How old is she? 25? 32?

My mom was able to come down and spend some time with us. We were so excited! She drove down here on Friday, which was her BiRtHdAy! Once she got here we hurried down to Tai Pan. As you can see by the pictures it was pretty fun:) She is so full of it. Then we headed home and brought MaDdOx home(Thanks Daddy!) Yummy! After that it was time to light the candles! I am really glad she wanted to spend her birthday with us! Saturday we worked hard...we made 7 batches of raspberry jam, she made me peas and potato soup, made Colter enchiladas, we planted tulip bulbs, and even put all of my fall decorations up. I think I worked her too hard! She is just so much help:) Thanks Mom for coming down here! Thank you so so much for helping me with so much!!!! I want you to know you are welcome to come anytime!! I promise that next time we won't work so hard. And a special thank you to my Dad for letting her come. He wasn't happy that she was gone on her Birthday, he is so lost without her (we call it the "lost puppy" look.) She had a million text from my bro and sis that was wanting her to come home. She is a busy lady! She does so much for all of us. Thanks again Mom for making it a priority to come see me even though you are SO busy at home! I love you Lotts!



We found this stuffed rat..mouse..I have no idea what it was. Can you see she was not happy??

I made her hold it...and she was beyond upset with me. But it was pretty funny. People in the store were laughing at us:)

Happy Birthday to you!

I wonder what she wished for? Maybe a healthy Kira??

Jam making...and messy kitchen...My mom is a messy cook...a good, but messy cook:)

Colter even helped stir a batch...or two!

50+ jars...hopefully I won't need jam for a few years!

She did most of the work!

My Sister - My Friend

Today we had a Family Fast for my sister. She had a treatment today, and I just know it is going to work!

Kira...I want you to know I love you! You have been my best friend, from playing barbies, playing school bus on the 4wheeler/motorbikes, playing carwash on our bikes, riding bikes to the store (by the way you still owe me for the blimpie sandwich!), sleeping on the tramp, and learning to drive the farm pickups when we were like 10 without dad knowing. You will always be my best friend, and my sister. I hope you know I won't let you give up. I am hoping that this scary treatment will make you pain-free! I know that we all are given trials, but sometimes I wonder why some get more trials. Is it because our Heavenly Father knows you can handle it? I know there are reasons for everything, and one day we will know the answers, but until then, Kira...I love you. I look up to you in so many ways.

Uconites and Ryan Reunion

Meet the "Uconites." These are the people I grew up with, they are considered family. We had a party at our house on July 3rd with the original Uconites, we were only missing Roger and my Uncle Bruce. Brad had a really old picture of all of these guys back in the day, so we tried to re-create the picture! We missed ya Cindy:)

Booner, Jody, Kevin, Jon, Kevin, my dad, Brad and Terry


Double dippin....

A mean game of basketball with their own cheerleaders!

She gets a little crazy sometimes...

Porter...aka...Porker

Right before the party started...notice the rain

Ryan Family Reunion!

I think this is Ogden behind us.

Colter's Grandma and Grandpa

I love this picture! Colter, his brothers and his dad.

Colter, Ryan and Jason

Ashlyn, Hanna, Payden and Ryan enjoying some ice cream

Payden! He must be pretty special because Colter doesn't let just anyone wear his glasses!

So sweet! he picked bunch of flowers and brought them to me!!

Part 2

I know I am a little behind...So here is a few more pictures from Swan Valley! Thanks for the good time:)

Swan Valley-Part 1

Someday I would love to have a place in Swan Valley. My great-grandpa farmed in Swan Valley and my Grandpa put a house up there and we call it "The Ranch." I can remember going to the Ranch with my Grandma and Grandpa to stay over night. We loved it. I am sure my mom didn't sleep knowing the Snake River was right in the backyard. My Grandpa passed away at the Ranch, and my Uncle also was killed in an accident up there.

A few weeks ago we stayed up there. It was a crazy busy weekend. My dad was asked to conduct a funeral, so we were all loaded to leave after the funeral. Our plan was to ride the Rhino's up to where my Uncle was in his accident, but it started pouring. Instead we went and got square-ice-cream cones. Yummy...although I was a little disappointed because my ice cream was freezer-burnt! What the heck?! They are famous for their ice cream! Sunday we got up and Dad and Mom made us breakfast. Then we left on our ride, it was about 40 miles.

Minor problem..the brakes locked up on the trailer. We had to stop our parade of pickups because thankfully Jadon noticed the smoke coming from the trailer.

The waterfall in Swan Valley

Nice glasses hun! He bought them at the square-ice-cream store:)

This was my Great-Grandpa's house. It is now owned by my dad's aunt.

Doesn't he look so tired??

He bought some glasses too:)

Dad made probably 20 sandwiches to take on the ride!

This is where my Uncle was coming down the road in the pouring rain, and his tires slid off the edge and rolled it down the hill. Some 4wheelers found him later.

You can see where the pickup hit the tree because the bark is gone. This happened August 2003. Nate and my Grandma put the wreath on the tree.

His pickup rolled all of the way to the bottom.