More of Wes' Words

So, I am saying my prayers next to my bed this morning.

Wes comes in.

"Mom, what are you doing?"

I whisper back "Saying my prayers."

He giggles. "Mom, you have to say the words." Giggles some more.

(I was saying them in my mind, but I guess that doesn't count.)

Wes' Words

After getting a haircut -

Mom says, "Wes, you are so handsome."

Wes replies, "I am NOT handsome." (with his arms folded across his chest with a bit of attitude)(I remember Lance contradicting his compliments the very same way:( )

Mom: "oh, okay, so you are ugly?"

Wes: "No, I am not ugly."

Mom: "So, what are you?"

Wes: "I am perfect!"

*I think he's been hanging out with his dad too much. When I give Todd a compliment on something, he always replies "That's what I do." funny, Todd. ... well, except for Todd says it with a cute, almost flirtacious facial expression ....Wes' facial expression was so not cute when he said it. It was very adamant and ornery sounding. Is this the four-year-old stage I am entering?

A Cowgirl's Weekend Retreat

Sierra and her Grandma Nonie started a tradition of going up to Payson for the "World's Oldest Rodeo" every August. Sierra loves it. She loves spending time with her Grandma. She loves going to Rodeos. She loves hanging out at G-ma's cabin in Pine for the weekend. This year, Kari (grandma's great niece), joined them. I think that at first Sierra wasn't so sure about sharing her time with Grandma. But, at the end of the trip, she said that Kari needed to join them every year.

Enjoying dinner

Getting ready for the rodeo --- Yee haw

Gotta love a cowgirl boot cup:)

Making crafts back at the cabin

Up in the Treehouse

Getting dizzy on the tire swing

Being the animal lover that she is, Sierra pets every animal she can get her hands on.

Yummmm...picking fresh berries behind Grandma's cabin.

Sierra had a great time. Thanks Grandma Nonie for the special memories!

Happy 39th

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband, Todd. I can't believe how lucky I am to have ended up with him.

He's my best friend. I still love to just hang out with him. I can never get enough of his time. I love that he and I still enjoy talking to each other. He's a terrific friend.

He's a great husband. He spoils me. He takes me out on dates. He holds my hand. He's always willing to help me or doing anything I ask of him. He's make me feel like I'm worth a million....and that I am His priority. I love that.

He's a wonderful father. He enjoys spending time with his kids....whether it's going out to the movies together, making them their favorite dish - top ramen with egg, or swimming in the pool together, etc. The children love him and look up to him. They like to spend time with Todd...so I think that says a lot about him.

Todd has always been intrigued with magic. He has even learned some of his own tricks. He likes the show, Mindfreak, with Criss Angel. So, for his bday, Todd and I headed up to Las Vegas to see Criss' show "Believe" at the Luxor.

We enjoyed the show overall... although we thought it needed a bit more magic and a little bit less "acrobatics & dancing" from the Cirque du Soleil group.

We did A LOT of walking...and, I mean, A LOT!!! We went to the majority of the hotels there to see what they had inside. Of course, one has to walk a half mile through the casinos inside to even get to the attraction. Todd started to get blisters in between his toes from his sandals the first day. I teased him cause I was feeling great and loving all the walking. Boy, did I stick my foot in my mouth. The second day my shins were killing me. I don't think I've had shin splints since high school. I guess I deserved it for teasing Todd the previous day.

We checked out the cool aquarium in Mandalay Bay.

We enjoyed all the night lights on the strip. We watched the water show in front of the Bellagio.

We saw the lions at the MGM hotel.

We also checked out the adventure dome at Circus Circus and played a couple of carnival games. Oh, and Todd found a new season of Mindfreak TV episodes to buy....I told him that counted as a bday gift...along with some new motorcycle boots that he needs. Todd's a little (A LOT) hard to buy for so I take what I can get:). We enjoyed a yummy dinner at Caesar's Palace at the Mesa Grill. I'm probably forgetting some, but we had a great time.....walking....and walking. I'd hope that maybe I lost a pound or two, but I am sure that I ate enough to keep it on. Thanks to my sweet little sis for staying at my house with the kids while we enjoyed Las Vegas. Happy Birthday to my #1 man in my life!

SCORE!

As I was picking Zane up from his friend's the other day, he insisted that he had to go to the bathroom first. I told him to just wait and use the restroom at our house. But, he insisted that he couldn't wait. So, I went ahead and started walking home and told him to meet me there when he was done with his business.

