Scott is 16 - WOW!

My baby boy turned SIXTEEN on June 30th. It is really hard for me to believe that he is that old. We took him to "Red Robin" for lunch. I mentioned him being the birthday boy to the hostess and he got just a little upset with me. Lunch was good and the company great, but no birthday song and so I asked the waitress again. She came back to the table with an ice cream sundae, balloons, and some co-workers. I thought they would just sing, BUT she did a SHOUT OUT to the entire restaurant telling them it was Scott's birthday and he was turning sweet 16. Everyone clapped and then they did a birthday rap. It was a lot of fun. Scott turned a few shades of RED and said he'd get even with me. It will be a birthday he won't forget.

Later he went to the lake with the teacher's quorum and then had banana pudding with everyone. He got a new fly fishing rod and can't wait for his brothers to take him on a fishing trip.

I'm so glad we have Scott in our family. He is one very special boy!

Family, Friends, Farm, and FUN

The past couple weekends the boys have brought friends to the farm for riding, cookouts, and bonfires. We really enjoy spending time with our kids and their friends. Here are just a few of the pictures of their adventures.

Reed and his friends went 4-wheeling and found a few mud holes to play in.

Daren stacked wood for a big bonfire. His friends shot skeet before roasting hotdogs and smores.

I DID IT!

My mom is always creating beautiful pieced quilts. She spends hours at her sewing machine and we have all been the recipients of these exquisite creations. I always wanted to learn or at least attempt to make something, so over a year ago I bought material to make a table runner (start small right?). It's a good thing it was small. It has taken quite a while, but I finally finished it! It really made me appreciate the time my mother takes to make something so beautiful, and I don't think I'm ready to tackle anything larger, at least for a few more years.

Relief Society Enrichment Luau

Our ward had a fun, entertaining, and uplifting enrichment night on Thursday. Monica, Karri and the committee always put on a great night. It was decorated so cute with palm trees, surf boards, a tiki hut and all. We ate grilled pineapple chicken, fruit, and a yummy fruit slush. Following dinner Sister Jane Trane, a new sister in our ward, spoke to us on "Finding Joy In The Journey". She was so much fun and had everyone laughing. I think we all left wanting to just let go and have fun. Hopefully the ward sisters won't be too upset I added a few snapshots of some of our funny "ta dah" moments.

Four-Wheeler Ride

We've been to the hills for a couple days. Today the boys did some fencing while Doug went to the valley for a meeting. I worked around the trailer a little and then fixed lunch. After lunch we decided to go for a 4-wheeler ride. It was a beautiful afternoon and I got a little too much sun on the face. We drove from Hell Creek to Dan Creek and then circled back over to the Skyline Ridge. The wildflowers were starting to come out and it was very pretty. In a week or two the hills will be covered with sunflowers.

We found a few mud puddles and Scott had to go straight through them. I laughed at the mud splashed all over his back and face. He reminds me so much of his Dad. Doug took it kind of easy since I was on behind.

It was a nice break from the work. After we came back Doug jumped on the tractor and the boys did some cleaning around the camp spot. Daren wants to have a campout and bonfire there in a couple weeks and so he's busy gathering the wood. I'm happy because that cleans out some of the dead wood. It's looking better all of the time.

New Address

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR THE SUMMER!

I always wonder if the kids realize how excited their teachers are to have school out for the summer. I probably count the last days more than they do.

We started the summer by moving the trailer (our summer home) to the farm. Last year we poured a cement pad and leveled the ground around it. We put in a septic tank and piped the spring water to the spot. This year we are adding some grass and horseshoe pits, maybe even a birdfeeder or two. There are some beautiful birds to see. I enjoy the peace, quiet, and beautiful view. It's close enough to run up for a night or two and the trailer offers most of the comforts of home. The only downside is no electricity but the generator provides that when needed. The cell phone also reaches out so we are not totally isolated.

Our camping spot and view from the trailer

Doug often works on the farm and machinery while I get to cook, crochet, read, and relax a little. We also like to go for rides or play on the four wheelers. Sometimes other family members come for a visit or bring their trailers for a stay. So, if you can't find us at home we are likely at the hills.

Stop in anytime!

The Mission Call and Camping

We had an exciting weekend! Daren's mission call arrived on Friday. He had plans for the evening and the rest of us were leaving to go camping. After a few phone calls we were able to gather the troops on Saturday at Buffalo Campground. Daren and Reed drove up late on Friday night and Rod and Stephanie joined us Saturday morning. We had a surprise when G & G Schwieder and G & G Rockwood took a drive up to find us.

So, after all of that intro, I'm sure everyone is wondering where he is going. He has been called to serve in the Richmond Virginia Mission. He spent the rest of the afternoon spreading the news. He enters the MTC on August 5, so we have a lot to get ready. As soon as school is out we can start shopping and I can start psyching myself for the trip to Provo. That is one thing I'm not looking forward to.

After the excitement we had a fun weekend together. Saturday was a gorgeous day at Island Park. We enjoyed riding bikes, fishing, playing games, and of course EATING! In the evenings we would gather around the campfire with the Black family to talk and laugh. Everyone stuck around until Sunday night. It was so much fun to have the whole family together.