Road Trip - Part II

Well...one day after Hoyt and I returned home from Idaho, we set off for California. We decided that we needed to have some rest and relaxation beside grandma and grandpa Hoyt's pool. We took about five days and swam...swam...swam.

Hoyt decided that he absolutely loved the pool, especially jumping in both the shallow and deep ends. He turned into a little fish and since we have returned to Reno asks me daily to swim in "gramma's pool"! He routinely tells me now that he is going "upstairs to put on swim clothes" - I definitely think we need a big pool now!!

Jumping into the shallow end to mom

Getting ready to jump off the rock into the deep water!

Swimming back to the side after the "big jump"

Playing Lego's with cousin Isaiah and uncle Caleb

Enjoying a favorite summer treat - the Otter Pop

This one was a bit sour!

Another fun spot at grandma and grandpa's - the trampoline

A night out with some of my favorite ladies. I didn't get home until midnight...I don't think I've stayed out that late in years!!

Road Trip...

to Idaho - of course. I'm not sure if we take road trips to anywhere besides Idaho and California, and I have decided that has to change!

Hoyt and I, along with my mom, grandma and nephew Isaiah went to Idaho to see my sister Noelle, her family, and her new house. We had a fun time shopping in Salt Lake, talking, eating out, and performing a "room makeover". One morning over breakfast my mom and I decided that Noelle's kitchen needed to be painted. Noelle agreed, so that day we bought paint and supplies and got to work. By the end of the day the kitchen was re-painted and re-decorated with purchases from our trip to Salt Lake. I kept saying that I needed to take pictures of the transformation, but I never did!

We had a great time...maybe roadtrips to Idaho aren't so bad!!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

A few weeks ago Ryon and I went to an Ace's game. Intuit has a suite, so we had great seats and we actually left Hoyt home with a real babysitter (not a relative or the Bigler's). That was a big step for us....mainly Ryon!!

Bigler's went to the game too (explanation of the real babysitter) and by the end of the night we had the entire suite to ourselves! We have decided that Hoyt would really have fun at a game and we'll have to go back; however, we'll be getting lawn seats. It's highly doubtful that he could manange sitting for even one inning!!

Date night!

A view of the field from our seats

This little (actually big) guy sings the 7th inning stretch song. Hoyt will love him when he gets to go!

Hey...how did these two get in here?

Oh Say Can You See....

I love to decorate for the Fourth of July. I put flags in the flower pots out front, and Hoyt (of course) loves to help. Last year I did a little photo shoot with Hoyt and the flag, and it turned out so cute that I thought I would make it a tradition. When I took out the camera this time Hoyt looked at it and said, "Mom...a camera...cheeseburger!" (Whenever I take his picture I tell him to say "cheeseburger"). He obviously gets it!!

We had a fun-filled Fourth, and are grateful to live in this country and have all of the freedoms that we enjoy. God Bless America!!

He decided that he really liked waving the flag!

A close-up of that cute grin

Waving....once again

I think he was telling me here, "Mom...ah wave ah flag!"

Handsome Hoyt

My camera was on the wrong setting for this picture, but I loved the look on his face so I had to include it!!

One of the flower pots Hoyt helped decorate

Roping on the Fourth

Ryon and Matt had a great day planned for the families on the Fourth of July.... an all-day roping. I think Allison and I were pretty good sports to pack up the kids, some snacks, and the cameras and head out to Spanish Springs to cheer on our men!

We all had a great time, the guys were excited about how they roped, and the kids loved it. I'm not sure if we're ready to make it an annual event, but if it were up to the guys I think we'd do this every year!

The boys waiting patiently for their turn

Ryon and Annie - when Ryon asked why I didn't get any "action shots" of he and Matt roping I politely reminded him that I was also working the video camera. He got some great footage of the roping, but no still shots. I guess I need a few more arms!!

Posing for a picture after placing fourth out of 80 teams. Not bad boys...not bad!

"I Love You Man" (sniff...sniff)

Hoyt enjoyed riding Annie when Ryon had a little "down time"

He rides all by himself while dad leads Annie. However, he has to be reminded pretty often to "hold on with BOTH hands"!

