Fall Ball??

Just when we thought we were done with softball, Kelsey's coach recruited, and Kelsey SO WILLINGLY agreed. So, we're in Fall Ball season now. The girls are now playing in a 10 and under league, which means no more coach pitch.... they're on their own. Last Monday, we lost our first game by 1 point, but won the second game by 2! Go Stars!

I get so excited that I forget to take pictures, but, I did get one here of Kels on first base.

Special Delivery Day

Thursday after the girls got home from school, I drove them up to Primary Childrens hospital to deliver the items they were able to buy from their summer selling and donations jar. The girls had raised over $60.00, so, we called a few weeks earlier to see what they were most in need of, and then went shopping. We were able to purchase 4 doctor kits, lots of markers, crayons, colored pencils, and a big squishy ball. The lady over the PCMC foundation was so excited to meet Aly and Kelsey and hear about how they raised their money. She took several pictures and gave each of the girls a picture of them mounted on the back of a card that reads, "Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves". I hope my girls will have LOTS of super sunshiny days!Just in case you noticed Kelsey's BIG smile, and the hole on the bottom row of teeth - she lost a tooth at school the same day. She was quite proud!

Happy Birthday Kelsey

Kelsey wanted me to add these 3 pictures to her birthday blog. Wednesday, I took her over to the nail salon and pampered us both with a pedicure - LoVe the pedicures!! She loved the massage chair, and the leg/foot massage so much, she thought it would be great if we could do that at least once a week... (yikes!)

These beauties are the finished product. Her toes somehow match her personality perfectly!
Our sweet little Kelsey turned 9 last Thursday. Birthdays seem to be the day that you realize just how fast time is going by. This past year especially, I've come to realize just how special these moments are - especially with my family.

We had a little family time on the night of her birthday so she could open her presents from Mom, Dad, and Aly.

We celebrated Saturday night with Kelsey's favorite dinner (sloppy joes - Grandma and Grandpa Yates style) along with some fabulous side dishes. Lots of family and friends came out to share her big day. Aunt DeAnne and uncle Josh. Sunny, my best friend from Jr. High, and me. Kelsey's sweet little friend, Kenzi joined us. My adorable, sweet nephew, Colton. He is such a cutie!

Thanks Rhonda, for being our camera lady! You're the greatest!

I was a bit of a procrastinater (due to the LP Days events), and ran out of time to decorate the cake. So, we did the best we could at the last minute. Kelsey loved it. Thanks to everyone who came over to celebrate. We love ya!

Kelsey, I hope you had a fabulous day! Dad and I love you SO much! Your spunky little personality always puts a smile on our face. You've been through a lot lately and you've handled it so well, always coming out of it with a smile. You are such a sweet example to all of us! Love, Mom and Dad

You Might Be a Redneck.....

Yesterday was our towns annual LaKe PoInT Days. The morning started off with a little parade down Center Street - a firetruck (LP's finest), the preschooler's float, the local riding group on horseback, some classic cars (Kelsey and her friend Kenzi rode in a corvette with Mickey, Kenzi's mom), and a bunch of kids with decorated bikes and 4-wheelers. Most of which were throwing candy.

However, it was the 1:00 event that was most interesting. It was the "lawn mower races". Yes, we're a small town, and we are entertained quite easily. With some coaxing from the 'man in charge', Steve and Jeff entered the competition to race against each other.

While both of them have the big commercial mowers, Jeff's is newer, and also has the little pull-along thing to stand on (no effort required). Steve's on the other hand, is a little older, and does not have that little thing to stand on. So, it took a lot more effort on Steve's part, especially since he had to run behind his mower while it drug him along. By the 3rd and last lap, Jeff had slowed and waited for Steve to catch up - and they crossed the finish line at a tie. Great job guys!

A sport the girls even enjoy!
So, I guess what it really adds up to is this:

You Might Be a Reneck if you participate in events such as the LAWN MOWER RACES!

Side job shout out!

Okay, this is just a quick shout out for my side business...

The new catalog is out and loaded with tons of holiday fun stuff and some great gift ideas! If you'd like a catalog, I'd be happy to mail one out- OR, you can access the full catalog online @ www.goldcanyon.com

Thanks for humoring me!!

Trailer ...What??

While on our way home from Lava Monday, my brother called and said he had tickets for us if we'd like to go watch him do the TrAiLeR RaCeS at Rocky Mtn Raceway. It was their "Doomsday - Day of Destruction" event. We bargained with the girls to stay home, because we knew it would be a late night, and they had school in the morning. We were able to buy them off with a Subway dinner....(that was easy - who knew??)

