Happy 17th Birthday Kyler

Boy oh boy does time fly....I can't believe that 17 years ago, I was sitting in the hospital with the most darling baby boy, with a head full of hair. It seems like that was just yesterday. I remember sitting on the hospital bed, wondering what kind of a young man would he turn out to be? Would I be a good mother and raise him right? All those questions swimming in my head, not knowing what the answers would be, but knowing that I wanted to be the bed mom possible and that I had one of the most beautiful babies ever born.

17 years later, and I could not be more proud of him. He is an amazing son, who has always been there to help me when I have fallen, instead of the other way around. He has always been my little man, who was so grown up, from the time he was only 4 months old. (At 4 months he was sitting up on his own, winning baby contests). Kyler has always been so independent and so very strong in his convictions. I am so very proud of him and who he has become, I couldn't have asked, or dreamed of anything better. Happy Birthday Kyler, I love you!

Potty Training!

Finally Gabe has almost completely mastered going potty in the toilet...and not his diaper!!! He just didn't want anything to do with it for the longest time. We tried everything, but nothing worked...UNTIL bribery came into the picture. I told him we would buy him a 'big boy bike' as soon as he went potty in the toilet for a whole week with no accidents... he is even making it through the night most of the time!

He was so excited to get his bike...once he got on...he didn't want to get off. But he did have a hard time with the peddals at first.

Just a week later, he is riding like a champ and won't get off the bike without a temper tandrum!! Don't we love 2 year olds.

Another First for Joe

Joe has decided that he loves the country life. He wants it all cows, chickens, horses, goats etc. I keep telling him one thing at a time. Saturday we went to Bailey's and Shaley's 4-H Horse show, Bailey did awesome and so did Shaley, her horse, Kisses wasn't feeling well...so she wasn't able to finish the whole show. Kisses bucked on her, and she stayed on....she wanted to keep riding even after that.

Scott needed to brand 9 calf's, so Joe thought he would go help. I don't think he had any idea how hard it would be to catch those little calf's. It was great fun!!

Father's Day

This year, Dena decided to have a brunch for Dad, we met there and it was a beautiful morning to celebrate Father's Day. Good food and good people sure make loads of fun. In the 9 weeks, I sure have noticed a huge difference when we have family get togethers. It used to feel, like something we 'had to do'. Get there, do your 'time' and then go home. Everyone always seemed to be in a hurry to leave and move on with their life, but now....Now it is different. Everyone seems relaxed and in no hurry. Everyone genuinely seems to want to be there and it doesn't matter how long we are there, it just feels right.

Bailey and RaShay...aren't they so cute!!!!

Nobody can say he is camera shy...Gabe loves his picture taken.

This year Shaley's birthday fell on Fathers Day also, so we had double the reason's to celebrate. We ate hot dogs and the guys shot darts in Brady's garage. Shaley received a 'body art' tatoo set for her bday, and she thought it would be fun to give all the 'Dad's tatoo's' of their wives names on their arms. What a hoot that was. I think everyone ended up with some sort of tatoo somewhere.

(Floyd, Dallin, Brady, Scott, Terry, Joe, and Dad)
(Shaley, the tattoo artist)

Father's Day was a good day, a day to reflect all the Father's in my life. My husband, who is an awesome father to our children and who I love with all my heart, my Dad...who I love and cherrish very much...my step Dad Steve, who is always there when we need him...Hank, who we love very much and miss you lots....Grandpa Batchelor, who has lived a long full life, and is very tired....and my Heavenly Father, who has given me everything and who I owe everything to... Happy Fathers Day, I love you!

My garden's progress

We have had so much rain lately, I haven't had to chance to weed my garden, until yesterday....well barely. I finished weeding minutes before the downpour and the wind hit. These pictures were from right after it stopped. Everything is growing so well....except my carrots, I can't figure out why they didn't grow this year.

Gabe's First Dentist Appointment

Gabe had to go the Dentist to get 2 fillings in his 2 front teeth. He was so good, he climbed up in the chair and watched a movie while they got ready to work. Doc drilled his cavities without any shots!!!! I was so afraid for him, but he did not fuss at all. They filled it and sealed it with the blue light, and buffed it smooth. By this time he got a little worried and started crying for about 1 minute. I was so proud of him. He stood up and gave Doc a high five and ran out to ride the mechanical horse.

Now his teeth are all fixed, hopefully this will last, and they won't have to cap them or pull them later.

Working in the Garden

Today was a beautiful day! We worked in the yard together as a family and it looks awesome! My garden is coming along wonderful. Believe it or not Gabe even helped without destroying the plants. He would get down and help pull the weeds...but when he realized that Mom had garden gloves on, and he didn't, he was a little upset. "Where's my gloves" he said. Yea, right, like I could find him gardening gloves for a 2 year old. Joe, Kyler, Colton and Brody helped me tons, they took out the saplings that started taking over my old tree and they cut the grass around it. Next weekend, they are going to bring a truck load of dirt to build them up, so that I can plant flower all around the tree.

I love how it feels after a good day's work out in the yard.