That's my Boy...Dew Tour '09

And it Begins...

Mommy and my Guy, so happy to be with him today!

Look his eyes, twinkling with excitement... just had to take a quick pic :)

ThE DeW ToUr!!!!!Waiting to get on the bike...

Mom and little "B" having a BlAsT!!!

Clap for the Dew....

Oh, YEA!!!!!!! Nitro Circus, his favorite show.... Brayden is a big FAN!!

Well now, what can I say... we had such a great weekend!! We took Brayden to the Dew Tour, and I cannot tell you how much fun we had together. These guys are so incredibly talented and it is so crazy what kind of insane tricks they try. We walked around, got autographs, saw motorcycles, skateboards, and bmx riders. It was amazing. As many of you know, my son is a thrill junkie, yes anything that involves a stunt, motor, or a HIGH jump count him in, and yes he is 2 years of age...

***Are you ready for this?***

We both know that we are in for a world of trouble with this kiddo, because of his love for this crazy sport. He WANTS to be on every bike he sees, and the scary thing is he knows how to work them... There was Yamaha tent that had these mini motorbikes going around a dirt track, so Brady went to see what it was all about, and.... they had a "sample" of a riding lesson from ages 2-4...next thing we know we are both running down to this tent and signing Brayden up to go ride a bike. He was ThRiLleD!!! Parents were not allowed where they were suiting up the kids or on the track, so with great trust I handed my little man over to the instructors to give him his first mini lesson. It took a while to get him fitted with his gear, so that made me a little nervous. But, a lady that was part of the production looked at me and gave me the thumbs-up. I couldn't wait to see my guy! Which then he was put on the littlest bike they had, I have to say my heart was bursting, I was so PROUD of my guy. I just kept thinking, oh my he is only 2!!!! What kind of crazy Mother am I?! These instructors were so great, they worked with Brayden for only 20 minutes, and he was pretty much doing this on his own. One gentlemen came over to me and asked how old he was, I responded 2...He just looked at me and laughed, smiled, and said, "You are in BIG trouble.This little guy knows how to ride. " We told him he already rides a 2-wheel bike, never had training wheels. So he takes Brady back into the tent and shows him what bike to get, how to teach him, and so forth.

Helmet=check, suiting up=check, goggles=check, seeing your boy ride for the first time=priceless :) ( I just had to put that in there)

That would be poppin' a wheelie... Whooo HOOOOO!

The little dare-devil...

Just one day could turn out like this...What an unbelievable time that we had together!! Lots of memories to share...As my Brayden would say.. "GO, GO, yesssssssssss" with his little arm bent at the elbow pulling it into his hip... He is the coolest little boy EVER!!! Love you B!! :) And yes my friends, this is my son riding for the very first time on a motor-bike.... (well~ that was actually going) He did AWESOME!!

My Life...In boxes

Brady and I have been on the fence about selling our home for about a year now....and last month we SOLD, I know many people may think we are crazy right now to be making such a huge decision in these uncertain times, but all the past year it had never felt right, but now, I cannot explain it but it just does... Oh how I wish that I could just pick up our house and move it. We have worked so very hard to have the home that we do, we are truly grateful to have had this beautiful place. Brady has worked countless hours on making our yard like a park, I remember him hauling loads and loads of top soil. It felt like we just moved dirt around for months but all of that paid off, now our yard is one of my favorite places to be...When we were building we drove by almost everyday we could hardly wait to move in! And when we finally did, it was a dream come true. We have made many wonderful memories here, we brought home our beautiful son, shared laughter, tears, many holidays, good family times, and birthdays, these walls have sheltered our family from the outside world and has given us peace. I have made some amazing friends here as well, I will miss them very much, they have touched me deeply. We have taken pride in what we have created and it will forever be a part of us! But for now we just have to have faith in the future and what it may hold for us. This is a major stepping stone for our little family and it is time for us to look into the next chapter in our lives. I know the day when we drive away will be a very difficult one, truly a bittersweet feeling....

So for now as we wait to be led to our next home, all I see is boxes EVERYWHERE!! If you know me at all I want to be 10 steps ahead of the game, so yes I am all packed. Crazy I know, I had a feeling our home would sell very quickly which it did, and I have a feeling that when we do find our home, the move will (hopefully) be a speedy one as well....Brayden seems to think that every box needs to be climbed on, jumped on, or moved. To tell the truth I don't mind it at all, it's kind of a mental relief not to worry about keeping the house neat all of the time. The future is bright, and with a lot of positivity we look ahead to what the next few months may bring!!

One-dish wonder....

So, fall is just around the corner the crisp air is going to set in, along with cooler weather. This time of year is my absolute FAVORITE season, I have so many reasons why but one of the best is it's time to get out the old crock-pot again! In my opinion the crock-pot is one of the greatest inventions ever created! It has saved me many times when I am in a pinch and it seems that no matter what you put in the thing it cooks perfectly and tastes wonderful...not to mention you don't have to do hardly anything to create a fabulous meal to come home to at the end of the day... Here is one of my favorite "One-dish wonder" recipes

*South-of-the-Border

*Steak and Beans*

1 lb. beef flank steak (you may season your meat)

1 10 oz. can of chopped tomatoes ( I use fresh ones from my garden, for extra flavor)

1/2 c. chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon crushed oregano

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

2 small red and yellow peppers cut into strips

1 can pinto beans, rinsed

3 c. hot cooked rice

salt/pepper to taste

~Place meat in crockery cooker, in bowl stir together tomatoes, onion, garlic, oregano, chili powder, cumin, salt/pepper. Pour over meat..
~Cover and cook on low-heat for 7-9 hours

~Add sweet pepper strips and pinto beans. Cover and cook for 30 minutes more.

