On the road again

Ok this picture keeps loading here instead of where i want it to be, but Carter turned 13 while we were in Yellowstone.  He got a pair of these FIVE FINGER KSO shoes.  He loves them!

We are off to Valdez, home of the 1988 oil that I think may have finally lost its place in the sun as the biggest oil spill in our borders when that Gulf of Mexico episode had to come along and steal the title. I'd say 20 years as the reigning oil spill champ is quite a record to hold, so good luck beatin' that run!

But first, a look at the new light fixture JaDee got me for our 14th anniversary.

But I digress.  What I am really hoping to show you here is some pictures of our trip to the wild wild west. And what I discovered on this trip what will always be home for me.

Check out the Tetons that we flew over

OK so this is the epitome of my second child.  Swim suit, cowboy boots and if you look closely, spurs! Just leanin' casual against the pasture fence with the baby calf named Star Shining Bright. He got a boat load of fireworks as a late birthday present from Aunt C and spent his time blowing up ant hills.  He told me ants fear him, and tremble at the sound of his approaching footsteps.

There were herds of Buffalo in Yellowstone this year!

This is my amazing niece M.  She wrote an awesome book for a creative writing assignment at school that had me hooked!  She can dive, ride horses, make anything (including an entire miniature golf course for her twin brothers' birthday party), and do Olivia's hair for church.

Here is Bridger!! He is back with us from his bone marrow transplant last year.  We wore this kid ragged with hikes, swims, trampolines and fireworks!

Olivia, B and G and the rescued kitties, who may have actually been running into the drain pipe for safety instead of needing saved as these 3 claimed.

P and B and Livs... these guys are double, or should I say triple trouble!

Carter and his Grandpa

This was all of the Great Grandkids of Jay and Emma McNiven at the town celebration for Pioneer Day.  The sign says "Best Crop Ever!" The kids got a kick out of being the ones to throw the candy this year. JaDee and I watched the parade from the sidelines and had to fight of other kids for our share of taffy.

Farmer Livs is locking up the gate so Star Shining Bright doesn't get out.  Her milk bucket she used to feed him with is by her feet.

Old faithful Boardwalk.  Carter still loves the geology here.

Grandpa is not dead, he just always finds the darnedest places to take a nap.

Oh these girls were so happy to see each other.  They never missed a beat and played like they did when we used to live around the corner. It was so sad to see these two say goodbye. Livs wanted to ride with them back to UT and we could pick her up in an airplane later.

All 35 of the Moncur clan in front of the Old Faithful Lodge.  We were quite a sight in our matching shirts.  As long as we were in the big group I was OK wearing mine, it was when it was just me and my 3 kids and husband that I looked like the dorky mom who thought matching shirts would be nice. 

Just one of the many things to do on the farm.

This Aunt shares a birthday with Carter. So for this year's 40th bash her husband organized a surprise party complete with her favorite Cotton Candy ice cream.

Puppies Ike and Jack definitely got their share of love and attention while we were all there.

At the town dance, we were 2/3 of those in attendance.  Here is Ethan with one of the twins.  Both my boys had to either dance with a cousin or a mother every dance!

No sprinkler system here.  Some good ole irrigation pipes and a ditch to do the cousins favorite "Flood the Yard."

At the town dance to Cotton Eye Joe, JaDee, his brother and a sister and several little cousins race in the line dance.