the RANCH: Cousins Camp

Michelle rounded up the Stewart women and organized what she called "cousins camp." Each day a mom/grandma was in charge of an activity for the kids to do together. Each day started with the Pledge of Allegiance. Michelle made t-shirts and grandma got the ranch hats. Kodak moments, here we come! Check them out:



Eliza and the pledge. The first day we were rained out. Kids were painting treasure boxes for their finds at the ranch.

Yes, those are people, not poles or trees holding up that tarp.

We did crayon rubbings with all sorts of do-dads. The parents totally got into this one.

One of my days we did veggie prints. Took me back to Willowbrook... I also did "spirit sticks" (a Native American tradition) and I HAD to do it out on a tarp with a blanket on top...just like Willowbrook. You can't change tradition!

Here's Eliza with her flag for her cucumber canoe! We raced 'em down the Provo river...over and over and over. It was a hit!

An activity we did that I did NOT get a picture of was rock creatures. We attempted to make people or animals out of rocks, sticks, bark and a host of craft items. The parents totally got into it (including myself) and everyone got really creative! The kids had a ball. I was so involved I didn't even think about my camera.

9 years

Oh baby, oh baby, oh baby!
(this isn't chronological...but quick! before I get on with the rest of our Utah trip...)

Daniel and I celebrated our 9th anniversary last Saturday! We went out to The Melting Pot for our first time. YUM! The cheese fonue was soooo good. The chocolate was to die for!! It was a fantastic night...and it is a fantastic marriage! Waaaarsh...

the Koski visit!

August 4th the Steve and Jen Koskis warmly welcomed us to enjoy a few days with them before my kids and I headed to the Stewart ranch. We loved every minute! We were so happy that Mom, Dad, Anne, Shea (and kiddos), Dorothy, and Kole (and kiddos) were all able to make it out to see us as well! And thanks to Kjerstin for giving up her room for us!



Boy, my kids loved playing with their cousins. The kids had a ball in the kiddie pool (at 9 am) and the trampoline. They loved the light sabers and all the cousin time. We took trips to the Dinosaur Museum, saw the IMAX, the park, swimming, and the whole lot. I have a particular fondness for Karianne's 3 rats. They were so cool, and I loved how well she knew them. Eliza wanted to love them, but when it came down to it she was petrified.



Unfortunately, I couldn't find my camera in my bag (think salt shaker story) until the end of the last day...so enjoy our one picture!

Glamour girls!

Abby had been dying to have me show her my jewelry and go through my make-up. So, finally, during Eliza's nap, we got to it. Of course we had to USE the jewelry and make-up. Much more fun that way! Here's the gorgeous girl, too bad you can't see her fancy skirt that makes the outfit!

Abby wouldn't let me off the hook without some bright lipstick, a matching pose, and a photo (that she took herself). And in reference to the shirt, no, I didn't get in a fight with the bleach.

the state fair: pig races

Let's be honest. Pig racing is stupid. There's all this talk and tons of riling up the audience (and bribing them just to cheer) and a very SHORT time actually racing. Then they brag that they have a pig SWIM. Well, friends, the pig swims down a trough that I think is 4 feet long. Really, not impressive! It was over almost before it started! BUT the redeeming factor (besides the fact that it was so dumb it was funny) was the duck race. I wish I video taped it--we were laughing so hard. The things look hilarious waddling all upright around the track. Loved it. What will they race next? What will YOU race next...

the state fair: rides and food

On opening day of the fair all rides are a buck! Sweet! Usually they are an outrageous $4-6 each. Yikes. So, we enjoyed! The kids did several kiddie rides and I treated myself to a crazy one. It's one that you're in a giant caged "swing" and it swings until you eventually are going in complete loops. I had fun and screamed a lot. My stomach did churn a little...but I didn't get sick or anything. Phew!

We had a lot of great food at the fair! Wisconsin grilled cheese sandwiches and Wisconsin grown baked potatoes. Ice cream, flavored milk (yum!), cotton candy, pizza, and the world famous state fair cream puffs. Extra yum!

the state fair: animals

Just before our trip to Utah our family took a jaunt over to the state fair! So lets talk animals. We liked walking through the cow and horse barns. We saw a little of the competitions out in the arena, but I must admit, for people who don't know the trade, it's a little boring after a while. The Clydesdales were pretty cool though. I think my favorite "barn" was the birds and rabbits. Maybe not impressive in size, but definitely the most variety in one place. And the noise!! Wow, those chickens and roosters can make a fuss.

Here's Eliza admiring the pigeons
And those floppy eared bunnies. awww.
Andrew poses with...the fan
Eliza appreciates the fan

Vanishing

I'm so mad I could scream. I really just might.

Yesterday I unscrewed the plastic plug from the bottom of my salt shaker. I filled it up with iodized sea salt, and COULD NOT for the LIFE of me find the plug! I was so hungry (just making my lunch) and had the dang shaker in one hand, preventing the salt from coming out either end. I looked and looked and looked and looked and looked. 10 times everywhere humanly possible. I finally put the dang shaker in the spoon rest, that was just the right angle to keep the salt in. I ate my lunch. I have combed the kitchen again, as has Daniel. It is gone. Gone!

Tonight I am packing for our trip to Utah tomorrow night. I put some of the little girls' dirty undies in a plastic sack to take and wash while I was there. Need a few extras. :) Well, it's the salt shaker plug story all over again. I CANNOT find it!!! Where the !!#%@% is the sack!!??

I'm going to scream.