Round Up

One thing we love in June is Lehi Round Up week.  

Tuesday, 6/26/12:

Swimming with Maloree, Mckoy and Bronson at the Legacy Center.

And the Cattle Drive.

This was a new thing in recent years.

I had grand expectations.

We sat on the curb near the bakery and the sno shack.

The shaved ice was ordered just as the first riders approached.

Kyralyn loved getting a special wave from her friend in the royalty.

The bulls were Texas Longhorns.  

(thanks to the Daily Herald for this picture)

Anticipation built as we saw them in the distance near the railroad tracks.

(Later we found out that they wouldn't go across the railroad tracks...something like a cattle guard?)

It was intense to see these large creatures coming down the street, almost right at us.

The 15 or so cowboys surrounding the bulls created a protective wall between the animals and us city folk.

A few minutes later we were standing up and waiting in line for our shaved ice.

And 7 minutes later we were finally getting our treat.

I joked that it was classic Lehi, don't blink or you'll miss it!

I loved it.

Wednesday, 6/27/12:

We had a breakfast picnic with our Ross friends at the park (not one in Lehi).

We were actually surprised at the number of people who had the same idea that day!

Dallin took a break from playing with the kids & played a pickup game of tennis with his mom.

It was enjoyable watching the kids helping each other out (when they weren't competing or teasing each other) and we all enjoyed helping to hold and feed the twins!

Afterward Kyralyn went with Maloree & Mckoy to Kids Club at the library (in Lehi this time).

That afternoon the kids all played for a while and then we headed downtown for dinner.

For the family BBQ at Wines Park.

Hot dogs & chips or pulled pork, coleslaw, & baked beans, cookies & soda.

Its catered by Rib City and was really good. 

I left early to go to a card making class.

The kids stayed and played on the toys, walked around the booths and caught up with several friends from school & past teams.

Afterward they went home with Rachel and her family for some awesome cousin time!

I got back late and thought they'd all be ready to go home.

Hah!

Kyralyn was in the middle of a beauty shop session with Cassie, Adrianna & her friend.
Parker was wishing I would leave so that he could get on with his sleepover with Tylan.

and Dallin was content with his cousins & his iPod.

Saturday, 6/30/12:

The Grand Parade

(But before this we raced up to the InstaCare so that Paul's injured shoulder could get xrayed.  Turns out the 4-Wheeler didn't do as much damage as was possible.  For which we are all very grateful!  His left AC joint is torn & there's a slight separation of his shoulder.  Being buried in the sand may have helped to lessen the injury?  Still, there's nothing like 4-wheeling on the beach in CA.  I'll take his word for it.)

Paul gave Kyralyn a bag to hold all the candy she was anticipating.  He assured her that it would hold everything she would get.  Turns out he was right, but only barely!

On Tuesday evening, Rachel set out chairs at the park to reserve us all a spot at the beginning of the parade route.  Kyralyn scored a chair next to Adrianna.

A bit of utah county culture I suppose!

Gave me a good chuckle.

Kyralyn got another special wave from her friend.

This time she was with her cheerleading friends, not the royalty.

There's that bag.  It's pretty empty.

Parker was very excited to walk in the parade.  He put up with the heat and the 2 mile walk.  And he loved it.  So did his sister, brother & cousins from all the candy he threw at us!

Bank of AF threw out water bottles.

The Pepsi wagon from the Food Bank drew a lot of attention from the older kids!

It's filling up quickly!

This is Macey's float, our favorite grocery store.

Popcorn and water bottle squirts from the movie guys.

Even a cleanup crew.

"Tough Enough to Wear Pink"

night at the Rodeo

The rodeo has been a June tradition for several years.  The last two we didn't go and missed it.  We haven't been on Saturday night before so this was a first.  It was awesome.  We love the energy of this activity, even though we aren't familiar with the lifestyle at all!  Maybe we're country folk at heart.  Even though we all forgot to wear pink.

don't be fooled by the scowl, he was thrilled throughout the evening.  he loved watching the events and catching up with friends that he hasn't seen in a long time.

Cotton Rosser and the Flying U Rodeo Company, representing a former way of life for Lehi

"...for the land of the free

and the home of the brave."

the train rumbling down the tracks and honking is also part of the tradition

a chuckwagon race

in true rivalry fashion:  the U and BYU.

it was close, but the Y took it home.

PRCA Clown of the Year, many years running:  Lecile Harris.

The bullriding victory ride

Another favorite of the night are the stunt motorcycle riders.  

They flipped their stuff for the crowd to finish out the rodeo this year.  

Then came the tribute to all the horses & bulls.

 The bulls are a bit humorous to watch as they run through the grounds.  They aren't quite so sure of their surroundings; skittish & confused.  

