Texas Rhett

Rhett has come upon a few nicknames lately. Texas Rhett and Trout. One night we were telling silly stories before bedtime. During a cowboy story we named the characters Texas Rhett and Kentucky Laynee. They just rolled off the tongue. Rhett lives his name though. He is one good cowboy. He was in his first rodeo on Wednesday at the County Fair. He's done poles and barrels before here in the neighborhood, but for whatever reason he wanted to sign up for the goat tail pull instead. I am impressed with his skills; he is far better than I. (Not that that says much.) Not two minutes after riding into the arena for some warm-up riding they shot off fireworks somewhere over by the carnival. Rhett's horse shot up and out into the arena, Rhett's mom had a mild to severe heart attack, and Kade looked on with pride. Rhett had "choked" up on the reigns and got his horse back under control. He did good. It wasn't until later when we referenced the fireworks that he teared up and said he didn't want to see/hear anymore fireworks. I know this next pictures is bad, Kade already informed me of my less than excellent portrait skills. I videod his actual event, but this is Rhett riding out of the arena afterwards. He went in like a champ, trotting Sam down to the goat, sliding out of the sadle on his own and getting the ribbon off the goat. Since we actually don't have a goat, I thought he might change his mind when he got there and saw the thing. He did it all in 28 seconds and ended up 8th place in the all around. That meant a prize and lots of excitement.

Laynee's "Mini Show"

We put Laynee in a dance class for the summer. She loved it! At the end of the summer they did a very casual "mini show" where we got to go and see what they have been learning in class. The kids were all about 3 or 4 years old.
I was so excited for Laynee. We had to get all decked out for this major event!
They aren't teaching very technical skills just yet. They get to do a lot of their own free movement, too.
Bowing at the end. The funniest part was that the girls kept spotting little bugs in the corner of the room where they were waiting their turns. Someone would say "Miss Natalie there is a bug over here and it is ALIVE." Then everyone would gather in the corner on their knees scrutinizing the bug and paying no attention to the "show" in progress. Laynee had a good time and we are signed up for the fall session with a couple of friends. I just can't wait for the big affair with dress rehearsals and big, fluffy tu-tu's.

Cedar Mountain

For our family vacations this summer we spent some time on the mountains. For the fourth of July we went up to Cedar Mountain to my family's cabin. It was a nice getaway with just the five of us. We did a lot of fishing and snacking and not much sleeping.

Fishing on Cedar Mountain

The first night we were on Cedar we went fishing at Aspen Mirror. It must've been the perfect time and Kade's "superior equipment" that created such amazing success. Kade kept catching fish and turning his pole over to the kids to hold while he "did something." They thought they were excellent fisherpeoples. Rhett said it was so easy and he liked the lake.



We liked the fishing, but not the fish. My feeling exactly, Laynee.
It's a good thing Kade has the hobbies and skill to create us some good ol' family memories.

More Fun

Addy was a good sport about having to be strapped into her stroller for walks and while we played outside at the cabin.

She is ten months old now; I can't believe how big she is getting.
Grandpa Doug and Grandma Ellen had Addy warming up to them quite well. Grandpa with his hat and glasses got a thorough scanning first.

Kade is the ever patient rider with the kids. They just love riding the fourwheelers.

Kolob Adventures

We all love guns at our house. At the Kolob cabin there are pop cans hanging in the tree so everyone can shoot the bb and pellet guns. Grandma worries about all the ammo in the tree trunk and the kids are fascinated with the sound of the bb's hitting the can. Good times for all.

Kade's had too much practice shooting, so he doesn't get to count in any competitions.
Laynee actually hit the can a couple times.
Rhett's getting so good that is often telling me how better of a shot he is than I am.
Attempt #2 for that perfect picture.

Kolob

One of Kade's favorite places to be is on Kolob. I love it for the cooler weather and the kids love all the activities.

I just have to keep attempting to get that perfect picture of the kids. Sometimes we get close.


I think the horses like the cooler weather too. Rhett is getting really good on Sam. He went for a ride into Zion Park with his Grandpa Doug. He has learned to get off by himself all in an effort to do the "Goat Tail Pull" in the junior rodeo at the fair this summer. Should be interesting. Laynee liked riding so much that she was upset by the short ride with Grandpa and had Kade take her back out for more fun. Even Addy climbed on for a minute. Me...I was just behind the camera. It's safer there.