Back to Rancho

Randall had to spend a week away from home working at some various ranches. I pulled Cooper out of school for a day and we headed over to Rancho Grande, Nevada to hang out with Randall and our friends the Knights. The kids love playing together, I enjoy the adult conversation, and to be completely honest, I was tired of being a single parent here at home alone.

We drove the pickup so we could take Rooster with us. This is a decision I am very grateful to have made; little did we know that it would be the last weekend we'd be able to spend with our family dog. I'm glad that his final days were spent enjoying the companionship of his family as well as other dogs. He was carefree and roamed wide open spaces. I will forever remember seeing him in the mirror as I was driving, his head leaning over the side of the pickup taking in the wind and view from our drive.

And on that sentimental note, we had a great couple of days together as a family.

While I was helping Sariah with dinner one afternoon, I looked out the window to see these 4. Cooper and Carson had paired up with Sophie and Saylor and were walking up the hillside. They played together the whole time we were there, but I thought it was cute how they were all holding hands. Arranged marriages anyone?

A painful goodbye

Yesterday afernoon we buried our dog Rooster. We've had Rooster since he was a puppy and Cooper was just a baby- about 5 years now. His death was very unexpected and has left all of us heartbroken. When we left for church yesterday morning he was fine. After church, Cooper and Carson went outside to play with him. They both came running back in the house and Cooper said, "Daddy, Rooster is laying on the front porch and he won't get up and his tongue is hanging out of his mouth!" Randall and I both jumped up and went running outside, only to find that he was already dead. We all just stood there with unanswered questions and not knowing what to do.

Randall, being the good vet that he is, couldn't stand to not know what happened, so we sent the kids inside and he did a quick necropsy (autopsy in human terms). It turns out poor Rooster had a hernia in his diaphram, which allowed his stomach to push through the opening and put pressure on his lung so he was unable to breath. He likely has had the hernia for quite sometime, probably since early May when he got ran over, by me, of all people (still not sure how that happened, and I've felt terrible about it ever since). Looking back now there were some signs. Even though he has healed up really well and seemed like he was back to his old self, at times he seemed tired and out of breath, but we just attributed to the fact that he is still in recovery mode. A fractured pelvis isn't easy to heal. So, Randall and I both feel guilty, me for running him over his the first place, and Randall for not recognizing the symptoms of what could have been and easy fix. I mostly feel bad about making my children so sad.

Randall and the kids burying Rooster


We all loved Rooster, but the kids especially loved that little dog. They loved to throw frisbees and balls for him, they loved to chase him around the yard, give him hugs and let him give them slobbery dog kisses. We all loved Rooster's companionsip, espcially me when Randall was out of town. He helped me to not be afraid at night when I was here alone with the kids at night, because I knew that if something or someone was outside that could cause us harm, Rooster would let me know. He was a good little guard dog, and especially looked after the children. He absolutely hated it when they were doing something he though was dangerous (like jumping off a dock in Island Park- Rooster finally went to the end of the dock and stood there so they couldn't jump in the lake anymore!).

You know, it really is true what they say... a good dog really can be a man's best friend, and it is painfully difficult to say goodbye. So long Rooster. You will be missed.

Lainee: Black eye #2

Poor little Lainee received her second black eye of the summer. The kids and I were outside- they were playing while I was picking beans out of garden. Lainee started crying and I looked over at her and found her holding a little hand shovel. I didn't see any marks on her, so after comforting her for a minute and giving her a hug, I sent her off to play some more. By bedtime you could see a small red mark just above her eye. By the time she woke up yesterday morning it was red and puffy. Now today, a day and a half later, she's got a nice shiner going on.

She's still just as cute as ever, though, even with one purple eye!

Look! A purple flower to match the purple eye!

My perfectionist son

A few weeks ago when Cooper started school, he came home and was telling me about his day. He told me how he had organized his desk so that he could find things easier. Then he said, "Oh, and Mom, I organized Layth's desk, too, 'cause his desk was really messy!" (Layth is the little boy who sits next to him at school). I just had to laugh. Not only does he make sure his own desk is clean, but he helps his neighbor as well. That's my boy!

Funny boys before church

Cooper and Carson thought they were being funny before church yesterday. After they were all dressed up in their church clothes they thought they should see what church clothing looked like with John Deere cowboy boot footwear.
My response: "Very funny! Let's take a picture. Ok, now go get your church shoes on so we can go!"

Air Force Appreciation Day

This past Saturday was the 50th Annual Air Force Appreciation Day in Mountain Home, Idaho. We decided since we've never been that we should go check it out. Plus, it seemed only fitting that we join in the festivities and honor our servicemen on such a sacred day as September 11. So, Saturday morning we went to the parade. They advertise it as being one of the largest parades in Idaho. I'm not sure if that is true or not, but it was plenty long... 1 1/2 hours!

A very strange car/motorcylce that rolled through the parade




After the parade we headed over to the park to partake in the community barbeque. The line was long, but the food was good, and free! It was wonderful to see so many people gathered together honoring those who sacrifice their time and even their lives to keep this great country of ours the land of the free.

The boys getting ready to race through the air-filled obstacle course

"Let me out!"

Labor Day Staycation

This year for the Labor Day weekend we were invited to hang out with my parents and fam at the cabin in Island Park. While we really wanted to go, we couldn't figure out how to make the 5 hour one-way drive work with our other obligations. So, we decided to stay home and try and make the most of the weekend, doing as many fun things with the kids as possible.

The weather turned out rather nice. Friday was a warm 90 degrees, perfect for going boating with our friends, the Merricks.

Carson

Randall jumping the wake

Randall and the kids

Melissa just trying not to crash hard (gotta protect that baby bump!)

Lainee

Cooper

Saturday was also a warm sunny day, and we took the kids up near Silver City for a horse ride.

Carson riding Chex

Cooper on Handsome, Carson on Chex, and Randall & Lainee on Doc

Cooper, Carson, Melissa & Lainee

Melissa & Lainee on Chex; Cooper sitting tall in the saddle

Randall & Lainee on Doc

Sunday was about 20 degrees cooler and horribly windy, so we pretty much stayed home and relaxed.

Monday the temperature was in the pleasant 70's, and we took the kids to Bruneau Dunes State Park. We had a picnic, let the kids run along the shore, and hiked to the top of one of the sand dunes. We came home with way more than our fair share of sand!







Then we cleaned up and headed over to a friends house to watch the Boise State vs. Virginia Tech football game. We have several friends who made the trek to the Washington DC area to see the game in person, but being that we bleed a normal Crimson color (Go WSU Cougs!) rather than blue and orange, we were content to watch the game on tv with the kiddos.

It did turn out to be game well-worth watching. The BSU Broncos pulled out a victory with under 2 minutes to go in the 4th quarter. Thanks Wadsworth family for a fun game night!

All in all we had a wonderful Labor Day weekend, and we did it all close to home.