Bless Her Heart

Art, Culture, and Icecream

We rounded up some cousins and checked out the activities for Youth Jam. The kids enjoyed making masks, floating boats, and leaving a little of their own graffiti. They were able to get their hands dirty and spark a little creativity. Of course, Brother's projects all revolved around the color green and Sissy enjoyed the room to roam.After that fun, we headed to a local ice cream shop where Brother insisted on treating us. (I helped him count out his change, so after the fact- he says I paid for it and was upset that he didn't get to.) Everyone enjoyed it, although I'd have to say my kids wasted a lot on their faces and drips. We had some time to kill before the Blues Berries concert so the kids posed for random pictures around downtown. What hams.The concert had us all moving and shaking. . . .well most of us. Someone had to dance for his ride home later. Brother couldn't stay in his seat, he jitterbugged the night away. He loved to take Sissy by the hand and twirl her around. He even attempted the climatic dip over his leg, a little shaky, but no one fell. Who knew they could learn so many moves from dancing around the house with me?

The day was the perfect balance of refinement and fun.

Living Off the Land

Now is the blessed time of year that our garden finally starts giving back to us.

We've been busy canning. 30 pints of green beans, 11 pints of cross-cut pickles, and 5 pints of apricot jam. After our day of snapping green beans, Brother prayed "and please don't let our beans give us more!" Since our first 7 gallons, I've been able to give another 5 gallons away, and they are in need of picking again. Our cucumbers are out of control too. (I love to share.)It's not all been about canning and tucking away for a cold winter day. We've been enjoying vegetable quiches, chocolate zucchini cake, creamed potatoes and carrots, cucumber/tomato salad, strawberry covered waffles, and the likes. I turn into a vegetarian and can't get enough of the freshness. Our pepper plants are loaded and the tomatoes are setting on well. Did somebody say fajitas? It's also been fun to have fresh bouquets of gladiolas adorning our dining table. I feel like I could go months without going to the grocery store, although my husband doesn't quite agree.

Little Buckaroo Rodeo

The four Hillman cousins

This rodeo is what has made our little town famous. It's all about the kids. Brother has been so excited for his turn to compete. We signed him up for the stick horse barrel racing. He got lots of cheers from the crowd as he rounded the barrels. And the best part is the belt buckle you "win" for participating. (He was so proud of his shiny buckle, he talked me into letting him wear it to church today.)He thinks he's pretty tough and is already talking about what he's going to do next year.

Sissy even got dressed up for the event.

Movie Night

It was a beautiful summer night, perfecting for visiting over the chatter of kids playing. There was music & dancing, volleyball, horseshoes, and a giant sandbox. As it was getting dark, people made their way to the concession stand. Here you could afford both pop and popcorn. There was a giant screen and big speakers, all part of my husbands new outdoor theatre. Kids could run around during the movie without disturbing a thing. It was carefree and the description of summer.

Here's to many more movie nights.

When did this happen?

It's hard to believe we'd had our Sissy around for 2 years. Thanks to Aunt Nik for the adorable tutu , she was able to celebrate her 2nd birthday in style. There was a pink pony cake and some great gifts.
So great in fact, she barely had a chance to play with them without cousins ripping them away from her.Brother wins for most thoughtful gift. He spent a long time in the toy section at DI to find the perfect horse that he decorated with ribbons and flowers. And what cowgirl would be complete without her own pink pair of boots?

Pioneer Children

Some of my sisters and nephews volunteer at American West Heritage Center. They get to spend their days being pioneers. For the 24th, we decided to join them at the "farm." Brother was in heaven. He panned for gold, washed clothes by hand, won a green glass marble, hauled water, and spent time with some of his favorite people.
Sissy loved snitching raspberries, getting wet, playing with her new rag dolly, and following the boys around.
They loved being pioneer children for the day.

Getting Braver

Brother completed swimming lessons and advanced to level 2. On the last day, the kids got to jump off the diving board and go down the slide. He did both without hesitation. I was surprised to say the least.


We celebrated with ice cream cones. It was pure bliss and under a dollar.

So when Brother insisted on chasing after the greased pig at the ward party, we weren't very surprised. Although there was as much running away from the pig as there was chasing after it. And to think. . . he touched it without gloves.

Adoration

There is a little girl in this house who completely adores her Bro-burh. She calls him for breakfast, pesters him while he's sleeping, and wears his boots around. She often mimics him, gets his toothbrush for him, and enjoys playing with him. But the real sign of her affection is sharing all of her green fruit snacks or cereal pieces with him. It's the only color she can say, his favorite.



And speaking of adoration. . .

Tired

This picture pretty much sums up our summertime. There are so many things to do that it's hard to pace yourself.

Whether it's yard work, swimming, camping, or work--it's hard not to wear yourself out. The sunny days are energizing . . . and draining all at the same time. Maybe it's the pregnancy, but my whole family is suffering.

Thank goodness for long Sunday naps.

Wellness Retreat Broadmouth Canyon Ranch hosted by Kathy Jones (our aerobic instructor) I was surprised I was still invited since I dropped out when I got sick. I can't wait to get back once school starts.

Fishing with the family when my parents came to visit.

Brother's swimming lessons. He wasn't sure about it at first, but he's gaining so much confidence. His teachers are wonderful.

High Adventure

Most times when my husband leaves to go on a "High Adventure" with his young men, I get a jealous bone as they set off on fun and exciting adventures. But not this time. The boys suggested a wilderness survival experience and they followed through. Each boy was told only to bring a sweatshirt and pocketknife.

For dinner they had to catch, butcher, and cook two chickens with only a pocketknife, matches, and their ingenuity. Accommodations were not any better. They each got a 8x8 tarp for sleeping. After their restless night, it was time to gather wood and get eggs cooked for breakfast.

My husband noted how just surviving was so exhausting. The time was filled with working and planning just to get by.

I'm really proud of all of the participants. The leaders had no special provisions and slept of the cold hard ground like everyone else. It shows their dedication and commitment to help the boys grow and develop into young men.

I'm sure the experience will not be soon forgotten.

My Boy

So we thought we'd take the pedals off Brother's bike, lower the seat, and take off the training wheels. It was a complete makeover all in the name of getting him to ride without any scraped knees. A few minutes into the project and the husband got sidetracked. The wrenches remained and the little guy managed to get the pedals off and seat lowered. Now Brother says he's tougher than Dad.

Wild West Adventure

We decided to take advantage of the 2 1/2 day lull from summer harvesting and head out of town. And since our kids love camping and had never been to Yellowstone, we headed north with rest of the tourists and vacationers. Brother is fascinated by the Wild West so anything cowboys and indians and he's captivated. We hit the high spots and took a day trip out of the Park to Cody for the Buffalo Bill Museum and then up to Beartooth Pass and back in the NE entrance of the Park.

Sissy fell in love with the buffalo and brought home her very own.. Breakfast was the best part of camping, the mosquitos weren't. We saw breath taking landscapes and lots of RV's. Despite all of the crowds, there is still something alluring about the Wild Frontier.