Saturday Night (Last Week)

After the hyper excitement of Saturday's parade, we really had to calm ourselves with more pastoral pleasures.

Owen saddled up Rocky, the Belgian.

It's a bit of a trick to ride a draft horse. That thing is WIDE!

Artfully framed picture of Justin with Meg. (I think Livie took these pictures... I was busy chopping vegetables in the house.)

The Colorado ranch boy gets a few minutes in with his horse!

Rilla liked the horse, too! And her baby. Babies are VERY key right now.

After supper, there was game of softball in the hay field.

All the cool kids drove trucks. I drove the coolest truck-- it's the multi-colored green one.

Pasture we had to drive through to get to the field.

Owen with his blazing fast ball. Or not.

Philip putting his all into his swing.

Our team. Until we switched sides so Cheyenne could run again sooner.

Cheyenne, on base with Aunt Ashley. I went over to take some pictures and bring Cheyenne home for bed, so I wasn't properly shod for baseball. I ended up batting, though, and Cheyenne ran bases for me! It was fun to bat, and I must say I'm impressed that I did get a couple hits!

Nina, presumably dealing with one of Nature's Tiny Friends.

Mr. Cool. Remember Pepsi Points? Cody's shirt is a cultural artifact.

Tori and Cheyenne matched with their green attire.

Lindsey takes off with a great hit.

Cheyenne on base with Verity now!

Nina. It's tough being the only outfielder in a hayfield game.

This is how far out she was.

Verity, gracefully eluding the ball.

Back at the ranch... the kids were having a great time playing together, as usual.

Rilla loved sliding down this little slide.

Bethaney, grateful that I had waited until her bottom wasn't quite so prominently displayed to snap a picture, weeded the flowerbeds.


They're looking awesome!

Rilla loves George, one of the dogs.

She even enjoys having her face licked. (Blegh!)

In an AMAZING display of courage, Elliot even moved in to brush the back of the dog for a fraction of a second. We're working on the animal fear these days.

On our way out to look at Cody's pig (one of the popular weekend activities), Cheyenne and Orianna were friends, holding hands.

Dad hooked up the cart to take the kids for a ride.

They rather liked it.

Then he let Rilla and Elliott sit on his lap while he did another loop.

Rilla driving like a madwoman. It's times like this that I REALLY wish I had a camera with video function, too!

"Um, Grandpa, we're stopped? Would you please make it move again? And QUICKLY?"

All in all, not a bad Saturday evening.

Moira's Heritage Day Parade

This year was Moira's 10th Heritage Day Parade-- and the first time I actually attended! Cheyenne was there when I was on bed rest with Elliott, but I finally got to hit the big day in my hometown!

Evan, Elliott and Philip heading up Main Street. We got there at the last possible minute and there was still parking close by, and lots of room for spectators. Bonus of a small-town parade!

Livie grabbed my camera to capture the scene. Funny that, I'm in the stall selling books!

Rilla had the best seat.

Quilters.

My mentally deranged brother's footwear for the day. I hope he's had his tetanus shot recently.

Cheyenne was just a tad excited about this all. She got to go to Ashley's house that morning, and ride to the parade with Ashley. Aunt Ashley was the cool one that day!

Head of the parade.

Rilla's switched seats-- Aunt Lindsey doesn't have scratchy hair on her neck.

Old car.

Not-quite-as-old car. If you're hungering for more pictures of such, I believe I took a picture of every single float and/or car. I'll send you a CD for a nominal fee.

Moira fire truck. This is their day to shine!

Rilla observing, while keeping the milk supply close at hand.

Flags.

A real band!

These were the champion softball girls of 1990 or 1991-- not sure which. Anyway, they were older than me and WAY cool. The girl smiling REAL big is the daughter of my former English teacher. I got to stand beside the former English teacher the whole parade, which was great-- she's a walking encyclopedia of all things Moirian.

I liked this old car.

Here is the guy that made Tyler tough it out through high school. He taught shop, and photography, and some classes he designed just for Tyler. Whatever grades he received in other classes, Tyler got 100s in Mr. McKane's classes. And it wasn't because Mr. McKane was an easy grader-- Tyler just WANTED to do well in his classes. And, in another small town side note, Cody and Justin now work for his brother.

Mr. McKane's daughter, Sara.

Marissa (I think?) But I know she's married to the guy below...

Who is the little brother of one of Tyler's best friends in high school, and, incidentally, Owen and Ashley are renting his house while he goes to school out of town.

What kind of 5 to 6 year old kid gets to ride a four-wheeler in an actual parade? A lucky kid.

Yet another old one.

Cody, using Lindsey for his arm rest. I really wish Cody hadn't primped so long before coming.

And, Cheyenne, spoiled rotten by her wonderful Aunt Ashley. She is wearing the crown of (artificial) flowers Ashley bought for her.

After the parade, we ate Happy Meals! There was booth selling hot dogs for $1.50. But, if you ordered a "Happy Meal" from them, you got a kid-decorated paper bag with a juice pouch, cremesaver yogurt, bag of chips, and a cookie. Plus a hot dog. So we all spread ourselves on the happy meal idea! We took them back to Bethaney and Justin's house, since their house was just a short walk down the road!

Stay tuned for more Saturday Excitement! And, as always, check out my recipe blog, where there's lots more... recipes.