The latest and greatest Leatherow toy

What do you do over Labor Day weekend? Do you camp, do you get your yard ready for the upcoming winter months, do you have family over for a BBQ?
We didn't go camping, and we sure didn't do any yard work and we had family over but it was for tacos and we did buy us a new Polaris Sportsman 500. Tom had been looking at new rides ever since our Piute trail vacation. He and the boys stopped in at Triple S on Friday and spoke with the salesman but Tom being the super smart man he is he told the young man he would have to speak with his wife. So on Saturday he took me out to Triple S, after he had taken me to buy new jeans, a new sweater and took me to lunch. (I told you, he was smart Ü)
Once we arrived he showed me the bike he was thinking about and I just didn't like it all. I mean it was nice bike but the look was not "the Leatherow" look. It was a 2010 Trailblazer 330. I pulled Tom a side and told him to look at us, look close ~ we have aged and grown. We are bit bigger and needed a bigger bike. So he started to look at the Polaris 500 ~ now we're talking! So talk we did and got the deal that fit our budget and he signed on the line and the ride was ours.


I love it! It looks like it just belongs at our house.
Sunday the boys took it out for its maiden voyage, so to speak. They took it to Mantua. Garett says the seat is heaven. The road a bit dusty but the ride was great.



Bring on the hunting season.
Hopefully within the next year or so we can get a second one.

First Day of School 2010

This was a big day in our house ~ all the boys would be attending different schools.
Weston is off to Ben Lomond High School. I just can't believe how the time has flown by. The school has been re-build and is amazing. The official ribbon cutting ceremony will be in a few weeks. He is super proud to be a Scot.

Wes with Josh Winterbottom and Sage Buehler. Sage suggested they all do the "thinking" pose.
Wesman, enjoy the next three years; they will fly so fast. Don't slack in your studies, strive to get great grades, be a friend to all, be respectful and don't forget to have Fun. Dad and I are so proud of you and the young man you are becoming. It truly is an honor to be your parents.

This was a big day for Colton as well. He is no longer the young man on campus. He is an 8th grader at Highland Jr. High. The morning was a bit rough on him (nothing fit the way he wanted it too) Darn it. So he wasn't quite as eager to get his picture taken.

Colton, you are truly one in a million. We are super proud of you. You are always giving 100% and are a friend to everyone. Continue to strive for the top. I can't wait until wrestling season so I cheer loud for you. We love you and are so proud of who you are becoming.

Garett is heading into the 5th grade. He was a bit nervous on the teacher selection. However, on back to school night we met his teacher, Mrs. Maurice. She is top notch. As we left that night I told Garett to mark my words this would be the teacher he will remember forever.

(the special effects? Don't you just dig it, they are the after affects of the camera being smunched in the mud ~ read the Piute trail post)
G-Ray ~ I don't even know where to start. You are the family clown. You keep us laughing. You are so fun to be around and others are just drawn to you. You give 100% in your sports just remember to give 110% in the classroom. Dad and I want you to know that we are so proud of you.

Our little princess, Jaycee Elizabeth

While Ryker was in the hospital, we got to spend lots of time with Jaycee. Here are a few randoms photos of her playing at our house.




We love our Little Jaycee.

End of Summer Bash ~ SMUIN style

The first annual Smuin End of Summer Bash was a huge hit. Chad and Breeze reserved Roy park, rented some fabulous blow ups, snow cone machine and fed us all. WOW! It was a great time. The wind came to visit but we all had a great time. Thanks Smuins ~ til next year.


The water slides were a huge hit. Towards the end of the day Shane was the first adult to take to the slide and soon others followed. Let the fun begin.




Chad also had games planned ~ two legged race, water balloon toss. Since Tess had just had baby Ryker and Tom had left to pick up Kenzi, Blake got stuck with me for the two legged race (sorry Blake)
The younger kids made this look too easy ~ it is NOT easy.




Tess was able to do the water balloon toss.

All the kids got lots of prizes.


From us to the Smuins ~ Thank You for a great day!

Primary Activity ~ 8/7/10 ~ Heros then and Now

On Saturday, August 7th the Rock Cliff 4th Ward primary held their quarterly activity. Garett was asked about a month before to play Captain Mornoni. He was super excited but nervous about the small speech he was to give. We arrived at the church and they dressed him as well as several of his friends as heros from the Book of Mormon. It was super!




