Patriotic Sabbath

The Sunday before the Fourth of July I love to have the kids dress up in patriotic colors.  This year we weren't as coordinated (Emma had unexpectedly outgrown the dress I was planning on her wearing), but they still looked cute!

These were taken after church, which is why Carson is all untucked!

Swimming Lessons

Thanks to the advice of some friends, we were able to get Carson and Emma signed up for swimming lessons at the Cabin Creek Inn in Thayne.  The lessons started at 8:00 am, which was difficult for us, but we made it every day!  Joely wanted to get in so badly, but we made it through all 8 days without her falling (or jumping) in.  I call that success!  Emma was in Level 1 and loved it.  She did really well.  Carson was in Level 2 and also had a great time.  I loved visiting with all the moms who were there each morning and getting to know more of our neighbors in Star Valley.  But I was still relieved when lessons were over and I was done getting everyone up and ready by eight!

Our beautiful little swimmer

Monkey, Airplane, Soldier

Joely had a great time playing with our friends Beckham and Maddox.  They liked to put Maddox in the wet towel basket.  He didn't seem to mind!

Carson loves to jump off the edge and show off his swimming skills.

What a handsome guy!

Fishing on Gray's River

We went from Alpine Mountain Days straight up Gray's River to get a little fishing in.  I'd never been up there, but Dave had great memories of going with Grandpa and Grandma Robinson when he was growing up.  It was BEAUTIFUL!!  We were trying to find a good place for everyone to fish, so we stopped to check out each pull-out area.  It took us forever to drive about 12 miles, but we finally discovered a good spot for fishing.

Dave bought live worms for bait on this fishing trip.  Carson started out disgusted by them, but Emma wasn't afraid.  In the end, they both had more fun playing with the worms than anything else!

Even Joely got in on the action this time!

We spent 2 or 3 hours fishing and then packed up.  Sadly, we continued our record of catching zero fish.  Going home went much faster since we weren't stopping at every pull-off.  I'd love to bring the kids back here for a camp out sometime.  I love that we live so close to such beauty.

Alpine Mountain Days

Alpine is a small town about 15 miles north of Freedom, situated at the mouth of Snake River canyon.  We knew they were having a Mountain Days celebration and decided to check it out.  We ended up spending a couple of hours there and had a great time.  The kids loved the Pioneer Village with teepees and lots of shops selling pioneer/Indian items.  We had a yummy lunch and visited with Dan and his son Sawyer who we know from work and coach pitch.  It was a fun Saturday family activity.

Just hanging in the teepee.

I think Emma might be pretending to be a buffalo. . .who knows?

Riding on the hay wagon "shuttle" between the two villages.

Those were BIG horses!

Finishing Up the T-Ball Season

During baseball season we spent at least two evenings a week at games or practices.  I actually didn't mind spending all that time at the fields, it was just getting difficult to come up with dinner ideas that worked when we got home after 7 o'clock.  We enjoyed our last few games and are so glad we signed the kids up!

Emma enjoying her "birthday cake" snow cone after her last t-ball game.  Some enterprising family drove a little snow cone trailer up each evening and made lots of $$ selling snow cones to all the kids.  They were yummy!

Joely got brave at t-ball.  She wandered if I wasn't super-watchful and made friends with anyone and everyone.  Joely loves to talk with people.

Grandpa and Grandma Robinson came to Carson's game.  It was SO COLD!! But they were fantastic and stuck out the whole game.  Carson played well, and is so lucky to have their support.

Carson's coach pitch team -- the "Dragons."  With Coach Shawn and his assistant/daughter Jordan.

Father's Day

For Father's Day this year, I sent Dave on a scavenger hunt around his car.  I handed him his keys with the first clue.  He went from there to the ignition. . .on to the back seat. . .

to the glove box. . .

by the gas cap. . .

And finally to the trunk.

Happy Father's Day to the most hard-working, kind, dedicated, HANDSOME, good, and amazingly talented man around.  He keeps our family running with his uncanny ability to fix all that needs fixing and keeps going even when he's downright exhausted.  I knew from the first time I met him that he was special. . .15 years later I've got hundreds of examples that prove I was right.  Thanks for being an incredible husband and father, Dave!  I love you!

Night at the Ranch

We spent one Saturday evening up at the ranch doing all the things we love. . .spending time with Grandpa and Grandma, campfires, s'mores, taking pictures, and four-wheelers!

Joely discovered swinging on the rail.  What a cute crazy girl!

Dad and his girls

I had a personal driver.  Carson did a fantastic job getting us everywhere we needed to go while I sat back and enjoyed the ride.

The lilacs are in bloom all over the valley.  When the wind blows just right you can smell them even when you aren't close.  I just try to soak up the scent.

Carson has helped Grandpa on the tractor, so he's our family expert (at least he thinks so)!

Look, Mom, no hands!

The kids are SO HAPPY when they're riding four-wheelers.

Riding towards the ranch house

You can't beat my hair. . .CRAZY!!

  For dinner, Dave made us all delicious tin foil dinners.  He's a professional at it!  Once we'd had our fill of four-wheeling, we went back up to the campfire for s'mores with Grandpa and Grandma.  We were so glad they came down to the fire with us.

Our two beautiful "Ramonas"

We are serious about our marshmallow roasting around here!

We had a fun-filled night and are excited for more to come!