Mustang Days and Family Reunion

We've had a fun and busy few weeks. About two weeks ago we went up to Lovell for the end of Mustang Days. We had fun participating in a few of the activities, such as Family Fun Night and the Parade. My kids really had a fun time with everything. At the parade the kids were right up there to get the candy and I sat on the curb with them, while Joel and Adam sat a bit farther back with some of his family. We didn't get many pictures, but here's one of them at the parade. Will complained a few times that he couldn't get any candy, and to be fair he was having to compete with young teenage boys (seriously, they are old enough to go buy their own candy. Irritating!) but Will did a fine job of collecting plenty of candy!



On the Sunday after Mustang Days Joel had to head back to Laramie so he could work Mon-Wed. I stayed in Lovell because my sister Mary and her family got to Lovell Sunday night! We really missed Joel while he was gone, but we had so much fun with everyone! We went to Horseshoe Bend one afternoon for swimming. The lake was very high and dirty, I don't know how I swam in that thing as a kid! Grandpa Bill brought the canoe out and took us all on canoe rides, which was a lot of fun. At first Will wouldn't go because the first time he got in the boat it was rocking a lot and he thought we was going to fall out! But after a few others went he was ready for his turn, and he sat very still so he wouldn't move the boat! :)

On Tuesday evening my sisters Adrienne, Amy, and Laura and her family got to Lovell. Wednesday was busy with working on pinewood derby cars, hanging pictures for my Mom, altering shirts for children, and other general things. Joel got back late Wednesday night, and we were very happy to have Daddy back!

On Thursday we headed up to a place near Cody for a Dickson Family Reunion. I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I should have, but I got a few on Saturday afternoon. The reunion was filled with games, hikes, a GPS scavenger hunt, a pinewood derby, eating, and general merriment. We were sad that a lot of the extended family wasn't able to be there, so it was a smaller reunion than we've had in the past, but it was still a lot of fun and we hope to see everyone next time!

Laura and her husband David own a pinewood derby track that they brought up from AZ with them so we could have our own family pinewood derby! Since I am not so handy and I don't have any tools, and Joel was too busy to really worry about it, I ordered a pre-cut pinewood derby car online. I let Jenna paint one half and Will painted the other. David helped me do some fancy shining up of the axles and wheels, and added some weights, so our car actually ended up being pretty fast! It came in 3rd out of the 19 cars in the regulation category. Here are Jenna and Will with our fast car.

Here is my sister Mary with her youngest son. Check out that red hair!

Here is my beautiful Aunt Barbara. The gorgeous little girl next to her is one of my cousin's kids, and she reminded me a lot of Jenna. Can you see the resemblance?

Joel and Adam, waiting for the derby to start. (I think Adam was eating something?)

Above is Jenna with Grandpa Bill with his trophy. He won the open category; where there aren't limits on weight, etc. He seriously had the coolest car! Since I can't explain it right, I'll just say he had a mouse trap on it that would snap shut, hit a wood block behind his car, which would propel it forward! It was awesome, and very fast!

On Sunday we all headed home. It was sad saying goodbye to everyone, especially since I don't see most of my sisters very often. I am hoping for more pictures from my sisters, so I might post some later.

We are now back to "normal" life. Joel is working and studying. I am taking care of three crazy kids. :) I did buy a childproof lock for the fridge, which has already helped with my sanity. Ah, gotta love life!