Ev'ry day I'm Chuffilin'

My family has discovered someone fabulous.  Juanito Bandito.  He is awesome.  We saw Who shot Juanito Bandio last summer at the Pickleville Playhouse in Bear Lake & we just HAD to get tickets to another show that they did this summer.  The Hanging of El Bandito.  Dylan missed out last year because he was in St. George for school - but he got to enjoy it this summer before he left for his mission.  I got to sit next to him & he didn't stop laughing.  Casey also missed it last year and he thought it was pretty funny.  He even said that he'd go again!  I also had to keep checking on Blake & Griffen throughout the play- they were cracking up through most of the show.

We went & ate at Cooper's after the show & it was delicious.  Ashley was so excited for her hamburger.  They were huge.  All of the food that was ordered looked really good.

Jordon has managed to miss the show both summers in a row.  Hopefully next year they do another show & he can jump on the fun bus & join us.  Mona babysat Caleb, Taylor & Rylee so that Casey & I could get away.  She is such a trooper!  It was funny - when we got home she said, "I'm really sorry...but I drank 2 Pepsi's out of your fridge."  It cracked me up.  The caffeine is surely needed most days for me!  Another funny thing is on our way into Logan canyon Casey & I stopped at Smith's in Logan for a drink.  When he parked he said, "What do you want me to get you....oh wait!!!  You get to come in with me!"  We are so use to one of us sitting in the car with the kids.  It was fabulous to get away for a day.  We also discovered pralines & cream fudge at La Beaus Too - I can't wait until next summer to go and get some more!

Another collection of randomness!

Before Dylan left for his mission we all got together at the bowling alley in Tremonton for some fun & some lunchie.  I recommend eating there.  Y U M.  I didn't get any pictures except for this one.  Everyone was so nervous that one of the girls were going to get their fingers pinched.  They loved the bowling balls.  (Taylor in stripes, Rylee in gray)

 We have 2 pear trees in our backyard & we got a plethora of HUGE pears this year!  Casey is convinced that it is because of his pruning job that he did this spring.  

 Sharing a pear with Taylor.  She loved it!

Here is Caleb helping pick them one morning.

 This has been the kids favorite place to play all summer.  The dirt.  It usually ends with a lot more laundry than necessary & lots of baths!  But they sure do enjoy it.

 With twins I have noticed that it is hard to give them separate things because almost always they want whatever the other one has (even if they are exactly the same!)  I don't give the girls juice very often, but this is how I have been doing it.  They suck & suck & suck & suck until they can't breathe.  It's funny.  It's almost like they are trying to make sure that one doesn't get more than the other.

 Rylee loves blankets.  Look at that adorable face!

 I have been working with Caleb on giving his drawings a purpose.  One night I drew a person (blue) and told him to draw one just like it.  I think he did a great job!

 I love sleeping baby pictures.  Even though my girls are 19 months old....can I still call them babies?  Rylee.

 Taylor

 Casey is a good dad.  We tried one camping trip this year (Memorial Day) and it didn't work out.  Caleb has asked several times to go camping since.  So Casey took him camping in the back yard one night.  It was cute.

Brigham City Temple

Casey & I had the opportunity to get away one morning in August to go & see the Brigham City Temple.  It is beautiful!  I love how peach blossoms are incorporated in the design scheme & that they have fruit trees planted outside.  It was a quick in & out tour.  No lines AT ALL.

 

My baby brother, Dylan, babysat for us the morning that we went.  He is currently in the MTC and is going to be serving his mission in Tacoma, Washington.  I know that he will be a great missionary.  He is so easy going, so driven, and so friendly.  He will be missed greatly!!

 Casey's parents are so nice!  They took the us to Maddox for dinner before we embarked on a family tour of the temple.  I love Maddox.  It was nice to spend time with Colby's family.  We don't see them as much as I would like - life just gets so busy!  Caleb LOVES his cousins & was so happy to be sitting in between Nathanael & Logan at dinner.   

 

Rylee & Taylor were so good at dinner.  Here is Rylee waiting patiently.

 We weren't so lucky as to have no lines at this tour.  The line went all the way outside & around the corner!  Taylor was so cute on my shoulders that Casey  just had to snap a picture.  The girls were so good waiting in line.  Caleb was funny.  He just kept sitting down on the ground.

 McKenna also waited patiently in line.  She has the most piercing blue eyes I have ever seen on a baby!

