Colton's 9th Grade Dance

Amia made sure that Colton went to the 9th grade dance!

He had such a fun time!

I am so thankful for Amia and her big sister ways with Colton.

She is fiercely protective, very mama bear-like, and always willing to stick up for him. 

She is very set on making sure that he is involved with as much as possible!

Here comes high school!

Horses & Boats & Kayaks OH MY!

Colton and Je'Mari are in love with Inkom.

It was last minute that Mari came with us.

Originally, he was supposed to spend the weekend with his dad. 

But after tears and a bit of pouting, his Mama Lila sent him with us.

These two have "their" horses.

Mari's is Wasabi.

Colton's is Jasmine.

They aren't "their" horses, but they sure do a good job with them!!

Once Matt and I get them caught and haltered, the boys go right to work brushing them out, talking to them, getting their blankets on them and patiently waiting for Matt and I to saddle them up and get bridles on them.

They are both much more confident on them and are really, really good on hills now.

I got on Winchester again.

I was a bit nervous. Matt reminded me not to be nervous and that I was in control.

Chester and I had a little talk about how we would not be doing a rodeo again.

He was a dream!!

We were even able to sneak in a date night and go listen to Kade play in Lava.

He has the most beautiful voice and is so talented on instruments.

Sunday, we went to the lake with family.

Colton was all about getting in the kayaks with Matt.

Matt got him right in and Colton was in heaven!!

Later, he went all around the whole lake with Loni!!!

Aunt Amy took the little ones hiking for a few minutes.

The rest of us grown-ups just sat and watched!!

Everyone took turns piling into Mema's new boat.

Colton, Mari and Coleman went in the tube that was pulled behind the boat.

They had a blast!!!

Little Makayla even tried out the kayak on her very own right next to shore.

She is such a sassy little thing!!

Spring PS Picnic

Boy oh boy was Wednesday a rough hump day!

I woke up weeping.

I went to work and started to weep again.

Right before the whole thing started, I hid away in the restroom stall and wept again.

Then, I put on my big girl panties and went and did the thing!

I missed P an extra lot this year.

I wanted so badly for him to come visit and be a part of it... telling stupid jokes and visiting with everyone and mixing the salads and calling me "Sis."

But, I had my Mr. Watkins and I had my Beyta.

And that was enough!

We didn't have softball because of the never-ending rain we seem to be having.

But, my Streets guys cleaned out the bays under the large canopy where all of our trucks and big yellow machines sit.

Parks brought tables and chairs and they were set up in no time.

My guys filled up coolers with ice and drinks.

Beyta and Mr. Watkins took me to Sam's Club to get all the grub.

Structural Maintenance grilled up 200 steaks.

And the crews ate and ate and ate.

We ran out of food for the first time since I started doing this four years ago.

There were smiles and laughs and hugs and fist bumps.

We did it.

Again.

Until Fall.

My Rodeo

Matt and I went on a ride by ourselves this weekend.

He rode his horse (Fritz).

I rode Winchester.

This was my second time riding Winchester. 

The first time, he was an absolute dream. 

He has been on all of the rides with us and was a perfect angel.

Well, something went wrong.

There we were, right between a steep hill down and a steep hill up and Winchester decided he did not want anyone on him anymore. I did everything I have ever been taught to do on a horse. Matt was able to get close enough to me with Fritz that he was able to grab the halter and get the bit out of his mouth. I got off of Winchester carefully and got onto Fritz.

Matt tried to get control of Winchester.

It was rough.

He tried to buck Matt off.

Matt used the halter and plow drove him home the whole way.

Fritzy was so sweet and gentle with me the whole way home.

Fritz got to graze on the front lawn while Winchester watched.

The next day, we took Coleman with us.

This time, I rode Jasmine. She's pretty much perfection, but it was my first time riding her.

I love her!

Coleman rode Teddy.

We were going to pony the two wild mustangs, but Teddy wasn't having that!

So, we just enjoyed a nice calm ride.

Matt had to catch two loose neighbor horses.

He did it like it was nothing but a thing!

And all was well.

Colton's Weekend

Colton went with his other family this weekend to go have some fun!

Dalila took the kiddos to her brother's house (Uncle Craig).

The kids played on the trampoline, played some hoops, had an outdoor movie, made a campfire, had some s'mores, and played at the local playground.

She made sure to wear them right out!

I am so thankful for this village, where we raise our children together so that they have lots of family and so much love!