Sunday Dinner @ the Ranch

We headed to the hills for an impromptu dinner date. I cooked dutch oven potatoes and lemon chicken. I loved watching the kids and hope they have many fond memories of this place.

Dad's Shop

There's nothing like it. It's dirty and dangerous. You can count on sunflower seeds, extra gloves, and oldies/talk radio. It cultivates creativity and ingenuity. It's a mecca of bonding and boogie-ing. Glad the kids got their faces dirty experiencing it.

Polly-Woggin'

The act of going hunting for tadpoles.

It is some good, not-so-clean fun. You need some murky water, mud, pollywogs and kids. Lucky for us, we have all four.

The mud is great entertainment in and of itself.Nets are not a requirement, but a good way to break the ice and introduce kids to the sport.They quickly ditched the nets and went for the hand method.It took Ruby awhile to get over the sliminess. But she quickly became the official "releaser." We transported them by bucket back to the pond at the top of our waterfall.All the nostalgia. Reminds me of growing up, catching pollywogs in the silage pit, and the ol' green pickup with the white door.

Cruisin'

Grandpa Hillman took his cars down to the Cache Valley Cruise In. It was a good excuse to get together for a family picnic and the fireworks. We spent most of the day at the car show, even if we were hiding under the shade in the creek trying to keep cool.
We took turns riding in the cars during the actual Cruise In.
Brent and I took turns driving the '57 home. They sure can get up and go.

Daddy Doing Hair

I hacked this from Brent's facebook:

Ruby didn't qualify (not potty trained) to go to Grandma's camp with the other 2 and Karisa is at youth conference so that means I am having a blast with Ruby, she is so sweet. Out of the whole thing the part I struggle with the most is doing hair. I think its one of those things dads just didn't get sent with.


Dad's trying to do their daughters hair is so sweet. It tugs at my ol' heartstrings.

Youth Conference

Kimball, Presto, and Mountain View Branch joined forces for a great Youth Conference at Badger Creek. We had a great time climbing the rock wall,zip lining, working together on the ropes courses, moving sandbags in handcarts, and canoeing. But most importantly we strengthened our testimonies and resolve to be "In It to Win It."


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Honesty By Mail

A letter addressed to Brent showed up in the mail. There was no return address. Inside we found an anonymous letter that read:

I would like to apologize for bumping into your car a few years back. I did not have any money at the time and so I drove away and I should not have. I have a friend who got me your name from the license plate and thus your address to send this letter. I hope this money that I have been saving since that day covers what damage I caused.

Enclosed was five hundred dollars. I held these hallowed bills. Bills that had been saved over near as we could remember, six years. All for the purpose of righting a wrong, clearing a conscience. I tucked them back in the envelope and held them tight, sending up a little prayer to God that this honest person has all that they need. Money like that is hard to spend.

Joy Ride

I happened across a bike aficionado at a garage sale. He hooked me up with a '73, 3-speed, Raleigh. Brent really liked the ride. We lucked out because the same guy had a mens '76. We got it for Brent for Father's Day.They are so fun to ride. You can't help but smile while you pedal. We took them up to Snake River Landing to ride around for a date. We rounded out the evening with snow cones from the Caboose.

18 hour Camping Trip

4:30 pm- negotiated a deal on a camper.
5:00 pm- threw in sleeping bags and headed out of town. sniffing begins bothering us all.
5:30 pm- stop for allergy meds for Hudson
6:00 pm- sniffing continues even with nasal spray
7:30 pm- arrive at camper location. check it out.
8:00 pm- make transaction & orientation
9:00 pm- Hudson's misery continues, eyes are itching
9:30 pm- find a camping spot at Willard covered in 'snow' aka cotton from cottonwoods
10:00 pm- allergy affair continues
10:30 pm- finally fall asleep

We were home before any of the 24 hour medication even started helping.