Rodeo: Check!

Just checking another thing off my summer list of things I wanted to do & this was so much fun!

I guess I'm on a little "country" kick these days. I actually always thought I'd marry a farmer. Suprised? Most "farm" boys I knew (or dated) were always such hard workers, but also knew how to have a good time. My hope is that my boys will one day have a job for at least one summer bucking hay. (Those of you who have ever done it or know anyone who has will understand why.) So my goal to take the boys to a rodeo was really kindof for selfish reasons. Maybe plant a little seed...;)

And let me say, I was not disappointed. I actually found out that the Tooele County Fair was having a a "youth rodeo". It was perfect...since its always fun to spend time where my 93 year old Grandpa (& Aidan's middle namesake) grew up! Oh, and it was free!:)

On the way I explained to Ethan was a rodeo was, and that there would be kids riding horses, racing, etc. He then asked me if he would be riding a horse or chasing a cow. I told him not this time, but maybe we could ask grandma and grandpa if we could chase their cows next time we are in Oregon.:)

I must sound so cheesy, but I couldn't get enough of these mini cowboys. And they were the real deal too. Wranglers couldn't be cuter. And I was so proud of what these kids were doing!

Here's Ethan turn with the camera & we are actually centered in the middle!

{Disclaimer} Okay, I was taking pictures of random kids...so if you know any of them please let them know I mean no harm. I just thought they were darling. I tried to post the picts where you couldn't really see the who the kids were. And I promise I'm not that much of a weirdo!!

Highly recommended.

More OR Berries

U-pickin'

Trey: "Hey Ethan! Look how many berries I've picked in my bucket!"
Ethan: "I'm an eater, not a picker!"

Full tummies are just one of the perks of U-pick berries! If you've never done it before, you are missing out. You just go out into the field and go for it.



Blueberries are usually about $.95/lb...and you get to pick the biggest best tastiest berries ever. (Yes, I'm a fan & I took a ton of pictures!) We went a few times, and here's some photos of this fun adventure...

{The Field} The 1st field we visited was in Hillsboro. The berries were still a little green, so we really had to hunt for the best ones.

{Ethan, Lucy, & Trey} Hmmm, look who's missing a bucket?

{Babies get it}
Even Aidan got in on the action. His diapers definitely proved to us that he LOVES berries.:)

As soon as he figured out he could get the berries out of the bucket it was all over...

{Proud little Lu} She was excited about this big berry!

{Trip #2} Fordyce's




{Oh Yeah} Its amazing what a week or ripening can do!



{Go Peter!} This time we went with Peter, Mary, & Greyson. Check out Greyson's hand in the berries...however, he wasn't going to eat them, he wanted to throw them! Funny little guy.





{Defending your berries!} This is pretty self explanitory.





Until next year!

OR Part 3: Camping

Camping
Make yourselves comfy! I couldn't help but post so many pictures, there were too many to choose from! This was our camping trip with my family to Timothy Lake on Mt. Hood.

TNT knew exactly which campsites to get and we reserved the best ones early. Ours had its own little bench and place to launch the raft & swim. It was so great.

{Aidan}
This was his 1st trip camping in the great outdoors! He had a good time despite the fact that I wouldn't let him crawl around and eat dirt. He had fun riding in TNT's bike trailer and watching the kids run around. And of course Lucy took great care of him.

{The boys}
Its so fun that the boys are a little older and can play around without us having to worry about them too much. Ethan couldn't wait to jump into the freezing cold lake, and of course tried to get Trey to do the same...

{Ethan 1st fish}

About 1/2 hour after we arrived Travis took Ethan out fishing. Ethan was VERY excited to get in the raft and go for it. Next thing I know, they are coming back to shore with all of these fish! Ethan couldn't be more proud.

The next day Tanya breaded the trout and fried those babies up!

They were so yummy! Even Ethan liked them!

{Food}
And while we are on the subject, I think I gained about 5 pounds on this trip.

I'd never had baked apples with raisins, cinnamon sugar and butter before. My mom made them and they were SO yummy!

Mom also made a dutch oven cake that was super great too.

{The kids}
I love camping with the kids. Some of my fondest memories with my family were camping at Round Lake every summer. Days of just running around, swimming, fishing, eating, hiking, playing games, & making popcorn will not soon be forgotten.

This is Peter (my brother) & Mary's little guy Greyson. He's about 16 months old and is a funny little guy.

{Trey-boy}
Don't mess with Tanya! I can't remember what Trey did, but she promised she'd put him in the lake if he did it again...and guess what--yes, he did it again.:)

{Little Lu}
Hold onto your lipgloss ladies! This sweet, fiesty little gal will steal your heart. Don't worry, I've got more posts and pictures with her to come. Here she is with her "bankie and baba".

{Aidan} Not so sure about the hammock at first, but after a bit he warmed up to it.

{Ethan}
Man I love this kid. He practiced "casting" (without a hook:) using his Spideman fishing pole for what seemed like hours. I think we'll be camping again soon if he has anything to do with it!

{My dad}
Its always great to spend time with my dad. One night he had us all gather around the fire for a little "fireside chat".

He's put up with so much from us kids over the years. What a good man.

{TNT} Love 'em. Together they created us a "home away from home" with everything they brought up. (Thanks guys!)

{The music} Peter & Travis

{Uncle Favie}

{Our little fam} Let's do it again next year everyone!

Sweet 16...Really?!

Old Friends, Good Times
I still feel like I'm 16. Okay, maybe not 16, but a lot younger than I really am. I guess it's just hard for me to believe that I graduated from high school 16 years ago!

Today I just got back from a "mini" reunion with some old high school friends {Nicole, Laurie, Nhu & Jon}, and we couldn't have had a better time. (Well, except if more friends could have made it...not to name names, but Stacey, Sides, Quarles, & Josh just to name a few.:) Plan on next July for sure people!!

Nicole hooked us up with a beach house and we had the best food, weather, & stories. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time & I LOVED it. Its so great to be at a place in life where you can just sit and laugh and just enjoy being together.

Could Nicole be any cuter?! I love this chic. She announced that the bonfire would begin at 8PM. I could hardly wait!:)

And although it took a "team" effort we got that bad boy going,

everyone had their drink of choice,

And we enjoyed every minute of it.

Loved it.



Thanks for a really fun time guys.