Fathers Day Weekend!

Friday night we raked so that Saturday morning we could lay sod at Casey's house. I was really excited about it, something about instant grass excites me. We laid 20 pallets just under 1.5 hours, it looks awesome. 

Saturday afternoon we went swimming. Josie kept complaining, "Somebody splashed me", but she really did enjoy the day there. Trig loved the splash pads next to the pool and didn't quite grasp the concept that he couldn't breath under the water. Ang helped me with the kids and we had a fun day with the Ballards and the Whites. We missed Dean but he did come down later on Saturday and helped Johnny roof for a while. 

Also on Saturday I got to visit JD and Catherine's new baby Colette. She is beautiful!

We didn't plan on staying in Utah Sunday but when Dean's family moved their Fathers Day party to Utah it opened up the morning for us. We didn't have any church clothes so instead I told Dean we should "be one with nature" and visit the animals at the Zoo. Slightly against his will he took the kids and me. He was complaining on the way in and I told him that he could only say positive things from then on. He only said a total of 8 words the whole time we were there but at least he wasn't complaining. He was probably just taking it all in and loving it all so much that he was speechless. We went early so it wasn't crowded and it was getting hot but not unbearable.

Josie LOVED the elephants! She loved that there was a mom, dad, and baby. She said, "No brother elephant, O darn it". She wanted to hold one but then decided they were to far away, odd the size was never the problem?

I think Trig wanted to hold some of the animals too.

Jos was really excited with she saw a "pink amigo" just like the one on her shirt.

I was really suprised that Josie wasn't scared of the animals. We got to see an ape put his blanket in his mouth and carry it to another room and lay down to take a nap. He covered his eyes and went to sleep it was funny. Josie was really worried about where the Ape's bear was. He needed his bear to take a nap. It was fun to take the kids, I'm really glad Dean takes us to do fun things even though he doesn't love it. (My dad used to take us camping and fishing -both things he HATES- but we loved it so he did it. And now I love him for it so I know my kids will appreciate Dean doing things he doesn't want to just for them, he is a really good dad!)

I think he was trying to climb in there with the animals. 

We saw an actual alligator but Josie was more excited about this one she could see up close. she told me this is the alligator that snapped the monkeys out of the that tree. 

Jos was excited about the train ride but honestly it was anticlimactic. 

Sunday afternoon we had a cookout at Trigger's for Fathers Day. I didn't take any pictures but we had a good time visiting with Dean's family. Janale made a really good dinner. I got Dean this grill, I don't know if he wanted it or if it was me but nonetheless now we can stop borrowing his dad's. 

I love technology

So glad that my babies can still chat with my parents. Today Trig tried to give Grandpa Bruce a kiss. Lucky for grandpa he is all the way in Africa so he got all the love without the slobber!

FHE with some friends

 We had a BBQ... only one injury and a small grass fire so I'm going to call it a success!

Working with dad

Today Josie woke up with the idea that she was going with her dad. She would not drop it, she really wanted to go with him. She didn't even know where he was going or what he was doing but she was determined to do it with him. She was really lucky (and so was I) because he said she could go with him. I sent her outside and then I went to see if she made it. He had her little green lawn chair in the swather with him and they were off.

Meet June

This is June. She is new. I named her, I love the name June. I will probably name my next baby girl June, but for now its her name. I don't know much about her yet but I hope she is going to be Josie's Marybelle. (Marybelle is the horse I learned to love horses on). 

Dean took me to work with him... twice

Dean moved the last bunch of cows up the hill today and I was a really big help. He didn't actually tell me that but I'm sure he was thinking it. 

The second time I got to go to work with Dean this week...

I like when he invites me to go with him.

When I think of Bear Lake I think Garden City. When Dean says Bear Lake he means this place, its in Bear Lake County.  He has been working long hours running back and forth keeping both ranches in check. So I decided that I better go see it for my self, I had been there a couple times before but this time I went exploring. 

The picture doesn't do this hole justice. I can't say how deep it is because it doesn't have a bottom. No lie its deep. I was sure Dean was exaggerating but I threw a branch down and it kept going and going and going. If there was a body down there NO ONE would ever find it. I think Dean was setting a dam in this picture, all I know is I was getting a good tan on the 4-wheeler. 

 Here is another mine Dean found. He made me go in but I was not happy about it. 

This ranch has three houses, lots of out buildings, and millions of squirrels. It was fun to see how different the range ground is from Thatcher, lots of sage brush, no trees. Sometimes I hear myself say things and I'm surprised I even know what it means. Like I'm surprised this is really my life. I may have know how to ride a horse but I didn't know a thing about ranching 5 years ago. 

it's a series

I had to post so many pictures because its a series...

We just had lunch and the kids were being adorable. I wanted to take a picture of them so I could do a journal entry about them. I set them both on the table. I say Josie smile and this is what I get. No Josie smile. 

 but instead she roars really loud in Trigs ear. I told her to stop.

She says, O sorry brother I give you hug. 

Then she keeps hugging until he cries.  

Now that he is crying she says; O sorry brother, lay down, I hold you.  

 and he did...

until she made him sit up. 

he wanted off and she was completely satisfied.  

The kids and I are enjoying summer. They both love the trampoline and the sand pile. Josie is getting a little more independent and will play outside alone sometimes. Trig would all the time I just don't let him. He is still not walking, therefore he is ruining every pair of pants we own. 

 Is that a half eaten Swedish fish stuck to Trigs pants? Yep sure is. That little guy melts my heart. He is really into throwing things in the garbage and thinks he is big business. He has 4 teeth coming in, he has been sad, they look so painful.

Josie is getting so smart and picks up on a lot more than I think she does. I have to be really careful what I say now because she repeats it. She is a good girl. She always says please and thank you and goes to bed really good. She still eats next to nothing and I'm really worried about the nutrients she must be lacking. I think we are going to make a visit to the dietitian just for peace of mind. 

until next year

Dean branded the late calvers in Boise and the next day branded the late ones here at home. I think its safe to say he is finished... until next year.

 Jed is leaves for Mexico in July, we are going to miss him. 

 I think this might be initiation for the new guy, poor Mark.

Later that day I was sitting at the computer with one of the students I tutor (we were studying for the ACT - which is incredibly ironic because I scored so astronomically low on mine, apparently your supposed to stay awake during that test). I looked out and saw Dean moving cows and it made me happy about where we live!

The Graduate

all 6 Fox Kids and Jose

Leann graduated this year. I'm so excited for her next adventure. She was really involved and despite what she says she loved school and is really smart. She is working for the Forest Service this summer and then going to Utah State! We are going to miss Leann around here. Especially Josie, Leann did anything Josie wanted (Hence that cookie making mess). 

Goodbye Jose

Craig finagled me into taking him to lunch for a bet he claims he won though I didn't actually see the proof for myself. Anyhow I invited Jose to come too, like a going away lunch. These two boys were good company, until Craig left his left-overs in my car and it stunk for a week. 

Janale had a nice dinner on Sunday before he flew out. Jose called it the last super. 

I'm pretty positive I thought I was taking a family picture right here. Turns out TJ and Jake are missing and I'm not quite sure where my children are?

This is a typical picture with Jose; He was pestering me - I was telling him to stop. Jose was a good kid, I'm glad we got to know him. He was so fun, he said I teased him the most of anyone but I'm pretty sure he asked for it and dished it right back.
He is really going to miss us... who wouldn't?