RIDE' EM COWBOY, OOPS, RIDE' EM UNCLE DAN

What a weekend we all had! Kenzi decided to attach the reins to Grampa and lead him around, and of course, he gladly let her! Kyron and Kason convinced Uncle Dan to "saddle up" and be their bucking bronc, so we had a rodeo in the living room. Cam wasn't too crazy about sitting in the saddle attached to her Dad, but she gave it a try anyway. Then later, Dan had to show how strong he was just by lifting the saddle. Chelsee humbled him on that one! We all got laughing so hard watching these crazy kids that our cheeks hurt! What fun they all had! These pictures truly convince me that Uncle Dan and Grampa would do just about anything to keep the little ones happy! Wouldn't you agree??

Best Shot Ever! (and taken by Grampa)

Kason's first ever attempt at calf riding. Steve was in the right place at the perfect time to catch this shot! Kas, true to form, jumped up, rubbed his head a little and put a smile back on his face. Good job Kason! Look how high that calf jumped! YEEHAW!

More pictures on our first rodeo ahead!

CAMDYN

Cam loved her new "cowgirl" hat!
And I think she looks so dang cute in it!

Going for a ride with Grampa to look for ELK and taking her

shoes and socks off

Listening to music with Grampa

Below is one of the cutest pictures I've ever taken! I decided to do a post on just Cam alone. I have so many cute shots of her from her trip to Eagar. So, here she is eating angel food cake with whipped cream and strawberries. Enjoying every moment. We had so much fun seeing her this past weekend! (and her parents) I even managed to get a kiss from her, it was quick and then she was done with it! What a girl! I loved watching her, what a magical age. This is the age I love to just sit back and observe. She's into discovering everything and everyone! She loves her cousins and they just love her right back. And she HAS to do everything BY HERSELF! I just want to kiss her face all over but she won't hold still long enough for that to happen! I want her to always, always, remember how loved she is by Grammie and Grampa! (and everyone she comes in contact with...) so Cam, this post has been JUST FOR YOU! LOVE YOU CAM!!!!

SPRING SNOW

I seriously think I blinked my eyes or something because I woke up one morning to SNOW, SNOW and more SNOW! I thought I'd missed summer and fall 'cause here it was, WINTER AGAIN! What a delight for an amateur photographer! Below are just a few of the 250 shots I took of our May 23rd late snow storm. It was a heavy wet snow, leaving us almost a full day without electricity. Needless to say, no apples in the orchard this year. Our poor little willow tree out on the front lawn looked heavy laden for sure. Regardless, a beautiful snow and providing us with much needed moisture! The pine tree on our front lawn sure was loaded down.

Upon the mountain near Big Lake. In some places nearly 30
inches fell. Near Steve's beam plant we measured around 12".

Here he is... the highlight of my day! A young elk that I was able to
get a picture of. And I was close too! ( I could see his breath)We saw him slowly heading up the mountain. Steve said, "He's behind some trees, you'll never catch him now." I circled around and came down high, he never smelled me or saw me until I took this shot and whistled. Just wish he'd been HUGE instead of the youngster he was. Still, it was one of the most memorable times of my life!

More SNOW!

Surprisingly, no branches were broken on our little willow.

The snow melted almost as fast as it arrived! Now we are ready for
warm weather!!!

CUTE CHICKS

Yesterday morning the phone rang around 6:30. The lady on the other end informed us that our chicks were in Show Low. (about an hour away) Steve and Luke made a run and picked them up, even made it back in time for church. The pictures below are Kyron, Kason and Kenzi enjoying the new little chicks. The kids were so thrilled and excited that they all got to pick their own chicks and even name them. It was really cute, at church all three had notebooks writing down the names they liked for their chicks. Kenzi was seriously like a little brood hen with these little ones. We had a great time with Linde, Luke and the kids visiting for the weekend. It's so nice to have them closer! I didn't get pictures with Kooper, he was sleeping. These three sat in the chicken pen for hours and sure were not ready to leave for Flagstaff when the time came. They tell all their friends that Grampa and Grammie have a FARM! To this point our farm includes one mini-mare, 1 mini-mule, 1 dog and 27 chickens. After one day, so far, all the chicks are alive and well! Kids and chicks, doesn't get much cuter! 27 new chicks arrived Sunday morning.

Kyron, Kason and Kenzi in the chicken pen.

Kason, Kenzi and Kyron, each with their own chick!

Life doesn't get any better!

Our own little brood hen! Kenzi!

STEVE'S IN TROUBLE AGAIN

We ALL know how much Steve loves WAL-MART!




STEVE NICOLL BANNED FROM WAL-MART...........

This is why women should not take men shopping against their will.... My wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and preferred to get in and out. Equally unfortunately, my wife is like most women - - she loves to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the following letter from the local Wal-Mart.......

Dear Mrs. Nicoll,
Over the past six months , your husband has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr. Nicoll are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.

1. Nov 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. Dec 2: Set all the alarm clocks in House wares to go off at 5-minute intervals.
3. Dec 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the ladies restroom.
4. Dec 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in House wares. Get on it right away.'
5. Jan 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.
6. Jan 14: Moved a CAUTION-WET FLOOR sign to a carpeted area.
7. Feb 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.
8. Feb 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
9. Mar 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. Mar 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. April 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.
12. April 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. April18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through, yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. April 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'
15. April 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here!'

Regards, Tom Richards Manager, Wal-Mart Superstore

So Many Pictures

I really HAD to do two slide shows, there were so many cute pictures! Don't think I'll be leaving any huge legacy when I pass on but I will be laughing (wherever I end up :)) to see my kids sorting thru a gazillion photos! Taking pictures for me is quite an addiction and someday maybe my great-great grandchildren will appreciate it! For now, I'm just having fun capturing some fun times with these wonderful people in my life and so glad for each of them! love you all!