Kortlen goes to Kindergarten!!! yipee?

Just look at that face- he was so excited to start school with his new "Clone Wars" backpack and lunchbox!

Daddy drove him to school (I don't think an hour bus ride with all of the "big kids" is appropriate for a 5 yr old.) But he gets to ride the bus home because it is just the kindergarten kids on the bus and Sister Astle (from Primary) drops him off right at our house! (and mommy has her cell phone number to call her at anytime!) ((very important!!!))

He thinks he is so big! He stopped to pose for the picture himself- I didn't even have to ask him too.

Daddy thought it was hilarious when he came home from taking Kort to school and found me like this..... but let me explain.... Kortlen is my oldest child whom has ALWAYS been home with me and had VERY few babysitters in his life time (all of which were family). Also, here in Afton there are not very many preschool programs available so Kort only went to preschool for one year and it was once a week for two hours. That is the ONLY experience we have had apart from each other! (And it only gets worse....) Kindergarten here in Star Valley is ALL DAY!!! There is NO option for half/day. So I am expected to just send my little five year old sweet boy out the door at 7:30am and not get to have him home again until 2pm! It has been TORTURE!!! And to top it all off- he absolutely LOVES it! I have been heart broken... And then, even when he gets home- he is so excited to play with his little brothers that he doesn't have time to tell me about his day. I have to wait until after I've tucked him and Tristen into bed at night and "eaves drop" when he shares every detail about his day at school with his little brother! I sure hope it will get easier because I still cry at lunch time when his barstool sits empty.

Happy Anniversary to US!!!

ELEVEN years later... we're on our second marriage... living in Wyoming... expecting our fourth child (surprise everyone!)... and LOVING every minute of it!

I love you more every day honey... thanks for being my eternal soul-mate!

Hooked on an "80" second ride!

It was Star Valley's JUNIOR RODEO (finally... we've had to wait another WHOLE year!) I decided to post the actual rides for all of those family members that didn't make it this year (we're not naming any names- you know who you are.)

Kortlen's ride...

Kort and Tristen have been SO excited to ride a sheep this year. They've even practiced by riding our dummy calf around the arena (daddy pulls it behind the rhino). Kortlen hoped he would get a "buck'n sheep" this year since it is his fourth year to ride, he's practically pro and wanted a challenge... Too bad he drew a "trotter"-- oh, well, next year he advances to calves (and they REALLY buck!) He'll be wearing a protective vest along with his helmet! He can't wait!

This was Tristen's first year to ride... (the last two years he climbed the chutes only to climb back down because he thought the sheep were too mean!) This year he told us he was going to ride "no matter what" but he hoped for a "walker/trotter". (so did mom) And that's what he got- he did GREAT! He's developed a new sense of confidence since the ride and has asked me about a hundred times, "mom, aren't you so proud of me?" (my little 3 yr old grew about a foot that day!)

Way to go boys!!! You're the 'tuffest' cowboys I know!!!

Tristen's ride...

We spend most of our time....

So most of our time is spent outside in our little riding arena... Daddy was spending a lot of his time roping and riding and I mentioned that me & the boys were feeling a little left out... so he has started giving us lessons! Too bad for daddy that we have all fallen in LOVE with the sport so now he spends less time actually doing the riding and roping and more time being the coach! So this picture is of my four boys (Ross is in the stroller) spending time where we love most!

Kort is doing great on Rascal and can catch the dummy calf from on top of the horse or from running on foot behind!

Tristen has gotten so brave and started to "trot" on Rascal by himself and always stops him like a champ! He can rope the dummy calf from the ground and is really great at "taking the rope off of the calf for me & daddy!"
(p.s. I am also learning to rope and am doing very well no matter what Kort tries to tell you!) Thanks daddy for letting us join your hobby- WE LOVE YOU!

Happy 4th of July!

We started off our 4th of July by going out to breakfast so our realtor could show our house... (I had started my holiday at 6am to clean my house- annoying and rude if you ask me for people to ask to see a home on a holiday!) But breakfast was a fun start! There were some boys in the hotel parking lot next to the restaurant lighting off fireworks (I think they were excited to have cool "wyoming" fireworks and couldn't wait until dark, so my kids had something to watch out the window.) It was nice to have them occupied so Mark and I could have some conversation! (notice our dog, turbo in the background- he had taken a morning swim in the ditch:)

Little Ross was happy to represent and wear his RED, WHITE & BLUE!

Kortlen, Tristen and I got to ride on the "Primary" float in the parade! Mark and Ross were on the side of the road so we got to throw them lots of candy :) TWICE- our parade goes up main street and then turns around and goes down main street! SUPER FUN!

Look at my handsome boys before the rodeo.... WOO-HOO, I am a lucky girl :) The rodeo was lots of fun but the high-light was when Kortlen went down to the arena to chase a calf with all of the kids. They try to catch the tail and grab a ribbon that is tied to it... Kort was the winner- he SMOKED the other kids and ended up winning a $20 dollar bill! Way to go Kortlen!!! We stayed after the rodeo and watched the BIG fireworks (even Ross was awake) and barely made it to the car when the pooring rain started! It was a GREAT day!