

Blake was obsessed with the animals from afar but would freak out if they got too close to him. He especially liked the goat from afar. Here is Daddy trying to show him the goat was actually nice. He didn't buy it and took off as soon as Paul let him go.

After seeing the animals we lit off fireworks. Its been a while but it was fun seeing how excited the girls got. Even Blake liked it, although his joy was short lived. He kept trying to touch the fire side.

Wyoming Vacation: Day 2

On Day two, we found out Blake had an ear infection. Because of his tubes in his ears, the infection just drained out the goo. It was gross so we put cotton balls in it to absorb the gunk and surprisingly he kept it in for the most part. Luckily the doctor phoned in a prescription so Blake was good to go the rest of the trip. It hardly even bothered him but it just looked so funny.

In the morning/afternoon, the kids all got to ride horses.

Auntie Carol got the girls Barbie fishing poles and Blake a sponge bob one. This is Lizzie and Linnie practicing fishing in the kitchen sink.

Once they had it down, we went down to the pond for some real fishing...

But first my sweet little girls playing with the gross worms. Ewww... I guess I should be glad they aren't too girly.

Then we rode in the row boat.