Riverton Town Days

We got back from Powell with a couple hours to spare before the rodeo. Nathan looks forward to the rodeo all year long. It was going both Friday and Saturday but we had our neighborhood picnic Saturday so we had to make it back Friday night to go. This is one of the parachuters that did make it after the rain.
This picture says a lot. Shortly after the rodeo began it started to pour. I grabbed Natalie and took her home. Ryan and Nathan stuck it out, they put on ponchos and toughed it out. Natalie and I waited half an hour and the rain stopped we returned. Here is Natalie still dry and Ryan not yet taking off his poncho. The rodeo was a blast as usual.
Saturday morning Kaleb and Kylie came to visit. We kept them over night to give Mike and Breezy a break. Mike just got back from Boot camp and Breezy is due in a couple weeks so we figured they could use some alone time. Nathan, Kaleb and Kylie played so well all weekend and we were so glad they came to stay for a couple days.
Wednesday was dollar days at the carnival. Nathan was more daring than he has been in years past going with Ellie on all the rides. Well, those we'd let them go on any way.
Wednesday night you can get 2 tickets for $1. And each ride is one ticket. The days that follow tickets are $1.50 and each ride costs between 2-5 tickets or you can get a whole day pass for $25. Well, we don't have the desire to spend a whole day so Wednesday night is the time for us.

Natalie was a good sport even after so many late nights this week.
We've been wanting to teach Nathan to ride his bike without training wheels and finally this week we (mostly Ryan) took an evening and worked with him. He did really well but we haven't done much since.
In preparation of our annual Fourth of July BBQ Nathan and Ryan's guys got our flower beds looking good. Nathan loves to work with the guys. He hears the mowers start or their truck pull in and he is there.
The gang waiting for the Riverton parade to begin.
Nathan's favorite float.
Nathan was so impressed with all the military presence there.
Nathan waiting for the movie in the park to begin. Ryan and Alli went and got pizza and we saved our seats.
Natalie waiting patiently for the movie to start. She actually made it through 2/3 of the movie. It didn't even start until 9:30 PM.
Nathan riding a pony over at the park. Ryan and Nathan even got to see the ATV rodeo for awhile.
Nathan and Natalie in a Hummer over at the park. We had a delicious pancake breakfast served by the mayor.
Ryan and Natalie enjoying a Texas twister at the park. Ryan loves those things.
Nathan enjoying his snow cone at the park.
Natalie having a ball at our BBQ. She is so content just to play with a bottle of water. What a great baby!
Here's a friendly game of corn hole in the backyard on the 4th. Followed by a wonderful display of fireworks in the front yard. What a great week! We live in the greatest location.

