Sunday, July 15, 2012

Wyoming Welcome

     Hello from beautiful Wyoming!  We began our annual vacation to my homeland right after the 4th of July.  We've had a lot of family festivities and lots of fun during rodeo week.  It's always good to be home!! :0)

 Dakota and JJ have settled right in.

 Mom getting ready for a happy nappy.

 Dad makes the best homemade chicken fried steak and gravy.  Yum!!

 A whitetail deer in my brother's front yard...

 My dad and Rosie

     My brother decided that I needed my picture in front of the sign as Lulu has been my family's nickname for me for the last 30 years!!

 Bob and Debbie
Mom and Me 

     The four of us ate at Lulu's which featured these awesome crepes.  The first crepe contained bananas and Nutella while the second crepe had raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries.


     It was so nice to see my "little" brother, Steven!!  He was able to come and spend a couple of days with us.

Lots of fun was had at the annual rodeo parade!!
 The infamous Mint Bar
 Timmy and Dad

 Best friends, Tim and Bob

 Mom making faces :0)

 Debbie and Me

The Drum and Bugle Corps




 Next up...the rodeo :)

 The Indian relay races always start off the festivities.  The purse is $25,000!!


 Mom and Dad enjoyed their evening at the rodeo with Steven and me.

 Bareback riding

 It wouldn't be a rodeo without a rodeo clown! :)

 Women's barrel racing

Debbie, Brittnee, and Rachel

Family fun at Powder River Pizza prior to the second night of the rodeo...

Monday, July 09, 2012

Independence Day

     We enjoyed another 4th of July at our friends' cabin.  Mike and Darci (and their kids, Logan and Emma) are always such gracious hosts, and it is very fun spending time with Ann and Steve as well as their twins, Miranda and Kyle.



     Darci has spruced up the cabin with some nice landscaping.  A new hammock also greeted us on our arrival.

 Logan and Emma having some fun in the lake. :)


 Miranda showing us her muscles.

 Marley was having a ball playing in the lake.

 Here I am with Annie. :)

 Ann, Darci, and I always enjoy our time together.

One night we spent a few hours with another friend who was on the lake, Heather.

 A beautiful sunset on Farm Island...

 Tasty 4th of July treats...Manda sure liked them!!

 Emma and Manda spent time reading together on the hammock...a perfect summer activity!!

 Kyle heading out to play with Marley...

 She could've done this all day!!

 Darci, exactly what are you and Darrell doing under that umbrella?  Ha! Ha!

 Time for a pontoon ride...

 Steve and Annie heading out on his sailboat.

 Mike and Steve preparing our seafood boil for dinner.

 Mike heading out in his rain gear... a funny story for another time!!

 Logan and Kyle were supposed to be in bed but were upstairs showing off their muscles instead.

 Steve didn't miss reciting the Pledge of Allegiance on the night of the 4th of July.

 One morning we were treated to entertainment compliments of Manda and Emma. 

 Steve's sailboat

 Emma and Manda having a one-sided water fight with Marley.

Mikey took out the kayak for some exercise. 

Steve, Ann, Miranda, and Kyle

 All of the girls...

 and the guys...

 We saw a beautiful bald eagle on our pontoon ride.

Enjoying our time in the sun

 Manda flexing for us again.

 Fun in the sun

Of course, it wouldn't be a trip to the cabin without seeing the loons!!