Mothers Day weekend was full of many fun and exciting activites. On Saturday, after Bryce and I went to the Logan Temple, we headed up to Treasureton Idaho to go four wheeling. Marilyn and Roger watched the boys for us, which was much appreciated. Plus, I am glad the boys got to spend some one-on-one time with grandma and papa.
Jacqui and Jared came wheeling with us. It took about an hour to get up there. The reason we chose Treasureton, is because we were trying to pick a place where we wouldn't run into lots of snow. Anyway, after much preparation and loading of the machines, we finally arrived up there and started out on our journey.
It didn't take long before we ended up in snow. Almost every path we took eventually landed us in snow. We tried to push our way through, but mostly ended up getting stuck over and over again. But, that was exciting for Bryce, because it allowed him to use his new winch.
There was lots of water and snow up there. At one point, Jacqui peeled out right in front of me (on purpose) and splattered mud all over me, my machine and my new helmet. There was a payback in store! About 45 minutes into the ride, we realized that Jared's machine was almost out of gas, so we took it back and they both shared Jacqui's machine.
We were off on a trail going over little streams when I decided this was my chance to get Jacqui back. So, I took off fast and came up next to them through a big stream and covered them with water. It was pretty fun and not like myself to do such a thing! It was a little chilly after that because I managed to get my right leg and foot completely drenched!
We were able to ride for a couple of hours before it was time to head back to Smithfield. For the most part, it was a lot of fun. Hopefully, we will be able to go on some longer rides as things start to warm and the snow melts!
Two weeks ago, my niece, Brittney, came to stay with us for a few days. It was so much fun to have her here. I didn't realize how awesome she is with children. Cooper and Clayton had so much fun with her. It took Clayton a while to warm up to her. After a day, she couldn't believe his fun personality, cause he never shows it to anyone but us. 
Brittney was so nice to Cooper and he had a great time spending time with her. One night, she took him to Wendy's and got him a frosty. Another night, we went to the Roy Pool with Brittney and the kids enjoyed swimming with her. Cooper was so sad when Brittney had to go home. 
Brittney was good to help Bryce and I one night with the kids while we went to a movie. Before we left, she did my eye make-up with her new make-up. It was great to spend a few days with her. Thanks Brittney, for being so loving and kind to my boys. That really meant alot to to me!
We organized the junk into three different piles....wood, scrap metal, and trash. We took 2 loads of green waste to the dump. We took 2 loads of trash to the dump and the ended up getting a fire pit and burning all the remaining wood and green waste. At one point, Steph found a bucket full of old water and some manure in it. She was walking around with it asking everyone if they wanted some fresh manure. When she put it down on the ground, she kind of dropped it and the water and poop sloshed up and all over her! It was awesome and kind of shocked her a little!
As we walked from place to place, we would dig up old fences, old pitchforks, lots of wood, and bail twine. It didn't really feel like work, because we were having such a good time with each other laughing and telling stories. I just thought it was neat because we spent so much time at the barn when we were younger, and now 20 years later, a bunch of cousins are back together, cleaning up our old stomping grounds.
Bryce got the job of leveling out some old manure and hay piles. He got to drive a nice red tractor. Clayton spent lots of time with him in the tractor. He was in heaven. They also dumped some manure up in grandma's garden, so that she could get ready to plant her veggies.
Later that evening, we continued to burn the wood. Cooper, Jamie and I roasted hot dogs over the fire and they turned out so yummy. Clayton even ate two all by himself. After dinner, we headed back home. It turned out to be a very fun day. I was exhausted when we got home, but it was nice to be able to help them get things cleaned up. Another day we might attempt to tackle the big shed that's down at the barn!
Anyway, we got down there and the kids had a blast. We hung out with Braden Patterson and his dad for most of the day. Clayton thought he was such a big boy walking around following Cooper and Braden. He did not want to sit in his stoller. It was cute to watch him strut around with a little bounce in his step.
The zoo had lots of dinosaurs scattered here and there. Some of them would spray water out of their mouths and Cooper thought that was great. Cooper liked the dinosaurs and the giraffes the best. I enjoyed watching the tigers sleep on their backs and devour the pile of raw hamburger.
We also enjoyed seeing the elephants and the rhinos. These are huge animals and it was fun to watch them. The kids had just as much fun climbing on the rocks as they did seeing the animals. The weather ended up being perfect. It did sprinkle off and on for part of the day, but the temps were great. 
We were supposed to be on a trail that runs next to the old railroad. The ranger gave us bad directions and we ended up on some trail that seemed to be personal property, because it had "No Tresspassing" signs on it. Anyway, we only had one hour to ride, so we took off and had a good time. We had to dodge lots of cows and cow pies, but it was a nice little ride.
