Family Pickup

We took the opportunity to take a family picture since we had extended family visiting last weekend.  My dad's brother, sister and great-nephew from California were here, in addition to my brother and his family, and my mom.

It was only fitting that we gathered around the old black pickup that my dad bought new in 1963.  This pickup has moved around in the family over the years.  My grandad had it for many years, then my uncle had it, and he gave it to me to take care of 9 years ago.  (Thanks, Larry!)

We even  had a change of locations for the photo shoot.  I always enjoy the colors at sunset, but I was disappointed by the shadows on our faces.  I'll have to work on that.

But it was fun to gather 'round the old pickup for a family photo.  Touchdown!

SUP Boards

The kids and I met up with my brother and and his family to play in the water in Lewiston.  He brought along these fabulous Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Boards from where he works.

SUP Boards are like large blow-up surf boards.  As you can see, they can support a lot of weight!

It is meant for one person to stand (or kneel) and paddle themselves around, but you can pile on three or four kids and motor around, too!

Housebroken

Had a sheep in your house lately?  Me too.

Make Up

You may have wondered why Morgan had all that stuff on his face in yesterday's blog.   Well, there's a good reason.  Because he's nine now, he's allowed to wear make-up.

Not really.  That would be odd.  He can't wear makeup until he's 13.

No, Glenn's employer had their annual summer picnic and face painting was one of the activities.  Morgan was supposed to be a pirate.  Those are scars and facial hair.  He opted to forgo the eye patch.

He tried to wash it off before he went to bed that night.  He's face still looked rather dirty so I took a turn. For some reason, he didn't appreciate my efforts.  Sometimes I forget my own strength.  Note to self:  no need to remove the skin, just the dirt!

Another Birthday

We had a birthday here yesterday.  Morgan went and got older again.  Nine already!  What are we going to do with him?  Not only does he keep growing, he keeps getting older.  I don't like it.  Not at all.  And yet we still give him gifts.

And cake.

We might have to stop encouraging this growing up behavior.  Or he's never going to learn!

Happy birthday, Morgan!  I love you, even though you won't quit growing up!!

Haying Season

We are in the throes of haying season around here right now.  Not that I do much.  Except maybe not see my husband very often, and try to keep him fed.

And the kids are his sidekicks.

Airplanes

While we were at lunch break at the horse show last weekend, Morgan talked his dad into taking him to the airplane show at the Grangeville airport.  I guess there were lots of cool old airplanes and exhibits to check out.  He could have even had a free airplane ride, but since he tends to get motion sickness, we decided to wait on that.  I doubt the pilots giving free rides want to deal with vomiting children.

Horsie Love

The 4-H horse show was great fun for Nicole.

Jasper was such a good boy.  She sure loves him.  He deserves lots of kisses.

And hugs.

But no more pictures, mom!  Knock it off!

Champion

Nicole had her big 4-H horse show last weekend.  So last week she was busy cleaning her tack and washing her horse to prepare.  He's so pretty in his duds.  He even managed to stay clean.

The first class of the day was halter.

They did great together.

The judge thought so too, apparently.....
 

Since they came away with the Grand Champion trophy for her age group!  Woohoo!

Then it was on to bareback class.

And, again, they walked away with the Grand Championship for Nicole's age group.

Next was Western Equitation.

And, AGAIN, got top honors for the age group!

Next was the English riding class. Nicole just started riding English this year, so she was excited to try something new.  Don't they look fancy?!

And they managed to earn Reserve Champion in the class!

Then back to the western saddle and time to tackle the trail class.

Jasper is such a good boy.  He'll anything Nicole asks him to do.  And, most likely, he'll do it well!  And, go figure..... they came away with the Grand Championship for Trail Class, too!

In case you lost count, that was a total of FOUR Grand Champion placings and one Reserve Championship.

Not too shabby for a Saturday.  We knew they'd do well together, we just weren't expecting them to be such trophy hogs!!  There was some tough competition, so she may not walk away with so much hardware next year.  All day long, we told Nicole to remain humble, but ever since the show we've been bragging on her at every opportunity.  Parents are so embarrassing!  Good job, kiddo!!

July 6th Headquarters

My apologies for slacking so much on the blog lately.  Life has been a little busy.  I'm trying to finish up THREE online classes that I'm taking for my Master's degree (what was I thinking?!), and still do fun stuff with my family and kids.  And, frankly, I'vebeen very forgetful about getting my blog done on top of everything else!

So, what were you doing on July 6th?  No, not July 4th---July 6th!

You should have been at the July 6th headquarters with us and our crazy friends!  Where were the July 6th headquarters, you may ask?  Why, the tiny town of Troy, Oregon, of course!  You might recall that we visited this same lovely little bump in the road last year.  Although, we were celebrating July 7th, of course!

Last year the kids had a float in the parade, but this time, we just watched.  They even had a Grand Marshal this year!

And a celebrity.... Miss America from 1943!  We had our doubts to the likelihood of the truth of her claim, but I couldn't work up the nerve to go ask her.

Glenn took the kids rafting on the Grand Rhonde River every day while I got some homework done (woohoo -- again, what was I thinking to take so many classes this summer?!)

Baby Holding

 We all enjoyed getting to know sweet baby Taylor last week.

Ellea, of course was especially thrilled to get to know her little cousin.

At 9 months old, Taylor is a little suspicious of being held by strangers, but Ellea did a good job keeping her happy.

She seemed fascinated by Morgan.

They hung out a little.

Even (great) Uncle Glenn got in on the baby-holding action.

Baby Girl

John and Wendi's little girl is such a sweet thing.

Glenn and I always grew our babies big and stocky.  Taylor is a petite little thing.  So snuggly and sweet!  (Ours were snuggly and sweet too.  Just in a huskier way!)

Look at that sweet face.

She's a beauty just like her mom and dad.

Cozy Family

We had a fun lunch visit with Glenn's sweet niece, Wendi, and her hubby, John this week.   We finally got to meet their darling baby girl who was born nine months ago.

Wendi suggested a family photo, so Ellea set up the tripod and we crowded into the staircase!

She insisted we have a "silly face" photo so everyone but baby Taylor got silly!