Evanston Cowboy Days

I don't like going to rodeos. I'm proud to be from Wyoming and I consider myself more of a country girl than a city girl. But I can't watch rodeos. I feel so bad for the animals and I never enjoy myself. (I don't even go to zoos! Kills me!) Brad, Pania, and Fili begged me to go with them. Now, before you think ill of me, I know that ranchers, farmers, cowboys, cowgirls, ect., take great pride in caring for their animals. I just don't do the rodeo; that's all. Anyway, we missed most of it anyway, cause I took my time getting out to the car. I hardly watched it, and I had fun! I ran into a few people I knew so it was great.

Pania and Me (can you tell the difference?)
Our happy lil family!
Hunter, Fili, and Pania (notice the baby spit up on her shoulders?) :) Baby Sophia stayed home with Nanny and Boompa.
About the only thing I enjoy about the rodeo! Cowboy butts STILL drive me nuts!
Miss Rodeo Utah 2008 Ranae Cowley with Hunter and Ariana

Whirlwind Trip pt. 2

We drove in to Provo, Ut Friday night and straight to dinner with some of my family. The next morning we went to Dallin's baptism, then headed over to my Tiana and Daxia's soccer practice, to see the rest of my Provo family. After that, we drove to Evanston to spend the night with my parents. We went to the rodeo that night and then left for Grace the Sunday. After the funeral on Monday, we drove back to Evanston, had dinner with my parents and then drove home to Oklahoma. I don't think there was a minute wasted the entire trip. I'm still tired!

L to R: Tiana, Hunter, Ariana, Aunty Jaslyn, Amaya, Daxia
Ariana and Dallin at his baptism. He is the sweetest boy in the world. The picture perfect child.
Daxia, Uncle Rick, Ariana, and Tiana at soccer practice. Rick and Matson are the coaches.
Brad put Hunter and Ari in the wheelbarrow and ran around the back yard. Brad has as much energy as they do. He's a good daddy/uncle.
Don't worry Pania. Hunter's perfectly fine! They're on the trampoline! :)

Whirlwind Trip

We got a phone call last Wednesday night from Brad's Mom, telling us that her Dad (Grandpa Lloyd) had passed away. After praying and circumstances occuring to help us, we decided to drive to Grace, Idaho for the funeral. I know we were supposed to be there, because everything just fell into place. We left Thursday evening so we could be in Utah for our nephew Dallin's baptism. It worked out perfect. It was so nice to spend a quick weekend with our families, and celebrate Grandpa Lloyd's life. I love spending time with family. I love my family, and I couldn't ask for better in-laws. My sisters-in-law (8 all together) are like my sisters. I have so much fun with them. As for the brothers-in-law...well...what can ya do? J/K They're hilarious. I'm a lucky girl. Here are some pictures of our trip.

Pallbearers: Brad's right in the middle on the other side of the flowers.
The flowers were gorgeous! The funeral was so nice.
Ariana with Grandpa Johnson. She is the only granddaughter (so far) and she knows how to use her status. She has that man wrapped around her chubby fingers.
Uncle Tim telling the nephews a scary story right outside the funeral home. :) They look terrified. It was an entirely appropriate time for scary stories. :)
At the lunch in afterwards, I heard screams coming from the other side of the church gym. Ari and her cousins were huddled in a corner hiding from Brad. He'd come around the corner and growl at them. I love how Cooper is covering Parker's eyes. Too cute! L to R, Top to Bottom: Colton, Cooper, Parker, Ariana, Alex

R.I.P. Max Walter Johnson

Well Crap! Max died! I tried so hard to keep him alive. I know he was sick when we bought him, because he didn't eat for a week. I did well for about two weeks, and then it just went downhill fast for the lil guy. Ari asks for him every day. I told her that he went to go see his friends (in heaven). I actually cried hard when Brad flushed him down the toilet. I know, it surprised me too; okay not really. I cry at everything. R.I.P lil guy. Sorry, I tried!

Breaking Dawn continued...

Me, April, and Lauren patiently waiting in line for book.
I guess there were some drunk people out in the parking lot that got out of hand, so the police had to come. They decided that it would be funny to come in and join the party. Right before midnight, they escorted the books to the front of the store. It was really funny; guess you had to be there. :)
YEAH!! I've already finished the book, and I loved it!
We went to IHOP afterwards to get drinks and pancakes. We didn't get home until around 2am. Our husbands and children were fast asleep, while the mommies partied until the wee hours. We really know how to party!
Borders gave everyone these mini gift bags that included vampire teeth. Hello? Real vampires don't have fangs! Just venom coated, razor sharp teeth! :) Lauren cracked me up. I didn't know what she was doing in the photo until afterwards. ...Also, one of those you had to be there moments. Anyway, it was a fun night. Our other friends were suppose to be there, but it was temple night and they all went to the temple. Hello? Where are their priorities? :)

Breaking Dawn Release Party!

Okay, so last October I fell in LOVE with the Twilight Series. Thanks to my sister's Pania and Afton for introducing them to me! Anyway, I tried for two months to get my friend April to read them. She made fun of me for so long, but finally succumbed. Then we tried to make her sister Lauren read them, but she refused. She finally read them last month, as well as our other friend Monica. I was so happy to have other crazy Moms feel the same way I do about these books. We decided that we were going to go to the midnight release party for the new book. We made t-shirts and drove our husbands crazy for days. Here are some pictures of the event.

From L to R: Monica, April, Me, and, and Lauren. We met at my place to take pictures and then departed to grand event! By the way, the back of Monica's shirt says, 'Did I mention my husband and kids'. Very cute.
Ariana and Mommy
In the parking lot, before we went in, we decided that if the party was lame we were still going to make it fun. There surprisinly tons of people there. It still might have been weird, considering the people there, but we had so much fun. I loved every minute of it.
Ummm.... that's suppose to be Rosalie on the far left, and then these guys... well their t-shirts say it all. They were actually pretty funny.
Lauren won the t-shirt contest! Her shirt said, 'Save a Volvo, Ride Edward Cullen'. Nasty girl! :)

Meet Max!

Ariana got her first pet a couple of weeks ago. He is a beautiful beta fish named Max. She named him after one of her favorite shows 'Max & Ruby'. I didn't want to introduce him earlier, because he wouldn't eat for a week! I didn't want to post, 'Hey meet Max', and then post 'R.I.P.'. Anyway, we love him, and he's such a good fish. :)

I swear this fish is a genius. I am 100% positive Max winked at me the other day. I was talking to him, trying to prove to Brad that he should start trying to have a relationship with this fish, when BAM he winked! Kid you not! Brad could care less about the fish. I think he's jealous.
Ariana posing with Max and his food. (She wanted to hold the food)
Uggghh! I LOVE this picture. So cute!