Open the gates guys!

Rodeo's have special memories in my life.  My Mother was a Rodeo Queen.  She also rode in rodeo's.  My Grandpa Robertson helped put on the War Bonnet Round Up rodeo in Ammon, at Sandy Downs.  I remember one year my parents worked the rodeo concessions with my Aunts and Uncles and earned enough money to buy us a trampoline.   We always attended the War Bonnet Round Up, and the most exciting time was the very last event...the grease pig chase.  All kids who wanted to came down into the arena and chased a greased pig, if you could catch it you could keep it.  I remember running so fast, but never being able to catch it.  One year, my older brother Rhett caught the pig.  We raised it and later had lots of ham and bacon.   During the clogging years, we would clog at the rodeo's.  I remember the kids I taught after I got married danced at the rodeo.
Mom and Aunt Diana rode with the flaggers.  I remember helping them with some of the drills when one of the ladies was gone.  Riding a horse and holding a flag wasn't as easy as it looked. 

My brothers and I would play rodeo in our coralls.  One of us would say "Open the gates guys!" and we would run out on our pretend horse a buckin and goin crazy until we would fall off.  We had the boots and chaps and the hats...even spurs.  It was so real, I loved riding my pretend horse around the pretend barrells. 

Joel and I decided to attend the Caldwell Night Rodeo.  We had heard what a great rodeo it was, so we had to see for ourselves.  And indeed it was great!

Summer just isn't summer, without a rodeo.

My dream job~

Joel wearing his Hawaii hat to make all the Bronco fans mad.

Sunday Morning Bath

Poor Chloe stays up way too late for her young age of 6.  Having older brothers and sister makes for being a little one a bit difficult.  When we wake her up on sunday mornings to take her bath, she is so tired.  The hot water relaxes her so much, on this particular Sunday, she fell asleep in the tub.  We let her sleep for about 30 minutes!  It was so cute, she was out cold.

Days of Summer~

One more post about boating.  We didn't get to get out very much this summer, so every picture counts.  This was an outing we took up to Lucky Peak on a Thursday afternoon.  It was awesome as usual.  We invited Nick to come along.  We just love that kid.  Coelton was also able to go.  We knew it would probably be the last boat outing with him.

I love this picture.

Sometimes playing in the water and on the docks is just about as fun as boating.

Breast Stroke race to the dock~  I only doggie paddle.

Sheer Muscle

Caden Hammer: Pet Sitter

A few years ago Caden's scout troop were working on the entrapreneural merit badge.  He decided to start a pet sitting buisness for the summer.  We made flyers and sent them out.  He has kept busy since with watching dogs and feeding cats.  We have all enjoyed having an occasional house guest.  Since Joel has athsma and it flares up when he is around shedding animals, the dogs can't shed if they come into the house.  Although the "outside" dogs can be as entertaining as the inside dogs. 
We love getting our "dog fix" for a few days, then when we give them back, we realize how much work they are, and memories of Tucker come flooding back, and we are good for another while.   Here are some photos of some of his Clients.

Pepper

Sundance

Sammy

Harley

Shasta

Belly Acres Garden

This year we planted a garden at Belly Acres again.  We scaled down a bit and didn't plant so much.  I thought having a smaller garden would be a lot better to manage and keep weeded.  Ha Ha Ha.

We did really good at first and then when we leave town or miss a week, the entire garden is smothered in weeds!  One day the kids and I were out weeding for 2 hours straight!  We all had blisters, which is great!  Garden's are for teaching kids to work...right?  either that, or for actually seeing how lazy they really are : )

slave driver~ eating the peas while I shout out orders.

We are getting some great produce for our efforts.  A lot of stuff died in the frost that came the day after we planted.  Who would have thought that on May 30th it would freeze.  Note to self...don't ever plant the garden until after Memorial day.  Our pride and joy this year is the watermelon!

It's always a highlight when we eat what we planted and the kids get to see where their food comes from.
We love going out to the garden.  It's so peaceful and quiet.  It makes me feel like I'm on the farm again. 

Roaring Springs!

Living right next to roaring springs is full of temptations.  The first 2 summer's we lived here we got passes and went all the time.  After that we didn't go at all.  Last year and this year we bought tickets from Sienna Elementary school for $16.  I bought enough so we could all go twice. 
Shalean's family went with us once a couple of years ago and wanted to come again, so they also bought tickets.  We had to use the tickets in August so we planned a weekend and they came over.

They arrived Thursday night and we went to Roaring Springs all day on Friday.  I had been with the girls in June and was so excited to see chloe's head ALMOST touch the 48"bar, which allowed her to go on all the rides.  We decided to take her down Thunder Falls and the Weston's would go on the family ride, when we got to the top and waited in line for a while, they wouldn't let Chloe on the ride because her head didn't TOUCH the board.  We were so mad!  When we came in June they let her ride everything.  We decided to go to the office and have them measure her and give her a wrist band that said she was 48" tall and the lifeguards would leave us alone the rest of the day.  Riley was right about the 42" which allowed her to go on a few of the bigger rides, so we had her measured too.  The girls had to stand in front of a wall that was marked for measuring.  The manager who was measuring them told them to stand up super tall and put their arms out.  Riley made us all laugh as she took this rather seriously, she not only did exactally what he said but held her breath too!  When it was Chloe's turn we tried to get her to stand a tiny tippy toe, and stretch her neck up, but she couldn't get the top of her head to tough the 48" mark.  He tried to let her pass, but wouldn't let it go, so Riley got a 42" wrist band and Chloe got nothin.  We still had fun and made sure everyone had a chance to do the bigger rides.  It was a great day weather wise, not too hot and not too cold.   Hailey and Kayla took off from the beginning and had the entire park mapped out.  I think they did

each ride 2-3 times.

 

Avalanche!  it's a scary ride~

What's your ugliest swim face?  This is Hailey's

Sadie, Riley and Chloe had a great time in the wave pool and the little kid area.  They also liked the lazy river, and the 2 person ride.  Sadie doesn't like water all that much, but was a real trooper and went on the more scarier rides with her Dad and Shalean. 

There was a little girl Chloe's size, with the same blond hair cut and swim suit running around and we found ourselves chasing after the wrong Chloe!  I hope this is her.

DADDIES and DAUGHTERS

Caden had XC practice Friday morning and had to walk over to the park and meet up with is later.  He was a good sport to come and play with us all when he had no one to hang out with.  The best part was when we were getting ready to leave and one of Coelton's friends, who is the head life guard, asked Caden if he would do a "red cap".  This is a life guard training thing.  He would swim out in the wave pool and put on a red cap, he would then pretend like he is drowning.  If the lifeguard are doing their job they will jump in after him and save him.  Then pull him out and do CPR etc.  He agreed to do it.  (there were some pretty cute life guard chicks on duty)  He was so embarrassed, since so many people thought it was real.  He was a trooper and  did a great job!!

THE WESTON'S

We were missing Coelton, but he once again had to experience those life lessons and work so he can pay that tuition next month.

We were all pretty worn out after spending all day at the park.  We went home and made some home made pizza and then the adults went to a movie.  We saw Salt, which was pretty entertaining.  Of course we all slept in the next day.  We found enough energy to do a little shopping, and since we were at the mall, we ate lunch at the cheese cake factory.  Loved it all, and had a great time with the Weston's!!