Breakin it down

Summer is coming to a close. It was a fun summer filled with a lot of days at the swimming pool, traveling, and various activities.
Here are some pics to showcase what we did.

First up we headed back to Kemmerer and visited my wonderful friend. Her family does a lot of camping and hunting and she just had her last baby - her first girl. I found some pink camo yarn at the store and made her baby this hat. Isn't she just a chunk of delicious joy?! I miss them terribly but it was so great to spend some time up there.

 Another reason for the drive out that way was to visit THESE family members. My SIL was state-side (they're stationed in HI) for a couple of weeks and it conveniently fell at the same time as a family reunion in Utah. Popeye was in WA for the Navy, so I made the trek myself with all the kids in tow. It was so great seeing them again. (Hence the desire for a trip to HI to visit with them next summer.)

I didn't want to drive out there in one day - that's just too hard on me now - I seriously can't stay awake long enough. So we stopped in Rawlins and stayed with a long-time friend. Our kids are all the same ages and it's as huge party whenever we come (she has 6; four of them are 5 years old). The next morning, the kids all ran outside to jump on the trampoline and there were 2 very large bucks enjoying the sunshine. Needless to say, they didn't get to jump until my friend went out with a volleyball, climbed onto the tramp and hit the ball (not at them, just held it and smacked it to make a big sound) and they jumped over the fence. Very exciting stuff. (Top left pic, Optimus Prime is the blur on the right - he was jumping.) The cutie pie pulling her hair back is Mr. Fantastic's friend who he now emails regularly.



On the way home we stopped in Cheyenne for some shopping and stuff. After dinner we decided to go to the mall and pierce the girls' ears. No, Popeye didn't know. And no, we didn't tell him until he got home. It was always a rule in our house that the girls would wait until their 12th birthdays to pierce their ears. But after seeing my friend's baby with her cute pierced ears, we just couldn't wait. :) So we did it. Both girls were excited and no tears were shed at all. They've been very diligent about keeping them clean and can't wait to buy and wear new earrings.

And lastly, Princess Monkey Eyes and myself enjoyed a lot of horseback riding together. This morning was the last time I'll be able to join her in her lessons with school starting soon. She'll continue without me after school lets out through October. So I brought my camera today on our ride. I got some video of her loping in the corral and took the two close-ups of her from those videos. I think they are the best with her natural smile and the happiness just beams from her. After saddling them up we rode for about 2 hours out in the country. After about an hour ride, we got off the horses (Mine is Cricket, hers is Blaze, the third is Mesa) and walked them up the mountain to an old Indian burial ground. Then we walked back down the mountain (only about 100 feet), loaded up and headed back. It has been so peaceful seeing the wildlife and just connecting with my daughter. It's something we both need and I really hope that I can get back into the saddle again with her by my side. She has matured so much during this time, showing responsibility for the horses and tack and showing me that she knows what she's doing. I love this girl.

So school starts in 2 days and all 5 of the kids will be going to school. Grand Duchess will be heading to preschool 4 days a week for 3.5 hours a day. I'm not sure I'll be ready for this, but I guess I have to be. We've got our school supplies and clothes all ready. The kids are chomping at the bit for a little bit of new for them. I'm excited but a little nervous. We're still looking for a job elsewhere - but for now we call here home and we'll continue to dig in our heels and volunteer in the community until we're called away.
More to come with the first day of school pics!!!