~Remove meat, slice meat across the grain

~Spoon rice into bowls. Arrange meat on top of rice. Spoon bean mixture over meat. If you so desire, sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and serve with hot bread

And Enjoy!

There is nothing like walking in from a long day and smelling the yummy dinner the amazing crock-pot has done for you... I repeat one of the greatest inventions of all time!

Gotta love the crock!! Bring on Fall....

THE BIG DAY!!

CONGRATS, aren't they adorable??!! Best wishes to the new happy couple, my bro-Curtis and my new sis Ashley...We are thrilled for you, it was a wonderful day!!! Love you guys!!

Waiting on the bench... I am the mom but..is he NOT THE CUTEST EVER???!!!Still waiting.... :)

Darling Kel~


All tuckered out...I do have to say he was the BEST 2 year old the entire day! The wedding was beautiful....

Summer Highlights...

Beautiful sunset......Summer Night....

Where has the summer gone? Every year it goes by so fast... We had such a GREAT summer, one of the best in a long time...2 camping trips, Days of '47 Rodeo, a wonderful wedding (congrats Curt and Ash), lots of boating, bbq's, and fun memories with the fam! We also got to see extended family that we have not seen in such a long time, it was good to spend time with them as well... It has all gone so quickly but we had a blast... Here are some pic's and some highlights...more pic's to come... :)

Cowboy UP!! :)Days of '47 Rodeo....

Cowboy about to get smashed...

Grampy with the little cowboy...

Oh yes he would...Start that by himself...

Couldn't wait to go for a ride with Dad...

Train Ride at Wheeler Farm..

By the way, this place has NOT changed since I went on a field trip in the 4th grade...Peeking at the cows...

Some weird Star War booth....Brayden loved it though..So he was bored for like 10 minutes and looked what happened...GOLDFISH MANIA!!!

Sysco BBQ... Was a lot of fun!!

Yet another pony ride..

More pictures to come..........Yea for summer!!

Party Animal!!

This video cracks me up...Here is Brayden trying to be a party animal with the noise maker. He couldn't quit get the concept and needed a little help from Dad...Love a good laugh :)

Flaming Gorge...

It is officially a tradition! Something we always look forward to every year...We had such a great time, yummy food, good memories, catching lots of fish and of course lots and lots of boating! Brayden was extra fun this year and super curious about everything...He always had to help Papa drive the boat and be in charge of steering, he loved the four wheelers (that goes without saying)...Such a boy, when it came time to reel in fish he was the first to want to touch the slimy new discovery, and even give it a wet yucky kiss...it was so cute! Thank you Gordon and Kel for showing us a wonderful time... yet again....Love ya!

Us.............


Big Fissheee Kisses from Brayden boy...He loved to slosh around with them and touch there eyes and run his little hand along the slimy scales...all BOY!

Swimming with Daddy, this was one of my personal highlights...love to see those two laugh together...It makes my heart smile...and he was not afraid of getting in the chilly 67 degree water...burrrrr..........Brayden's first big TUBE ride behind the boat...and oh yes he wanted to go faster, he kept giving Papa the "thumbs up" go-go he would say...over and over...a speed junkie this little 2 Year old is...

Haha...the green suit gals... Ash and Stace

STUD....Future professional wake border, motocross biker, anything that deals with adrenaline!! throw in some wicked fast and crazy dangerous tricks and...he is in!

~So, just a side note...off the subject... tell me if I am not in trouble. Yesterday I just sat back and watched Brayden "play" for a minute just so I can get a peek into my little guys play world. And this is what happened...He proceeded to climb on top of my ottoman, make some crazy revving motor noise and with his hands in the position of a bike, jumps off as high as he can, rolls, and rolls, and rolls, and rolls to the floor meanwhile I am hearing these sound effects like...err..awhhhh, ewooooo. ooowhooo. and comes to a halt, but we cannot forget the moment he gets up and slams his knees down together just for good measure....Then stands up with a grin form ear to ear and.........CLAPS!!!! :) Well now, was that just not the sweetest thing you have ever seen ? Awwwhhhhhh ....... Helllllllooooooooo......SOS, this boy has the "no fear" sense in him.....Sure more to come...h-e-l-p!

Awh-oooooo, he's gotta gun! and it's upside down... hahaha...(no worries, I am not that irresponsible as a mom) It's just a toy one, and yes it does look like the real thing but~..Hey were camping here...

One of my favorite pictures of my guys....Kiss, kiss to my babes!

Mommy and little "B" have a case of the giggles...heheheheheheeheheheheh!

While Mom was enjoying her "good sun" I felt a squirt of ice cold water on my back...EEEKKK! Turned around and there was my handsome boy with a big smile saying "MommEEE" couldn't get mad at that little sweet face...Love this boy!

Mom and her little man...waiting to go on the tube!

Ahhhh....Hang on! We were all laughing...B

Dirty boy....
This is how Brayden would FINALLY FALL ASLEEP...in the lap of Papa steering the boat...So tender...if the motor did turn off though he would peek with one eye just to make sure that there was not too much action going on without him...

Fat man in a little coat.... :)

We are so thankful that we can all share these memories together and we are looking forward to doing it all again when family comes into town for the BIG WEDDING DAY of CURT & ASHLEY!!! Round 2 will be here soon....Stay Tuned!