Sept 1- 30th Splash Dogs, Cocoa joins Tonia, Sell House, Fletchers, ranch work, Princess Cinderella, Moms bad hunt

Sept 2nd - Splash Dogs in Midway - Treg has been wanting to go to this Splash Dog competition for years now. This year we were busy working on the ranch digging trenches for electrical and water to where we want them. But Terry couldn't stand the thought of Treg missing another year. So I took the kids up to the dog show which was REALLY cool and he stayed home and worked. We missed him but it was super nice of him to sacrifice for us. Love ya.

Sept 8th - Cocoa joins Tonia's Ranch in Heaven - So today was a super sad day on the ranch. It was so bad it made me wish we never pursued this dream and stayed in our other home. Cocoa was out yesterday following me around doing chores. Every once in a while she would run off for a short time then come back so I figured she was checking on the other goats. Well she was getting into something and got bloated. I didn't realize how bad it was and figured she will walk it off. Well when I did realize it was bad and she needed help it was too late everything I tried wouldn't help. I lost it and was crying pretty bad and Matia pulled herself together and came to give me a hug. She said "Mom its ok, I was pretty sad to but then I realized Aunt Tonia needs a goat for her ranch and Cocoa is just the right goat for her. She will take care of her." I love my girl and her amazingly brave and smart personality.

Sept 10th - Daisy's 3rd birthday. Today our sweet Daisy turned 3. She has been such a fun part of this family she is so curious and loves to make us happy. She also just came into heat so hopefully we will be getting some puppies sometime in Nov. So for her birthday Treg and Tia slept on the floor with her and Dash and then her boyfriend Guss came for a visit.

Sept 12th - Today we sold our preschool home. We truly thought this was our last home and that we would grow old in this home together. So it was really hard to see it go and sign the papers. To Terry it was a big relief but to me it was just sad. But the family that bought it is so excited and will just love it. It will be nice to not have to keep it up and mow the lawn and keep the yard up with all I have going on but I will miss the neighbors, friends, yard, space.

Sept 14th - So once a year we get together with these wonderful people. They are Kayes family the Fletcher side. We always have a great time catching up with them and seeing how everyone is doing. Man what would this life be without our families?

Sept 15th - We are building two septic tanks at our property one for the RV Dump and one for the outhouse. It has been interesting to build them and see how they work. Then we have trenches all around our property more then 3 feet deep to install new water lines and electricity. It was a huge project but nothing Terry cant handle.

Sept 20th - Welcome Princess Cinderella so we saw this goat on KSL and Matia just feel in love with her. She was way up in Brigham City so it was quite a drive but my friend Holly and I took the day and went to get her while Matia was at school so we could surprise her. She is pretty friendly and loves sour patch kids. She is part Lamancha and part Nubian. Such a cutie!

Sept 26th - So Terry and I left to go on my Muzzleloader hunt in Hickman Canyon. And I will flat out admit I think this is the last year I am going to hunt. I had my buck handed to me pretty much he gave me so many chances but I just couldn't get him. This stressed Terry out like crazy and drove him mad which turned out to be a really bad day. Anyway thanks to mom and dad for helping with the kids so we could have this wonderful experience together.

July 1st - July 31th Boulders, 4H Shows, Kami's Wedding, Family Visits, Swim Meets

July was a fun month, although I still can't believe that summer is almost over. This month was filled with going fishing at the Boulders, 4H horse shows, Swim Meets, and Kami got married to Kelvin which brought the whole family to town for a week :)

June 29-July 1st - Boys Fishing Trip to Boulders

Terry and Troy took a quick, yet much needed fishing trip to the Boulders in Southern Utah. I think it is important they get their alone time to talk how boys talk and do how boys do. Terry liked it so much we will be going again as a family very soon!

July 1st - 4H Show

We had a great 2nd Horse show. Although Treg did end up on his back during the speed events. Dang Holly just takes off for the gates and then suddenly stops but he got back on and did it again. And that to me is the most amazing ride of the night!

