"Family Of 4" Week

The week after Palmer Reunion, Trent was still out of town and Rian and Jarom were out of town with Gma and Gpa Wardwell in California.  That meant, I only had three children...weirdest week ever...

Ammon played his first "season" of t-ball.  Our neighbor, Dave McKenzie, was the coach.  Only eight showed up for pictures, but what a great looking team.

Top:  Coach McKenzie, Mason, David, Spencer, Corbin

Bottom: Canyon, Ammon, Macie, Bridger

Sunday was different...not so many "bored" kids around.  But we made the best fort ever!!  It stayed up ALL week long.

The sign for the front entrance to the fort was made by Raegan.  "Come now for Awesomness, at Awesomeness Store."  They each had their own "store" inside.

Ammon in his area, and Tarin had a pet shop...so even Liona had a place for her.

Also during the week...

Thankful to David Brown for helping us with installing sprinklers, we were ready for some grading...in preparation for hydroseed.  

The bobcat was busy, while I used some rocks to help retain our concrete.   Those were heavy rocks and a lot of work for my scrawny muscles.

Yep that is me raking the backyard.  THAT was a lot of work!  With all the pebble rocks and still bigger rocks, and doing the front yard making sure the dirt was packed enough for grass...I was so tired.  To top it off the neighbors were paying someone to do their yard...I was jealous and felt like a lonely fool...either way, I got it done just in time for curbing and seeding.

Curbing went in making the yard look more and more finished.

BEFORE...

Hydroseed is sprayed on...


AFTER...

backyard

front yard

several weeks of watering around the clock and we should have grass.

As if my week wasn't busy enough, I have been watching the neighbor kids when their mom goes to work.  Natalie Prazak was in Ammon's kindergarden class, Eric Prazak was in Jarom's classes (Jarom was in California) and Ryan Prazak was in Raegan's 4th grade class.  So we are all familiar with each other.  I took them all to Legacy Recreation Center to go swimming.  I didn't realize it didn't open until 1pm so we went and got some ice cream.

 Natalie and Ammon

Palmer Reunion 2014

 My parents did a great job with this reunion.  First off, it was in Utah, closer to those living here.  Secondly, it was full of great things to do for the kids.  Older kids stayed busy and the younger ones were always finding things to do.  Although there was a bit of wifi the kids rarely looked at their devices, which made me happy.  Trent was away on business travel to South Carolina for two weeks, so he missed this gem of an opportunity to see our kids having a blast.  They missed him desperately, but loved being with cousins.

Aside from my oldest brother Scott missing...these are my siblings. 

Altogether... Missing Shanda's 4, and Scott, Brooke (mission), Riley, and Trent

Here is a picture of all the grandkids with my parents.  

There was a pond they all loved getting into.  It was small, but nothing is too small for kids.  Ammon practically lived at the pond all week.

 Tarin, Tatum, Jarom and Ammon

Tatum's turn on the rope swing...notice Ammon...yep the water was cold, but that never stopped any of them

Ammon's turn

Raegan

       

Ammon had his many chances to ride the horses.  He loved this and couldn't get enough of it!

Kids loved petting and feeding the animals...

Many opportunities to ride the trails with the horses

 Jarom

 Raegan in front of me, then Tana, then Jarom, then Tarin... lots of Palmers

Braden, Tony, Dan, Ben, Karen, Haley, and Jeff behind me

 Seriously, it is so beautiful out in southern Utah (Antimony, Ut)...pictures don't do this place justice

Rian,     Raegan,       Tarin

Line Dancing practice

Heather has the moves...

Love the hayrides...

Hayrides through the town of Antimony and serenaded by the cowgirl.

Shanda, Jared, and Alice

Rodeo

Not everyone had arrived, but this is where we watched the events.

Tarin did the pole weaving event (that's not what its called)

Jarom did it too, and came in first place for his time.

Raegan did the barrel racing.  She came in third...

other events were donkey relay, riding the cafe...just a lot of fun with each other.

South Ranch we got dirty and did plenty more...

Grandpa trying his hand in tomahawk throwing... Ammon trying the same.

Leather work, dream catcher making and bracelets.  Ammon liked the wobbly bridge to get over to the repelling.  Sadly, the line was too long to repel and I wanted to do the clay pigeons, but my eyeballs were necessary around this little guy...

Last night at the ranch we roasted marshies...loads of messes, but worth the fun.

Rian didn't want to join the photo...but they are all smiling and wishing the week wouldn't end.

A great start to our summer.  Love and miss my family.