Fireworks

Jason was so excited when he heard that we would be able to do fireworks in Idaho for the 24th of July - seeing that we can't do any thing here. He was a little disappointed though that we didn't get into Jackson Hole to buy the "big" fireworks (much bigger than the ones they sell in Idaho). Oh well, we'll have to try for that next time.

But we did get to have a small fireworks show out on the farm.

Here's the crew - with Carson doing his first "sparkler". He loved them and wanted more!

Dani and Carson enjoying the show.

It was just a little bit cooler up there in the evenings than here in Mesa.

One of our bigger fireworks display.

Even the cows seemed to enjoy the show - for awhile at least.

One of the fireworks we did was pretty loud - and got the cows stirred up.

So we moved out onto the road in front of their house.

It's usually pretty quiet out there. However, just as we were finishing a car came speeding up the road. Before the guys got everything picked up - they had to move out of the way.

The hadn't picked up the propane lighter they had been using.

The car ran over it.

Now that was a big boom - and a quick firework all in itself.

Friends Together Again!

Carson was so excited when he got to Idaho and Jeremy and Jo's. He had really missed playing with EmmaLee. On our way up there he would say "I love EmmaLee."

It was so cute and fun to watch them play together. They got along pretty well.

(The only time they would fight would be over pushing her little stroller with the baby doll in it. Too funny!)

As you will notice, I stole some more pictures off of Jo's blog. Thanks Jo.

(her pictures are so much better than mine anyway) I'm sure you can tell which are by her and which ones I took!

Here they both are playing with EmmaLee's birthday toy from her Grandma/Grandpa Brewer.

Farm toy - hmm - fits good - don't you think.

We tried to get them to both pose - but they wouldn't cooperate.

We were at the Bar J Wranglers dinner show.

Hanging out before the show.

Having fun with the rocks. The show was just a little bit too long for them.

We all squeezed in tight into our Sequoia. Carson and EmmaLee loved it - especially since they could watch Dora The Explorer while traveling. (poor Kristi sat between the two carseats.)

Playing out in the yard.

They would pull leaves off the bushes/trees then drop them into the little stream of water under the bridge. They loved it!

Planting - or digging up flowers? You guess.

Enjoying the waterfall in Yellowstone.

Carson has sure missed his most favorite playing buddy. They get along so well too.

It was funny though - a few people commented on the "twins". I guess they thought Jo was the mom of both. I'm sure they didn't think it was me!

Jeremy's Day

Jo was so excited. She had a surprise for Jeremy - one he had no idea about.

Jeremy is alot like his dad - hard to surprise. They both always seem to find out or guess what it is you are giving them or doing.

On Saturday (24th) Jo's parents were stopping by in Rexburg on their way home to Vegas. They had just helped move Jo's brother and his family to Portland and had Jeremy's surprise in the trailer.

I got this picture off of Jo's blog (http://www.joalldredgephotography.blogspot.com/) getting his surprise - a barbeque! It was his late father's day gift and early b-day gift from Jo, her parents, and her brother.

Doesn't Jeremy's smile tell how happy he was!

Jeremy and Doug having some bonding time putting the barbeque together.
Don't they look alike? And...they even have the same hairline!
We took Jeremy and Jo shopping for their early birthday presents. As part of his present we got him his barbeque tools. Here he is cooking us a Sunday lunch before leaving for Idaho. We also got him that bug zapper you see just over his head. Jeremy has always liked bug zappers from when he was little and his Grandpa Pickett had one in his yard.

Mmmm. These were the best steaks! Jeremy's landlord gave them to him when he saw the new barbeque. These steaks were from one of the cows his landlord butchered from their ranch.

They served dinner outside in their yard. We couldn't do that in the middle of a July day here in Mesa! The salad was from vegetables in their garden. All so good.

Here's the crew enjoying themselves.

Hay is for................

Horses of course!

It wouldn't be a cattle ranch without horses now would it?