July 2nd - Horse Riding Lessons Begin

So I had so many friends wanting to put their kids in lessons that I went ahead and hired Kailey to teach the kids during the summer. We were teaching lessons and Tues, Wed and Thurs. and by the end of the summer we had 46 students.

July 2nd - Swim Meet

People ask me how do you commit to swimming everyday in the summer for 1 hour. Isn't that hard on your kids? Well I just think of it as a REALLY really good exercise  for them and how good it is for them all the way around teaching them commitment, hard work, and success! We Love it!



  July 4-7th Camping in the Boulders

So we took a much needed break together as a family. You see life at home is really busy, hard and stressful. We are trying to sell our preschool home, arrange the ranch, riding lessons. There is a lot going on. So taking a step back is just what we need. The hike started like this BEAUTIFUL!

We had a fabulous time. I know you cant see the skies but when we started they were bright blue. This photo is a little later in the day and there are a few clouds. But we were catching fish on the fly rods and the kids were putting them in a homemade pool for some fun and then the big release.

 Then all hell broke loose and the clouds started shifting FAST. We released the fish, gathered our gear, and hit the trail as fast as we could. There was lightning and thunder so close it only made us move like crazy. We made it safely off the mountain but we all were a big, muddy, wet mess.

 

Our darling kiddos

July 10th - Hike Timpanogus with Clint and Colts families

This is an activity that I have wanted to do with my kids my whole life. I haven't been on this hike since I was Bowdee's age with all my friends and my dad. It was so fun to hike up there with all the kids and their cousins and my brothers and sweet Ephia. It was the PERFECT day with all of them.

July 13th - Kami and Kelvin finally tie the knot!

Yahoo!!! I am so excited for these two. Kami looked so beautiful in her wedding gown. I know she will never know how excited I was for her or how happy I am that she finally made this commitment to her best friend. Love you Kami Jo and Kelvin welcome to the family. Your a great man!

Carriage Ride

The carriage ride was a must for Kami as she was planning the wedding. She wanted her little nieces to be so excited to ride in a horse drawn carriage and then for all the ladies to have the same experience and to arrive at the church for the ceremony. It was amazing!

 Covington's Family

Yep this is our family. It just grows and grows and grows. I have also noticed how with all the different personalities it does get a little trickier to do things all together. But when we are all together it feels complete and right. I love every single person in this family and they all mean so much to me.

July 13 - Adopt Hansel and Poseidon

So I was on cousin watch while the adults went to a movie. Tia and Treg had their eyes on these kittens they saw at Cousin Cari's so I told them all to walk down there and ask if they were giving them away and if they were they could bring them home. Well Cari was more then happy to let us adopt them and the cousins all thought I was the best aunt in the world! WIN WIN

July 14 - Dinner with Lizzie

So Lizzie is a dear dear friend of mine that I met back when I was pregnant with Bowdee. She is like a sister to me, I can talk to her about anything without feel the little bit judged. I know she loves my family like crazy. Anyway she was in for Kami's wedding and we stole her away to the Mountains with our families for a fun campfire and visit. I just keep praying someday she will stick to Utah.

  July 15 - Stormy 4H Show

So this was quite the show. Started out perfect but then it all changed like Utah weather does. To a windy, dusty, slightly rainy event. We were all so proud of Treg for finally making Holly complete the speed events without throwing him off or getting DQ'ed.

July 17th - Swim Meet

So we show up at 4:00 to start warm-up, get our events, claim our blanket size piece of grass as a gathering spot, brand our children with a sharpie of their events, then at 5:00 the meet begins, We are focused on not missing an event as we mingle with friends, then about 8:45 we complete the last event and head home. Yes, it is a long day but they are great!

