The Haps...

 Mark and I are heading out to visit with our Cheyenne today. 

I am so excited. 

I miss her tons. 

Besides, a little birdy told me

that someone is turning 21 soon

and I don't live where the big stores are...

so I will be doing a little shopping and

heading to the post office tomorrow. 

I hope it makes it in time.

I told Mark that everyone is going to think we have become some type of firebugs...

Besides the burn barrel and the burn pit...

and burning the garden field...

Last night, we finished making (I use we lightly.. since I had nothing to do with it. lol) our fire pit.

We then proceeded to sit out there long past Mark's bedtime and enjoy a cozy fire.

It was really nice.

I thought I would share this photo of me and my dad.

... now I need to get one of us with my brother!

Happy Friday, everyone!



Hardworking Boots...

Boots.

This is my father.

One of the hardest working men I know...

next to my husband, of course.

Both sides...

There is a new nightly game around the old homestead.  It is called...

Throw yourself as hard as you can against Daddy and try to crush every bone in his body!

Sound fun?

I know three little kids who think it is a blast!

The nearly bonecrushing jump of a little boy is pretty extreme...

...compared to that of his little sister.

The boys big sister falls somewhere in between... but is still more poetic than bone crushing.

This is so much fun...

for children and Daddy.  He laughs and encourages them to do it again... and harder this time!

This is only one small reason why we need our Daddy in these parts...

The Mommy around here isn't playing this game.

She thinks "Ouch" every time they crash into Daddy.

She warns of impending danger.

She reminds people of the horror stories where one small child may have lost an eye, finger, leg, arm while playing a completely different similar game.

There are some fundamental differences between Mommy and Daddy, you see...

Daddy is rough and tumble... ready to wrestle... eager to play in the cold snow.  Yet ready for a hug or a kiss from any of his brood.

Mommy is soft and silky... ready to color, cook or craft... always sharing laundry folding and a good conversation... and ready for a hug or a kiss from her brood.

I think we need both sides... don't you?

Rodeo in the works...

While at the park yesterday, we saw so many cool things. Some of the horses from the rodeo that will be taking place this week were cooling off in the river. The kids were so in love.

Aubrey was enjoying the cool air coming off the river. Isn't that a pretty view?

As we walked down the path we came across an area set aside for local artist. Some of the art work was so beautiful.

Above: Daddy showing the little man how to skip rocks. (He really is good.)

Below: Mommy thinking she is going to show him up. (never gonna happen!)

The little man really posed himself. He posed and turned around and said, "Take my picture."What a ham!

projects, family and play...

I promised a picture of the finished skirt. Well, I love it. Aubrey loves it and

she is wearing it to church.Cadi came over after church and spent the day with us. I figured what better time to get a photo of all of the kids. Aren't they awesome?! When people see them, they are always amazed at how many of them there are, but it doesn't seem like that many to me. Well, most days at least.
"No pictures Mommy!"
Since we have a daughter who is in college, we truly understand how quickly they grow up. He is already getting so big. I love and cherish the time I have with this little boy so much.
These kids are so used to having their picture taken. If mom isn't pointing the camera, dad is.
We spent the day walking along the river. It was so amazingly beautiful. They are getting ready for the rodeo next week so there were horses and paintings and lots of sites to see. I will post again tomorrow to show you some of what we saw today. It was really hot. As we walked along the river we came to a slow running spot and we waded in. That water was freezing. Our feet turned red immediately. It was a blessed relief from the heat, though.

My dad called tonight. (I didn't know if he wanted his face on this site so you get his back.) What a pleasure it was to get to chat with him. I love to hear him ask about the kids. He seems so genuinely anxious to have us come out there. It makes me smile.

See ya tomorrow!!