Backyard Camping

Living in the country is awesome. I wonder sometimes if people weren't so cramped together so closely would it be easier to get along with each other? AnyWay! We took the opportunity to spend some time outside the other night because the weather was so beautiful and the boys were out of school. So we decided to go camping.

Camping in the backyard is perfect because you don't have to pack everything into the car, you have access to clean bathrooms and running water, and Mom gets to sleep in the house with the baby while Dad roughs it in the tent. :o)

We thought it wouldn't be much of a camping trip if we didn't have a camp fire so we gathered some wood, from the brush pile that is sitting on the edge of the property. We checked into the fire codes and built a fire pit. There are a ton of large rocks in a pile on the property too.

So here is the pit with Jared's example of a tee pee fire. We read all about them in his scout book.

Daddy & Dallin cutting up the wood for the fire. I think the more fires we have the smaller the brush pile for snakes to hide in. The one thing that does not appeal to me about living in the country. I don't mind the little garden snakes, we have a very nice one that lives under the front porch, I just don't like the idea of the poisonous ones. So the less hiding spots the better.

Darcy helps with cutting up the sticks.

Boys were just made to be out in the dirt. It makes them happy. Look at that face you can see it, the happy glow that is hidden under all the dirt.

(Astrolorp)
Ms. Chickies were very curious about what we were up to. They are a lot of fun to have around. We are now averaging 6-8 eggs per day and my garden is loving having them in it. And the chickies are loving all the bugs.

(Wyendotte)

We roasted Hot Dogs and Hobo Dinners. They were super yummy. If we had planned ahead we would have had marshmallows and chocolate but we don't plan.

Dallin & Shane in the tent.

It was all in all a great adventure that I am sure we will repeat often this summer.

How is your summer going? I hope you are able to do a few fun things.
Love to you All!

~Christy

On the 3rd day of Summer Vacation

Dallin decided to give himself a haircut, even though Mom has told him repeatably no one should ever cut their own hair. SO . . .


Daddy shaved it all off.

He was a little surprised.

This is going to be a very long summer but it should make for some good blog posts if nothing else.

I will try to keep my scene of humor and my camera ready.

Love you all!
~Christina

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANE!

Shane turned 4 this past week. I am amazed at how time flies so quickly.
He is still super cute and loves to snuggle with me. He loves his big brothers and playing games. He is really smart and I love the little things he says that catch me off guard so often. He is a sweet big brother and loves his little brother they play very well. We will be looking at pre-school's for next year and he is very excited to be going to school like Jared and Dallin. He knows a few of his letters already and how to count to 10. He is one smart cookie. He is always singing a song as he plays, his favorite is "Teach me to Walk"
This year we didn't do anything really spectacular for his birthday. We got him a cake and had a mini party with his cousins on Friday, then another on Monday his real birthday. He loves all his presents and wants to go fishing for his present from Mom & Dad. We will go soon.

German Chocolate Cake Yummy!

Presents! ! ! !

A microphone for singing our songs

Batman Imaginex Car that goes by its self.

We went to Old Chicago for Pizza and milkshakes. Per the Birthday Boys request.

Shane picked out this Cake, he loves Cars.

Mothers Day

For Mothers Day we decided to go to the Sylvan Dale Ranch for a picnic. It was a beautiful day and perfect for a day out. Apparently we weren't the only ones that had the same idea. There were a lot of people out. The Ranch was offering free horse carriage rides so we took the boys. Then we walked around a bit.

I feel so blessed this Mothers Day as I think of my wonderful boys. Yes we have our trials but all in all the Lord has blessed me with 4 beautiful little boys and a great husband whom I love and adore. Jared and Dallin made me some priceless gifts at school, I love them.

I was also able to talk with my Mom and Grandma and tell them that I love them and appreciate them.

I'm not good at writing the things that I feel. I am much better at taking pictures, so . . .

Having some trail mix as we wait for the horse ride.

Big horse.

Horses at pasture. This is what beautiful means.

This is the Canyon. We live 2 miles from here. I am one lucky girl.

Liam my sweet little boy.

The trees are blooming, Spring is here.

Dallin & Shane walking, A rare moment when they are actually getting along. :o)

Little brother pushing two big brothers on the swing.

Now this is the way to travel. Liam with his little legs just couldn't keep up with his brothers.



I just realized that I am in none of the pictures taken on Mothers Day. Oh Well. :o)
I hope all you had a wonderful day.
Love, Christina

The Cabin

We were able to spend Easter weekend at the Cabin in Utah. We left beautiful 60 degree weather here in Colorado and drove for 8 hours into 30 degree weather and 2 feet of snow over the weekend. Its supposed to snow at a cabin so it was great. I loved going to bed and waking up to 6 more inches of snow every morning. It's Aaron's, Mom's Cabin and her father built it in the 70s. But it is full of all the conveniences that you would like. We were able to watch a little of Conference even. There was a couple from Africa that came for a night their names were Eastman and Moijama they had a 1 yr old boy called Sesay and he was adorable. Jared loved that they were from Africa and asked Eastman if he had ever seen spiders and snakes and lions and Hippos. Eastman told the boys about deadly snakes and the boys were super impressed.

Sesay in the window light.

The mountains are beautiful and I couldn't get over the beauty of the dark green evergreens contrasted with the brilliant white snow. Then the white bark of the aspen trees are beautiful. Aaron took me out on a mini date with my camera and I was able to get some wonderful pictures of the beautiful trees. I think I am in love with nature photography.

This one's my favorite.

It was the first time I had ever driven a snowmobile and I LOVED it. The boys had a great time. We pulled the boys around on a sled and a tube tied to the back of the snowmobile and the 4 wheeler. When they started turning blue we took them home to the cabin for cocoa and a movie. Then the adults played a little longer. I learned that you can get a type of sunburn from playing in the snow, my face was bright red. (sorry no pictures of that)

Dallin riding on the sled. Moijama & Eastman driving.

The token picture of the photographer. :o)

Have you ever seen a happier man?

We figured out pretty fast to ride backwards to avoid the snow pelting you in the face.

At one point Shane's hat was completely covered in snow, he had it pulled completely pulled over his face while riding the sled.

Jared, dreaming of the day he gets to drive. Only 6 short years to go. Scary.

Eastman with Shane on the Snowmobile.

When Shane wasn't on the sled he was on the back of the snowmobile.

Eastman & Moijama on the 4 wheeler.

So as I am making these really great meatballs for dinner the power goes out and stays out. So if we were going to eat dinner the only choice was to cook it the OLD fashion way. All I can say is I admire those women who did this all the time, and I am SO grateful for my modern stove and oven. :o)

Its a good thing the stove was large enough for the pans to sit on. :o)

It was a great trip and we hope to continue the tradition of going to the cabin often. Its a nice drive from here to there. And if any of you are interested in a weekend away just let us know, we will meet you at the cabin.

Love to you all!