July 18th - Treg's Scout Day Camp

Sending Treg off for another day camp I can't believe it has already been a year. Treg is starting to get to know the boys in his new troop and feeling like a part of them. He loved the BB shoot

 July 19 - Tibblefork
So the kids were all missing just being with friends and acting like dorks. So we invited Gracie, Shaylee and Lily up to Tibblefork with us to try out the new Sit on to Kayak. They had so much fun dorking around and I had so much fun being in the mountains.

 

 July 21 - Dad's Birthday party up American Fork Canyon
Today we went up Amerian Fork Canyon for a picnic and campfire for Dad's birthday. Terry and I know how hard it is to get a picnic spot on Sunday's so we went up early to save a spot. Troy was driving by and saw our truck so he stopped and picnicked with us. So much fun Happy birthday Daddy, I truly don't know what I would ever do without you. Your amazing!

July 23 - LanDesk Bee's Game Company Party

No Lagoon this year :( but instead we got a Bee's game with $20 each to buy concessions. Matia couldn't stand the thought of sitting through a full baseball game so she opted out and slept at Daisies why we stole Caden to enjoy the game with us. It was pretty fun and the fireworks were COOL!

July 31 - Last Swim meet

So the kids were pretty excited to have their last swim meet. I am so glad we did it again this year. I love to watch my kids and see how much better they get by the end of the year. We didn't break any records but man my kids sure swim good!

May 27-June 30 1st month of Summer

May 31- To be honest we celebrated the last day of school by going to Classic Skating, Mr. E's, Firehouse Subs, and Trafalga then the rest of the month it was just kinda a blur it went by so fast. I captured a few photos along the way so I will try and put in a few words about the events I do remember.

May 31, 1996 was the day I married this sweet man. Yes, it has been... 17 years and I am still crazy about him. Thank you babe, for making the last 17 years so wonderful and for going on this ranch adventure with me. You are a real trooper... for a city boy;)

So as you know they have been putting in a huge water and sewer line in through our front yard and down through the fences. Well they told us we could have all the t-posts if we took them out. So we have spent about the last 2 weeks taking out ALOT of t-posts and barbed wire. A lot of hard work but it will be nice to have them in the future. 

June 3rd-7th we sent Bowdee with our ward to the Youth Trek. I was sad to see him leave but I knew he was in good hands with a lot of my cousins going to watch over him. I also knew he was going to have some amazing experiences so of course I stretched my wings and let him go.

It is so fun to see the fence get put back up and the construction out of our front yard. It will be super fun the day I can look out my front window and there will be no orange barrels. Ya that will be a good day a day I can really enjoy the view.

June 17th - So our first 4H rodeo it was hot so Terry brought out the trailer so we could sit in the shade and have a potty and eat some otter pops. Sounds like a good plan right? Well I got the kids off to take their test and decided an otter pop sounded perfect so I bit it with my front tooth to open it and yep.... You guessed it my front tooth broke right off. Oh what a bad night. I told Izak I did it for him so we could be twiners. So not good!!!!

The kids getting ready for their first written test. Don't they all look so cute! I just couldn't pass up that test. I do have to say they had to smile for the camera because none of them were excited for the test part. But they all did great. It was hard and I don't think anyone got more then 50% but they did great now we know what to expect!

Matia, Robbie and Grandpa. Matia had to use Robbie because Treg needed Holly and Bowdee needed Sally. Well lets just say the first night of 4H was horrible. Robbie didn't like it not one bit. He was prancin and dancin and just trying to get out of there. But Tia didn't let him get away with acting like a baby and she put him in his spot. Now look at him already he is doing so much better.

Treg and Holly both loved the trail course this is the course where you go over bridges, open gates, jump logs, move coats, back up at angles all sorts of stuff to show how well you can maneuver your horse. Treg and Holly did fabulous but later that night during the pole bending and barrels Holly ran right back to the gate not listening to Treg one bit! Naughty Holly!

