May I have this dance?

A couple of years ago Brad and I went to Virginia City, MT (an old ghost town). While we were up there we learned that every year they have a 1800's Ball. Anyone can go, so we thought that sounded like a way fun thing to do with some friends.

Virginia City is an old gold rush town, and it died just about as quick as it sprung up, but Montana has tried to preserve it as best they can. There are quite a few things to do ranging from browsing all the historical buildings, to actually panning for gold, to dancing the night away in an 1800's ball gown. (if your a girl)

Well we tried to have some family come with us, but it ended up not working out, so Brad and I found yourselves flying solo. Fortunately the 1860's dances were social dances. So we rented some costumes and away we went. We got into town a little early so we could look around, and we did a little panning for gold.



didn't come up with to much, but found ourselves some pretty little garnets. Then we got dressed up and went to dinner and then on to the dance.

There were some dance classes offered before hand that we never made it to, but thankfully we were able to catch on pretty quick. Actually there were several dances that we had learned in the dance class were we originally met and started dating. There was the Virginia reel, polka, and the waltz. Other than that the MC would walk us through the dances first so everyone could remember. What we like so much about the ball was the atmosphere was so different than that of modern day dances. You know if you go to a dance now day, you gotta avoid eye contact with those you don't want to dance with, and if you do want to dance you'd better make sure you've brushed up on your strip tease because that's about all dancing is these days! We really enjoyed the social dances where every person was involved in the dance. It really gives a person the chance to mingle and not be uncomfortable, and you are just so much for involved in the whole experience. Needless to say...we had a blast.











Brad found himself having a little too much fun...
getting into a bit of a fight..


and being cheeky with his date....




To end the night, we tried to find a camping spot on the way home, but the only one we found was full, so about 1:00 am we pulled over, blew up the air mattress in the back of the truck, and crashed. (Thank goodness for trucks!)

Winter in August?

Wes usually wakes up before me and just watches cartoons or something until everyone else wakes up. Well the other day he gets into the coat closet and finds all his winter gear.

I wake up to find him with hat, gloves, and boots on. Miles woke up shortly after that and Wes quickly recruits him to join the fun. They walked around the house for a good hour like this. cute boys.

Rainy day

It finally rained the other day, and Wes got so excited when I suggested he put his raincoat on and head on out. A few minutes of being out there and realizing the raincoat doesn't really do all that much, he came asking for an umbrella. I peaked out the window at him a few minutes later and couldn't resist the photo opportunity. It's a good thing I have a nice camera because I think I still haven't figured out how to "take a good picture."

"Participant"

A few weeks ago I was talking to my cousin on the phone when she asked me to be a "model" In her upcoming fashion show. You see, she's a fabulous hairstylist and the salon she works at was hosting a fashion show. The stylists would do all hair and makeup and then a local high end fashion boutique would be supplying the clothes line. My first answer was "No" (almost a "hell no") but then I got to thinking about it.
1. I was waaay over due for a hair appointment.
2. maybe I'd get some free clothes out of the deal.
3. what the heck.

So after careful thought, (and threatening Brad with WWIII if he told anybody about it) I called her back and said "ok...sign me up." Maybe I'm just going through a "almost thirty" life crisis, but I agreed. So first step was to get my hair ready. When I went in a few days before the show, I told my cousin she had free reign on anything but the length. Had I thought that bangs was an option, I wouldn't have given such a loose reign, but the option hadn't occurred to me. Well, since I was getting hooked up with a free cut and style, I agreed when she told me that was the first thing she wanted to do. Interestingly enough, just hours earlier I had had a conversation with my sister-in-law about how she was going to get bangs cut at her next hair appt. I told her no way I could do that. She must have thought me crazy when she saw the next day that I had major bangs.

And that has been the hardest to get used to. I don't think I've had bangs...well, I've never had bangs like this. They're kinda growing on me now, but we'll see if they stay.

So time for the fashion show. It was pretty dang fun. Me and the other "models" (I prefer "participant"...if you will) showed up around 1:00 to start getting ready for the 6:00 show. They had snacks and drinks all day, and took care of every detail. It was really like the movies. 6:00 rolls around and we're ready to go. I told myself earlier that if I could get through the event without laughing, I would call it a success. And I did. After a few run through's and some loosening up with some of the other... "participants," I was able to let go and have some fun with it.

LOVE

Seven years ago today, I married the most sexy, loving, humble and talented man. Looking back I am just so grateful that he turned out to be the man he is because I certainly didn't know what I was doing at 19 years old. I owe just about everything that I am to Brad. He loves me unconditionally and shows it daily. I have yet to ask for anything and him not jump to get it.

My amazing husband took me on friday to a bed-n-breakfast in Driggs. On the way up there he let me just ramble on and on about the twilight series and how excited I am for book four. (3 days left and counting.) He even acted very interested. After we got there and unloaded our stuff, he pulled out a present. Now, it won't sound very sentimental to any of you, but let me just explain how thouhtful it was. So for the past two weeks, everytime Brad has been around when I have been blowdrying my hair, he has heard me complain about how much I hate doing it.(I do. I just hate it.) Anyways, so I had actually gone out last week to update me hair dryer to one that I can hold the nose and not burn my had, and that my diffuser will attach to, but was unsuccessful. Anyways, he, like always, is listening to my needs, and bought me a nice new hair dryer. What a stud. And of course there was a very sentimental letter. (Brads specialty)

That night we went up to a scout camp that Brad used to participate in, and it was their skit night. It was really pretty funny. We then went and got some ben and gerry's, and called it a night. ;)

The next day we had some delicious breakfast, (my favorite part about bed-n-breakfasts) and then headed home to catch a matinee of Batman. (good... but dark)

Husby, thank you for the greatest seven years of my life. I will always love you and no other.

It's that time again

Reunions. My side of the family has at least two a summer. I love it though. Even though I don't know most of them well, I just love the thought that these are all people that no matter what, I can be friends with. I don't really know how to verbalize it, but for me, reunions are a neat thing. This was my dad's family, and we had a pretty fun time. It was at Porter park, so kids had access to the free water park all day long, and there were also lots of kids games to keep them occupied. There was also a carousel ride, painting, and lots of bubbles. The food has got to be one of the best parts of reunions though...don't ya think?
"concentration"

"concentration"










Tiffy, Brad and Wes










Eric and my nephew Raiden













Brad and the boys on the merry go round

worst day ever

I had a close call with one of every moms worst nightmares. I have a bad tendancy to not want to talk about things that scare me, so thats why this hasn't been blogged yet, but everyone close knows what happened, so I might as well.
Every Wednesday I play volleyball with a bunch of other moms at the local stake center. We play, and the kids run around on the other court and play. Well, I pull into the parking lot, and am making a left hand turn into the parking stall o' say 3-5mph or so...and I hear the back door open. For those of you who don't know, I'm driving a Tundra these days to accomodate all my kids. the drop from the back seat is probably a good five feet. Wes decides he's to excited and in mid turn, he unlocks the door..and opens it. Since he was sitting on the left side, the force of the heavy door and the arc of the turn just threw him. I slammed the truck into park so fast fearing I could run him over. I didn't. thank heavens. He had hit the ground and rolled several times before I got to him. Other than some scrapes and bruises, and extreme shock, he's fine. The next time we got into the car to go home, he says "mom, I will never, never, never do that again."
sigh.
The day it happened













four days after