Memorial Day Weekend

We wasted no time and got right with the summer activities as soon as the kids were finished up with field day.  Grandma Hillman always visits the Rockland Cemetery.  We helped her clean off the headstones and place flowers.  The kids took turns using Grandma Pharises bent up screw driver to make holes for the flowers.

 On Sunday we visited the field of flags up at Freeman Park.  Hudson could sing along with the military anthems since Mrs. Johnson had them learn them in 2nd grade.

 From Freeman Park, we we walked to the temple.

On Monday, Mom and Dad met us in Pocatello and rode over to Chesterfield for the day.  We got there just in time for the flag raising.

 

 We spent a good part of the day touring the buildings and participating in activities like sewing and making butter.

 The trip was 'research' for the cabin I want to build in our backyard.  Brent was a good sport checking things out and taking all sorts of pictures.

 After seeing most of the buildings, Dad took us up to 24 mile.  The fishing was lousy so we went to Chesterfield Reservoir.  And although the fishing didn't improve, the kids got to get their worms wet.

Adopting Twins

The kids were excited to adopt a set of twins calved that had recently been orphaned.  They relentlessly begged ever since Brent put the idea into their heads.  They were especially excited at the prospect of feeding them bottles.  So for the last month, our mud room has been adorned with milk replacement and bottles.  (You don't see that decor in BHG very often.) 

The calves are really cute and it's been fun to see the kids understand responsibility a bit more.  Sure there have been numerous quarrels over who washed the bottles last and whose turn it is to mix up the milk, but overall it's been a positive experience.  The calves remain nameless, despite my many suggestions.

 The last week of school was a bit of a struggle to get them fed in time, but we made it through.  It was hard to wipe the sleep out of their eyes and stumble out into the chilly mornings.

 Ruby was a bit traumatized when the calf kept pulling the bottle out of her hands.

I have such fond memories feeding calves and doing chores growing up.  This little project makes me really appreciate the hours my dad spent helping me through my cow projects.

* The calves have been named.  Hudson's is Charlie (and the hamburger factory) and Dalanie's is Butterscotch.

Karianne

Once upon a time, our cousins had an exchange student come to live with them.  Her name was Karianne.  She flew in from Norway and was whisked away to Lake Powell where we first met her.  She was blond haired and blue eyed.  She was what dreamy exchange student experiences are made of.  How lucky we were to get to hang out with her from time to time.

Tristan, Karianne, and Kenzie at our Easter cookout.

Karianne helping scan EID tags while we branded. (Straight from softball practice in her flip flops.)

A Cinco de Mayo celebration and send off.

A hat in honor of Norway.

The Mexican hat dance.

And like all good things, they come to an end.  But goodbye is only until we see her again!