Happy Father's Day!!!

Rick is back on a horrible set of shifts at work and since he would be working on Father's Day we celebrated this last week on one of his days off. Katie was so excited to have him open his presents. He had arrived home from work at 5am and Katie woke up at 6:30 (I hear you it's summer, I am on vacation, and I still wake up before 7am every day, thanks to my early rising children!) Anyway, every 20 minutes from 6:30 till about 10:30 when Rick was able to drag himself out of bed Katie asked me when is Daddy going to wake up??!!! I can't wait for him to open his cards. She was excited about the cards because she picked out Daddy's favorites, both she and Clint got him Cars cards. He loved them and all his presents.

Both kids were so excited to see him, and Katie told him that he could do whatever he wanted because it was his day and we were going to spoil him.

And spoiled he was!! He wanted to eat lunch at a picnic spot he found while hunting. The weather held up until right after we left when the downpours, and lightning set in.

Thankfully it wasn't bad weather at our house and we spent much of the remainder of the day out in the backyard playing. Rick said it was his favorite Father's Day yet.

Disneyland

We just returned from a wonderful trip to Disneyland. What a perfect age to take Katie. She was totally immersed in the magic.

She was able to meet some of her favorite characters. Her first night there she bought herself an autograph book and has filled it!

She is a roller coaster lover, and went on all the fast rides she was big enough for. This is her and Grammie on Thunder Mountain.

She took Daddy high in the sky in this rocket.

Even Clint got in on all the fun. He wasn't a fan of most of the rides, but he loved looking at everything and wearing his Mickey ears.

We went to breakfast at Ariel's Grotto and Katie met a lot of princesses.

Clint was having a tough morning (he was pretty tired) and Snow White commented that her dwarf Grumpy had shown up for breakfast too!

Princess Aurora was beautiful as well!

And Cinderella wowed us with her beauty!

Last, Belle was there to say hello to Katie.

We met Pluto...

...And Mater, and Lightning McQueen too!

Clint got some squeaky Disney toys and he and papa played with him while the rest went on a ride.

Grammie, Papa, Daddy and Katie went on a river rapid ride. It amazed all of us that Katie was brave enough for all of it!

She did a ropes course at California Adventures too. The trip was so fun and so quickly over. Next time we'll have to spend a few more days exploring the parks!

But for now we are pretty pooped out, and happy to be home getting some rest from such an awesome adventure!

The Big Birthday Boy!!!

Clint turned 1 this month!!! The last year went by so fast!! He is such an amazing little man!!!
We had his party this past weekend with family and friends joining us to celebrate.

This is Jenny, Clint and Katie's babysitter. Clint was so excited to see her, and love on her like he does each day!! How lucky are we to find someone that loves our kids as much as we do!!!!

This was the cake from Clint's actual birthday. He was more willing to try it since there weren't people around watching him.
And this is the cake I made him for his birthday. Not to bad for a first time!!!

These are some of the party guests!!
...and more. These girls are our babysitters on the rare occasion Rick and I remember to go on a date!!! I think the last one was our anniversary, in January. We are overdue!!!

Clint got a ton of presents but was a little shy that day. But the next morning he found his birthday balloons. Fun and games ensued! You think Batman ever looked that cute?!?!?! Happy Birthday Clint!!! I love you!!

What's for Dinner??

"No Mommy, dinner is NOT in the oven!"

New Dust Catcher

Remember WWWAAAAYYY back in October when I posted the pictures of Rick's first Antelope?? Well our neighbor is a taxidermist and told Rick that he wouldn't mount the head for him, but would teach him how to do it instead. It takes a long time, and it is difficult but Rick finally got it done.

Today this beauty was hung on our wall. It is very pretty, and Rick did an amazing job.

Teach a man to hunt he can feed his family, teach a man

taxidermy and he can decorate the house!

EASTER!!!

We dyed the eggs...

...And the Easter Bunny had Mommy hide them.

Success, Katie found them all. Clint watched. She was so excited that the Easter Bunny left her the new Barbie movie, some Easter flavored chap stick, and an eraser pen. Clint got two rubber duckies, and two outfits. He wasn't impressed.

The three of us got ready for church. We have all just finished a bout with the stomach flu and I think we are all looking svelte and healthy! It always feels so good to go to church around Easter time. We are reminded of all Jesus gave for us, and that although the bad things in life may overwhelm us it is such a short time, and then life goes on and the good returns.

In happier news Clint looked super handsome and since it is likely only one of a few times we will see him in a tie we had to be sure to get a lot of pictures. I must ask though what does he remind you of???

If you answered a salesman then he has a very nice snow brush to sell you! Top of the line! Selling one cheap!

Trampoline

Katie and Clint got a trampoline for Christmas from Grammie and Papa. We have been waiting for warmer weather to put it up and today was the day! Of course it rained on and off all day, but that doesn't stop us!!!

Look at Clint in the background. He was so content to just sit and swing, and watch the building.

It took a couple of hours but the weather was perfect. In the upper 50's which is like a heat wave here.

Katie is in HEAVEN!!! She let me jump once, but quickly wanted another turn.

Clint also likes to bounce. If this were a video you would see the considerable air he got bouncing himself on it.