Judd Family Campout 2010

My family went up to the Judd Ranch for a Labor day campout. Lillie thought she had died and gone to heaven. Literally, the first thing she did was sit down next to the fire pit, take her shoes off, and rub ash up and down her legs...it was like all her dreams had come true! We really had a great time. We hiked, shot skeet, shot some more guns, did some target shooting, I shot a gun that was so big it scared me. That is the honest truth. It isn't a Judd Family Campout until some major amunition supply is diminished. Shane Sargent, your aim is serious, my friend!! Sierra quickly informed me that when she grows up she wants to study bullets, then proceeded to collect as many spent shells as she could get her hands on. (She is currently sleeping with them under her pillow...should I be scared?) Then, because that was so much fun, she and Tyler went out in the trees and collected all the clay pigeons we missed. Good Times!! Another time honored tradition of the Judd Family Campout is the progressive rummy tournament. Miner won by a landslide, I swear that guy cheats...four aces!! I just think my family is so awesome and fun. It was fun to have Erica and Landon and the boys there, too.

So that is my little summer. I can't believe the trees are already changing color. I've had such a great time. I can't wait for skiing, let's bring on the snow already!! Peace.

We don't need no education...

The best and hardest thing about having a 5 year old is sending them to their 1st day of school. Sierra was so excited to go. She just LOVES school. She loves riding the bus. She loves having the big kids help her get to class in the morning. She loves her teacher. She LOVES recess. She told me that every morning they stand and say, " I pleg to Jesus and the flag of the university and regular plublic by which I stand." She was so proud!! We will have to work on that, but how can you not just be so excited for her!! I did very good, I only cried a little. It was actually harder for me to send her the second day, because she just ran right out of the house and down to the bus stop and she didn't even need my help, and she wasn't scared or anything...that was kind of hard for me. She is such a good, good kid.

Summer 2010, Part 3

Two Hawaiian Beauties

Lava Flow at night

Miner's Dream Machine...the Jeep!

Most Amazing Snorkling!

Black Sand Beach

Sunset veiw from our condo

Volcano National Park

In July, Miner took me to Hawaii for our 10th Anniversary. I can NOT believe I have been married for 10 years. It just doesn't seem like it has been that long. Then again, I feel like Miner and I have done SO SO MUCH in that 10 years. We just filled it all up. It has been so amazing. Miner is an amazing person. He just has so much energy, and wants to do everything and not miss out on life. I love that about him. I have a tendency to want to just get in a routine, so I am so glad that I have him to get me out there and having fun. We have had so much fun. For all of you out there who have been along for the ride...we love you, and thank you for contributing so much to our lives and our family. We have such great friends and family, and that keeps us keepin' on.

July 31, 2010 was my sweet, sweet Sierra's Number 5 birthday. I would post pics, but I can't find the other camera at the moment (Miner may have taken it with him to the desert). But I have to say, I can't believe my girl is 5. I am getting choked up just thinking about it right now. That girl has my heart. She is my softie. She is my best good hand holding buddy. She loves learning new things. She loves music and "rocks out" in her bedroom all the time. (She totally gets that from me!) Although, she told me she didn't want to take dance lessons this year, because she has to do exactly what the teacher tells her all the time...I guess she prefers her own dance moves. She loves singing songs, she makes up her own lyrics and sings to herself all day long. I can hear her in her room just singing away. She loves hugs, and she gives hugs a lot. She got a camera for her birthday and has made a comprehensive catolog of all the light fixtures, furniture, rugs, and appliances in our house. If our house is ever destroyed by fire we will have no problem with the insurance company, because our house has been thoroughly documented. Also she has taken several pictures of her own feet, Lillie's eyes (extreme close-up), all her stuffed animals in various poses...and then her camera ran out of batteries. It was a great birthday.

Summer 2010, Part 2

This was a swimming party at G-ma Miner's House with the Rigg's cousins. I was really fun. We had swimming pools and slip-n-slides and water volleyball. Good times!!

Summer 2010

I would love to say that I am a great blogger, but it is hard for me to get around too. So here are some of the things we have been up to this summer...

My Little Lillie turned 2 years old. She is such a cutie and she just knows what she wants. She talks a hundred miles an hour. She has never had any trouble pronouncing words. She talks like she is thirty years old. In fact, today we were looking at a book of baby animals and she was telling me what all the animals were. When we got to the picture of the guinea pig, she said, "OH! Zuzu pet!!" She is so great. I just love her so much. I can't believe she is two already, even though she hardly seems like a baby anymore. She is such a good sleeper, I have never had any trouble with her. She loves, and I mean LOVES dirt, mess, smearing things, climbing on things, splashing, spilling, mud, stuffing, pulling out stuffing, shredding, you name it, she will do it! She is very brave and it scares me to take her to the swimming pool, because she is absolutely unafraid of the water. You just have to love her though, because at the end of the day, that is what makes her so fun.

Preschool Graduation

Lillie Loved the Bounce House
So did Sierra...

Sierra and her best friend Karlie

L to R: Gracie Howard, Olivia Howard, Karlie Rigby, and Sierra

BFF!!

