Jerome County Fair

Last week was the Jerome fair, and let me tell you that is a pretty big deal around here! They always start with a Parade down mainstreet. I can still remember the first time we went to the parade, we got a kick out of how many tractors, four wheelers and horses were in the parade. We are used to Utah parades, they actually have floats! Nothing has changed, they still had four-wheelers, and even a few dirt bikes, horses and of course tractors! However, they throw ALOT of candy, water and popsicles to the kids, so that makes up for the lack of floats.


Here is the fair "royalty"

Just one of the tractors!

You know you are big time when Wal-mart is in the parade!!

See I wasn't lying, they really have four-wheelers in our parade--I am not even quite sure why they were in the parade, but oh well as long as they threw candy we didn't care!!

After the parade we headed to the fair, the kids love seeing all of the animals. We have alot of kids from our ward involved in 4H so, it is always fun to see them and their animals. (we have so many involved we just cancel Mutual during fair week--I told you it's big time here) I didn't take many pictures because we were too busy petting everything and visiting with everyone we saw. That is probably my favorite part of small towns, everytime we turned a corner we ran into someone we knew, and we would stop and visit for awhile-I love it! The kids really liked the horses and sheep (they got to watch one of my Young Women give her sheep a bath and they thought that was great! ) but, Brylee did not like the pigs "They are stinky!!" Porter wouldn't stay in his stroller, there was too much to see and touch! The kids were pretty worn out so, we headed home and missed out on the pig wrestling! I almost forgot the best part---Elephant Ears!!! The first year we were here, that is all anyone talked about "If you go to the fair you HAVE to get an Elephant Ear!!!" It is a great big scone with cinnamon, sugar, honey or powdered sugar on it-or all of the above. They are really good, but this year the lines was extremely long so, we missed out on getting an Elephant Ear, I think it might be illegal, in Jerome, to go to the fair and not get one, so don't tell!!

The only picture I took at the fair: The kids petting a cow's butt! Nice!!!

Random Stuff, Nobody probably cares about!

Really no one cares about seeing pictures of my kids in the garden, but guess what -It's My Blog!! So, sorry here's what you get! I snapped a couple pic's while the kids were playing in the garden (I was picking beans-uugghh!) They love running through my greenbean fences, and peeking through. My Strawberries!

Porter loves to pick my strawberries-he probably steps on more than he actually picks.

The kids were a mess, we spend so much time out in the yard, doing yard work, playing, picking stuff out of the garden. When we finally go in for the night everyone is sweaty and sticky from popsicles. And the bathtub NEVER stays clean--Oh the joys of summer!

My secret confession!

Now,I know most of you think that I am perfect, (ok stop laughing) but SUPRISE I am not!!
After a particularly "exciting" morning, complete with Porter--well being Porter--
I let Emerald in to help clean up the aftermath!! She did a very good job, and apparently likes cereal and milk!!
I know, I know it's gross, in fact this is one of the reasons I hate dogs being inside the house, not to mention
dog hair eeewww!! I did disinfect it after she was done, but let me tell you it worked wonders,
and I will probably do it again (ok so I already have, sshh don't tell).

Well, now you all know that I am not perfect :) Sorry to dissappoint!! But, I am sure it will happen again!!

Bouncin'

Brian's parents were nice enough to give us their old trampoline (yes, the same one that Brin broke his leg on when he was little) And finnaly after a lot of prep work and bringing in a back hoe it's all set! We dug a hole and placed it in the ground for a couple of reasons--one the wind here has taken more than a few trampolines up and over fences, and the enclosures don't last long in the wind here either. The kids have really enjoyed playing on it, ok and maybe I like it too (as long as I don't pee my pants while I am jumping sorry TMI) Porter runs out to the tramp and yells "BOUNCE BOUNCE!!" Thanks Hugh and Karen--We love it!!

Crash and Burn!!

Porter is not exactly know for being graceful, in fact that boy can't walk 10 steps without taking a header! So, far we have had a lot of skinned and bruised knees, and even a bloody lip or two. But, Saturday while coming in the house he somehow went face first into the cement steps! Scrapped his forehead and left his nose scrapped and bloody! I am sure this won't be the worst he will go through, but I just can't believe that every time I turn around the boy is face first on the ground--luckily he is used to it too, and doesn't cry much, just jumps back up only to do it again 5 minutes later!!

