Big Springs Camping

Like most camping trips, I would get everything packed up and the trailer hooked on most times before Brent would get home and be available to leave.  We decided to try out the camping past Lava Hot Springs.  A train was parked on the tracks blocking off the road up to Big Springs.  So we waited.  And while we waited I took some pennies and put on the train tracks.  We waited a half hour or so for another train to pass by on the double tracks before the parked train could proceed.  We found all but one of the smashed pennies.  I thought they would be neat moments, but sadly only one found it's way home.

It had rained earlier and cooled off quite a bit.  Once we found a suitable site, we went for a walk.  The kids loved have Brent and mine's undivided attention.

And what's a camping trip without donuts.  Of course we had to make them by the light of our headlamps, but I think that's what makes them so darn good.

In the morning the kids got enjoyed making breakfast over the camp chef.  And if something went overboard we left it for the chipmunks, so huge messes to clean up.

Hudson had fun driving his RC car and rest of us enjoyed watching. . . but only for so long before Dalanie was fed up with only being able to watch.

Our campsite bordered the creek.  It wasn't too warm, so we stayed out of the water but enjoyed crossing on the stumps.

We left early so we could float down the Portneuf in Lava.  It was a crazy/busy day.  The water was low, but we still had a lot of fun.  Brent or I would take turns with Delsie while the others floated.  It was our first time, but definitely not our last.

Enjoying some {birthday} dinner before heading home.

Brent's 35th

Disguises and alter egos were still on our brains from movie night, so we planned a top secret mission to wish Brent a happy birthday.  The fuzzy mustaches were adorable on the kids.

Most special event warrant a picture from Ruby.  She drew our family and flowers.

Since Brent and my birthdays are only a few days apart, I did without cinnamon rolls so Brent could enjoy them.  They're too decadent to have very often.

I was working on my fence project when he finally made the decision to purchase a new service truck in Utah.  Within 15 minutes we had our kids going to Grandma's and I was headed to Utah with him to pick it up.  We took the salesmen's recommendation for dinner and ate at Kitty Pappa's steak house.  It was a very. . . unique experience eating mamma's cooking.

Spy Kids: Movie Night

The summer was evaporating on us, so we decided on a date.  The next big hurdle was selecting a movie.  Talk about a hard job.  Something family appropriate that everyone hasn't seen.  I was feeling under the gun Sunday morning, so I could get an invite put together to pass out at church.  I hastily chose Spy Kids before ever watching it and was nervous about it up until the movie ended that night.

My visiting teachers asked if they could come early that night and since I have a hard time saying no, I prefaced things with "it might be a little crazy since we're getting ready for our movie night."  I don't know if they ever anticipated all the craziness, but we met for a few minutes on the patio.  I can't remember if it was before or after the rootbeer episode.

I never make a trip to town just for dry ice, but since we had to pick up the popcorn popper we grabbed some so we could make homemade root beer.  I had it on the table brewing when I ran in to do something in the house.  Next thing I heard was nothing short of weeping and wailing.  Ruby had been near the root beer when it came crashing down.  She assured me that she wasn't close enough to have spilt it.  Nevertheless, there was only a few cupfulls that we were able to salvage.  We hosed the patio down while I silently gave thanks that it didn't happen in my kitchen.

Dalanie manned the popcorn stand.  She kept popping and people kept eating.  It is the most demanding job of the night.  Clayton Jensen didn't get there until about dark and by then she had had her fill of popping.  She was glad to lay down for the movie and fall asleep.

There was quite a game of volleyball going on.  The older kids played for a solid hour or two.

And the little kids were busy keeping the sandbox and swing set company.

It's hard to say who enjoys the candy canon more, Brent or the kids.

The rush at the concession stand prior to the show starting.

Staking out a good seat.  Normally the breeze picks up, but it didn't this year and ended up being a perfect night to share with friends and neighbors.

Little Buckaroo Rodeo & Parade

We had the idea of putting a float in the parade to help promote our watermelons.  Before it was all said and done the Madsen kids had spent a lot of time here making watermelons shirts & shoes, putting together a giant cardboard slice, and helping stain the little wagon.

Like most things, the prep can be nearly as fun as the actual event.

Grandma and Grandpa brought the Stephens kids to the rodeo.

I helped Dixie at the gate, but I had a big fan up in the stands.

Dalanie signed up for sheep riding.  She got her game face on and was determined to get her ride done.

Ruby took her fancy pony for the barrel racing.

And Hudson decided it was time to ride a calf.  I tried coaching him based on my experience in Hogg's arena.  I think boys handle the emotion way differently than girls because he was calm as a cucumber before and after.

Feeling pretty accomplished.

We knew that Lincoln wouldn't disappoint us at the chicken scramble.  I mean, this kid is the fiercest-barefoot-chicken wrangler I've ever seen.

The morning of the parade was a little crazy.  We had to finish making final preparations on our watermelon float and the alumni float I had been assigned to take care of.  I was frantically running around cutting more sage brush and calling on Gary Talbot to hurry up on the cardboard horses.  But we pulled everything together with time to spare (thanks to all of Mom and Dad's help.)

Birthday Girl

Starting the day off right with a Hard Times cinnamon roll, complete with sprinkles and candles.  Hudson requested some chocolate milk, so we had that too.

Then it was off to open presents.

She got a basket for her bike and a sno cone maker.

After church, we grilled pizzas and had family over.  Stephens were on their way back from Island Park, so they stopped by for the party.

Both Grandpa and Dalanie had candles in their sno cones.

She loved being able to use HER ice shaver to make everyone a sno cone.  She loves to do things for others and serve, so this gift was a perfect fit.

Grandma brought her world famous oatmeal cake.  She says that's a stretch, but then it's at least Goshen famous.

We decided to launch some candy with the candy cannon.

And then we had a competition for the kids on the climbing wall.  Grandpa timed.

Dalanie was the winner with a time of 4.3 seconds.  Straight up, no favoring the birthday girl.  She is fierce and competitive.

Grandma had taken Dalanie up to town to find a pair of boots.  She always finds the cutest ones.  Dalanie is pretty tickled with them.