Wyoming

Ace and I have been shopping hard for about 2 months. We finally found what we were looking for.

Oh, yeah!! Isn't she sweet. We named her the knomemobile. The kids sing the song on the road too. "The knomemobile, the knomemobile, jaunting along in the knomemobile, ect." At the end I honk the horn and all. Anyway, we really have looked at about a bazillion different motor homes. We went with fuel economy and maneuverability. We found this one in Las Vegas and Ace went and picked it up. So far, we love it.

So we took the knomemobile on her first trip........to Wyoming for the weekend. We fixed the knomemobile up in Albuquerque on the way and in route we had a blow out in Denver and had to get new tires, but we did make it.

Ace has an aunt and cousins in Wyoming. When we pulled up to Ace's cousin's house they laughed and called him cousin Eddy-from the Griswalds. He said, "Yeah, we might just stay awhile, this looks like a good place to be, and mind if I dump my sewer on your nice lawn."

Anyway, the reason for the trip was to see our niece, Nalynn, run at the National Finals High School Rodeo. She made it to Nationals in the Poles and the Barrels. We were very excited for her.

She did very well. She came in 2nd in the nation for the barrels and she also received Rookie of the year. She has worked very hard to get this far. Congratulations Nae Nae.
Good helping mom and dad.

This is a crew of us out to watch Nalynn. Papa, Blazen, Granny, Clay, Cole, Glenda Kae, Linda, Travis, Ike, Whitley, Denim, Blazen, and Darlin.

We were able to visit a lot with Ace's cousins and their families. It was a special experience for me because I have never spent much time with the Wyoming bunch. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. They really made us feel welcome and at home.

Ace's aunt Glenda Kae with Darlin.

Ace's Cousins, Chae and Frank.

Ace's girl cousin, Linda. We stayed in Linda's home and they fed us wonderful meals. Linda's husband, Travis, cracked me up with his dry humor and honesty. I really enjoyed getting to know them.



Emily, Frank's wife, with Darlin.
Emily was a sweetheart. She inspired me because she is so patient. She also inspired me because she is training for a marathon. She did a half marathon when we were there....13 miles I think. I was AMAZED!! Anyway she told me that I could start with a 5K, FYI that means 5 miles, daunting yes. She said to google from couch to 5K to get a training plan. I am still on the couch but thinking as I write this that maybe I should try it. Let me think about it a few more days. 5 miles seems like a long way to me.

Frank and Emily's little girl, Jordan.

The kids had a blast with cousin's. They played and played. They all crowded on the tramp. Blazen, Evan, Denim, Clay, and Ike.

Whitley was the oldest around most of the time. She really took charge of the situation and bossed all the little kids around. I was glad that she got everyone in line, and took her time to play games.

Chae and Misty's little girl, Megan. Those eyes are just so prominent in this family.

Thelma Joe's niece, Erin, and her husband, Brandon, live in Wyoming as well. They came by to see us. I enjoyed visiting with her on a more intimate basis than at a family reunion. I am constantly surprised and awed by the good that people are.

Granny is playing with Darlin.

Glenda Kae, and Nacona. Glenda Kae is diabetic, so she can't have any ice cream.

Here we are at the live-in trailer hanging out. The little boys are roping. Travis, Ace, and Jerry are taking it easy.

Will, Jerry, and Travis. "Looks so serious, guys. Come on smile."

At the rodeo, Denim found her first true love. It was so cute. She had a major crush and she acted TOTALLY different. She even brought him up to meet me. I am glad she is only 5 and not 16.



Here we are in the evening with Linda and Travis's family.

Tom and Jerry.

After the rodeo, Ace headed back to New Mexico with Will. I stayed for more fun. I went to church with Frank, Emily, and Linda. That Sunday the Foyer was our friend; as all of our kids at one point or the other needed to go out. It was awesome! High five for making it through church with kids. (If you have children you KNOW what I am talking about, if not....hmmmm....read this in a few years and make yourself feel good.)

After church I headed north to stop by Chae and Misty's place. We ate dinner at her parent's house, then we headed to their place. It was very pretty.

Here we are. Blazen, Denim, Caleb, Me, Megan, Ryan, Misty, Darlin, Chae, and Joseph.

It was interesting being on their ranch. They have had methan gas pumped, and I have never seen the set up before. Chae has some fresh ideas with ranching, I hope it all workes out for them.

I visited them until about 9:00 pm, then it was time for me to hit the road. The best time for me to drive is when Darlin is asleep because she HATES her car seat....who wouldn't, personally I don't like to be strapped down to a straight jacket either, but whatever. I expected to drive far, but I got tired quickly. I drove a ways into Montana and then found a safe spot to pull over. Now here is the totally exciting part........I lied down on a very very comfortable bed and slept like a baby in my little knomemobile ALL NIGHT LONG. he he he he. It was wonderful. Then we woke up and had cold cereal with fresh milk from the fridge and we were on our way. I took a few pictures going across Montana because it was so beautiful.

Ok, the sign was beautiful because it had my name on it.

Now for real.

