Goodbye to a Lifestyle and a Most Beloved, Dear Friend

Today was incredibly hard. I said goodbye to one of my best friends, Cool. Some of my most carefree times were spent with this magical creature. She helped healed my heart during 2006. When the campaign trail got to be too much, Cool and I would escape by running through the hills so fast it felt like all of the bad, petty things that were happening couldn't come close to catching me in that moment. We've pushed cows together, shared many carrots, chased wild mustangs (and kept up), survived a horrible night when I was certain she would die from colic, enjoyed a wonderful sense of freedom when racing down a straightaway with the wind racing through our hair and laughter dancing wildly in the breeze, and most recently, loved a brand new baby every bit as sweet and beautiful as she is. This post is a dedication to the blessed moments I had with one of the best friends and comforters I've ever known. I love you, Cool. I hope your new home will bring you happiness for the rest of your days.

Elderberries..YUM!

We found a handful of ripe elderberries in August. The kids were really disappointed there weren't enough for a pie, but there was some speculation concerning "mini, personal pan sized pies" and whether or not it could be done. Nope. There just weren't enough. So they got eaten and we'll go back soon for enough to make a regular sized pie.

GRASS!!!!!!!

Our little yard is coming along, slowly but surely. Ryan and Danny have worked so hard this summer whipping our place into shape. First the retaining wall and gravel. Now...GRASS!!!! Yay for sod. I can hardly wait until our fence is up and we can sit in the hammock in total privacy. Hopefully a really good book, cold drink and yummy snack will figure into this situation.

Danny, thank you for all of the hard work you do. I've never seen anyone so amazing; you're a work horse. AND, your son isn't far behind you.

Things You Find When Cleaning

Again, while cleaning some files on my computer I ran across these hilarious photos and had to share. These are from 2006 and range from Girls' Weekend in Vegas, Ryan taking part in the Geography Bee, to Chelsea playing basketball. I laughed out loud when I saw some of these and had no choice but to share.

Dan's Animal Twin

I was cleaning out desktop folders on my work computer and found this picture. Cameron sent it to me awhile back because she thought it looked like Danny, if he was a squirrel.

Luck...or a lot of window time

Every once in a while you get really lucky. We've driven so much in the last three weeks I was bound to see something cool. These two young elk were chumming it up together about 20 yards from our truck. Magnificent creatures! The jugheads...well, it isn't very often you see any that are nice looking but these two were very handsome, a little camera shy, but handsome just the same.

School Days, School Days

Obviously, the kids weren't half as excited as I was that school is here. First day of school happiness is written all over their faces. Yeah, right.

Antelope Hunting

This was Ry's first antelope tag. After road hunting for several days and hundreds of miles we jumped out of the truck, ran like crazy over several ridges (me running like crazy about 100 yards behind cuz I'm old and slow), and tried to quietly stalk this bad boy. Ryan made an excellent shot--over 500 yards! Danny's one of the best marksmen I've ever seen, and Ry is a chip off the old block. He was so excited when he realized he'd hit his target. So was I. Especially since we'd both been suffering an epidemic sized case of buck fever for a couple of days. The ails of being stuck in a truck for hours on end. Talk about a good time, though. Ry's antelope was just a little over 14; pretty good for a first timer. We had so much fun together, laughing, reminiscing and eating tons of junkfood. I love my boys!

Yahoo for FOOSBALL!!!

Ryan made Varsity but was given the chance to Quarter Back if he'd stay down on JV. Bet you can guess what he chose. Ryan did really well at his first scrimmage in his new position. He's still the fastest and strongest and I AM NOT BIASED. :)

Those Old Dog Days of Summer

Apparently, if you walk around the corner of your house, and you just happen to have your camera in hand, you can find one fabulous looking model chillin' with his best friend in the hammock.

Winners at the Lincoln County Fair

Both Cameron and Chelsea took 4H sewing classes this year. Cam made a beautiful skirt and pillowcase while Chels spent her time sewing a quilt. Both girls won ribbons--Chelsea 3rd place and Cam 1st and Reserve Champion. Of course, had I been the judge they would've both been Grand Champions. Nope, I'm not biased at all; just know a good thing when I see it.

Chels the All Star

Chelsea's team played their All Star tourney in Cedar City this year. Like the great sport she is, when she wasn't on the mound or in the batter's box she was cheering her teammates on. The weather was miserable. It rained and was really muggy and incredibly hot, but Chels powered through like a champ. She was clocked at 64mph...now that's exciting! The team didn't win the tourney, but Chelsea pitched eight straight hours of ball and, when she was so tired she didn't think she had anything left to give, she dug down deep and pushed through. Way to go, Chels! I told you the chocolate milk would work. :)

New Terminology

This is the expression of the week (fitting):

Nub (Noob)
A nub is a version of noob, except a nub is when someone has been doing something for a long period of time and is still stupid and has no clue what they are doing.

Nub Cake (Noob Cake)
A nub who's failures exceed all other nubs in their immediate area, thus making them the "biggest nub" or the "icing on the cake of nubs" They tend to not only be horrible at whatever it is they are doing, but also have no idea that they are horrible at it. They are such nubs that they are capable of bringing down even the most elite when present. They are dangerously idiotic.
Person 1: I put Caity on our team to even out the game.
Person 2: Makes sense, she's a nub and we are decent players.
Person 1: Yeah, but she's the only nub on our team and she's
brought our score down more than the team of all nubs
Person 2: Wow, what a nub cake.

MIA

Once again, it's been an incredibly long time since I posted. Life's been really crazy. We're constantly chasing kids all over and watching them play ball. Last weekend, June 6, Ryan played ball in Panguitch, UT, while both of my girls battled for the district title in softball. So happy to say that my girls took it to the other team, one pitching her heart out and the other smashing the ball and taking it for a ride. Good job, chicks! You make your mom and dad so proud. This next weekend Ryan plays baseball in Richfield and I play volleyball in Cedar's Summer Games. Busy, busy, busy...

I AM A CHAMPION!

Today was the first ever Annual Lincoln County Volleyball Tournament. I'm so excited to report that my team, the Volley Mommas, took first place after going undefeated the entire day!!!! I'm thrilled beyond words...now if only I could convince my muscles that this is good abuse.