Rockin' R Ranch

Rob made it home safe from China (yeah!) and we headed out the next day for Rob's family reunion.  It was with Rob's Mother's side of her family.  The four Watkins siblings, spouses, kids and grandkids.  I never personally counted, but I think there were 73 in all there (we were sorry to miss a few).  We had lots of fun and nearly wore ourselves out in the process.  Good times.  Here are just a  few photos to show some of the highlights:
Tosh, Hewitt and Liv with cousin Anna:

Liv loved the horses and kept saying "Yeehaw!" as she rode.

The first night there, I waited outside our room for a very tired Liv to fall asleep (everyone else was doing skits and starting a BINGO game).  After about 10 minutes I was sure that I heard something and Liv had gotten into my purse and makeup bag and completely ruined my blush brush and some lipstick.  It was all over the sheets as well as her.  Little stinker! 

Hewitt was SO EXCITED to be part of his group skit (talked about it for most of Day 2).  He was so cute and did great on his lines.  It was certainly a highlight watching him perform.

Rob and Liv dancing to the live band:

Liv and cousin Anna dancing:

Burke was the perfect age for this ranch.  You had to be eight to go on the (90 minute) trail ride, and ten years old to go tubing down the river (for sure my favorite thing--so relaxing and fun!).  Burke did the trail ride three times and went tubing twice!  Burke also won $20 from his great uncle Jeff for being the first to get "Blackout" during the Bingo game.  Burke had such a great attitude the entire trip and had a blast doing all the activities and hanging out and playing ping pong and pool with cousins. 

The cousins and second cousins doing field games:

Bobbing for apples:

Tosh watching the rodeo:

I "stole" some photos from Rob's sister (with permission, of course).  To see more of her awesome photos and her great description of the trip go here. 

Hewitt and his cousin, Stuart rockin the three legged race.  They were so cute and counted, "One, two, one, two..."  the entire time.

Hewitt at the rodeo:

Liv and her second cousin, Gavin:

Here are some fun photos that the ranch photographer got of our family.

It took Hewitt awhile to get his apple, but persistence paid off!

Anna went all in (literally!):

Burke went straight to the bottom and was up pretty quick:

Liv got a little assistance from that right hand...

Rob at the rodeo:

Liv at the rodeo (such a cute cowgirl!):

Rob's sis snapped this one of me with my nephew (one of the cute twins).  Had to throw it in so I can prove I was there:

Tosh riding the barrel:

One of the highlights of the weekend was watching both Burke and Hewitt "Mutton Busting" during the rodeo.  The boys held on so well and did awesome.  What was even more entertaining was all the men standing by waiting to stop the sheep.  So funny! 

Here is some video of Hewitt's turn.  Unfortunately I stayed on Hewitt instead of the men...still hilarious though:

Some stills that Rob's Aunt Peg got of the men and sheep:

Such great times and memories!  Thanks, all y'all!

nine days down...

I'll admit that it's felt like a long week.  Last Sunday we had some friends over for dinner.  Liv was really messy after eating dessert so I started the tub downstairs so she could take a bath.  She was excited about the bath (would bathe several times a day if I let her) and she started jumping up and down (outside of the tub) and she fell down and hit her chin on the side of the tub.  I picked her up and gave her a hug and put her in the tub...that's when I noticed the blood.  I knew it wasn't necessarily the "rush to the ER" type of injury.  I made a couple of texts/calls to get an expert opinion.  To make a long story short, my visiting teacher's husband is an ER doctor and was on his way home from work and kindly stopped by and glued Liv's chin shut.  Obviously I was so thankful not to have to go to the ER on a Sunday night, especially while Rob is in China!   On Tuesday, I got a babysitter for a couple of hours and Liv peeled off the glue while I was gone--that stinker!  I've tried to keep her out of the water this week which is a REAL challenge as swimming is about the only thing to do in the summer.  Anyway, I've also prayed that it would heal quickly and not get infected.  At Liv's three-year-old well check up on Friday, her pediatrician told me that it looks great and not to worry about it any more.  What a relief. 