Imagine his delight when he spies a cute baby gecko in their bathroom. SCORE!!! Boy, was he glad that he used their bathroom and not ours. I'm sure his friend's mom is probably glad too....now that the gecko is out of her house:). It's pretty dang cute though. I don't think I'd mind finding it in mine.

Everyone Needs Some Lovin' Every Now & Then....

....whether they want it or not.

awwwww......how cute, Wes.

I think Cali is looking for her escape route.

Not Afraid To Get Dirty

Sierra asks to go play in the irrigation down at the neighbor's house along with her friends that live there. okay. I thought she would probably come home wet....maybe a little grassy....but this?!

Don't ask me where they found the mud, but it looks like they had a wrestling match in it. And, check out that grin! You, go girl! Way to enjoy life...even when it gets a little dirty:)

Grandma & Cousin Time

August was the annual "big girl" trip to the cabin with Grandma Beanie. Grandma takes the four oldest granddaughters up for some fun. They made these cute bags this year.

The girls always have a great time. Thanks Grandma for taking them!

Clear Creek Ranch

Grandpa

(and Bubby who was there in spirit)

+
6 children and their spouses
+
40 grandchildren and 25 spouses
(not all the grandkids are married)
+
63 great-grandchildren and 1/2 dozen more on the way
=
one heck of a family reunion*

(I stole those stats from my sister's blog - that would've taken me wayyy tooo long to figure out) Now not everyone was there, but the good majority was. It was quite the clan. We missed those who couldn't come! Hopefully, we'll catch them next time.

We had our Richardson Family Reunion up at Clear Creek Ranch at the beginning of August.
It was a beautiful place filled with beautiful family. The Richardson family is filled with good people. One is guaranteed love, laughter, and good food at our reunions. It is always so good to see our extended family. As long as I can remember...even way back before the great grandkids were born....even way back when I was just a kid.... we were having these reunions. They were always a priority for Grandpa and Bubby. Well, their family was always a priority....and so they put on these reunions every two years to strengthen family bonds and make some great memories. And, boy, do we do just that! I know that is one of the reasons why we had such a close family growing up - many reunions and many, many family dinners at my grandparents' home or at the park.

Wes and Zane came across some noodles. And, what does one do with noodles? ....if you're a little boy. Instant Light Sabers!!! Yoda vs. Chewbacca. too funny. What was hysterically funny? ...was the sound that Zane made to show that he was Chewbacca. Wow. That was a previously undiscovered talent of his, but it's out now. I wish I had a sound recording of that one. Silly Zane. Always the entertainer.

At Clear Creek Ranch, there were a few ponds. But, the big one in the middle allowed for swimming and canoeing. So, of course, the children lived there. They couldn't get enough.

Even Todd went for some canoeing one afternoon.

In the middle of the pond, was a big floating slide. Didn't think it could get any better, did you?

The boys played some ball one afternoon.

Cute Jordan posing with the lifejackets.

Weston and Jonathan heading off to play Marbles.

Zane and Grant playing a game.

Sterling, reliving his elementary school days, really enjoyed the marbles. I guess he was quite the pro....back in the day.

We all loved to just sit around and chat with each other. I really do have a wonderful family.

We had this marble game activity because it was a game that our Grandpa Richardson loved to play when he was a kid.

One afternoon, we drove into Zion's National Park and hiked up part of the Narrows. Our little group didn't get too far since we had Weston with us. But, we had a great time and loved the scenery.

The last night we had a watermelon eating contest. Why? Because Grandpa Richardson LOVES watermelon and used to have contests with his boys. So, we relived the moments and did it again, but with a lot more people. It was great. When I leave a reunion, I always feel uplifted after being around such great people. I know...it sounds corny, but it's true. I love that I have always been close to my cousins. They are the best!!!

Zane and Lance were part of the contest.

Way to go boys!

We can't wait for the next one in two years.

Road Trip

On our way to a family reunion up by Zion's National Park, we did some sight-seeing. We stopped at part of the Grand Canyon on the north rim. Then, we took the tour through the Glen Canyon Dam.

Look at the size of those turbines (is that what they were called?).

Weston was "in awe".

It was really neat to be at the bottom of the dam. We walked through it's cool center and saw where the electricity was being harnessed. Cool.