During the program inside some heros of today were arriving ~ the local firemen and women. They came and talked with the kids, let the kids walk thru the truck, let them get wet and when they pulled out of the parking lot they had their lights and the sirens on. The kids LOVED it.

Weston's first experience with anesthesia, 8/6/10

Weston had an appointment with Dr. M. Broadbent to have all four of his wisdom teeth out. He was anxious as was I ~ this was his first time being put under.
Here he is right before we headed out the door.

The procedure was Quick, with a capital Q. Really from time they called him back to the time they told us he was waking up was about 25 minutes. We then took him home about 15 minutes after that. TOO quick if you ask me. He couldn't hold his head on the drive home so I sat behind him and held him the best I could. I did snicker a few times but those soon dissappeared.

He really took a long time to wake up fully. I was becoming quite worried. He couldn't talk so we tried to communicate with hand gestures. He was thirsty so I tried to give him a drink ..his lips numb, he couldn't feel the glass, he couldn't swallow so the water ran all down the front of him. I really wasn't expecting that. He was finally with us about 6:00 that night.
He doesn't remember much of that day. I am glad it is over with.

One more mini vacation before summer ends

The last weekend in July we along with the Smuins headed to the Piute trail. We stayed in a little town called Circleville.
We stayed at Butch Cassidy's Hideout


The hotel was nice, we had rooms right next to one another so that made it super convenient for all of us.

This trip had its ups and downs right from the start. We took down 3 of our own bikes and one borrowered bike and when we came back the only one running was the one we borrowered. This trip was one that you really had to find the humor or you would have really been tempted to pack up and go home as soon as we unloaded quad #1
Enjoy the story and don't worry, laughing is allowed as we will laugh with you.

Tom and Weston checking and double checking the cargo



Our first stop was Wal-Mart to do the shopping. We met the Smuins there ~ Watch out Wally World here we come ...






Finally we are on the road and loving every minute of it





When we reached Nephi we stopped for lunch and everyone got out to stretch. You just gotta love Subway. I recommomd the Turkey with alvacado.


Once you reach Marysvale you can't help but spot "Candy Mountain". It was quite the sight. Pictures just don't capture the colors.




We couldn't wait to head out on the trail so as soon as everything was "thrown" into the rooms we unloaded the bikes and headed out. Already down one quad.
Each night a slight storm would roll in, so we headed back to the hotel for some dinner and much needed sleep. We would start out early the next day.




The next morning we headed out and hit the same trail we did the night before. It was nice and cool and and the trail was a riot.



We found what appeared to be someone's camp. We thought this was the perfect spot to stop for snacks and drinks. The trail was a bit muddy and the air a bit cool ~ who could have asked for more? Well I am extremely thankful that the trail was muddy because you see it was here that I dropped my camera and the Ranger's back tire ran it over but because if was wet it just smunched it into the mud and didn't crunch it. (again looking at the bright side)




Making sure the camera still works.


We continued on the trail and found M-U-D! The boys were like kids in the candy store.



We found a great spot to stop and eat lunch. We sat here for quite a while, we chit chatted the younger boys rode the bikes heck even the adults took a spin on the bikes.





I have to apologize for the mud that I got on the Ranger ~ I got to drive and I too found every mud hole I could, the kids told me to. Ü Once we decided to head back the little Honda 90 broke down ~ it had been a trooper up to this point.


Except when it breaks down it breaks down GOOD. We simply had to leave it on the trail and Tom went back up for it with the truck.

The last day we were there was decided to try a new trail. Before we left Tom went and rented a Honda Rancher so that we all could ride.


The new trail took us back to the desert type scenery and it was warm. We rode that trail until we hit a hill that the Lakodota couldn't make it up. It was super rocky. So we decided to head back down to the hotel for lunch and to re-group. Once we all had full bellies we decided to hit the trail to the west once again and see if we could find something new. We did find something new ~ along the trail there were these posts with the Parley P Pratt marked on them. They were fairly new and numbered. Not quite sure what they were but we had fun finding them along the way.

The last night we ate dinner at the little diner. The food was amazing. I really had one of the best hot hamburgers.
After we all enjoyed some hand dipped ice cream. Thanks Chad (you are so sneaky)





After dinner we headed out to play some horseshoes




While out there we got some great shots of the clouds at dusk.


This was a great trip and one with lots of memories. That is what life is all about.