Liv makes me want to pull my hair out at least once a day.  I mean, I adore her to no end and she is a cutie pie and all that, but that girl is like a tornado.  I asked Burke to watch her while I showered and got ready for church today, and at one point the boys called up to me, "Mom, Liv made a peanut butter sandwich all on her own and is eating it in the family room."  Not sure if I ever mentioned this, but a couple of months ago Rob and I woke up in the middle of the night to noise in our kitchen--way freaky!  I told Rob to go check it out and it was Liv up getting herself a drink from the fridge.  None of our boys would ever do this!  They would call from their beds for one of us to come and help them.  It is somewhat frustrating that Liv is so independent, yet I kind of like her, 'I'm thirsty and I'm going to help myself' kind of attitude. 

I noticed this on the back of one of our magazines this week (Hewitt's handwriting).  Thought it was so sweet:

I've been trying to work on my family tree as much I can this week, although I have been totally exhausted by the time the kids go to bed, so I'm not moving as quickly as I had hoped.  This is random, but I noticed in the shower this week that the font I am using for the family names matches the font on my BED HEAD brand shampoo and conditioner ("Moisture Maniac" and "Self-Absorbed").  Look familiar to any other BED HEAD users? 

Here is a close up on Rob's grandma Ruby's leaf:

Other highlights (or 'low' lights as the case may be) of the week include:
*Going to the summer movie, "Rio" (I even sprang for an x-large popcorn to share-- that's a first). 

*We babysat for some friends one morning (my friend Alecia was at girls' camp).  Bella did Liv's hair and (play) make-up which Liv loved, of course.  You can't really see the sweet pink eyeshadow so you'll have to take my word that it's there:

*All four kids had cleanings at the dentist. 

*Our May birthday kids (that would be three children) had well check-ups at the doctor.  Burke's BMI is in the 3% (most interesting stat to share)...

*My temporary crown fell off (big groan), so I had to drive the 30 min. up to Mesa (again) to have it glued on.  I'm really hoping the permanent one gets here before we leave for Utah on Wednesday.

*Got some cute video footage of the kids dancing in the play room one night after dinner (a common activity).  I love some of Tosh's moves!  So funny (well, at least I know Rob will enjoy watching):

Here is a cute one of Hewitt and Liv dancing (to Rob's funny 40th b-day song written for his cousin).  The funniest part of this video (to me) is watching Tosh and how he says, "Excuse me" to the other kids.  That kid is a hoot.  I also laugh that Liv dressed herself in long pants and long sleeves and it is well over 100 degrees every day right now: 
 

ONLY TWO MORE DAYS AND NIGHTS UNTIL ROB IS HOME!!! Not that I'm counting or anything. 

happy father's day!

Before I give an update on our family, I thought I'd give a special shout out to my Dad! 

This is a photo from Christmas 1977.  What I love about it is how cute my Dad is smiling at me with my new baby doll (that I absolutely loved!):

This isn't very good quality, but this is my baptism day in 1983:

 Daddy/Daughter activity in 1987 (we "shaved" our dad's with whipped cream).  Such a good sport:

My Dad and me just a couple of weeks ago on my 37th birthday! 

I am extra grateful for my dad this year.  We've been through quite a bit, and I feel closer to him than I ever have.  I love you, DAD!!!

Also, Happy Father's Day to my awesome husband and father-in-law, Rog.  We are saving that Symphony Bar for you, Rog  :). 

Now for the update...

Liv has taken swimming lessons for the last two weeks.  We found a way to protect the tubes in her ears-- this adorable hot pink swimming cap!

She doesn't like putting it on, but once we get it on she usually forgets about it.  I love this next photo of her talking to her friend, Seven.  The kids were all lined up on the wall to do "Humpty Dumpty" when the teacher pulls them into the water and they have to turn around, find the wall, and climb out.  Liv improved so much over the course of two weeks.  She LOVES going under the water now!

Another new 'love' of Liv's are these red cowboy boots (thanks for the awesome hand-me-downs, cousins!).  They are too big, but that doesn't stop her. 

Can you tell that Liv picked this entire outfit all on her own?

Last weekend, our good friends, the Haynie's, came to town for a visit.  Here is a photo of Abbi, Burke and Zac making homemade ice cream.  It was delicious!

