Haystack happenings

We took a little get away to the Smart’s ranch & on the way we stopped for a breath of fresh air…

Marlee is a Sanpellecrino fan-it has a kick, but that didn’t stop her from chugging it down.

Round-up started early the next morning.

Ryan helping Kami getting ready to head off-he broke his foot & had to sit this one out. I think everyone loved the fact that Ryan-aka Foot Doctor- broke his foot.

Pearce man ready to go.

1st group heading out

Laun & Clayton getting ready to go…

My handsome cowboys

Kallie Smart is so great with the little ones. Laun back from the roundup.

Marlee testing out her cowgirl skills…

Ryan decided he was sick of being left out, so he had Kurt make him a cast so he could go roping. Who’s the doctor again? Gotta love the color Ryan picked out. Nothing can keep Ryan from having a good time.

And the roping & branding begins…

I spy Laun:

Laun roping:

Marlee liked taking the pony for a spin.

<Jared, Josh & Laun Porter>

Jared & Laun with the calves they roped.

Laun aka good looking cowboy:

Marlee was OBSESSED with this puppy (I love the photo where she is forcing the dog to look at the camera-she cracks me up) …

Laun had to take one more picture of Ryan in all his glory.

I can laugh at him because I know what it feels like to be a gimp myself.

garden happenings

We are growing: tomatoes, garlic, squash, melons, peppers, herbs, peas, beans, sunflowers, corn, beets, and strawberries. And by we, I really mean Laun and the boys because they do all the work.





Clayton waters and Marlee supervises:

Go 21!

Porter helped Marlee get on her "pj's" tonight. She came out in Clayton's old soccer uniform and we sure thought she looked cute!

These 2 either get along great or fight, not all-ready! I guess the terrific (terrible) 2's have hit & Porter isn't too happy about that.


I love how she feels free to step on Laun's feet to reach what she wants:

Whenever Laun makes popcorn (or pop-pop as Marlee calls it) Marlee runs and gets a bowl and brings it to Laun for her fair share.

Marlee is so lucky to have such great big brothers (that she can boss around).
Maybe she'll be our little soccer star some day-go #21!

HOLY COW !

Or more like holy cows! My cream cow collection is up to 11 now!


Elizabeth & Andy gave me this ^ floral cow that they found at Target. This ^ other one with the windmill on it is from our neighbor Tom-he picked it up at an antique shop or thrift store.



Our neighbor Tom also gave us this ^ cream bull- love it! He found this one at Bookmans of all places-I guess they had some yard sale type thing. Tom is this older guy who wears shorty-shorts, long socks, and is often found riding his bike. He is like the neighborhood look-out, making sure that things stay safe. We get a Christmas card every year from him. And I have a feeling that our cream cow collection will grow fast with a neighbor like Tom. He loves to go to thrift stores and antique shops. We've decided to trade cream cows for baked goods. He has already put in an order for more of my braided bread.

Awe struck

My dad is the secretary for Elder Pickerd, who is in the 6th quorum of the Seventy for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They were in different parts of Arizona today and Tucson happen to be one of their stops. So we dropped by our Stake Center to go see grandpa and Elder Pickerd before they headed home.


In the background is our Stake Center, but it is also where my dad was baptized.
Can you guess who I look like? I'll give you a hint...my dad.


My kids were excited to see their grandpa, but they were even more excited to see Elder Pickerd. When we got into the car to go home, Clayton said, " I have never met anyone that high up in the church before, can I get a picture with him?" We hurried out so the boys could get their picture with him. It was so cute how awe struck they were. Elder Pickerd's hair is blowing in the wind here:
On the way home we had lots of great discussions, like how do I know the church is true, could Elder Pickerd be President of the church someday, who is the Seventy, the Twelve, and so forth. I got to bare my testimony to my children and share why I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. I love moments like this where I have great conversations with my kiddos.

On a side note-Elder Pickerd was very tall, 6'4 to be exact.