Hug your loved ones

I just came home from the hospital. One of my very good friends from elementary school and high school recently moved back to Rapid City with her husband and their two boys - luckily we reconnected in the past few months. Today there was a terrible motorcycle accident in which her husband was killed and her youngest son Hunter (who is 8 years old) is in ICU fighting for his life. It still seems surreal that this has happened - it's almost impossible to wrap my brain around. You always hear of things like this happening but never expect it to be someone you know. Please pray for my friend and her family - especially for little Hunter. And please hug your loved ones and remind them how much you love them.

THE Master Gardener

This last Sunday my mom and Art were featured on the local Garden Walk. Approx 500 people came through their yard that day - 500!.

Some of you know they had a beautiful yard already...we had our wedding reception there 5 years ago. It's hard to believe, but it is a million times more amazing now. They have worked themselves to death (my mom actually refers to herself as a 'yardslave' sometimes - and it's no joke). They have worked endlessly to create the wonderful space they now have. They just had their pond rebuilt and have been adding plants, flowers, and trees everywhere. Not to mention retaining walls, adding rock, planting seed, etc.

My mom has such a unique talent for this...she has such a great eye and vision. It truly is amazing. I think she missed her calling in life...I think she was meant to be a landscape artist. Well, regardless, she is now. She is such an inspiration...spending time in her yard definitely makes you want to go home and do something with your own outdoor space.

We are so proud of them and happy that they have this wonderful "sanctuary" to spend time in...and we get to enjoy it too! Once the boys get to Grandma's and get in the backyard it is impossible to get them out...they usually have to be bribed by 'treats.' I don't have photos of the entire yard (I should take some to post) but I will include some I took of the pond and some other areas. Congratulations mom and Art on having the best yard in town!

The "new" pond

Who else could make the side of a garage look so beautiful?!

More of the pond

Fish!

One of the waterfalls

Steps up to and around the pond

A sitting area down by the 'secret garden'

Bridges to another seating area

Animals and fictional characters

On Sunday our family went to Old MacDonald's Farm...yes, his farm is located right here in the Black Hills for any of you that have been looking for it. Spencer and Mason could've stayed there all day. They have everything you would expect. Spencer was even able to bottle feed some lambs and some calves. He LOVED the pony rides and the pig races - his pig Hamlet won the race. Mason really liked the horses and chasing chickens around...it was quite funny, I wish we would've taken some video. Anyhow, now we have a season pass so I am sure we will be going back there many times this summer.

Mason enjoying some animals his size

Spencer feeding through the fence
Me and the boys...do you see why I take most

of the pictures? Micah made sure to cut the

horse's head off and just get the arse!

Rowdy and his horse

Tuffy and...his goat? Wait a minute, this goat would've

been the perfect size for him to ride!

Note to self for next time...

We also went to Story Book Island last weekend with my BFF Beth and her two little boys...Eli and Finley. All four of the boys had a good time (well, Finley slept through most of it but I think he had a good time for being two weeks old). This is such a fun place for kids to play and run wild!

Spencer driving



"Why do you just sit there like that?"
Every time we go here Spencer picks

this same shabby train car to ride in!

Seriously?!

Spencer has become our little helper lately...he loves to help with anything and everything...this is awesome. Today he and I put clean sheets on his bed. New, cool, skateboard printed sheets. Fast forward to nap time...

I just put the boys down for nap. About 30 minutes into nap time Spencer opened his door and called for me....I told him to go back to bed. He responded "my sheets are off my bed." What? What is he talking about? We just put sheets on his bed. Well, I go to his room and sure enough, there are no sheets on his bed...no blanket, no pillow, no nothing.

This is why the phrase exists "A mother's work is never done." Because it's not.

4th of July weekend

Like many of you we had a busy 4th of July weekend. On Friday we were able to go to Reptile Gardens with Isaac, Beth and Conor (they were in town for a family reunion). The boys loved it - although in the photo below you will see 'serious Spencer' he really did enjoy it!

Isaac, Conor and Spencer

Conor and Spencer

The Odahlen Boys (well 5 of them at least)

On Saturday we went to a parade - Spencer loaded up on candy. Later that afternoon we had a BBQ with family. Spencer and Mason loved the 'firecracks' (Spencer's word). Spence was able to do some sparklers and both boys got to do those 'snaps'...you know, the ones that you throw on the ground and they make a popping sound? Fast forward ten years and we are going to have our hands full on the 4th! We finished the day watching the city 'firecracks'.

Mason preparing to 'throw down'

And release - POP!

On Sunday we were able to spend a few more hours with the SLC Odahlen's. It was great to see them and as we always say 'we wish we lived closer' so we could spend more time together...but especially so our kids could.

Conor and Spence

Conor

Mason watching the 'big boys' play

Mason, Micah, Conor, Isaac and Spencer

One fish, two fish....tons of fish

We visited the Fish Hatchery in Spearfish last weekend. There are literally tens of thousands of fish there...it's crazy. We had a great time - and both boys enjoyed feeding the fish (Mason attempted to eat the fish food on more than one occasion). Spencer would want me to add that he touched a fish and it bit his finger (at least that is what he told one of the tour guides).

Now that's a lot of fish

Huge trout in the background

Spence feeding the fish

(before his finger was bitten)

Making sure Mason isn't hoarding

any fish food for later

The boys with their cousin Zach