Saturday Morning with Nowhere To Go

Since coaching is going on year-round in our house, it is RARE that we have a free Saturday. Most of those are quickly scheduled with family outings or temple trips. But yesterday morning, we were just HOME. I had several boring things that I could have filled my morning with (ironing, wiping down doors and trim, etc.), but instead I decided that I would go with Tony to do the feeding and chores. Of course, we took all three kids along. So here is the gang:

Mom and Mariah

(and no, we don't worry about makeup on Saturday mornings with nowhere to go)



Dad and Mylie

and finally, Connor.

We started out going to see the new baby calves. On the way, Connor found some hurdles.
But then it was time to get to work--getting the grain for the bulls,

filling a water trough,

breaking up the ice in another trough,

and getting a little TOO up close and personal with the angus bulls.

Here's a zoom-in shot of the poor girl's face as the bull was walking toward her!

Then, it was into the tractor--yep, the WHOLE family--to feed the yearlings. It is a great ride, complete with heat and the radio!

After feeding, we went and fed the horses, but I left my camera in the truck. After the horses had a little to eat, Tony saddled one up and Connor and Mylie both got to ride. It was a FABULOUS morning!

My Kiddos

Of, course, I must include my children if I'm doing posts about things I love! Rather than write a big, long tribute to each of them (which I do on birthdays, or WHENEVER, really) and include a ton of pictures (see the sidebar if you don't know what they look like), I thought I'd do something very simple: three things I LOVE about each of them!

Connor
--1--I love how passionate he is about the things he loves. When he likes something, he embraces it whole-heartedly. This will serve him well.
--2--He still gives me hugs, tells me he loves me, and wants me to scratch his back at bedtime. He doesn't do it a LOT, but he still does it, and I know that eventually this might be gone.
--3--He wants to be just like his dad. If he can accomplish this, he will be a great man someday.

Mylie
--1--She has a great imagination. I love just listening to her play, watching her become her characters, and hearing her sing her heart out to her own original (and nonsensical) lyrics.
--2--She loves to spend time with me. It doesn't matter if it's going to the store, pretending to be my visiting teacher while I do my hair and makeup, or helping me in the kitchen, she wants to be with me.
--3--She has the BEST laugh. It's just so cute when she gets giggling.

Mariah
--1--She totally loves me. Although I'm sure this is true for the other two as well, Mariah never really shows signs that she feels differently. She just loves me all the time.
--2--She has the cutest belly. She is obsessed with it, too. She loves walking around with her shirt pulled up, large pot belly sticking out. I love it! (I also love that her pants stay up!)
--3--She makes me smile everyday. Although toddlers can be a challenge, I think it might be the age that gets the most smiles from me. There's just something adorable about a little bow-legged kid innocently tearing things apart!

The Winter Games

I am totally obsessed with the Olympics. If I had to choose, I'd watch the summer games, but I love the winter games as well. I LOVE the downhill skiing, ski jumping, snowboard cross and halfpipe, speed skating, and figure skating, but I have to admit I do NOT like the ice dancing. I just don't understand it. If there are skating pairs out there that can dance PLUS jump, spin, and throw, WHY is there an event for just dancing? I don't get it, and I don't want to watch it. I suppose the only reason they show it in primetime because the girls are a lot sexier in their outfits than, say, speed skating women. At least, that's all I can figure. Okay, enough of my griping--on to why I really do love watching the olympics.

I'm just blown away by the talent of these athletes, not to mention the GUTS (or possibly insanity?) it takes to be in basically any winter olympic sport--with the exception of curling, I suppose. I love the stories of those who have overcome incredible challenges to be there, and I cry (literally) at times when they realize their dreams that they have worked so hard for. I was especially bawling when Lindsey Vonn got her gold medal. As I watch, I wonder what it would be like to be the best in the world in ANYTHING. I think of everything I can do, and I realize that I am SOOOO far from being the best in the world at anything. It's just such a foreign concept to me, but something that I think would be incredible. I have a great respect for all the olympic athletes and all the time and dedication they have given to develop their talents. We can all take a lesson from them.

Angela

Although Angela is Tony's sister, she might as well be my sister, too. I knew Angela before I knew Tony, and I looked up to her instantly. Then, after Tony and I got married, Angela and I became closer friends, having our first babies just 6 months apart. At the time, she lived in Boise, and we were in Laramie. In about two years' time, we had both bought homes in the Bridger Valley, and we now live just over a mile apart. Next, we started coaching volleyball together, which has brought us even closer. We could probably talk volleyball non-stop for a few DAYS! (Tony may claim that we actually have. . .) A few years ago, I told Tony that I thought Angela knew everything--and it's probably pretty close to true. I've gotten so much advice from her on everything from parenting to planning a vacation to money market accounts to the seven habits, and of course, everything volleyball. She's an amazing coach, mother, person, and most of all, FRIEND!

Violet Rose

Last (of my siblings), but certainly not least, I LOVE Violet! Violet is somebody who isn't afraid to try something new, and she is very reflective, always learning from the experiences she has. In high school, she traveled all the way to somewhere in North Dakota to attend a camp where she learned things about musical theater. After high school, she went to Western Wyoming, University of Wyoming, BYU Semester in Nauvoo, BYU-Idaho, and on a mission to Phoenix! And all of those experiences have added to her personality and wisdom, making her a fun, smart, well-rounded person. I love spending time with Vi. One other thing I should mention about Violet is that she is very thoughtful, and never forgets birthdays and things like that. In fact, she has even sent Tony a Father's Day card. How thoughtful!

And, of course, she's absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

And very entertaining at times!

Ha Ha Ha! Love ya, Vi!

Tami

Tami and I were best buddies from the beginning. I don't remember the two of us fighting very much growing up. We had similar interests, and really enjoyed doing things together. I think it's mainly because Tami is so easy to get along with. She's the type of person that everybody likes, and if they don't, it's obviously their problem. She just doesn't give you any reason to NOT like her. She's kind, polite, and thoughtful. From the time she was little, she was always so willing to help others, and I don't think she has any desire to do anything wrong. She is a great example and a FABULOUS friend and sister!

Tami started out as the cutest little girl in the world--really I think she's the cutest! And I LOVE the curls! Here we are modeling some outfits my Mom made.

And then she grew into a beautiful woman who is a wonderful wife and a loving mother to two adorable little boys.

I love you, Tami!

My Parents

I spent Sunday night and all day yesterday in Cokeville, and I was reminded how much I love my parents. They are the best! I am so grateful for the time they took to teach me the gospel in our home. I am grateful for their patience with me (which I didn't really understand until I was a parent myself). I am grateful for the way they counseled me with love through my teenage years, and then trusted me and were supportive of my choices as I headed out on my own. Now, I'm grateful for the phone conversations, parenting advice (which they only give when I ask for it), general support system, and their friendship. I LOVE them so much!

Weren't they a great-looking couple?

And they still are!!!