All the way through Montana my kids were up top looking out the window. They were so sure that they were going to see a bear. Well tuff luck, we didn't see one, but the good thing is that it kept them entertained for a VERY long time. Actually they were looking for a Panda Bear. Do you suppose there is one of those in Montana? Just couldn't burst their bubble, they still think there has to be a Panda Bear in Montana.

I couldn't resist this picture. I worked on an old fashion hay crew in Montana when I was like 13 years old. We put up loose hay for Jim and Carrie Bignell, my dad's cousin. I have wonderful memories of those two summers. Now everyone has switched to round bales, but the smell is just the same.

The kids loved searching for trains.

We had to take a few breaks. One rest stop had a lot of grasshoppers.

The drive from Bozeman to West Yellowstone was the most beautiful. We loved the rivers running beside us. The kids wanted to swim. I just wanted the trip to be over at that point. We had to take a break in West Yellowstone because Darlin had had enough. We found this nice park and played for an hour.

Darlin really enjoyed the sand.

I mean REALLY.

We were all refreshed after the break and we were able to drive the last 2 hours of the journey on in to Rexburg to stay with Evan and JoAnn.

I had an awesome time in Wyoming and enjoyed all of the visiting. I love all of you crazy Wyoming people and hope to see you soon.

Travis-we will drag you down here to New Mexico some day, just you wait and see. Don't you know you can't fight the FORCE. (inside star wars thing)

contemplation

"Strong and Courageous." by Jenny Phillips
is the song that you are hearing. This song I first heard 2 weeks ago and it has really had an affect on me. As I listened to this song, it seemed that everything that she was saying was everything in my life that I am trying to do. I hope that you like the song as much as I did. I posted a few pictures of things that make my soul happy and remind me how much God loves me.

Being almost home.



The sky before a rain.



A sunset.



The beautiful children that I get the opportunity to raise.



The temple that Ace and I were sealed for all Eternity in.



The scriptures.



Christ.

Downtime

Getting home has been good for us. We were missing home and being with dad. We just need that man in our life. He makes such a difference. Sometimes I forget how important the role of a father is. It is just sooooooo important that kids have a dad. I can't believe the influence that Ace has. He changes and teaches and loves our children 100%. I have a good man.

Denim is taking pictures of herself. Those blue eyes; so curious. I didn't touch this picture up at all. I wanted the reality.



"Oh, that's better."



Darlin is playing with the kids. They thought she needed to dress up with them, so they put a scarf on her head. I don't think she is too pleased.



Blazen just LOVED being home. He is my home body. He went straight outside to the mud.



It takes a lot of work to play in the mud, didn't you know.



The tongue definitely helps the progress of the mud creation.



We started feeding Darlin rice cereal and banana baby food. Denim likes to help out. She does a good job, if I turn my eyes away at the mess.



I forgot to post a picture of THE GENERAL. Here he is. Desert Storm is broken, picture to be posted later. Ace bought these two army trucks in Phoenix to use on the ranch.



I wanted to get out of the house, so I put on my keens and went on a little hike/4 wheeler ride.



It has been raining; so beautiful and green. The smell is wonderful.







This is my favorite time of the year when it rains. I think it is the cows favorite time too. They look nice and fat.





There is just so much high desert color; splashes of orange, yellow, purple, white, cream, blue and more.



Denim went for a swim. Since we have been gone and haven't up kept the pool it was green.



Ace jumped in clothes and all to play with the kids. They thought it was FABULOUS. Then they chased me around the lawn, trying to get Darlin and I wet. Blazen told Dad to stop, and defended me. Denim told Dad to dunk me. Ace said, "Well, I guess we know who loves you."

These two weeks have been nice, but also very busy. The first week that I was home I went to Albuquerque three time. 1. dentist; cleaning for kids 2. dentist; fillings for kids 3. buying generators and taking ace to the airport. I am sick of that road!

Other events:

*Curtis Ramon got baptized. We went to Grants to the baptism. I took a roast and we ate at Ina May's house. Ace baptised him and it was special. I wish the best to Curtis.

*We branded at the old McPhaul.

*Nacona and Nalynn left for high school national finals rodeo and broke down half way there.

*Blaine came out and planted food plots for the elk.

Funnies:

*After we branded at the Old McPhaul, Denim, Ike and Blazen were trying to catch Prairie Dogs; baiting the holes with food. (It wasn't going to well) Denim came over to the table and asked if anyone had leftovers they could use, "you see, we are really trying to catch those Hairy Dogs."

*On one of our trips to Albuquerque the kids were watching The Sword and the Stone. After the movie Denim says, "Hey mom, I have the best name for a baby boy when we have one," "What's that, Denim?" Denim,"Arthur." I think my expression was not that of someone overly impressed with the idea because she quickly piped in, "O, I got it, how about Wart."

*We were having FHE and Ace was telling the kids that they had such a good mom. He was telling them all of the things that I do for them. "She is such a good mom because she does stuff like change Darlin's messy pants, and wipes butts, etc." Denim, "ya and she makes us be nice to each other." Ace was explaining that a good mom stays home and raises her children. Denim says, "Some moms have to go to work because the daddies are lazy butts and won't work hard like my dad." Ace said, "That's right Denim, and you need to marry someone who is not a lazy butt and will help you to stay home with your kids."