RIP Nikita

My parents had to put down their dog, Nikita yesterday after 12 years. For anyone that knows my family well you know how much a part of the family our animals are...they truly are our babies. My heart is breaking for my parents, but I commend them for putting their feelings aside and really thinking about what's best for Niki. We know she's in a better place, out of pain now and we will always remember her for her unconditional love of her frisbee and her cute "chinese lantern" ears. Love you Kita and we'll miss you!!

Movie in the Park 2013

On Friday we went to a movie in the park with friends. It's one of my favorite summer activities and the kids love hanging with their friends and getting popcorn and goodies. I love cuddling under the stars and this year watching the fireworks that happened behind the screen during the movie.

Gettin' our Country on

We went up to Preston, ID this weekend to meet up with Todd's sis and her family. They took us to the Preston parade and rodeo on Saturday and we had such a good time. Seriously, I think I lived somewhere "country" in a past life...I love it and I loved the rodeo (even though I can't watch the calf roping...I feel so bad for them....and the bucking horses/bulls....ok, I struggle with the animal factor, but I love the rest of it)! Watching the kids ride the sheep was the funniest thing I've ever seen...true cowboys in the making. McKayla was in awe over the rodeo queens. He face lit up and she got SO excited and dreamy every time they rode by. All of us had so much fun and we didn't even make it home until 12:30 in the morning (yes, my kids were riding roller coasters at midnight). Being there with the cousins was a huge bonus for the kids and I loved catching up with Todd's sis (REALLY wish we lived closer to them!!). The kids also loved the we were staying at the "farm house". We slept in a little on Sunday (not as much as I would've thought) and went to cub river for a day of fishing and playing in the water. The kiddos slept the whole way home and we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. It was a great little getaway for us and we are very excited to see the fam again in a couple weeks.

Ready to get his YeeHaw on

Tramp fun

Shootin bow and arrows

Kim and her fam

Parade time

Looks comfy, right? BTW-we did reposition her from this unsafe position

Rodeo time (he was scratching not picking)

Trying to outrun the storm (felt like we were in The Wizard of Oz...I was watching for Auntie Em)

Merry Go Round at midnight

Waiting to go on their first roller coaster...they loved it (and rode it 4 times)

Kayla and JoJo on the ultimate slide

Kayla went on the big kid roller coaster w/ JoJo...she was so proud and "only a little scared on the big hill"

The cutest Jeep ride (it went on FOREVER)

Special treat...powdered donuts for breakfast

MillCreek for Dinner & Smore's

We went up Millcreek canyon for dinner and smore's with Todd's mom. It was really nice to get out of the heat and enjoy nature for a bit :-). The kids and Todd enjoyed playing in the river (Kayla was the toughest of all against the cold) and Bodie kept wanting to have races with Grandma on their nature walk. The funniest part was on the way down...we were behind a slow driver and Todd asked McKayla what they called slow drivers. McKayla looked at Grandma and started giggling. She said she didn't want to tell us what they called them (I didn't put two and two together, but Todd's mom did). She asked McKayla if they call them "Old ladies" and McKayla burst out laughing saying "yes". Mom thought it was very sweet that McKayla was thinking about her feelings before she spoke ;-).

Finding rocks with Grandma

Now that's a sticky marshmallow!

Bodie kept telling Grandma "race you" on their little walk (that's his newest thing)