Roping

We went to Mr. Wiker's so Dean could rope. Trig was in Heaven, he felt like the real deal running around the arena. He was so worried about having his rope straight he didn't have anytime to hold the reigns. Dean made him put his rope down while they were warming up their horses so Trig would pay attention and ride. Scout wasn't going fast enough to please Trig so he kept hitting him with the end of his reigns, Scout would start to lope and Trig just kept hitting him and yelling whoa. Poor Scout was probably so confused but I loved every minute. I know it will be a while, but when he gets it all figured out I'll miss this little cowboy mess. 

Tea Party Gone Country

Grandma Sharon has a tea party each year for her birthday. This year she did a cowboy theme to change things up a bit. We started the party off right by riding horses. 

Granny Sharon read the kids a book about tea parties while their "Loot" bags where being hid outside and then sent the kids to find their bags complete with some gold nuggets, western bandanna, and a sheriff badge. Even little Max got one! all the grandkids have their own tea set that stays at grandmas just for tea parties but this year they got to eat out of pie tins and use cowboy tea cups.

 She had the yard decorated so cute and the kids loved dressing up.

She was worried the kids wouldn't eat fried chicken to well but they did. It was so funny to watch them, they all had greasy fingers and kept asking for more.

They got to pout their own root bear which they loved. The root beer went so fast I'm sure it was a combination of them getting to pour it themselves, drinking out of cool cups, and just getting to drink pop in general; but they were so excited!

Taylor worked so hard drawing the cutest wanted posters before the party.

My mom gave Mike the most credit for dressing up but I'm not counting it because he didn't even wear boots.

 But he did have the best hiding place for out "Out Laws On the Loose" game.

These kids were running back from their hiding place in the neighbors field. Next time we are going to have to establish some boundaries.

 Krey got a new tool box and was busy building any spare second her could find.

Mike gave us a little lesson on gun safety before our "Root'n Toot'n Western Shoot'n" he was so good to help all the kids with the guns and let them all have as many turns as they wanted.

 Trig was so proud of himself and talked about shooting a real gun for a week after the party.

Gracie and Josie were playing on the tramp and conveniently placed their snack on the basketball hoop so every couple of bounces they could stop for a chip. Such clowns!

 We ended the party with "S'more Fun" that everyone enjoyed.

 and sang Happy Birthday to Grandma with her favorite treat, chocolate cake donuts.

We gave her a few more tea pots to add to her collection and my dad gave her the neatest tea pot planter but I didn't get a picture.

It was such a fun night and perfect weather! Happy Birthday to the Best Mother around!

Maddie

This little lady graduated High School. I just really love her. I have been dressing her up and doing her hair since she was a baby and she let me do it again to take her senior pictures. She is such a sweet heart and she has been so fun to grow up with. 

Maddie I love you and am so happy that you graduated high school (during a few of those over-the-phone tutoring sessions I wasn't sure you would ;) just kidding)! I'm so happy that you graduated seminary and proud of the beautiful young lady you are. I sure love you and am so glad that you came along so I could treat you like a little sister; even if it did involve some hitting. 

Emilee threw her a fun graduation party. The food was so good which is typical for Emilee, and it was a fun day to celebrate Maddie. Now she is off to Belize for a senior service trip and then to Snow College. O wow what an adult!

To the Mountain

Dean took the kids to work with him and I pulled up to Trig with his pants down when I went to pick them up for dinner. I love that I'm raising my babies in the country but sometimes wonder if they would ever be able to make it in the real world? Dean had the cows artificially inseminated and it was a pretty interesting process to watch. The AI guy brought his own special shoot so he could work two cows at a time, the cows had heat patches so you could see when it was time to inseminate them and earlier in the week they had all been fed a hormone to cycle at the right time. Once all the was taken care of it was time to move to cows to their summer range on the hill. Dean asked my dad to come help move cows and its always more exciting for the kids and I when grandpa is here! 

 

We left Quincy at home to take a nap while we followed on the 4wheeler so we didn't miss out on the action. 

Holding the cows so they will pair back up

A family day

We went to work with Dean today, I drove the truck while he threw fence posts off and the kids wiggled around in the truck for a long time. Well until I stopped to fast and all the fence post fell off and Dean got so mad we just went home. On our way home we stopped and let the kids play in the water. It was so funny as soon as they got close to the stream they both said in unison "mom I have to go potty" I guess that running water got to them. We came home and changed and headed to a wedding. I asked Ashton to snap a picture of my cute family because I just love them.