The kids getting a bird's eye view of the festivities!

After the roping we got to spend a little time with Grandma Hoyt, Aunt Marissa and Aunt Tarsus

Even though the guys didn't get home until about 8:00 the night of the Fourth, we managed to take Hoyt out and catch a few fireworks. He loved them...

as you can clearly see!!

"Big" Boy Pool

I bought Hoyt a "big boy pool" (to him it's big!) and he has been taking advantage of it this summer! He loves to go down the slide, and sit in front of the dolphin that sprays water. I'm sure we'll be spending many afternoons in the backyard over the next few months soaking up the sun.

Waving to mom as he slides

Can you tell he's having a good time?

Ready....set....slide!!

Beatiful Day + Costco Cake = Great Birthday!!

Last Friday was a pretty phenomenal (as Ryon would say) day! Hoyt loved spending 2 1/2 hours at the park, the weather was perfect, I had just had my hair done, I went on a double date (dinner and a movie) with Ryon, Matt and Allison, and yes...it was my birthday.

I have decided that I don't feel a day over 25, in fact I want to know where a decade has gone? Personally, I think life gets better with every passing year - bring on 36, I'm ready for it!!

Just a little family picture at the park

Ryon and Allison surprised me with a birthday cake. Ryon was pretty proud of himself, but I think Allison was the brains behind the operation! (just kidding babe)

Hoyt and dad enjoying a little birthday cake


Spending your birthday with wonderful friends and family...it doesn't get much better!

Hoyt on the "big boy" slide

Here we go....

Hoyt used to cringe every time I put him in the swing. He has decided over the past few weeks that he loves it, especially when Ashlan will stand and push him for about 20 minutes! I think he laughed the entire time he was swinging, and of course he cried when I told him that it was time to go and he had to get out.

Swinging with Malorie - what will the Murray family do when the Bigler's move???

RODEO!!

What would June be without a trip (or two) to the Reno Rodeo? We went to a few of the slack events and were able to sit in the box seats, which was great because you could almost reach out and touch the horses and steers. Hoyt was so excited, all he could say about every horse was "Annie...Annie...niegh".

He and the girls even went down to the arena and got to take a look at the chute where the steers run out - oh what fun!

Great photo-opp!!

Had to get a picture of Hoyt and Ryon in their cowboy hats. Hoyt's is a bit small....looks like we need a new one!

Taking a look at all of the roping steers

This nice horse let everyone pet him

Hey...we had to get one picture with me in it!!

Hoyt and Malorie climbing up the rails of the steer pen

Off into the sunset with his favorite gals

Merry-Go-Round

Ryon wanted to go to a roping that was being held at the indoor arena at the Livestock Events Center, so Hoyt and I decided to tag along. Hoyt had fun watching all of the horses and steers, but the best part was afterwards when he got to ride the merry-go-round.

Hoyt and dad on the merry-go-round. Hoyt, of course, called his horse "Annie".

This was during the ride - it actually went pretty fast, so Hoyt held on tight. Good thing dad was there!!


After the ride Hoyt was ready to take his rope and find some steers (he loved the fact that he had his own little rope). Now when we are at home he will take his rope, swing the end of it, and say "Mom...ah rope a steeeeer!"

Hooray for Tahoe!!

One of the things that we are definitely going to take advantage of this summer is Lake Tahoe! Hoyt is now at the age where he loves the sand, the water, the "floaties" and being with all of his friends.

Last week we took a trip to the lake and Hoyt had a blast! He wasted no time getting into the freezing water to splash around and entertained himself for hours on the beach with a bucket and a shovel. (It also helped that there were plenty of kids to play with!) He loved the water so much that he waded out a little too deep (up to his thighs) and as he tried to come back to shore did a "face plant" in the water. Luckily I was standing close by and pulled him in. While he was a bit startled, it only took about 10 minutes on the beach telling everyone he could that he "fell in the big wa..wa", and a cinnamon graham cracker, and he was ready to go back in.

I have decided that going to the lake is the best way to spend a hot summer day in Reno, and we will be taking advantage of it as much as possible!!