Wetlands

The boys wouldn't stay at Grammys for very long.   It was only an hour and a quick hello before they were begging to go fishing.   So after a quick bite Brett and Gramps loaded up all the gear and off they went to the wetlands.  And, after 5 casts look at what Jack caught.   

That is a nice fish!!   And the boys were so excited.  They kept catching fish and were having the best time!   They finally made it to Wyoming and it really was everything they imagined. 

They fished until dark and started making plans to come back out first thing in the morning.   I wish I could capture the excitement in their voices.   This is something they have been waiting for all year long.   Waiting and planning and practicing in our back yard pool day after day after day.  Casting and changing baits and perfecting the way their bait goes through the water.    They time was finally here and they were enjoying every minute. 

Dash Chicken and Grammy's

Jackson, Owen, and Gabriel already have a plan.    We will get to Wyoming in plenty of time to run out to the wetlands to catch a few fish before it gets dark.    They just know that there will be time to fish before it gets to dark.

As we pull into Casper, I mention stopping and getting something to eat.....letting Mocha out of the car.   "NO"!!!!   They shout.    They just want to get to Grammy's already!!    So I grab some convenient store food and Mocha will just have to wait until we get to Buffalo to get out.

We arrive in plenty of time for fishing.   And Dash Inn Chicken (before fishing).   Jackson and Brett, Megan and the girls join us for our first night in Wyoming.

The boys eat because they have to.....but all they really want to do is head out to the wetlands and start fishing.   They can't get out there fast enough.

Jackson throws out a few casts and look what he catches.   The boys are beyond excited.

That is a big fish!!

And the boys also catch some nice fish.   They are having so much fun we only leave when it gets to dark to see with a vow to be back first thing in the morning.

The Drive

18 hours.    The excitement in the air the last couple of days is beyond words.   All we can think of is Wyoming.  As we gather clothes and pack bags we know all the preparation will be worth it

As you can imagine, loading 2 adults, 4 children, and 1 German Shorthaired Pointer is no easy task.    

Yet, here we are packed and ready to go.  The  BH is filled with everything that is important to us as we leave Arizona for 6 weeks and head to cooler weather.

We are so excited about getting to our destination that we don't think about all the hours we have to sit really, really close to each other.

And it's all worth it as I catch the first glimpse of the Big Horns.    This just feels like home and makes the past couple of days so worth it.

Here is Gabe and Mocha the last hour of our trip.     We are so excited to see the Buffalo city limit sign!!

Last Day

When I brought her home wrapped in a pink receiving blanket I never expected her to grow into a little princess.    She must wear a fluffy dress, high heels, and adorn herself with jewelry.   She must wear makeup and check the mirror as she walks out the door to make sure everything is all right.

What did I expect??   Maybe a little Tom Boy like I was as a little girl.   A little girl who played on the dirt with the boys and loved to pick up bugs.    A little girl who never though about ruffles and bows and pink tutus.  We 

Somtimes I glance at her as she is running full force in those heals and I shake my head.   How does my little girl learn all these things?   She does spend all her time at the baseball field, going on hunting trips, and fishing trips and wrestling with her brothers.

Well I'm proud to announce that my little girl won the award for the Best Princesss today at her last day at preschool.   Yes Best Princess.      That is my Grace.  A treasure.  A rough and tumble little princess who can make all her brothers cry if she has a mind to.  

Grace, don't ever grow up and be anything but a princess.   Run in your heels and wear dresses everyday because you are beautiful this way and I love being your mom.

Tuesday

Favorite part of my day.   Peeling shrimp with Grace.   Her little fingers worked fast and she peeled the shells from those little guys.   We were so engrossed in what we were doing we didn't look up for a long time.   Then I heard a little voice say, "mommy this is fun".   "I love taking the legs off these shrimp with you".    Deep breath.  And saying back. "Me too".

I loved being with Eli as he watched the Rockies.   They lost again but he loved every play.    Always sure they would win at the end.  

I loved beating Gabe at a multiplication race.  He doesn't know his 4s as well as he thought.   More races to come tomorrow.  

I loved getting into a discussion with Bryan after the kids were in bed.  He may not know it but it feels so good to talk adult talk.  To be able to have an opinion.  It just made me feel important.  Validated.  Loved. I only hope I do the same for him.

Rancho Mucho Dinero

Rancho Mucho Dinero happens to be everyone's favorite place this summer.   Mostly because they have a river behind it with fish.   Yet, there are other reasons we love Rancho Mucho Dinero.    We love helping Pop on his tractor and just spending time together.

We also like to hang out together inside where we can do crafts and take a break from the sun and the river.

Grammy's walking trail

Years ago I found Eva Knepper walking trail close to Grammy's house.  When Eli and Grace were babies I would take Gabe, Owen, and Bridger down to the trail and the boys would spend hours digging in the dirt and getting their feet wet in the little river.    The grass is always really tall and Bridger would run ahead and get lost.    One afternoon, Gabe and I found a log to cross.   He was scared but he overcame his fear and we both crossed several times.  It was a very special moment for me.   Each time I walk down this trail it reminds me how much everyone is growing and changing and all the memories we have shared in this place.

On this day, it was just Grace and Eli.   They boys had fishing plans and that was more important.    I thought of Bridger the whole walk missing having to yell at him to come back.

Neither child really wanted to have their picture taken and I finally had to give up.

Oh, let me tell you about Grace and her gum.   Gum is her favorite thing in the whole entire world.   Last Christmas Santa brought gum.    Every time we go to the store Grace begs for a pack of gum.   She never grows tired of it.    Silly gum girl.