Sierra and Lillie...just try to get them to look at the camera, I challenge you!!

My sweet, sweet Sierra graduated preschool!! I can not believe it! I never thought I would be one of those crying moms, but shoot...I can't stop it! Sierra's preschool teacher is just the greatest. We just love Teacher Paskett. Sierra even started crying at the end and said, " I will never see Teacher Paskett again!" She was so worried. It was really kind of sad. I told her she would see Teacher Paskett over the summer and than helped her calm down. Also, it is kind of hard to keep crying and eat popcorn at the same time, so...

Anyway, Sierra sang all her songs and said her line, which was, "I know what policemen and mailmen do." Teacher Paskett had put together a cute little program and video of all their activities. They even got to wear graduation gowns. It was so funny, all the kids in Sierra's class fit their gowns, and since Sierra is about 4 inches shorter then anyone else her age, her gown was so huge on her and she had to carry it around just so she could walk in it. Teacher Paskett had asked all the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up, and Sierra said she wanted to be a Cowgirl!!! I was so proud! I got all choked up, of course.

After the ceremony, there was a carnival (hence the aforementioned popcorn) and all the kids got to "fish pond" and jump in the bounce house, and everyone won prizes. It was a good time. Sierra was really excited to come home and find a graduation present at home. A new slip'n'slide and swimming pool for summer. BEST DAY EVER!!! Now all we need is some sun!

XXOO Baby girl! I love you so much. I am so proud of you!

Spring Dance Recital

Nanny gave her a rose after her performance

Nanny, Papa, & Go-go all came up for the Recital

Sierra and her friend Jordan

Sierra had her spring dance recital. She was so cute. She did a ballet and a tap number. My parents and Grandma Judd came up for the dance recital. The kids performed so cute. They are so funny at this age, because they are all up there just basically doing their own thing. But Sierra did really good and she was so proud of herself for dancing up on the big stage!! She loves that part the best. She is a real performer. I am just proud of her, she is so dang cute.

Is Somebody Cooking Soup?

Sometimes it is the little subtle differences in your kids that really tells you a lot about them as individuals. This morning Lillie and Sierra were hard at work in Sierra's Pretend Kitchen. I was in watching the Today Show when Lillie came running in and wanted me to try her "soup." She had half a puzzle box and a plastic spoon and she told me, "Mom, Carrot in it!" I told her it was very tasty and that I LOVED carrots. Then Sierra brought her soup in...she said, "Mom, it has pineapple in it. If that doesn't tell you about the differences in their personalities...I don't know what does.

Baby Animal Days 2010

David and Turtle

The only animal Lillie decided it was ok to touch...

If you will notice, the goat IS, in fact, eating her hair...

Lillie and Uncle Steve

Marjorie and Hannah

Wagon ride...good.

Pony ride...not so much.

Cowgirl.

Bear faces....rrrroooaaarrrr!

Snuggling the baby duck!

And the baby rabbit!

Gabe and his rabbit!

As you can see baby animal days was a huge success this year! We had so much fun. My sister and brother-in-law, came and brought the cousins. Oh man, everyone had a great time. Except maybe Lillie who was skeptical about the whole ordeal. After the baby turtle's claws scratched her, she remained luke warm towards the idea of touching baby animals. Except for, the baby pigs. Which she walked right in and patted on the behind as if they were old friends. Then she declared them her favorite animal!! (This may not be surprising to some of you who are familiar with her garbage eating escapades.) I have to say, I have some pretty cute nieces and nephews. I think Emma has now realized what her heaven will be like! And I actually saw my nephew David smile...AND LAUGH!! This is a big step in our relationship. We all had a good time eating cotton candy, regular candy, and my personal favorite fair food, kettle corn. All in all, I say, good job animal days, you never disappoint.

Happy Birthday Miner!

Not many people can be known by just one name...Madonna, Sting, Ghandi, Elvis, Santa, Cher...but there is just something about them that stands out, something that when you say that name, everyone just knows what and who you are talking about...and that is how it is for Miner. There is just something about him that needs no explanation!

I am so grateful to be your wife and your friend. You are a very special person. You are so smart and funny. You are so good to people and I think it is so great that you want the world to be a better place. You are so fun, you make me push the limits of my bravery sometimes, but it is always fun, and always an experience to remember! You are always an accomplisher...by that I mean, that when you set your mind to something you will find a way to get it done, no matter what your goals may be. If it is remodeling a bathroom, running a 6-minute-mile-5k, meeting a deadline, or planning a vacation. I know if you want something, it is as good as done. I can count on you and that means a whole lot to me. You continuously challenge yourself and me and I need that sometimes. You are a good friend. People really like you, you are a good talker (ha ha). You make friends easily and you retain your friends for a lifetime. I think it is because you are honest and you speak your mind, and people respond to that. They know you aren't fake and that draws people to you. You are a good dad. Your girls love you so much, they love you for all the things I just mentioned, and they love you, because you play games with them, and drag them around on the sleigh, and haul them around in backpacks, and you make them laugh, and you watch cartoons, and read books. You are so great, and I hope this year is great for you. I love you, Your Loving Wife.