Luke is 12

This Studd just had a birthday and turned the big 1-2!

 Here's a little video of our Breakfast in bed (Which happens to be My bed).

Click Here for the favorite things we love about luke!

LUKE'S 12th BDAY

 He has some really great friends. L2R: Gavin Asbell, Luke, Lily Conroy, Cole Hixson, Porter

We are sure glad Luke is apart of our family.  He has a big heart and teaches me the most about parenting and how I am trying to do better!  he's funny and fun and a down right beast when it comes to athletics.  Hope he stays kind his whole life. 12 years down, at least 80 to go!!

24th Mapleton Celebration

Wow, were we glad to be apart of the festivities this year.  It was SOOO fun.

 The night starts off with a helicopter dropping thousands of ping pong balls.  Each ball has a number and the kids can win prizes.  Jake won a waterproof portable speaker.  COOL!

 It was beautiful weather, they have yummy food trucks and live music playing while you wait for the sun to go down.

 Here's our cute little crew above and the fun party crew below.  We sure love our friends the Kaanga's and the Conroys.  Sean works for Mapleton city, so we got some good seats for the show!

 L2R: Brenna me and Mandy

 Cute happy kids.  What can be better?

 Getting ready for the fireworks.  Mimi was all about the glow sticks and dancing (with Raca).

Not so much into the fireworks.  Drew was his happy little self.  Just being free.  Cute little chubby legs.  I love it!

Then, since the 24th landed on a Sunday this year, the Mapleton party was Saturday, and the Brostroms neighborhood party was Monday.  We hit both and it was super fun.  This slip n slide is Epic at the Brostroms!!

 We had a fun Close friend/almost cousin sleep over and headed to the rez for some sunshine and water. L2R Grahm, Cole, Griffin and Nate in the hole.

 Look how cute these 1st cousins once removed are?!  Sydney sent me this picture and it looks so much like drew I took one on my bed in the same outfit.  Lil twinners. I hope they become best buddies!

 We lucked out the the Eye's were in town for the holidays.  We met at Cafe Rio and said hi for a few minutes. The boys ended up outside on the sidewalk playing with their cutie boys. 

 We're hoping for a match with either James or Eli.  Eli is not too excited yet.  He will be one day (I hope!)

 We sure love the Wilfred and Laura Eye.  Wilfred was one of Taylor's favorite students and since his family is in Gabon, we get to steal them when we can and pretend we are family!

Bar 10 Trip

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Bar 10 is the best place to teach a kid how to get some good ol fashion work under their belts!  starting at age 12 (first time this year, so we'll see how it goes) I want my boys to spend at least a week working with my brother training them how to be real cowboys! 

 Jake had a GREAT week and Luke and Gavin came out at the end of it to have a little fun mixed in with the work.

 They all helped out at the ranch demonstration and Jake got to tell how you catch a coyote.

 The kids love helping unload the helicopter and transport guests luggage to the lodge on the 4 wheeler.  They made some sweet tips.

 Cute Sam and his broken arm.  I love seeing a little dirt on these kids faces!

 Nate and cousin Ellie became fast little friends.  She showed him the ropes and they even got to help in the kitchen a bit.

 This cutest lil cowboy did pretty dang good on the bumpy ride out and taking naps in the heat.

 Riding Horses is always a fun activity at the ranch.

 Since Jake was on the clock, he helped with horse rides and skeet shooting with the guests.

 And everyone cleaned up so nicely for the evening entertainment.  Even Mimi was a cute little cowgirl.

 Somehow, I got roped into clogging with the main man, HENRY.  It's like riding a bike, I know that dance inside and out!

Always fun to do a little line dancing....

 And, mr. Jake was a handsome cowboy holding the flag respectfully for "I'm proud to be an American"

 In their nice cowboy duds.  Looking good ya'll!  And it's always fun to camp out side on the deck.  Not as many critters as on the ground!  I think I'll still choose the indoor bedroom. :)

Mostly, I love the feeling at the ranch.  The vast openness and seclusion from the real world, and the fresh air to relax in.  I sure am grateful for my ranch and my cowboy genes.  I hope I can pass a few of those along to my own people.