The first morning at Jeremy/Jo's house I had just gotten the bath ready for Carson

and was getting him undressed when Doug told me to bring him outside.

Jeremy had the horse there to let the kids ride.

So Carson got his ride - but with only a diaper on. Oh well.

Dani was happy!
Jason looks natural - like he knows what he's doing.

Carson came to watch the other kids after his bath.

He looks like a little cowboy now - just needed a hat!

Kristi's turn. Jeremy was telling her how to guide the horse so she could ride it by herself.

Here Kitty, Kitty......

Jeremy and Jo told us they had a surprise for us - and this was it

4 kitties.

Their landlord brought them over for them to have as mousers.

In case you didn't know - when they moved up there, they had mice.

Now they have help to keep them mice out of their house.

I only got a picture of 3 of the kitties - the other one is also black.

Dani and Carson playing with the kitties.

Carson would play with them - but he would not pick them up!


I'm sure Jo got much better pictures than I did!

EmmaLee on the other hand - treated them like she does her baby dolls.

She would hold them anywhich way she could. Sometimes she would be carrying one under each arm.

Jo is allergic to cats - but can handle them while they are kitties.
I guess the kitty liked her.

By the way - these will be outdoor cats. Brrrr-it will be a cold winter for them.

Kristi loved the cats - probably held and played with them more than anyone.

Sorry Kristi - I didn't get a picture of you with the kitties!

Down on the Farm

...or should it be "Up at the farm" since it was up in Rexburg, Idaho visiting Jeremy, Jo and EmmaLee where they live out in the country in a little farmhouse on a cattle ranch.

They absolutely love it there - as did Carson!

He had to get in this big farm machinery. Just don't ask me what it is because I have no clue.

He was so excited when he first saw this - whatever "this" is.He loved visiting the cows
Kristi doesn't exactly look like a farm girl, but she was enjoying herself - despite the look on her face! Happy Dani girl!
Jeremy has really gotten into planting and taking care of a garden. He definately didn't learn it from me - I have a black thumb and my plants have always died.

Here he is picking raspberries in his big raspberry patch. Yumm - fresh raspberries!
Here is the rest of his garden. Let's see - corn (few varieties), potatoes (yukon gold and red), onion, peas, carrots, and I'm not sure what else. There are also cherry trees, apple trees, and I think peach trees. We had some potatoes from the garden, and a green salad. It was all so good!Great job Jeremy and Jo on your garden. Wish we could be there to taste more of it! Carson loved following Jeremy around. He loves his oldest big brother!
Here he is helping him out in the garden picking peas.

These are only a few of the pictures we had while staying with Jeremy and Jo. More will be coming so be watching. We got to their house on July 22nd and left on the 26th.

Thanks Jeremy, Jo and EmmaLee. We LOVED being there and wished it could have been longer. We love and miss you guys!

Last shall be First

Since I am so far behind I will start with the end of our summer and work towards the first - hence the "last shall be first."

With that in mind - I'll even start with the last of our big summer vacation. Actually - this was going to be the first and last stop from our house - but plans changed and we made a quick stop to St. George on the way (but no pictures from that) so this was the first and last planned "official" stop - and that would be "The Black's Cabin".

Debby and Gary are two of our best friends. We have been friends for just over 19 years. They have been our camping buddies, game playing partners, out to dinner/movies, Gary was Doug's hunting partner, well - you get the picture. Then, a few years ago they moved to Mt. Pleasant, Utah, built a cabin up in the mountains and have lived their ever since. We sure miss them!

Here's Debby with Carson.

Our time was very limited with them - which we really regret. We all enjoyed playing "Rage" with their family - then of course Debby, Gary, Doug and I had to play "Rook" We really miss the companionship and fun times we have with them. Thanks Debby and Gary for letting us "drop by" for a couple of nights!
(By the way - if anyone down this way wants to have a monthly game night for date night - let us know. We would love to have one. Maybe we can even teach you to play Rook!)