Cottonwood Picnic

This afternoon we grabbed a bucket of chicken and headed up to Cottonwood Lake for a picnic.  The cool mountain air was a nice relief from the heat of the valley.

Cottonwood Lake

Molly, Ruby, Spencer, Angela and Preston

Spencer, Ruby and Preston

The Biggest Kid of Them All!

Spencer

Ruby

Preston

(look at those teeth)

Wildflowers

And of coarse, in typical Wyoming fashion, we had to have a hail storm before it was all over!

From the Star

Afton Wyoming

Friday the family and I hiked to the Star.  The star is the logo for the local high school.  Most communities have a letter on a hill above their town.  Afton has 'The Star'.  This picture of Afton was taken from the star! 

Our house is on the far side of the valley, in the foothills.

A Pair of Bobcat Cubs

Spencer and Preston

Spencer and Preston recently earned their Bobcat award in the Cub Scout program.  They both love Cub Scouts and have been working hard to advance.  As part of the ceremony, while receiving their awards, Mom and Dad got to paint up their faces!  We are proud of them!

My family read this post, and they requested that I add a bit about the award ceremony, so here goes. 

When Preston was called up to receive his Bobcat just as the award was presented to him, and everything was very quiet, he ripped one!  Not to loud, but loud enough for everyone to hear!  A couple of the Cubs began to giggle, and then the entire audience lost it!  Laughter errupted and Dad turned red....  That's my boy!

Flower or Weed?

I took this photo on our recent camping trip in Diamond Creek.  I am not sure what kind of plant it is?

On a side note, I have been having one heck of a time loading photo's to my blog.  I think I have found a work around, so I should start posting more regularly!

Fine Photography by Ruby

As promised, here are a couple of photographs that Ruby took with her new camera! She picked the two below for me to post.  I really like them both!  Ruby has really taken an interest in photography over the past 6 months or so.  A new camera was the perfect gift for her birthday!

I found the above photo very interesting.  She and her friends took a hike up a very steep hill.  She took this photo on that hike.

 

I found the colors in the above photo quite striking.  Especially the color of the leaves.  A very nice photo.

Well done Sweety!

She's Eleven

Last Friday was Ruby's birthday! The last two years she has wanted to go camping on her birthday, but the weather was so bad that we haven't been able to. This year looked like it was going to be a repeat. The month of June was very wet. We had one dry day....that is up until Friday! Friday and Saturday turned out to be great weather. We went on an over nighter to Diamond Creek. Ruby invited four friends, and three were able to make it. Ivy, Savannah, and Kennedy.





Ruby, Savannah, Ivy, and Kennedy enjoying dinner Friday night. Ruby picked the menu. We had her favorite mustard pork chops, and a vegetable medley of Zucchini, Yellow Squash, and Onions.





Mom made a peach cobbler for desert! It turn out awesome and was a huge hit!






Ruby opened up her presents. Mom and Dad gave her a Nikon Coolpix camera. It was a big surprise for Ruby. She took some great photo's. I will post some of them in the next post.






The girls had a great time. They spent most of their time around camp with Mom, while Dad took the boys on quad rides, to keep them out of the girls hair.

Spencer Made us breakfast Saturday morning. He did this to pass off part of his Cub Scout requirements. He did an Awesome job. Preston made everyone lunch! He did a great job also!

Balancing Act

This rock formation is found up Swift Creek.  I took this picture on a recent trip up the canyon.

Love Them

Today we ventured up cottonwood creek.  The road was rough and wet, but passable.  We we're not there long.  We had to beat the next storm that was moving in.  It was cloudy but the defused light made for some nice picture taking. 

To the left Preston, Ruby and Spencer.

North Side

Old Cottonwood in Canyon View Park

Thirsty?

 Savanah Walker

Star Valley Sunrise

I captured this sunrise early this morning on the east side of the valley.  The picture is taken from our front porch. The orange clouds were hanging much lower in the sky than the higher dark clouds. You can see the front of the storm as in approach's from the north, and the blue skies to the south.

A Game Under Their Belts

The baseball season got underway this past Wednesday night.  Preston and Spencer both played really well.  They both got hits, and made some great plays in the field. Above Preston connects with the ball for one of his hits.

Fastpitch also startetd this past Wednesday night.  And the great thing is that Ruby played on a field right next to the boy's game.  Her game started about halfway through Preston and Spencers game.  Ruby played 3rd base, and made a spectacular play.  She snagged a line drive and then tagged the runner from 2nd for a double play!  Her team ended up losing 6-1.  Ruby hasn't had to deal with losing much the past couple of years.  She has been fortunate enough to play on some outstanding teams!  This year may be a challange, her team is in need of a pitcher! 

Ruby really likes the uniforms this year!  I guess they are okay for girls!

Play Ball

Practice has started for this year's ball season.  Spencer and Preston are playing choach's pitch this year and Ruby is once again playing fast pitch.

Spencer snags a grounder playing second base

Throwing it to Home

Preston Watches the Action from Home Plate

Playing Catcher

Ruby on First Base

Ruby Making the Play at First

Las Vegas Rose

This past week we spent some time in Las Vegas for the Rhoads family reunion.  The event was held in the back yard of Glen and Shelly Phillips.  They have a beautiful place.  This rose certainly added to that beauty!

My Baby Boys are 8

Preston and Spencer

Pond Scum

This photo was taken up Grover Park. 

I can't wait for some color to arrive in the valley.  Everything is white and grey!  It is difficult to get great pictures when there is little contrast to work with!

Don't - Don't - Don't

Top of Salt River Pass

(looking east into the Snake River Drainage)

Top of Salt River Pass

(looking Southwest into the Great Basin)

It Came Forth From the Clouds

This photo was taken from Swift Creek.

Sunny Afternoon

Spencer

Spencer

Preston

Preston

SPOOKY!

The other night Angela told me that I was walking around the house taking pictures in my sleep!

I didn't think much of it....Didn't beleive her...

Then today I down load this picture off of my camera!!

SPOOKY!

Let the Coloring Begin

Eggcellent Artist

Photos taken: April 3, 2008

Enjoying a Rocky Mountain Spring

Big Red

From a Sunday Aftrenoon Drive

Angela

Caught in Flight

Peek A Boo

Swift Creek

Den Mother Em

Emily Walker