Blast From the Past

Nothing compares to sharing some of your favorite activities as a kid with your own kids. There was water skiing at the upscale Kimmy's Resort. Mom and Dad tore it up behind the Blue Ghetto, putting the wake back in the Snake. We also held a photo shoot for next year's calendar. I'll be kind. . . let's just say Ty working the Mermaid pose.

We hit the rodeo and enjoyed laughing at the rodeo clown, Randy Munns.
Dalanie cleaned house at the horse races. She wagered all her pennies on the pink horse and won nearly every race. And Hudson got to finish off another plate of twisted taters, so we averted another break down. He insisted on wearing long pants and his cowboy hat. Even when he was dripping sweat, the hat never came off.

Summer Party Season Over

We enjoy having people over and hosting events. Over the years I've learned not to stress about the small stuff. If it's too much work, it's not fun. And when it's not fun, it's not worth doing. People rarely notice the weeds in your tree rings or cobwebs in your door frames.


Big Screen in our Backyard

With the summer coming to a close (more like a screeching halt), we decided we'd better squeeze in a movie night if we were going to make it an annual event. We had camping chairs and blankets covering the backyard. While the sun was setting we started cooking up kettle corn. Kids kept coming back for more until the movie started at dark. It was a breezy evening, but I'm sure glad we did it again.
Block Party

We also hosted a block party earlier this summer. There was a 'best block on the block' contest, good food, and lots of visiting.

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.