It was easy to see why they call it the "day of destruction". This guy (flying through the air in the car heading downward), apparently didn't land this one as planned. He landed upside down missing the pile of white cars completely. Thank goodness for good roll cages! Yikes!

It was a chilly evening - definitely coat worthy!

My nephews - Jaxson, Jayden, and Jayce - very excited to see their dad doing the crazy things he does so well.

Vicki and Mom - we had some great laughs during all the "down time".

I don't know if it was shaky hands due to the coldness, or just more proof that I really need a better camera. Love you babe.

Here, they had a rocket fuel dragster melt another car! Too bad it wasn't enough to warm us up!

This is the only picture that half way turned out of Jeff pulling his trailer before it was no longer a trailer - just a flat bed.

Hopefully this video gives an idea of how crazy and funny this whole thing was. Watch toward the end for a little Bronco II pulling a small trailer - Jeff plows right into it and keeps on going!

What a mess!
Not only did Jeff win for being the last driver with a trailer - even if it was flatened, he was still pulling a trailer - he also won the "Master of Disaster" and walked away with a couple $$$ grand! I guess it makes it all worth it when you WiN.
The proud boys with their Dad. Notice the flame painting on the front of the suburban, my nephew, Jayden worked very hard painting that - - he's very talented, and a great artist! Thanks for the tickets Jeff, we had SO much fun! Can't wait 'till next year!

Camping.... YeAh!

We finally had a weekend to go camping up to Steve's dad's property on the mountain behind Lava Hot Springs. Only our third trip out this year - compared to the usual 10 or so by this time of year. We were itching to get out of town and was hoping to leave Thursday night. However, Aly had "Back to School Night" that night. So, after attending all 8 classes for 15 minutes each - in order, we went home and packed. Aly decided she didn't want to miss any school (she's really not a camper anyway....), so she planned to stay with my mom. Kelsey went to school for a couple hours while Steve and I continued to pack and load up.

We loaded up the truck. With Steve's and my 4-wheeler on top, we SO look like the LP Hillbillies! It's not quite as bad now that we don't have the dog kennel up on a tool box in front of the wheelers, not to mention the picnic table on its side between them....THAT was bad!

We loaded up the trailers - yes TWO trailers. It was the only way to get Kelsey's 4 wheeler up there with us. This is the first time we pulled doubles - I was a nervous wreck - and I wasn't even driving!

By noon, I picked up Kelsey from school and we were ready to go!

Kelsey was so excited to be in the mountains on a 4 wheeler!

Steve and I were glad to just be there. I was mostly relieved to have arrived with both trailers still attached! Steve wasn't even worried - like he'd done that before or something??

Were were so happy to have our friends up there with us. Harry and Toni camped with us the whole time, and Jeff and Rhonda and their son Mitch joined us for the day on Saturday. They made it up just in time for Steve's gourmet breakfast.

Harry, me, Rhonda, and Jeff. Our best side??

After breakfast, we headed down to town (Lava, ID - about 20 minutes from Yates' property). We decided to float the river - which was VERY low! But, we had a great time!

Mitch, Kelsey, and Jeff.

Jeff, Kelsey and me.

And Steve with Rhonda, who were perfectly happy doing the driving. Dropping us off at the top, and picking us up at the bottom...
Steve taught Mitch, who had never driven a 4 wheeler, how to ride. Kelsey sweet talked him into driving hers with her. Later that day, Kelsey was driving Mitch around, and somewhere between driver error and a mechanical mishap, Kelsey went off the road into a small ditch and rolled it. Don't worry, according to Mitch - who was laying under the 4 wheeler, Kelsey managed to be up and standing over him in record speed. They walked back to camp, and according to Mitch, Kelsey was fine - she debated walking or running back to us, and they laughed as they walked. However, as soon as Kels saw her dad, she BuRsT into tears. She later told us that she thought her dad would be very angry, but that wasn't the case at all. Thank goodness they are both okay and can laugh about it now. (Kelsey more than Mitch I think...) She had a good story to go back to school with!

Thanks Harry and Toni for hanging out with us for the weekend - and through the rain on Sunday, and to Jeff and Rhonda for sharing the day with us Saturday - and Mitch for humoring Kelsey ALL day - even through a roll over!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Yates for all the hospitality - we hope to come up one more time this year!