I love watching the horses run together.

Confident and Strong.

Sure of themselves.

 Free and Brave

June

6/18/12

Aunt Katie came for a visit from Oregon.  We love the time she gives us!  All weekend you kept asking her for a snow cone.  On the day she left we managed to find one open at the same time that we were available.  Thanks for the Bubble Gum sno!

6/18/12

Today meant the long cast came off and the short one went on.  Your wrist is healing nicely.  The only downside is that you'll have to wear it an extra week, ie:  during our family reunion trip to Montana.  The doctor has reassured you that you won't even notice it's there!

6/18/12

6/22/12

The Dump Fire in Saratoga started yesterday around lunchtime  by target shooters.  This seems to be the fire story this year; to date 21 of Utah's fires are believed to have been caused by target shooting.

While I was out walking early this morning the fire appeared to have been contained on this side of the hill, there was very little smoke and I could see the burned area from yesterday.  Around 9 I stepped outside to shake the kitchen rugs and saw an arc of smoke over our house.  The way it covered the sun gave an incredibly eerie feeling to the otherwise bright & cheerful morning.

We walked down to the park to see if we could get a more wide open view of what was going on.  Mostly I wanted to compare it with what I was sure I had seen this morning (that whole hillside behind the smoke was visible just a few hours earlier).  Interesting how fuel & wind can change fire.

the why

Last year when I first started recording pieces of our lives in this blog, I mentioned that I would explain the title.  I took some time last night to try to put into words the meaning of "Apples of Gold".

This comes from Proverbs 25:11.

As a teenager I became especially aware of the power of words.  The good, uplifting, wholesomeness of them.  Or the negativity and hurt.

I began collecting quotes and poems.  I would tape them up on my walls, use them as bookmarks, or write them on folders.  Looking back, what I was really collecting were the words and ideas that came together in these forms as new creations, ready to be explored and become a part of me.  Just simple ones really, but easy to remember. 

Through college and on into adulthood and motherhood, I am daily aware of the power words have on others and ourselves. 

As an example, I listened to two mothers disciplining children who were not getting along in two starkly different ways.  As a bystander, I observed the uplifting words used by one mother to build confidence and create the desire to be better, whereas the negative words used by the other mother seemed to create shame and a sense of hopelessness.  I am not judging either woman, both were affected by life's circumstances in vastly different ways.  I know that I am guilty of both ways of speaking.  But I also know that I am much more receptive of a sender's message when the words are those that instruct & build. 

One afternoon in an effort to read a book in the Bible that I hadn't before, I came across this passage:

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."

Its message rang true to me as I was reminded of family and friends who have given me incredible treasures through the words they have used.  To me, this verse serves as a reminder to give the treasures that are my words.

I named our blog "Apples of Gold" as a reminder of the true treasures that can be our words and how we use them, leading to the experiences we treasure and desire to capture.

summer beginnings

5/30/12  getting ready for your big entrance

Kyralyn, you were a pretty special kindergarten graduate!

5/30/12   with Mrs. Paxman

Some of your favorite parts of kindergarten were the stories, recess, the "best" teacher, and friends.

5/30/12   on to first grade!

During your graduation ceremony you stood in front of everyone and said, "Thank you for coming on this very special day.  We would like to say goodbye in a very special way."

5/30/12   Good Bye!

Being there with you on this special day brought back memories:

DALLIN

5/31/06

5/31/06  Miss Pike's Kindergarten

5/31/06   "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" in sign language

5/31/06   moving on to first grade

6/2/12   on the last day of school as a 6th grader, you spent most of the day at the NOVA pool party.  you were burnt for several days across the tops of your shoulders.  because I kept trying to give you hugs and forgetting about the burn I suggested you wear a sign as a reminder!  it worked.

PARKER

5/29/08

5/29/08   Mrs. Paxman's Kindergarten

for the talent show earlier in the year you did some breakdancing...you were voted to represent your class for all of the kindergarteners

on a field trip to the farm

5/29/08

5/29/08   faces of a graduate (during the sign language "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" song)

5/29/08   waiting just a little longer for pictures

6/4/12   Welcoming in your summertime!

On another note, we had a great beginning to our summer.

After 35 years, my eyes need a little bit of help.

We made Flubber, started a Kid-Wash, planted vegetables & flowers, played in the water, played at the park, had a picnic with the Ross's at the school playground, and watched lots of TV:  Burn Notice, Numbers, Psych, & Good Luck Charlie are a few favorites.

6/9/12

6/5/12   Flubber with Maloree

6/6/12   2 weeks after the wrist injury, short cast in two more weeks

5/13/12   Happy Mother's Day Mom

5/28/12   our new favorite way to eat popcorn, cooked over the backyard fire