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

A Celebration of the First Year

Here is a slideshow I put together to celebrate Mason's first year. Enjoy!

1 year old!

Mason turned one this past Saturday...as I've said before - how time flies. We had a wonderful birthday party and he had a great time. We had a 'summer fun' type theme...he thoroughly enjoyed his first sweets....a piece of cake (or two) and ice cream. We had the party outside and it was pretty windy, but at least it didn't rain. Here are some photos from the day.

First bite of cake...

Many bites in and lovin' it!

Trying to get at Spencer's cake...

and he was successful!