We celebrated fathers day out here at our first 4H show and we gave dad the hat that we all went in on. I can't tell you how grateful I am for having the chance to call this good guy DAD. I will never be able to express how I feel about him. He is one of the hardest working, most forgiving, encouraging, patient, service doing man alive. We all love you and and we are so thankful you are here to enjoy this horsin around with our kids.

 Bowdee and Izak man I sure love the way these two boys are best friends. They are friends not because we make them but they do love each other and they just get each other. I love they don't allow drama of any kind into their relationship and they just accept each other for who they are. Love you boys and I love your friendship. Can you tell they are really nervous about this next event? Actually I think they were busy checking out all the girls.

Yep Terry got a cowboy hat just like Grandpa did for his fathers day. I figured if we are going to own a horse ranch we are going to have to start looking like it once in a while. Terry I love the father you are to our children. I love how you give them structure and discipline but you also love them like crazy and they know it. Your the best thanks for everything. 

So the first of June I started our first session of horse back riding. I thought I would have just a few kids but by the end of the summer we had 46 students just thrilled to be able to ride at Crazy Creek! I even gave them discounts for working around the ranch. My kids liked that idea so there was less work for them. 

June 20th I had the opportunity to go to a self help type seminar down in St. George with my sister in law Emilee. We even got to stay with some amazing people at their cabin and had a great weekend. It was a soul searching type weekend which was exhausting but nice to just chill with sweet Emilee and get to know her a little better. Thanks Emilee for the invite it sure was nice to spend time with you. 

July 27th - Our 4H was invited to ride our horses in the Lehi Stock Parade. Wow - I never thought this would happen in a million years we had 9 riders in the parade and it was so fun to watch them decorate their horses, clean them up and show them off in a parade. Dreams do come true!

After the parade we got free tickets to go enjoy the Lehi Rodeo. I have never taken my kids and so this was a real treat for them. They loved watching the speed events that they have been doing in the 4H shows and of course the steer wrestling and bucking riders was entertaining. 

June 19th a week after Trek Bowdee packed his bags again and headed to scout camp. I love this ward and their leaders. Justin is my cousin who is also Bowdee's scout master so it is nice to send him and I know without a doubt Justin will watch after him like he is his own. I just can't believe my boy is getting so big. 

June 16th we went for a quick trip to Strawberry to do a little fishing.  The fishing was slow and long but Troy and his family and Kyle and his family came along and so the kids kept us all entertained! 

Matia caught one of the only fish, Emilee caught another. Not sure if anyone else got anything... Oh Kyle did on the float tube. But like we always say its not the fish that makes it a good fishing,

its the memories we create.

 

Treg is passing off his belt loop and pin for fishing so he needed to clean a fish. Matia let him clean hers and Kyle offered to show him how it was done. So now Treg is going to be cleaning his own fish.  

 June 18th we had our first swim meet. The kids were ready to tear it up and swim their best. Of course they all swam their best and we didn't miss any swims so I was a happy mom! Man I love watching my kids swim

June 21st While I was at Turning Leaf in St. George with Emilee the kids sure gave Terry a great 41st birthday. Matia made him his favorite cupcakes all on her own. Bowdee gave him one of his famous back rubs. While Treg gave him a killer foot rub. I was sad not to be there but it is all good, next year baby! 

Treg ready in outfield. I love the way Treg has such great natural instinct at sports. He really does give it his all when he plays.  

This was his fun team and coaches. All great players and fun boys to be around. 

 

Bowdee has been playing lots of baseball on his team of the Sox this year. He knows a few of the players but it was good for him to get to know even more boys and sharpen his baseball skills. Terry and I enjoyed sitting back in the outfield watching him play in our nice reclining chairs. Sometimes we need this excuse to do nothing else but support our kids. 

Matia's softball team was so much fun. We loved the girls she played with and her coach was awesome! I just wish the season was a little longer. Tia plays all sports with a fight and so fun to watch.