Tulip Festival

On May 1st we were finally able to make it to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point.  The tulips were beautiful as always...but they were not quite at their peak.  There weren't any tulips left in our normal photo spot...so we improvised.

I was surprised that Phin remembered this section in the garden that we played in last year. He insisted on playing tag again.  He laughs so hard that it is hard for him to run fast.

 

 

 

This secret tunnel was also a favorite for Phin.

This umbrella exhibit was new...it reminded me of Tawnya and Jami's wedding reception.

There was also a new I Am the Light of the World garden which had sculptures depicting the life of Christ.  This was hands down my favorite garden of the day.  Phin and I were able to talk about each statue and about the life of the Savior...it was amazing. If you haven't seen it I would recommend going.   

Cross E Baby Animal Days

The last weekend in April we were finally able to make it to Cross E Ranch's Baby Animal Days.  We love going to Cross E's Fall Festival and this was our first time at the Baby Animal Days.  I found a discount on their website for the Baby Animal Days and we had been hoping to go since early in April...but we just had a lot going on and went the last day the ranch was opened.  The kids loved this jumping pad...they could have stayed all day.

I did pull them away long enough for a hayride to see the baby calves.

The also loved the tractor train ride.

Phin also insisted on sitting on the tractor...what can I say it is tradition.

We loved some of the new additions to the ranch...including homemade doughnuts and this water pump racing station.

We entered an enclosure with the very friendly goats.

The kids also loved visiting the baby chicks and ducklings.

Millie was pretty brave around this bunny too.

There was so much going on at the ranch that we apparently missed a whole section that was located in their barn...we will have to make it to that part next year.  We are also hoping to have one of their fresh hamburgers on our next visit. 

19 MONTHS

Millie hit the 19 month mark while we were in Ten Sleep in April  This little girl is showing more and more personality everyday.  She loves to carry a purse or a stuffed animal around with her at all times.  She seems way more interested in stuffed animals than Phin ever was.

She now has 6 teeth...yes just 6.  She manages to eat just about everything with those 6 little chompers.  She is starting to seek independence and is often found trying to put on her own jacket, or take off her own clothes.  If anyone in the house is headed for the tub she starts to undress.

Her hair is long enough for pigtails.  She often looks quite put together at the beginning of the day...but looks a little homeless by the end of the day with a little rats nest at the back of her head.

She manged to take her first selfie.  I had the flash on and it surprised her a little.

She watches everything that we are doing and is pretty good at imitating.  Her she is drinking the milk out of her cereal bowl after watching Phin's demonstration.

She still takes one nap a day and most of the time she falls asleep in the late morning or early afternoon when we are out running errands.  She continues to get up at least once a night.  

She loves hanging out in the hammock at Seth's frisbee games.

She also loves popcorn.  We spent some time at the car dealership and she was content to sit in her car seat, watch shows and snack on popcorn.

Millie and Phin can often be found getting into trouble together.

Phin update:  Phin had the stomach flu this month and was quite miserable for over a day.  He just hung out on the couch watching movies. He couldn't even hold apple juice down.  We are just grateful he is old enough to actually hit a bowl when he is sick.

Phin also gave his first talk in Primary.  This little guy wasn't born in the South...but somehow he ended up with a little Southern Preacher in his soul...he tends to shout his praises to the Lord.

Phin loved having a visit from cousin Gavin in April.  These two played all day long.

This little guy is growing up so quickly.  He is becoming a good helper.  He loves to tell stories and he loves to be read to.  He enjoyed the warmer weather in April which meant that he was able to spend more time outside.  We are so lucky to have him in our family.

Ten Sleep

We finally made it up to Ten Sleep Wyoming to visit my cousin Anne, her husband Jared and their sweet girls Tessa and Addy.  We made our traditional stop at the Little America.  This time we opted for lunch rather than ice cream cones.
 

 

 

Phin and Millie did well on the drive...with treats of course.

We were so happy to arrive at the ranch in Ten Sleep.  Phin and Millie loved playing with Tessa and Addy...they also loved their toys.

 

On Saturday around lunch we headed over to Jared's parent's place for lunch.  Tessa was very excited to show Phin and Millie the chicks.  She ran around catching chicks and then showing them off.

How gorgeous is this view!

We spent lots of time playing back at the house.

The trampoline was a big hit.

We went for a muddy walk at the front of Anne and Jared's property.

Then we got a tour of Jared's shop.

Phin was very distressed about his muddy boots.  He insisted on trying to clean them off with the flowers in the field.

Then we hopped in the ATV to go see the calves.

We were hoping to help out with cattle branding...but it had rained almost the entire week before our visit so it was too muddy for branding.

The kids loved seeing the calves.

On Sunday we went to Sacrament meeting and then we headed back home. ; We had to stop for a little picture op on our way out.  I am pretty sure Millie is gleefully saying "horses" in this picture.

We stopped at McDonald's for lunch on the way home.  Seth and I regretted it...the kids loved it.

We made up for the yucky McDonald's food by stopping for an ice cream cone at Little America.

Thank you Anne and Jared for hosting us for a wonderful weekend.  We loved seeing the ranch and stepping into your shoes for a few days.