Summer Vacation 2010 - Cheyenne

We had a wonderful family summer vacation with lots of pit stops along the way. The easiest way to document this trip is going to be in parts.

Pit Stop - Cheyenne, Wyoming

Our hosts - Justin & Jolene

Darrin is the 5th of 6 children so by the time we got married and started having children most of his siblings were done. I have begged and pleaded with most families to consider having more children, so that my kids would have cousins their ages but I guess when you're done you're done.


The thing that has amazed me, is regardless of the age difference the cousins have always been so involved with our kids. They carry them around, play and watch them endlessly. It's so wonderful to have our great niece's and nephews.

Jacob holding Eden

Here are Jaycee and Jodi

Besides the wonderful time spent with cousins, we got to visit the library which won national awards as being AWESOME (and yes I think that is what the official award said).

We were oohed and ahhed by "the good" fireworks, the boys went shooting, the girls visited, we even got to tease my niece a little bit about her surprise visit from a boy (she'll turn 16 in September and then she can officially date). Last but certainly not least, my all time favorite game "Ticket to Ride" was played.

We had a great trip, which is always the case in Cheyenne

Thanks Ross family, you are awesome!

Don't look now, but I think we're being followed

During this phase of life as a mother of young children it is rare that I find alone time. I have been known to seek refuge in my bathroom of all places, just to get a few seconds of quiet. It doesn't last though, before long I hear a little knock on the door, asking what I'm doing (the knock is only if I thought to lock the door). Eden is the best, she is a sneaky little shadow that is fascinated by my every move, I can't shake her.

Seriously is it just me...or am I being followed?

I Love this man

Before picture of hideous tub that no matter the scrubbing I did with other products continued to look like this.

After I met Mr. Clean...he's strong, and a great cleaner, I found a keeper.

then what do i find the little man up to while I work? My next cleaning project

Rafting's in my blood

Darrin and I love anything to do with water, we should have been born with fins. Before I had Kale we went on an awesome whitewater rafting trip. Due to his arrival last summer we took it off, but were fortunate to be invited again this year. IT WAS AWESOME. We happened to get in a raft that had only 1 other couple so we had a lot of time to visit, paddle, and even be thrown overboard (Darrin). For his sake I will explain, apparently he was trying to make the small rapids more fun and was bouncing in the back, he bounced a little too high and the raft floated forward, leaving him in the water. Other then that we all stayed put, which was impressive considering the rapids we went through.

My fellow front paddle mate Kacey and I

The "lady" boat that DID NOT appreciate being splashed.

So the above two pictures, need a little explanation. 6 of us women got in the "mini me" and tried to paddle through these rapids so that we could hike up the other side and go down them repeated times. Well it was much harder then it looked, I think we tried a total of 5 times to cross, dumped out Kacey (she was saved by Krissy and Val) and to my complete disappointment never made it across. We are going again over Labor Day then maybe we will redeem ourselves.

I love Colorado, espeically our area, we have amazing friends that do amazing things and are willing to let us tag along. Thanks to the Stegs!

Noodle Sling

Here is our newest money making idea, how to carry your child in a pool.

I think this picture will help increase sales.

Public Announcement

Darrin really likes to avoid anyone finding out about his birthday. He likes to keep it low key and definitely doesn't want it getting to public. Unfortunately for him he is married to the opposite, I think it's so fun to celebrate, and I will announce from the rooftops, especially when it's his. So everything fell into place when we were asked to speak in church on Darrin's birthday. I was relieved of my normal duties of announcing it for him, because when he got up he announced it himself, I guess I am teaching him well.

Overall that day turned out great, the talks went good. We had parents over for cake and ice cream, and my sister and her husband even came and gave Darrin some bling to turn older with!

Love you, babe.

Humor at age 3

Knock-knock jokes have recently been discovered in the Case home. It must have started with Jaya but the joy of sharing a funny joke has quickly trickled all the way down to little Eden. Hers are the silliest of course because she has no clue that to be a joke it needs to have a punch line. She just thinks if it involves silly words then it's funny. After days of sharing her jokes, I decided that I better record one. I would love to share...