One of our favorite traditions - The Bar J Wranglers!

Before our annual trip to Jackson Hole I found these fun shirts for the kids. I was so excited to get a group picture with all 4 of them. Really, what was I thinking?????

Here is my attempt! My mom didn't know what I was doing and right before the picture gave Nate a biscuit. Nice chipmunk cheek!This was Haley's attempt! Once again Nate was cooperating so well!
This is where we finally ended up! Kids going crazy....... and Nate just taking it all in!

We did end up with this family shot, I'll take it!!

Ryan

Jaydee

Gage

Nate

The dinner was delicious as always and the entertainment was great! We love going and seeing the Wranglers and listening to their music!

Ryan got his cowboy hat signed by all of the Wranglers at the end of the show! It totally made his night! I would have got a picture but I was making a mad dash to the truck through the rain! So much fun!!

Water, what water??

Who needs to spend alot of money going to a water park when we've got one in our front yard! Apparently there was more irrigation water than the ditches could hold.....ya think! The kids were in heaven. They ran in, got their swimming suits on, and were entertained all afternoon!

Too much fun!

Fort Supply!

While Joan and Wally were here we took them out to Fort Supply in Robertson.

The Mormon settlers built it in 1853. When they burned it in 1857 it had "one hundred or more good hewed log houses, one sawmill, one grist mill and one thrashing machine...a stockade and straw and grain stacks." (Bridger Valley by K. Hamblin) All that remains for a few corner posts and this monument that was put up. A little known part of Wyoming's history!
On our way home we couldn't help but notice how full and pretty the moon was! The picture doesn't do it justice!

Further up the road we noticed these 2 bucks. They almost looked as if they were twins! So pretty! Between the fort, the moon and the deer I had a great reminder of why I love to live where we do! I love the wide open spaces, the clean, fresh air, and the amazing history of those pioneers that came before me!

Ranch Rodeo!

The final event of our 24th of July Celebration was the Ranch Rodeo! This year all of the kids were participating! They looked so official with their numbers all pinned on! They have events that all the kids can do. The kids 5 and under did a bunny chase! Those who caught a bunny got to choose whether they wanted to keep it or get $5.00!
Gage and Theoryn were excited to get lined up!

Nate wasn't quite sure about the whole thing!

This is the first year the kids have participated in the "real" events. Ryan and Papa did the rescue race. One person stands on the barrel......

while the other person comes racing down the arena on the horse......

grabs the person off the barrel.....

and races full gallop back down the arena!

I think the look on Ryan's face says it all! What a riot!!

Next was the Hide Race! Papa, Jaydee, and Ryan were up first! Scott gave Jaydee a little pep talk. We had practiced at home but Jaydee was still a little nervous!

What is the Hide Race, you ask? You start with a rider on the horse and a rider laying on the mat......They gallop full speed down the arena......

Circle the barrel where the first rider rolls off (Ryan) and the second rider (Jaydee) jumps on! Then the second rider holds on for dear life for his/her ride back down the arena! Too stinkin' fun! When it was over Jaydee declared it was "AWESOME!"

Next it was Gage and Nate's turn to do the Hide Race. When we were practicing at home Nate insisted on doing it with the big kids so we figured why not! Sign him up!!!

When he got out there though we think all the people scared him...

So Grandma hopped on and off they went!

I have to say she is probably the best sport ever.......

They rolled off at the barrel and Gage jumped on.....

Gage was such a trooper and held on for dear life! Grandpa actually did a full gallop back with him and he had a ball!

We love our traditions, our ancestors, and everything they sacrificed for us. This weekend was so fun and we're so thankful for our family and the opportunity we got to share it with them! Thanks to my many photographers who captured this weekend for me....Haley, Marci, & Amy D. from the Pioneer!

We're going on a Bear Hunt! I'm not Scared!

Ryan and Nate's birthdays are only 3 days apart, so this year we decided to celebrate with one BIG party! All the cousins were up, we threw Kaden and Madison into the mixand had

a great time!

We were going on a Bear Hunt!Any good hunter knows that preparation is the key. Everyone got their very own custom made backpack, (Thanks Kelly for your sewing skills!) a whistle, and trail mix. Next we went fishing for our bear bait. Everyone had a limit of 10 fish. It was tricky but everyone manage to get all 10!

Nate slept through the first part of the party. I was worried that he was going to miss his own party. He is a bear if you wake him up from his nap. But luckily he woke up just in time to go fishing!

After getting bait, it was time to practice! We broke out the BB Gun's and let the kids target shoot!

Scott and Big Nate were the "instructors". I don't know who had more fun with the BB guns.....the kids or the "adults"!

The kids had to go on a "practice" bear hunt with Jenny to make sure they were prepared! "We're going on a bear hunt".......

"We're going on a bear hunt, I'm not scared, What a beautiful day"!Finally they were ready and off they went to get their bears! (I hid stuffed bears all over the yard and they were on the hunt to find them!)

SUCCESS!

Everyone was successful in there hunt and no harm came to anyone, kids or bears! It was a fun party! Thanks everyone for coming and for all of your help!!