Tosh and Carter:

We spent a lot of time swimming!  Gavin LOVED the water and would float around for hours:

My kids were excited to try out their cool pool toys:

We went bowling one day.  Our family hasn't gone bowling since Burke was two (and Hewitt was a tiny baby!).  Liv looked so cute in her (too big) bowling shoes!

 The kids all ready to get started!

Tosh celebrating!

Rob helping Liv a bit:

Rob and the kids dancing to the music:

I love this shot of Hewitt bowling.  He was very entertaining to watch:

The kids (minus Liv who wouldn't come out from behind a chair) just before the Haynies headed home for Utah:

Zac and Burke.  Still best buds:

Tosh and Carter:

Gavin joined Liv (still behind the chair) for a photo:

Abbi and Hewitt (I LOVE this photo!  Favorite shot of the week):

I got a pretty bad cold this week (now has moved into my chest and I am coughing).  I've been feeling a little "old" this month as I had to have my first ever crown on one of my teeth (and still have another one to do on the other side of my mouth) .  I've also discovered that I am lactose intolerant.  I try not to eat a lot of ice cream anyway...  I feel a little off of my normal exercise routine with school out, and with my body not feeling very normal all month (throbbing mouth, sinus problems, sore throat, stomach aches, etc.).

Rob left for China on Friday and will be gone for ten days.  I have created a very detailed schedule for the kids and me, and am excited to get to it tomorrow.  We are having my friend Brooke and her daughter over for dinner tonight (her husband and boys are out of town).  I thought it would be fun and something interesting for the kids since neither of us have our husbands here on Father's Day.

On Thursday, I had allowed the kids to play the wii for a bit while I made dinner (and got the house and everything ready to host a bunco party that evening).  Rob came home from work and said to the kids, "OK guys, time's up on the Wii. Turn it off and come outside to swim."  Hewitt laughed from upstairs and said, "Ha!  'Turn off the wii and come outside to swim.' I love living!"   Rob and I got such a kick out of that "I love living" statement.  This was the first week of summer when the older boys have gotten to hang out and "veg" a bit.  The first week of summer both Burke and Hewitt attended "Camp Invention" at their school which was an all day science-type camp where they did all sorts of creative projects and experiments.  Total bonus that the camp was completely free to me (including breakfast and lunch!) and the kids had a lot of fun.


Yesterday, we went swimming and Liv was finished and asking to get dressed before the boys were done.  I got her dressed and set her up to do some coloring while I stayed out with the boys.  After a while when I went to check on her, I couldn't find her anywhere.  I had the radio playing (loudly) on the intercom system and finally turned the music off and was yelling her name and checking in the garages, etc.  I FINALLY checked behind the closed door of the guest/project room (I had closed it earlier and had asked Liv to stay out of there).    I found Liv sound asleep in the porta crib that was still up from Gavin sleeping there.  She must have been very tired (love that she threw the pillows in)!

Not sure if I've mentioned that Rob has moved all of his music stuff (including drums) to our play room.  We have two couches in there as well, and it really is a better place for him to work on music and still has plenty of room for the kids' toys.  The good news is that with Rob's stuff out, it gives me a place to work on sewing projects without having to put everything away constantly.  It's been a month since I've worked on my Family Tree!  I put it out on our guest bed last night and got all of the fabric pieces ironed into place.  Next step is transferring all of the names.  I hope to do that tonight, and then I can get stitching around each leaf and on each name.  I'd love to make a lot of headway on this while Rob is in China. 

This will sound super cheesy to some of you, but I used the "Wonder-Under" transfer paper to stick the fabric onto the canvas, and I spent extra time making sure my mom's leaf was sealed on snug next to mine.  Some good friends of mine lost their father to brain cancer this week (Craig Pace, our former Bishop in Fort Collins) .  It made me realize how much better I am doing emotionally than I was just a few months ago.  I listened to my mom's memorial service while I cleaned up my laundry room on Friday night.   I still miss her like crazy, but I'm so thankful that I'm feeling much happier on the inside. 

Here's to a good and productive week.  We miss and love you, Rob!  Hope they find your luggage (there may be a surprise or two in there).