Lake Powell

We started out riding in Ryan's truck. He got new tires and his oil changed and a chip put in all in anticipation of this trip. Well, we made it 10 miles out of Sipio and his truck just died. No power. Luckily his mom has AAA. We called and a tow trick came put Ryan's truck on the flat bed and hooked up the boot to the hitch. Ryan and his dad rode with the tow truck and the rest of us (Nathan, Natalie, Alli, Terri and I) piled in the BMW to continue on our way. They towed the boat to Sipio and the truck to Provo where some really nice friends met Ryan with the Suburban so they could continue to Page the same night. Poor Alli got stuck in the back with two car seats. I don't know if you've ever been in the backseat of a BMW but it's not all that big. Anyway, we made it to Kanab and were all in need of something to eat. The only thing open to Nathan's delight was Mc Donalds. Natalie had a rough time falling asleep and so we were trying to keep her sleeping. We went through the drive through and Terri starts ordering (in a whisper) "We'll have two happy meals." "What?" (A little louder but still whispering) "We'll have two happy meals" Anyway it went on like this until our order was complete. We ended up ordering two happy meals with drinks, 3 waters, two sundaes, two parfaes, and a 6 piece chicken nugget. When we got to the window the guy was a bit put out by how many drinks he had to get. He started giving them to us and we were looking for places to put all these things. I handed Nathan his drink and he has the nerve to ask Alli if she can scoot over. He wanted to open his cup holder. And the thing of it is, Alli does! So I get my camera and take this picture and in the mean time knock the center console shut which was holding one sundae and a parfae. I grab a wipe and clean it up. Then Terri goes to do something and knocks the other sundae and parfae over. She turns to the guy at the window and in her nicest quietest voice asks for more napkins. I am dying with laughter at this point and we move forward to clean up the mess and realize we have one too many waters and so we throw away one of them hoping the guy at the window isn't watching but not able to control our laughter and at the same time trying to be as quiet as we could so Natalie would keep sleeping. Well, she did and we made it safely to Page. Ryan and Steve followed and arrived three hours later.
Shortly after the McDonald's fiasco. Alli is so good to him.
We discovered Nathan was allergic to wheat about three years ago and since then he has had a wheat-free diet. Well, about a month ago we decided to give it a try because the dr had told us kids usually grow out of it by the time they are six. He didn't have any reaction so we tried again a week later. Soon we were trying half a sandwich every four days then every other day then every day and finally on this trip we lifted all restrictions. This is not such a great picture but, Nathan is enjoying some wheat desserts, cookies and twinkies were the big hits. I had to explain to him we don't always eat these things in fact very rarely do I buy those kind of things so enjoy it while we are on vacation.
Nathan trying to balance on his crab. I'm helping the best I can.
Natalie only went in the water twice. This was the first time. She seemed to like it even though it was a bit cool.
Ryan did lots of the driving.
Just a cool shot of the rock.
We stopped so most could go explore the rocks. This is some of them coming back.
Nathan being taken care of while coming down the rock. He has the best aunts!
Natalie free from her life jacket for a brief moment. Obviously happy about that.
Natalie and Alli after our pizza at The Point restaurant at Antelope Point.
Nathan got everyone to strike a crazy pose.
Nathan finally smiled so Alli could get a picture with him for her room.
This picture doesn't need much explaining.
Natalie helping dad drive the boat. It was a great trip. We had perfect weather. Natalie did really good for her first time on a boat having to wear a life jacket the whole time. And Nathan really enjoyed Lake Powell this year. He has always liked it and been really good on the boat but this year he loved it. He is so much more comfortable and has no fear about jumping in on his own. He had plenty of people there to "take care" of him which was so nice for me. We love Lake Powell. And we were able to pick Ryan's truck up in Provo all fixed on the way home.

Natalie Seven Months

Natalie you learned a lot this month. You started eating cherrios and using a sippy cup. You got your first ear infection. You attended many soccer and baseball games. You are sitting like a pro now. We went to WY to visit the Scherbel's and Grandma and Grandpa Minson. You are becoming more and more difficult at church mostly because it's right during your nap time and you don't want to go with dad. You are such a momma's girls. Most of all you are such a happy baby! You love to go to the gym and play in the child care room. And they love when you come. We've been having fun going to the pool, you love the water. You are growing up so fast.

Easter

Easter seemed to creep up on me this year. I didn't decorate our house one bit and didn't plan too far ahead on much. Thankfully Nathan and Natalie have a wonderful great grandma and grandpa that bought their Easter clothes in advance and gave them to us the week before.  I think part of not being prepared is due to having a small child. I'm talking about Nathan not Natalie. But let's take for example the Easter egg hunt at the park. We didn't even tell him we were going until five minutes before we left. I mean can you imagine the disappointment if it had been canceled due to rain or we didn't make it for some other reason. And although he asked about Easter for several weeks leading up to it, it seemed easier to convey the length of time by not making too big a deal (ie decorations). Which is very selfish of me.  This year I really tried to get Nathan to understand why we celebrate Easter. After all it is so much more than easter egg hunts and candy.  I would actually like to know how a bunny came to represent easter and if a bunny then why eggs?  All of it is a bit of a mystery to me. So explaining the connection to Nathan was not my strong point. But I do think he could tell you a little more about the meaning of Easter, so for that I am grateful.  I am posting some pictures of the things we actually ended up doing to celebrate.


The pictures above are from the Easter egg hunt at the park (in the rain)
Coloring Eggs

Easter morning.

Easter dinner at Grandma's