Christmas 2015

We spent Christmas in Wyoming last December. The highlights included: an improvised nativity reenactment by the grandkids, family dinner with the extended family (We tried to pull of the annual cook-off, but I don't recall that there was ever any judging...we'll just say that Cecilia's Grinch Punch was the winner as she was sure she'd take the title), Brady's Mission Report, and of course watching the kids excitement as they opened presents Christmas morning.

Eastern Oregon - Summer 2015

The girls, my mom, and I spent a week in Oregon with my sister, Lilly, and her family last summer. We had a blast playing with Oliver, being there for their gender-reveal for #2 and spending time with dear friends. This slide show is for you, Lilly. We had so much fun! Cecilia and I had a great time watching and reminiscing as we made this slide show. We miss you and can't wait to meet Finn!

Colorado Trip - Easter 2015

Last April, the girls and I traveled to Colorado to spend Spring Break at Aunt Tami's house. Annie came from London and several of us siblings took advantage of the opportunity to get together. They worked during the day and in the afternoon and evenings we went for walks around the nearby lake, for a picnic/hike in the hills near Fort Collins. The girls enjoyed spending time with their cousins, decorating easter eggs, and making crystal trees. We made a trip to Denver one evening to have dinner with Aunt Linda and Uncle Mike. Time with family is precious. I'm grateful we could make these memories together. 

Riding the Four-Wheeler

Growing up, we had a four-wheeler that provided some pretty exciting entertainment and great stories to tell and retell as the years have gone by. This summer when we went to Oregon, little Ollie had a four-wheeler (that he isn't big enough to ride yet) and the girls were very anxious to give it a spin. I think I passed them some four-wheeling DNA through their genes. ;)  It's a battery-operated one so they had to wait a day to charge it and they had so much fun when it was finally ready!

 Lilly, Grandma Brenda and Cecilia -- all plugged in as Marcela took her turn on the 4-wheeler.

This little cutie just loves being outside. 

Ollie has a love for technology:

Thanks, Aunt Lilly, for letting the girls enjoy Ollie's toy before he does. 

Cousins

 These three are about 6 months apart and love playing together. I found them in the front yard playing and told them I wanted to take their picture. They weren't too interested until I told them I wanted them to pose with their toys. So, they all stood on the steps and within a couple of clicks, I was able to get them to forget the toys and stand together for what I think are some pretty candid and cute captures of cousin love and laughter. 

Ollie, Ollie, Ollie

As exciting as the hot air balloons were, the real reason we traveled to Wyoming was because my sister and her husband and their precious new baby were traveling there from Texas and we had to take the opportunity to meet this new bundle of joy. The major part of the weekend was spent in Grandpa and Grandma's living room just ooing and awing over precious little Ollie. We couldn't get enough of him.

And he did a pretty good job of fitting in a few great smiles between his grunts and demands of mommy.

 His paternal grandmother was excited to meet him too and came to visit and hold her newest grandson.

 This, is perhaps my most favorite picture of them all: two grandmothers with true smiles on their faces as they get to hold their newest edition to the line of posterity.

 This photo is also a favorite - it seems to me that Ollie is just looking deeply into Grandpa's soul thinking, "I know you Grandpa! I'm here now!"

For a few more months, these are all of the Iden Grandkids: Cecilia (5), Ira (10 mo.), Marcela (8), Oliver (2 mo.), and Jacob (4).

Up, Up, and Away. . . Down

As the other balloons took off one by one, we stuck around for the tethered rides that the Riverton Balloon was offering. We all gathered around and got to watch the entire process of rolling the balloon out, tethering it to some vehicles, and inflating it with fans and hot air. 

 It's amazing how gigantic it is up-close.

 We were lucky to be the first in line. (Annie might argue that lucky isn't the proper word, that instead we were smart cause we lined up first). Anyway, she and the girls got to be the first ones to go up.

Ana and I were next in line and enjoyed the lift quite a bit.

I must say that my tether ride only left me wanting more, even though the only other time I've been up and on a real ride, we practically crash landed. Apparently it's been long enough and just the feeling of floating up in the air without the noise and pressure of an airplane is heavenly to me.

I'm glad that the rally just happened to be the same weekend we were home visiting!

Hot Air Balloon Rally

In my opinion, the best part of Rendezvous Days in the small town I'm from is the Hot Air Balloon Rally. When I was young, we'd get up both Saturday and Sunday mornings at 6 a.m. and watch as the balloons inflated with hot air and rose above the horizon out my parents front window...then we'd head to the rally and choose a balloon to chase. Some years, we'd wake to the sound of the hot air balloons outside and watch as they near my parents home. I haven't been to the rally in over 15 years and this was the first time my girls were ever able to go. We had a great time taking it all in and capturing some photos. And next time I have photos to share of the the tethered ride we took after all of the other balloons took off. 

 I love all of the bright colors and designs.

 This one was my favorite - the colors and patterns were different than the rest.

 I love that the moon is just to the right of this one and if you look closely, the sun illuminates the left side of the balloon in almost the same shape as the moon.

 Good morning, Annie!

 One of us isn't fond of pictures, especially early in the morning.