Bear Lake

Yep, that's me and Brian!!

Two weeks ago we went with Brian's family (and Kristin and Melinda) to bear lake. We drove to Logan Tuesday night and stayed in the Wal-mart parking lot, yes that's right the Wal-mart parking lot-we may have just upgraded to a new level of red neck!! We thought that would break the drive up a little bit for the kids instaed of going straight there. The next morning we left for Bear Lake, I love driving through Logan canyon it is so pretty and green. We miss the canyons and mountains of Utah. We stayed in the KOA and had a great time there, they have a lot of fun activities there, Swimming pool, playground, mini golf course, wagin ride, train rides, it was great! But of course the best part of Bear Lake is the beach, the girls were in heaven, they played in the water non-stop! I love the sandy beaches and that it is so shallow for like a mile out. We had fun wakeboarding, and my favorite is tubing! We were pretty sore after 5 days of playing on the water, but it was all worth it! My parents came up for the day Saturday and it was great to see them too. I love Bear lake, and can't wait for next year already! We had a great time hanging out with family and miss everyone!

My own personal Heaven!!

So, yesterday was one of those days when I wanted to go back to work FULL-TIME, because it would be easier!!! But, today has been a whole new day literally! Right now the kids have a friend over and they are enjoying the HOT weather (it is about time!!) playing on the slide, Porter just went down for his nap, and I am sitting on the patio with a fan and my laptop!!! ahhhhh! And because I have been a HUGE slacker I am going to take advantage of this opportunity to get caught up on my much neglegted blog---so, beware this is just the first of MANY new posts!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day also!!!!



Yes, I have a fan outside!! It is supposed to hit 100 degrees today!!!!!Porter trying to see from under his hat that he so faithfully wears!!!

Aspen is 5!!

I know I posted about Aspen's birthday, awhile ago, but I wanted to add some of my favorite pictures of Aspen through the years. (Because in our book this was a big birthday for her and us.) The night before Aspen turned 5, I had a bit of a melt down (ok so actually it started in May, everytime I would think about it I would cry I know-I am a dork ) I had a really hard time with the fact that she is 5 and starting kindergarten. I feel like now it is out of my control she is going to be exposed to all sorts of scary things and people, and I have to hope and pray that I have done my best at home to instill in her the things she should and shouldn't do and or say. AAAHHH!! It is so scary! Aspen will LOVE going to school and it is something she will thrive at, so of course I am excited for her. I just wish I could go with her everyday and proctect her! I didn't think I would have a hard time with this and used to laugh at others when they cried when their kids started school--BUT here I am getting emotional just typing about it!!


I can't believe 5 years ago we were expecting our first baby. It was something we had longed for for quite a few years. I remember when she was born, we couldn't believe how big her cheeks were! She was a great baby, she was so easy going and would go to anyone!


A little dirt never hurt anyone!At Aunt Angela's wedding. Aunt Holly's flower girl!
Not much has changed she still loves to get dirty!


As I look at all of these pictures I can't believe how much she has grown and changed! We love having Aspen in our family she is a great BIG sister and is always looking out for Brylee and Porter! Aspen loves drawing and cutting out pictures, right now her favorite thing to do is make pictures for Brian and put them in envelopes and tape them to the door so he will find them when he comes home. Some days there are three or four taped to the door, and Brian is so good to open each one and get excited over every picture. Aspen is our drama queen and I have a feeling the best is yet to come, we can't wait!! We love you Aspen!! =ok so NOW I am crying=

My attempt at being self-sufficent!

As we have for the last three years, we planted a garden this year. And tried some new fun things this time, we planted Artichokes, and Broccoli, along with our normal green beans, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, crook necks, pumpkins, cantaloupes, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, spinach, carrots, peas, strawberries, and raspberries. And they are doing wonderfully! The rest of the garden has struggled a little bit, but everyone I have talked to has been having a little bit of a hard time this year. I think all of the rain in June slowed us down a little--too wet! But all in all I think it may be a little slower, but I think we will have some pretty good results in the end, and I will probably be complaining when I am trying to get it all canned! Yes, that is 75 feet long by 30 feet wide!

If you come up to see us we will share!!! another shameless ploy to get visitors!!