What an amazing summer Chad and I have had. It is amazing to think that last year at this time we'd only been married a short time. I'm so thankful every day for what a fun and dorky husband I have, we're so similar in our interests this whole year has been awesome.
As soon as school got out, day after my birthday(May 22, can you believe it?) We packed our things and headed to Arizona, the land of hot sun, swimming pools, and great people. We toured around all of the places where Chad served his mission, it's been two years since he's been home, but when he greeted all his old friends it was like no time had passed. We got to stay with the coolest family, the Westerns!
They picked us up and dropped us off at the airport AND let us crash and hang out all week! They were soo much fun. They even decorated with welcome signs and chocolate!!!
Then for one of our first orders of business we went to a shaved ice place and they had all sorts of flavors for us to slurp down.
We were so lucky to go and see Chad's Mission President and his wife. They were so amazing and Chad was really happy to see them again. They were such a big part of his life.
When we got to Oregon, there was no escaping the horses :) They were right there all the time, and I loved getting up to see them and feed them. Here's Chad with loveable Buster Brown. Don't you just wanna kiss that nose?
First day back, I'm on the horse and ready for drill team practice. I filled in for someone for the three weeks were there and we all went to Reno to compete! This is Buster and little Eva and I. Eva LOVES the horses and doesn't ever want to get off. So adorable!
My brother Jackson and sis-in-law Janale are growing a cool garden and Eva was always there ready to get dirty and "help" pull weeds, sometimes plants, but it was fun.
Mom has a one year old filly named Willow, and she's super friendly and curious. We were laying on the trampoline and she comes and noses all over you, seeming to say, "Whatcha doing? Can I play? Can I eat something? huh? huh?"
We went to the Coast in Florence, and it was a perfect day. It is never sunny there and not windy. That day we were out by the North Jetty walking along and on the beach and what did we see...? Whales!! I was jumping up and down and pointing. We headed out to get a closer look, but mostly we just saw them spout and a little bit of their backs, but it was the coolest! Usually you have to rent a boat and go out to see them! They were super close!
Isn't my husband cute :)
Sandals off and enjoying the sun :)
That first weekend we headed to Sisters, for the rodeo and shopping downtown. Mostly I wanted to go to the quilt shops. We found one store that had the most adorable horse fabric of all kinds! Can't wait to go back sometime. So mom and I bought some fabric and I made some valances that look like the above picture. It was an apron in the store, but it was inspiration for mom and I was jazzed to do it.
At the rodeo that evening, we cowboyed up in all our Western gear. We were kinda hot until the sun went down, so poor little Shaely cooled off both cheeks with our water. She was so fun because
she would root for the cows to get away from the cowboys in the roping and wrestling and turn away when they got caught. Can't help but smile at that.
Sis-in-law Jolene and little nephew Quade and I at pony club. I packed him around in that little thing and as long as he was face out he and didn't see I wasn't his mom he was good.
Chad and little Eva.
One thing that was adorable was how attached Eva is to my Mom. I caught them napping together and it was cute. Mom was putting her to sleep, but the bed was too comfy I think.
I fit inside the refrigerator whole at my brother Jordan and Jolene's new house. Love those cabinets!
Janale took Chad and I to Portland and found lots of treasures including food trucks!!! They were soooo good, make my mouth drool just looking at it!
Riding at the Reno Rodeo Competition in Reno, Nevada. Chad took some great pictures and was such a trooper. He was really into it because it was a lot like band with all the teams and competitive spirit.
Dad helping mom with her chaps.
Yeah I made that for him so everyone would know how awesome he is.
All geared up after riding.
My mom's aunt's and cousin came! They look so much alike, but I haven't seen them all in forever.
We won first place!!! We were in the mixed division and Chad is holding our ribbons with me and mom on Buster and Boo Boo and Dad, he's our coach.
Here's the whole team with our ribbons. Who knew I would go on summer break and get to go win a huge competition? SCORE!
Me and mom, we've been doing this together since I was twelve and she's been doing it longer than that. We ride well together.
My great Aunt Carol, she's so funny and I'm glad she finally go to meet Chad.
Great picture of BooBoo and Buster waiting for the parade downtown to start. We had to get up so early and wait 3 hours for it to start. But they were good. Pooped all over the sidewalk and street. hehehe
On the way home we stopped at a rest area and took some pictures.
Doesn't seem that high but we drove over a couple passes.
Mom's gun, AR-15, fun to shoot, but I always like shotguns. My brother Jackson set up targets for us and everything to shoot at. It was pretty elaborate. We had clay pigeons too, on our very last rounds I shot three in a row! Nice!
I love that Chad is supporting the Beavers!! Go Beavs!
So we didn't get a few shots last year that I wanted at the temple, so we went and took more! FUN to get dressed up again. We also had to eat our cake frozen from last year. It was okay, but made me smile cause it was such a cool cake!
