Family Family

Family Reunions on my side and haying on Chad's side made for a family packed 3 days last weekend covering 2 states! But it was all very fun and well worth the traveling

Cassidy and Chad did the 3 legged race this year. To Chad's credit, he didn't cheat...Cassidy walked the whole race. I probably would have just picked her up.....Cass and I did the water balloon toss and made it a few rounds before I got wet. She had a good time and loved to watch her older cousins

Cass was able to persuade Papa Doug into swimming with her....it's amazing what that lil' peanut can get away with!

Haying went pretty well this year. I was happy that Chad and I were able to be more help (I think, but don't ask Jerry) this year and we got the hay in with the help of a great crew. Little Tanner is the youngest member, just 8 months old, and ready to be part of the tradition with Great Grandpa, who will be 91 this summer. Cassidy spent time playing with her cousins and telling Auntie Lori how to drive.

Cassidy and Grandma Kit recovering from the day...

Catchin' Crab!

Crabbing opened last weekend and we've gone out 4 times so far with pretty good luck. The weather has been beautiful, but I bet you can tell the difference between the 2 afternoon tides that we did and the two morning tides!

Cassidy loves to help drive the boat; by herself, with Lars, or with Daddy. By day 4 she figured out that we were looking for the buoys and would point them out saying "there it is!"

Lookin' cool....

Other things to do while out crabbing...the rope swing on one of the little islands, feeling the need for speed, wading, and checking out what we catch besides crabs

One of our "catches" and Cassidy helping tend the crabs getting ready to be cooked

Happy 4th of July!!

YAY freedom and independence! Happy 4th of July everyone! We are thinking around here that this could officially be Cassidy's day. Mine is St. Patrick's Day, Bryce has Veteran's Day, INDEPENDENCE Day seems very fitting for our little girl! We've had a great day starting off with Cassidy getting an insane amount of candy at the parade in town and shakin' her bootie with the Elvis troop of dancers...turns out she likes the oldies! Then a nice afternoon together finished off with a great fireworks display. It was a little windy and cold so she only lasted a few minutes outside but was content to watch the rest of the show from the car. She was asleep before the 1o minute car ride back home was over and didn't even open her eyes as I put her in bed and took off her jacket and fleece pants.

Wagons Ho!

Cassidy and I had another great wagon train trip with Grandma Margie and Grandpa Doug this year. 4 days, about 40 miles, clear weather, cross-country routes through open country. What more could two girls ask for? I think Cass had more fun this year and was definitely more aware of what was going on. She would spend all morning sitting between Papa and Grandma, helping to drive of course. Then after lunch Grandma and Cass would go into the back of the wagon for "nap time". She was really into all the horses and mules and wanted to help as much as posible, she didn't want to miss a thing. Cassidy even rode with me on Tucker for at least a half hour every day. She would say "help Mama ride Tucker" when she wanted to come on....very cute!

Lunch with our good friends Jerry and Nancy

Papa's helper watering the mules

Getting some Mama time, throwing rocks, finding tadpoles and watching the teams get water were always a good time at lunch

"Nap Time"

Snuggling with Papa after her bath back at camp after a hard day on the trail.

Cassidy decided Papa's wagon was dirty and needed some scrubbing. She worked hard for quite a while and "cleaned" all 4 wheels!

Bryce came down Friday night to help celebrate Mom's 60th. It was a wonderful surprise for Mom who took advantage of the live band and all of us together to party in her Birthday.

We all went back to Mom and Dad's to spend some more time with Mom for her Birthday. Cassidy and "Umple Bryce" became pretty good buddies...

Although there were no complaints about not having any princess dresses or shoes while we were gone Cassidy had on ALL of them within 5 minutes of being home...right after saying hi to her pups. At least she is well balanced!

This trip is definitely going to become tradition! It's a great week and I know Cassidy will look forward to it as much as me next year.