 The girls & I didn't make it into the temple.  We made it through the 15 minute movie & after that they were done being patient.  I ended up taking them home so that Casey & Caleb could enjoy the temple.  I let the girls play by the fountain out front for a bit.  People are funny when they see twins.  I get so many people asking "Are they twins??!!"  Umm.....maybe.  People would walk by them playing in the fountain & whisper to each other, "Look at those twins!"  "Do you see those twins"  "How cute!"  I'm glad that they put a smile on strangers faces. 

 

Brad, Mona & Caleb

Love Britney!

I have a girl crush on Britney Spears.  I love her music, she was able to bust a move back in the day & I think she's hot.  TMI?  Sorry.  BUT....Caleb's new thing is listening to Pandora radio on the Kindle Fire.  He loves the music & loves to see each new CD cover that comes up.  I was doing the dishes tonight & he said, "Hey mom.  That sure is a pretty girl."

 

Guess Who!!!???

I said, "Yep.  She is a pretty girl."  He said, "I think she's my girlfriend.  She can come over & give me hugs & kisses on the cheek.  I think she should bring some toys over & we can share them.  She can read me stories too." 

Isn't that the cutest thing you've ever heard???  I think so. :)

Caleb Started Preschool!

Pre-school?!?!  Next year Kindergarten?  Why do they grow up so quickly?  I was fortunate enough to be blog stalking one day & found out that a girl I knew in high school, Kaylee (Walker) Cook, is a preschool teacher.  She has small classes (10 kids) and lives just a few short blocks away.  Caleb & Allie (the girl that I babysit) will be going together & I am glad for that.  They go on Tuesday & Thursdays for a couple of hours & have 2 field trips/month.  I hope that they make fond memories.  It's odd how vividly I remember my preschool.  It was fabulous!

CALEB'S PRE-SCHOOL FAVORITES

TV Show:  Wild Kratts

Movie:  Ice Age 1 or 2

Song:  Little Deuce Coop - The Beach Boys

Color:  Black

Food:  Mac & Cheese

Candy:  Nem-a-nems (M&M's)

Toy:  Iron Man

Item of Clothing:  Sunglasses & Sandals

Activity:  Wrestling with Rylee

 

Height:  3 ft 3.5 inches

Weight:  31 lbs

I took these pictures in Kaylee's backyard.  She has a fabulous green thumb!  I hope she never comes to my house.  I took a few pictures of Allie & she tilted her head in every one.  It was funny.  Their size difference astounds me.  They are only 3 months apart!

Fort Bridger



Casey has been working towards making some brain-tanned pants out of deer (or elk) hides.  So - my backyard has looked like an Indian reservation for several summers in a row now.  His hard work has finally paid off!  He would contact meat packing establishments during deer hunting season asking if he could have their deer hides.  He'd round them up & soak them in water so they were sloppy wet and then scrape the hair off of them.  Flies love this part of the process.  My nostrils did not.  After they were hair free he would stuff them in plastic sacks & freeze them.  When he had a whole day to spare - he would soak the hide in eggs.  A fabulous thing because back in the day they would soak the hides in deer brains, cow brains, Indian brains (j/k....but why not!).  He would then stretch them out until they were dry & soft as could be.  Once the holes were all stitched up he spent a day smoking them.  I believe this part is what water-proofs the hides a bit.  He then cut out the pattern for his pants & his dad was kind enough to make a trade.  Brad sewed the pants together and Casey has to brain-tan 2 hides for him.  Nice trade!  He just needs suspenders now. 



Here is  our little family at the Fort Bridger Rendezvous.  Yes...every party has a pooper, that's why I get invited.  I have other projects that I want to spend my time & money on at this time.  Maybe one day I'll make something to wear though.  Mona made Caleb's shirt & Taylor (Blue) & Rylee's (Red) dresses.  How nice!  Taylor was walking around and a lady couldn't stand her cuteness & just had to take a picture (Rylee was napping)

 Casey's cute parents taking a break.  It was much hotter than I think any of us expected. 

 Caleb, Taylor & Rylee were mesmerized by this couple.  He was playing the guitar & she was playing a neat instrument with spoons.  It was kind of like a mini harp laying down.  It was beautiful music!

Since I am not into this mountain man thing like everyone else seems to be.  I had to find something to be passionate about.  Breechcloths.  That is what I decided on.  So - when I see one I sneak a picture.  Sometimes it's an easy task, sometimes it requires a bit of chasing.

 The boys!

 Kaetlyn & Colby.  Father, daughter love can be strange at times. :)

 I am glad that Caleb & Shayden had each other to play with & torment. Mona was nice & bought each of them a sweet sword.

 Caleb LOVED the bagpipes & drums.  They played a song & when they finished he pointed his sword at them and yelled "HEY!  Do that again!"