Back In The Old West.....

Time to catch up on the blog.  Attempt #27.  (This resolution thing isn't going so well....)

During our amazing week in SD, (last summer), we spent one of our fun-filled days at the Circle B Ranch.  What an awesome place!  This was seriously an all day event.  We started out with some trail rides in the rain.  Definitely my favorite way to start the day!

Haiden being hardcore with no jacket.
He put it on later when the rain came down harder.

Same story for Hailey.
You have to at least start out looking cool.

Destini was just fine wearing her hoodie.
However, it was soaked for the rest of the day.

The lineup of the kiddos, including Abbey,
Dale and Krissy's daughter.

And here's me; ready for the weather.  Hat and rain coat.
Kids just don't listen.

The ride was awesome and took about 2 hours.  While all us girls, and Haiden, went riding, Clint went back to the cabin with Jett and Ethan to nap a little and get some rain gear for later.  Ethan was too young to ride with us and he was pretty bummed out.

During the ride, it was nice to feel my horse sense come back to me.  I grew up around horses and it's always fun to get back on them.

At one point, we had to cross a small river with a little bit of depth in the middle.  I was toward the end and watched carefully as the kids crossed.  There were several guides throughout the lineup but as a mom, that doesn't matter.  I still had to have eyes on them myself.  After I crossed there were just a few people left.

Out of nowhere, a lady's horse bolts!  She stayed on for a while but it wasn't long before she bailed off.  When she was crossing the water, her bright yellow rain jacket shook around the horses head and spooked it.  This caused the horse to get the hell out of dodge; only he couldn't figure out why this plastic crap was still on his back.

A few of the guides took off to try to stop the horse and myself and another guide took off to check on the lady.  She was alright, mostly just shaken up, and I'm sure she was a little sore later that day.  Things settled down after someone from the main camp came down to pick her up in the truck.  We then headed back to the barns to end our ride.  Talk about extra excitement!!  (On the way up, after witnessing that little fiasco, I was offered a job as a trail guide.  If only we lived closer.  Haha.)

When that was over, we headed to "town" and the kids got to shoot some pistols with wax bullets.  The three middles wanted to participate.  Hailey did not.  It's ok.  Shooting isn't her thing.  I don't see the military as an option for her future.

Ethan taking aim.
He was so excited when he hit a can.

Haiden's turn.
He also hit his mark.

Destini picking a target.
Either our kids are all good shots, or they had something set up...

This was Ethan's "trail ride".

He loved it.  Notice Mr. Ed's pinned ears.
They were like that the whole time.

Don't let this picture fool you.  He was a beast.
(The pony, not the boy.)

The boys had fun feeding the goats while waiting for the
Chuckwagon dinner.

This goat's thinking, "I wish that kid would spill the bag!"

Like a model at a photo shoot, Haiden chose his backdrop
for his picture.

My love and I.
(The bottle is Cream Soda made right in SD.)

For the second time on this trip, my friend Krissy and I
realized we wore the same outfit; by no sort of planning what-so-ever!
The first time was at the pool when we both
came out in the exact same swimsuit.  Haha!

Daddy and Jetty getting crazy waiting for the "Gun Show".

The "Biscuit Bandit" just ran through town
and stole some dinner biscuits!

The kids were given the opportunity to help chase down the "Bandit".
This is when Ethan turned around and said hell no!  He wanted nothing
to do with this little dog and pony show.
Moments later, the "Bandit" came back through, shooting his (cap) gun,
scaring the hell out of all the kids.  Ethan said, "See, I told you".

One kid enjoying some Buffalo meat, the other Chicken.
(The other one isn't chicken; she's eating chicken.)

The Cowboy Music Show.
Great tunes to enjoy with our Cowboy dinner! 

All filled up and enjoying the music!

This was such a great day.  The fun went from morning 'til night with no complaints from anyone.  Now that's my kind of vacation day!!

Times Like These....

Our summer was pretty crazy, but in a great way!  I'm sure many of you would know more about it if I could ever catch up on my blog.

That's my "resolution" for this year.  Except I don't really believe in resolutions, because I know I need to improve myself all year long and not just at the beginning, so I'm not sure how that's gonna play out.  Anyway....

After one of our many camping trips this last summer, I had the fun chore of washing all the blankets and sleeping bags.  Even though I hate the chore that coincides, I really do appreciate my washing machine, so I took the giant blankets and bags to the laundromat.

I know I complain about the heat here in Colorado but, I really do love summer.  And so do the kids.

While I was in sweating and slaving over washing machines, (or reading my book, whatever), the kids were across the street having a great time.  Our city hall building is just across from the laundromat and during the summer they have spraying fountains that the kids can play in.

And to combat the heat and boredom, that's exactly what they did.  I was able to sit in 100% humidity and look out the window to see them happily laughing and playing in the water.  It wasn't until we got home that I was informed by Hailey that she used my phone to take pictures of it all.  What a great sister!

Ethan and Jett already drenched.
Notice my van across the street, (by Jett's face).

Running for the cool water.  The little white building
to the right is the laundromat.

Jett making his "cheese" face.

I'm sure they were daring each other to do something.

It just looks fun, doesn't it?

Drenched to the core.
He'll be dry in a matter of minutes.

It's times like these I'll want to remember forever.

And hopefully they will...

I think Jett is plugging one of the sprayers with his foot.

Oh yes.  This is how you achieve total coolness.

Cool guy-karate chop.  I think it just blasted Jett in the face.

And that's why he's completely soaked.
And loving it.

I was totally jealous looking out the laundromat windows.

I think they're part Labrador.  They all love the water.

This was such a great day.  I forgot I had these pictures on my phone.  While I was inside, losing half my body weight in sweat, the kids were out making memories.

Don't worry about me though.  The minute I stepped outside, I gained it all back.  And then some.

More Summer Fun....

So, here's what stinks.  I had this big plan that I would catch everyone up on our amazing vacation we took this summer.  Yes, I realize it's 5 months later but it's not like I haven't wanted to.  The problem is....I can't find my notebook.

I had a notebook with lots of notes I took throughout our trip to remind me about what happened on certain days.  And now I can't find it.  So, here I sit, looking through the plethora of pictures waiting for the details to come rushing back to me.

Waiting......waiting........

Ok.  I'm just gonna have to wing it.

So, on one of our amazing days in South Dakota we decided to go to the Rushmore Cave.  It was amazing!  And freezing.  Fortunately, I had Jett strapped to the front of me in the wrap so I had a little extra body heat.  It did make navigating the slippery stairs a little harder.  My biggest challenge however was not smacking our heads on all the cave chunks that stuck out along the tour.  The kids had a blast and learned a little something too.  Now, if you ask them today, I don't expect they'll remember anything, but it was good for a minute.

On our way to the cave.  Clint's truck is in front of me and
I'm in our rental car.

That hat went everywhere with him.

See.

These girls are always taking self portraits.

I'm not sure how he got separated from
us but I think he liked it.

Can't have a cave tour without pictures of the cave.

They're all in line for the zip line.
Jett and I are at the bottom of the hill.

I don't even know who's on this one.
It may not be our group.  Oh well, action shot.

Clint and Ethan.  My fear of heights makes me clench up.  All
I could think about was my 5 year old shooting out of this thing.

Poor Haiden.  He rode by himself.  He didn't care though.
He was just happy he kept his shoes on.

Almost like a "Where's Waldo" picture.  Where are the girls?

Here they are.  Even if you didn't see them, you heard them.
They screamed the whole way down and the whole way up.

It was such an amazing day!  We had so much fun and we're thinking about planning another family vacation there.