Deadwood Reservoir Reunion

This year was the first annual Royce/Robertson family reunion. We went to Deadwood Reservoir (somewhere in the mountains above Banks). We had to drive on a dirt road for an hour to get in to the place. It was steep and scary and it took forever! At times however, I thought it was beautiful. We saw a deer right by our camp and the kids kept catching frogs.


While we were there we did some swimming, four wheeling, nature walk :), and Jason did some fishing. Colt loved the four wheelers- he couldn't get enough but he kept falling asleep when Jason gave him rides. Make sure you don't miss Jadyn posing in all the pics!

The weather was pretty nice the whole time except for the night I was in charge of dinner. We said the blessing on the food and about 1 minute later it started raining on us. After a while of sitting in the truck, we ended up in our tent. Here is Jason with the kids during the storm (and two little peeping toms in the window- Oakley and Maycee).

The kids loved camping most of all. I have to admit, I was glad to leave the outhouses and dirt behind (no surprise). These are our 3 yahoos leaving in the truck. They were filthy!

Summer Fun

A few weeks ago, Hallee, Jadyn, Colt and I were invited to spend a hot afternoon at a park in Meridian (I don't even know the name of it). The park had water features, swings, a rock climbing wall, jungle gym toy thing- and of course- lots of our cousins! We brought lunches and then let the kids play for a couple hours. It was really hard for me to keep track of my 3 kids because there were so many places to go and things to do but they had a great time. They spent most of our time in the water as you can see in the pics.

Colt took a while to warm up to the water sprinklers- but then he loved it.

Jadyn trying to get a drink.

Hallee warming herself up with cousin Kinley.

Father's Day (Along time ago)

(Hallee and Jadyn painted this sign so we could decorate and have a serious party. They were disappointed we didn't have balloons. :) They also made him card with a ton of stickers.)

We had a great Father's Day celebrating our great Dad! I made Jason breakfast that morning and then we opened presents. We got Jason new tools (socket set and screw driver set) since many of his were stolen building our house. Then it was off to church where our ward did 'Desserts for Dad.' All the sisters brought a dessert and the last 15 minutes of church all the dads got to go crazy and dig into a ton of goodies (while the rest of us were in class). I think Jason really enjoyed it. After church we made fajitas and then went to the Robertsons for a little family party.

I am so grateful for Jason. He is a wonderful father. When he gets home from Pocatello the kids want nothing to do with me for at least 24 hours because he is their favorite. He is so fun and helpful. I couldn't ask for a better father for my children. We love you Jason Royce!

Dairy Days Parade

Every year about this time Meridian has a Dairy Days Parade. We have went the past 2 years because my Aunt Sondra lives about a block away from the action and always invites us. This year the weather was not cooperating but my kids were going to that parade NO MATTER WHAT! We almost didn't make it because I didn't listen to my Aunt's directions/advice and then the roads to the parade route were closed- but we finally made it not a moment too soon.

(Cute pink cow but not a very good pic)

Just like last year, the fire trucks made one of my kids cry (last year Jadyn- this year Colt) but other than that and a few rain showers, we had a great time. We got chocolate milks, string cheese, T-shirts, coupons, a few small toys and lots and lots of candy. We left a few minutes early because my girls needed to use the bathroom but my Aunt Sondra had ice cream sandwiches for them back at her house. Thanks again to Aunt Sondra and to Brady for saving the day with candy sacks, camera, and chairs!

All geared up and ready for the parade to begin.

Colt had to dig into his candy right when he got it.

My Aunt Sondra with my kids- Hallee keeping her 'warm.'

Where is your husband when...

Over the past 7 1/2 months, there have been many times I wished Jason was here to help with different situations. Here is my most recent.
I was pulling up to my house and noticed something on the front porch. I couldn't tell what it was- but let's just say I knew it wasn't a package. When the girls, Colt, and I checked it out we found a DEAD BIRD!! I think it had flown into Colt's window and ended its life. I didn't know what to do. I honestly thought I was going to put it into a shoe box and bury it in the vacant lot beside our house. I called Jason to ask him and he told me just to scoop it up and throw it away (good thing it was garbage day). I did what he said but first Hallee had to name the bird Feather. She was very concerned about throwing it in the garbage can. She wanted Feather to be comfortable. I think Hallee asked me about 10 times that day if Feather was comfortable in her sack in the garbage can and even now, about 2 weeks later, she still is asking if Feather is comfortable. Poor little bird.

These boots are made for walking....

As of late, one of Colt's favorite things are shoes. He tries on everything- big shoes, little shoes, girl shoes, boy shoes- you name it- he does it. Colt thinks he is so darn cute when he does it and I have to tell you, he really is!

Biker Babes

When it finally got warm outside, we realized that Hallee needed a new bike because Jadyn was ready for the smaller bike with training wheels (and I ran over the trike last year- whoops!). So Jason and the girls went out hunting for the perfect bike. We only wanted to spend about $20 and I wanted it to be a neutral bike so it could be used for the girls and Colt. We checked craigslist and goodwill- I'm not sure everywhere Jason checked but we were on a time crunch to get something before he headed back to Poky. Well they ended up at Kmart and found a bike the girls couldn't leave the store without. After they got into the truck to come home, Jadyn said to her sister, "Hallee- that is a good looking bike." It is a pinky purple color but it 'sparkles' in the sun (not very neutral). After Hallee rode it the first day she parked her bike in the garage and told Jason, "That is a good looking bike."

We spend some time every day out riding bikes. Hallee does great but she has a hard time starting and she stops herself by riding onto the grass and crashing/hopping off- but she LOVES it! Jadyn is getting really fast on the smaller bike (she calls it the Fast Bike) but she is afraid to go up and down the curb. Now if only we could get Colt on a bike! :)

(Colt trying to put together Jadyn's bike after he saw Dad putting together Hallee's).