the value of a day

Happy Birthday

Kyralyn

#6 
July 4, 2012 

Your birthday was on Wednesday this year.

We arrived in Helena the day before, with plenty of time to play.

Kiera even did your nails - at midnight!

Just in time to celebrate.

Oh, and sleep first.
And then to curl your hair before you left.
Thanks Kiera!

every girl needs a cowboy hat

especially when she gets to ride a horse for the first time

(for the last year you have had a list of things you wanted to do on your birthday.  they included:  7 peaks, disneyland, bowling, trafalga fun center, riding a horse and swimming at the outdoor pool.  when you were asked which 1 of these things you wanted to do, your response was always:  ride a horse.  dad went to work and with some help from his brother and cousin, was able to arrange this for you.)

with some delivery help from grandpa (he brought it in his truck), we were able to give you this bike as a gift on your birthday.  you spent a while riding around uncle kyle's place while we got ready to go.

time to be on our way:  we hitched up the party barge and headed to the ranch.
(take a look at the blackened hills in the background, just last week they were on fire)

Tom and his family were so kind to welcome us for the morning.  They saddled up Spade just for you.

after 5 minutes you'd had enough

once your brothers had a few turns, and the neighbor's grandkids too, you were ready for more

Tom and Dad walked you around for a while before you decided to try using the reins

Dad helped to ease your nerves by riding with you

Parker riding Popeye

(Sharla said you posted very well for a first-timer)

they even have a famous "Barbie" horse

Tom teaching you how to go it on your own

Thanks for an amazing morning!

after leaving the ranch, we stopped in Phillipsburg at the "famous" Sweet Palace

nothing like a kid in a candy story on her birthday

Parker loves a good sweet thing too!

now its time to party, reunion style.

you love to walk Macy any chance you get 
(you're getting pretty good at doing the leading, rather then letting Macy lead you)

Kiera crowned you the princess of the evening

Jonette picked up a birthday cake for an after-dinner celebration.  Thanks!

As a side note:  a tradition in our family is to pick your own special birthday dinner.  This was one I didn't even consider trying to keep this year...I'm learning that sharing a birthday with a holiday requires us to be very flexible.  One of your favorite things to eat is BBQ ribs.  Wouldn't you know, that's exactly what was on the menu. 

So in the end, you did get your own special dinner.

a few weeks before your birthday, you added one thing to the list of activities you had planned for the day:  to be with family

(I'm trying to convince Parker to let me leave this posted...hmmmm)

He was the first to become acquainted with the lake.

Yes, it was a bet.

And most everyone paid up.

Georgetown Lake, Montana

Heavy heavy hang over

thy poor head,

if it drops

what's it going to be?

(A few journal-keeping tidbits:  that's three outfits for you today, Kyralyn!

And the jeans...you kids all knew something unique was going to happen when you were all told to wear jeans!  Since we hadn't told any of you about riding horses you were making your own guesses:  4-wheeling, working, or riding a horse.

Your first order of business once we got to camp was to shed the jeans!)

the end

(Dallin is out as soon as he hits the pillow)

(Parker takes some time to wind down)

While there were no fireworks today it was still amazing, fulfilling and memorable.

Everywhere we turned we were surrounded by the love of others.

This love and the reminders of the liberties and privileges afforded us by the country we live in:

This is truly the best gift!