"I'm a real cowboy now!"

A friend of mine was so nice to invite me and the boys down for a weekend of horse back riding on her family's ranch in Beaver, Utah. There could not have been a more perfect vacation for Thomas and Nathan.
Nate insisted on wearing his "cowboy clothes" almost the entire trip. I was thankful the outfit included his boots, since his overalls are size 12 months and only went a little past his knees!

Thomas loved everything about the ranch. He thought it was great to feed and groom the horses and of course loved each second of riding when he enthusiastically proclaimed that he was "a real cowboy now." (As opposed to the kind of cowboy he was before, when he only got to ride the horses around in a circle at the fair? Perceptive kid.)

I hadn't been on a horse in years, but was glad that it came back to me since I almost always had at least one child riding with me. I give all the credit to great horses though- They made me look good :)

We had to drive up the canyon 20 mintutes to start our first ride. When we got to the trail and started getting the horses ready, Nate began stressing. There was nothing to do but just make him get on the horse. It didn't take long before he got used to it though, as long as we were singing cowboy songs together.

This is Thomas and his cute girlfriend Kallie. They were inseparable and loved to ride together. At one point I turned around to see their horse in a dead run. I began to panic thinking they were scared and would fall off, until I noticed them hanging on for their lives and laughing! Thomas later claimed that was his favorite part.

The last night there we took an amazing 2 hour ride up the canyon. The scenery was so beautiful. For such a long ride the kids did great. I was sore by then so I can't imagine how their little legs felt. Thomas even insisted he ride his own horse most of the time. I had to promise both the boys that we would difinitly go back to Beaver again.

Temple and Wedding

The day before Ryan left for DC, he was doing a job in Daybreak. We had a million things to do to get him ready. One of the things that we had really wanted to do was to go to the Oquirrh Temple open house together as a family. Since, Ry was literally working across the street from the temple already, he called to have us meet him and bring him a change of clothes.

This was such a great experience and I am so glad that we were able to take the time to take the boys to the temple. It was a hot day and crowded, but they did awesome. Thomas would close his eyes to concentrate to "check if he was feeling the spirit." It was so cute. We all appreciated the water and cookies at the end!

Friday we had a special wedding in our family. My dad's youngest brother was sealed in the temple. He is 47 and has never been married. He married this darling doctor of 41 who had just never found the right one. We are so happy for them. I am so thankful for the blessings of the temple.

Since Ry has been gone, my younger brother Dane has been amazing at stepping in and helping with the boys, especially at the reception. (All you girls out there...he is very surprisingly still single.) Thomas and Nathan were so proud to have purple ties like Dane and Papa.

I love my boys!

Thomas was a little stud at the reception. He found the only little girl close to his age and danced the night away. I have to say his moves even included a few twirls and a dip!

Nate loved to get out there and dance too, as long as mom was right by his side. I didn't mind, I needed a dance partner as well. So fun, just wished daddy could have joined in.