I LOVE my Hunter Boots!

We have been doing a lot of camping lately....and a lot of long 4-wheeler rides. I try to always get a picture when we start out. It has been a little chilly in the morning, and we bundle up. Taylor always wears her boots, and I have been wearing mine. They are great!

Then one sunny day, everyone was wearing sandals. I was asked by a couple of people if I might get hot in my boots. I asked if we would be going to some water...since it was warm. So, I decided to leave my boots behind to get my feet wet. See, the day started off sunny and warm...

It had been cold and would warm up enough, throughout the day, to shed some layers....notice the boots. This was just before Taylor took off her coat...

We went on a poker run a couple weeks ago. We have a lot of friends we camp and go riding with. They are wonderful. We love them! These are all the ladies...Cris, Taylor, me, Janie, Casey, Daniell, Missy, Kayleen, Bobbie, Lisa, Paige, Jaylee, Doris, Shauna and Kenna...

The one "warm" day I get (kinda) talked out of wearing my boots...look where we ended up...

Oh yes! It is beautiful, but it was very cold, as my husband drove through that snow and it came flying up all over my legs and my wet shoes. My shoes were wet because earlier that day we walked in the water a little. Taylor decided to ride on the front of the 4-wheeler that day. She did not appreciate the snow flying up and hitting her either! Wet, slushy snow is cold when it flys at you and melts as it slides down your bare legs and sticks to your shoes.

However, it was fun to play in, when we were not driving through it...

We did have a brief "stuck" moment. I took pictures, while standing in the snow with Taylor, while Ben, Daniell and Ricky pushed our 4-wheeler out. It only got stuck because Ben drove slower, because he is so sweet, and was trying to keep the snow from flying up at Taylor and me. Our 4-wheeler IS really, truly awesome. This would not have happened to Ben if he were alone.

We do find ourselves in some beautiful places. I am very thankful God has blessed us with such a wonderfully beautiful place to live and play...

The next day...and everyday going forward...I will be wearing my boots on our 4-wheeler rides! I love them! And they keep me clean and warm...

My mother-in-law is a smart lady...thank you Jeanette! I can tuck my pants into my boots now too. She is always prepared with hers and I am thankful to have mine!

3 to 23...Just Like That!

This is me and Matt on July 16, 1990, the day before my 20th birthday. You know what that means...it's been almost 20 years and another big birthday is fast approaching. Matt is three years old and we are at Disneyland.

This is my Matthew Andrew on June 2, 1990, just two weeks before he turned three. We were at Sea World. I loved the dolphin strollers. It really did add to the whole experience. I can't wait to take Taylor someday! Maybe during hunting season because I know Ben will not like the crowd :)

Here is Matt opening gifts on his third birthday, June 17, 1990. And Matt and I with his cake, complete with Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

My cousin Mike and his wife (my maid of honor) Kristy (pregnant with their son, Mike), my Aunt Yolanda, and my brother Chris.

My mom, little Ashley, my Uncle Mike, my cousin Vince, and my cousin Ricky (who sang at my wedding).

My Uncle Mike and my Cousin Vince...

20 years later...my three year old, Taylor, and I made arrangements and picked up a cake, for Matt's 23rd birthday. We had a wonderful, Ben prepared, steak dinner, of course...for Matt, me, Ben, Taylor and Holly...

That's my girl...always ready with a smile...

Matt and Taylor with Matt's traditional ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins...always with mint chip ice cream...

Holly, Matt and Taylor...before we cut into that yummy cake...

Matt, 23, me, 39, and Taylor 3....3's are real important in our house right now. Taylor loves them!

It is amazing how fast time goes by. However, with my three year old daughter, I almost feel like nothing has changed. Of course, Matt has grown up, bought his own house, finished his degree, and is seeing a wonderful lady, Holly. We so enjoy the time we get to spend together. It is such a blessing! I am so thankful I get to be Matt's mom and that he still calls and keeps me informed of what is going on in his life. He is truly a gift of the lord. Taylor can take her time growing up...I want to enjoy every minute!

A Nice Warm Day at Boulder Beach

Finally, we had a day hot enough to go play in the water at Boulder Beach!

After a long weekend of camping and 4-wheeler rides, we usually like to take a day to recover, but we could not pass up the warm weather, so we headed off to Silverwood to play at Boulder Beach.

I ran around with Taylor so I could get a few pictures before we just had fun for the rest of the day. We did have a few melt downs due to just being a little too tired, but overall it was a lot of fun!

She is saying something like, "I'm king of the hill" or "I'm queen of the hill." I can't remember exactly, and it is very loud there. Her smile was just priceless....she was having so much fun!

We did go one other day this "summer" to Boulder Beach, but it was too cold to stay in the water with the wind.

Taylor was very excited to go down the red slides all by herself. She had a great time! She probably went up and down this slide 30 times.

Taylor's Dance Recital...Rockin' Robin

On June 15, 2010, Taylor had pictures with her dance class and their final practice before her recital.

She is really great at getting her picture taken. She has had a lot of practice. I think it's so funny how she turns on a smile when any person with a camera asks her to.

While the photographer was making sure he got a good picture of all the girls, I was snapping pictures of Taylor and she was having a good time making it interesting.

I love her little smile....

And I love her personality! After pictures the girls ran through their routine. I think Taylor loves to be on stage, but she does not like to practice her dancing.

Her recital was at the KROC Center again. We waited while the other groups rehearsed.

Of course, that got a little boring after awhile, so she did her own little dance in the isle. I discouraged any playing around...after I got a picture.

Back stage the girls played a game...Brainbox. Taylor really enjoyed it. I am going to have to get her one. I just love her long eye lashes in this picture. She has very long lashes, which really stand out with a little mascara. I wish mine did that!

She loves the on-stage performance. The audience was darker this time, so unfortunately, she could not see where we were sitting.

I LOVE watching her dance. She thinks about it...watches the instructor on the side stage, or the other girls...remember, she did not want to practice much.

However, she is FULL of expression, which makes for a very entertaining performance. There were times when she was mouthing the words...

Or, waving out to the crowd...

She loves a good finish...

Afterwards we all take pictures...Ben loves this part...

Holly and Taylor being silly and giggling about something...

I love the recital! I think Taylor loves that part too, but we are taking a break from dance to see if she really misses it and may want to put a little more effort into practicing. Matt and Holly came, as well as my cousin Lorinda, with Anissa and Makenna...and Ben and me, of course. It was so sweet to watch her on-stage....I love it!

Mother's Day

On Mother's Day, Ben was still in recovery mode, complete with pain killers and crutches.

Matt came over, with Holly, and brought us lunch, complete with some ahi tuna to share with Ben. They made us a wonderful lunch!

They stayed for a few hours and visited.

Matt even brought me flowers, he's so sweet!

It was a pretty nice day...

There were a few clouds, but the sun was pretty and we did have some blue skies...

After Matt and Holly left, I took Taylor over to the park at Riverstone. We always do a couple laps around the "lake" before we play.

Taylor was anxious to play, so I only did one lap.

After some time at the park, we were able to do one more lap around the "lake" before it started to rain. It was a wonderful Mother's Day!