Oh What Do You Do In The Summertime

When all the world is green? Do you. . .

have a Hillman family work day at the ranch,

enjoy alfresco dining,

have popsicles for lunch,

mine for rock at the ranch,

swim at the pool,
have snow cones at the Caboose,

check the fields with Dad,

have slip n' slide parties,

can green beans with Mom,practice Kung Fu,

or take a long nap?

SO DO WE!

Chasing Waterfalls

Since Brent was already busy making improvements to the yard, he caught a bug and decided we needed a waterfall. But not just any waterfall. It had to be substantial. I was a naysayer at first when he started piling up Mt. Everest in our back yard. But as it started taking shape, I caught the vision. We're still in the process of landscaping and naturalizing it but we really enjoy how it turned out. The kids want to eat every meal on the patio to listen to the water. On occassion you will find Hudson walking down it in his irrigating boots or Dalanie floating apples down it. We made it disappearing so there is no pond to worry about with the kids.


We got all of the rock from the ranch. Hauling it home in pickup loads reminds me of my rock hauling experience with my mom and sisters.

3 Second Ride

Ever since last year, the kids have been scheming about what event they'd participate in this year at the Little Buckaroo. Dalanie did the stick pony barrel race and Hudson rode the sheep. Nerves about overcame both of them, but they did great.

Cowboy Dennis congratulating Hudson on his good ride.

Plotting about next year's calf ride

I was in charge of filming Hudson's ride and I just about missed it.

Return To The Blue Lagoon

Since we had to get the swing and slide home for their next gig, we were only minutes away from the Blue Lagoon. We talked Grandpa into taking us. The kids were disappointed that all the pollywogs had turned to frogs and hopped away since their last voyage at Grandma Camp.

No trip home would be complete for Hudson without some time in the shop with Grandpa. As a matter of fact, his outfit was quite questionable-- he was upset I laid it out because he wasn't sure he'd be able to work in it.

Callings

In the past, church service has been a wonderful opportunity for personal growth and blessings. I feel that our most resent calling will also prove to be a blessing in the life of our family. We have been asked to move our records and attend and serve the Spanish Branch.

It comes with many mixed emotions. It's almost like a mission call from our own home. I am excited about the opportunity and humbled by the responsibility.

Birthday Girl

At last, the highly anticipated birthday arrived. (Dalanie was afraid she might have missed it because we didn't have an official FHE the night before. I had been telling her that her birthday was after FHE day.) She woke up in our bed and asked, "When's my birthday?" Once we told her, it didn't take her long to find the stack of presents.

A birthday on a hot summer day meant several ice cream cones a trip out in the boat, and a worn out birthday girl.

She's already started asking "When's my next birthday?"

It's going to be a long year.

As a side note, Mom, Dad, Tameka, and Ty all witnessed the kangaroo birthday cake. She wanted something silly, it turned out kind of spooky.

Pioneer Party

Our family was given the assignment to provide a "float" for the ward 24th Party. The missionaries rode on the Unimog and the kids and I played the part of a pioneer family. Hudson's only request was to ride Duke. The kids loved throwing candy and the girls made pretty cute pioneers in the bonnets I sewed up.



We introduced the ward to my Dad's creations: the slippery slide and merry-go-round swing. They were a huge hit. We had nonstop lines the entire evening. Brent operated the swing and I don't know how many people commented on him being a carny.



Forget the rides and the water, the girls just enjoyed the watermelon.

Air Show

We joined some friends for the air show featuring the Blue Angels. We had some great seats overlooking the river right across from the airport. As we suspected the kids played, ate junk, and occasionally looked at the planes. We created a shade fort and they loved eating Cheetos and playing with sticks. The Blue Angels captured their attention though. They performed maneuvers right above our heads. It was exhilarating to watch and fun to be there. By the end though, Dalanie was packing up the chairs and ready to go. She was tired and it was hot.

Reverse Psychology

We have a girl in our house that is quite defiant. She goes out of her way to do the opposite of what you tell her.

When putting on her shoes or shorts, she'll ask "this way?" When she finally has them arranged and situated the right way and I tell her okay, she reverses it and puts them on.
Take for example the other night. We were out in garden eating peas. In her taunting way she says, "Mom, look." I immediately tell her not to put the peas in her nose, just as she manages to push one out of sight with her finger. It was lost and she was crying. I couldn't get her to blow her nose until I had a tissue in my hand.Her brother is the self-appointed hand washing police. He freaks if she doesn't wash her hands, so she resists and will usually chase him around the house before getting them wet.

The only way her dad can coax kisses out of her is by telling her that he doesn't want any, same with a backrub too.

What a girl.

Hats

My Hudson loves hats. He's amassing quite a collection and has one for just about any occasion. There are only a few times a week that you'll find him without one: at the dinner table and at church.

They have become his trademark.

He has work hats, play hats, going to town hats, and now (thanks to Grandpa) he's even got a bright orange hard hat. No matter how much sweat drips down his face, he insists on keeping his hat on. One thing about it though, he sure is handsome in hats.