We rode up to the top of one of the hills and ate a quick lunch up there. It was pretty and Reese and Cooper had a good time exploring up there. All of a sudden, a strong wind came out of nowhere and we had to head back to the truck. It was a nice ride, just wish we had more time!
The weather has been so rainy that we haven't been out much on our wheelers. Mine is parked in our back yard where Clayton is tempted by it everyday. Last week when he wasn't feeling well, I took him and Cooper around and around in our backyard. Any chance they can get, they want a ride from mom or dad!
Cooper loves stuffed animals and he has a monkey that he plays with every now and then. Well, the other day we decided to get Clayton his monkey off of his shelf. The boys played with their monkeys and had a good time! Cooper is careful with his stuffed animals...
Clayton loved to throw his monkey around..... 
And then lay on it! These boys are completely opposite of each other in many things!
Every day, Cooper sits up to our bar to eat his lunch. The seats are kind of high, but recently Clayton has wanted to sit up there next to his brother. As they sat there and ate, Clayton kept stealing food off of Cooper's plate and then he would smile....he's so full of it!
We spend lots of time out in our front yard. I either pull a chair out or spread a blanket on the lawn. Clayton loves to ride his little red toy and his tractor. It's so cute to watch his little legs move so fast. He also enjoys playing in my car. I know its not the safest, but I open the windows and keep the back door open as well.
Clayton loves to have me read him books. His favorite books have trucks, tractors, and fire trucks on them. I always know when he sees a truck, tractor, train, or bus while we are driving down the road. He loves to say the word, "truck" right now.
Clayton also enjoys playing in the back yard. If I have not opened the door for him, he will just climb through the 'doggy door' when he wants to go out to play. Clayton has very expressive eyes. Alot of times, I can tell what he wants by his eyes. Clayton is very shy around people. It takes him quite a while to warm up to others.
Clayton loves to play in the water. He sits on my kitchen counter and plays in the sink. He also loves to stand on the toilet in my bathroom and brush his teeth while I get ready for the day. Clayton likes to "do" his hair. He will get the water on his hand and then put it on his hair. Its so cute to watch him spike his hair!
Saturday morning, he woke up with a fever and that's when I decided to take him to the Urgent care in Clinton. The doctor looked him over...checked his ears, throat, and chest. He told me that he thought it was just allergies. So, I went to Walgreens and got him some Zyrtek and Benedryl.
By Saturday night, Clayton was really sick. He fell asleep at 7 and woke up 30 minutes later having a hard time getting a breath. He was really heaving and straining to breath. That's when I decided I better take him back to a different urgent care. When I left our home at 8, I gave him some Motrin for his fever. When he got checked in and they took his temp at 9, he had a fever of 102. The doctor checked him out and we found out he had croup and an ear infection. I was irritated with the doctor that checked him out in the morning, but soon found out that these kids can come down with an ear infection or croup that quickly. 
Anyway, they gave him a shot of steroids and then I fought with him for 6 grueling minutes as I tried to get a mask on him as he received a breathing treatment. We were so exhausted by the time we got home that night. We got some anitbiotics started that night. He was so tired the next few days that he would just crash out right on the floor! Poor guy....Glad he is back to himself!
The weather has been cool enough that Cooper has really enjoyed playing outside between the rain storms that come and go every few hours! Anyway, he is learning how to ride his new bike and he is doing a great job. He has crashed into a mailbox, a dumpster, and the side of the road. But, he gets back up and tries again (mostly, because his mom makes him). He is also enjoying his new scooter. He loves to try new tricks on it.
A few weeks ago, Cooper, Reese, and I were able to go watch 
Last week, the entire Kindergarten had a Hawaiian day at school. I was able to go and help with one of the stations. I had to help teach the kids how to do a dance with sticks. It was not so much fun, but the kids enjoyed it. They made skirts for the kids and then afterwards, Ms. Clark showed them how to do a Hula dance.
In fact, all these years later, I still love the smell of the barn! There is nothing like the smell of fresh manure blowing up from the barn. When I was younger, grandpa had dairy cows so we used to help him milk the cows and I can remember the big tank of milk!
Now, I enjoy taking Cooper and Clayton down to the barn. Cooper loves to feed the cows, but Clayton got scared when they started "mooing". It was really loud so they must have been hungry. I am surprised Cooper still likes to feed them, because last year one of the cows head butted him through the bars!
Cooper and Clayton love to play in Uncle Clair's bus. Cooper 
We also let Cooper and Clayton sit up on the tractors and 
Bryce and 
It was such a perfect day and fun to take the kids down and let them enjoy the things that I enjoyed back in the days! There is nothing like a barn full of animals and farm equipment!