Happy Birthday Dylan!!!

Yes, Dylan turned 7 on Thursday April 17. I can't believe he is that old already. The day before, I took his portraits. I have been taking all of our family pictures for several years now. Dylan is really patient with me trying to get a good shot. He even picked some of his own poses and props this year.


We let Dylan open 1 gift before we left for school that morning. I made a mixed cd with some of his favorite songs and he was thrilled. We planned to drive Dylan to school that morning. For those of you who don't know, it is about 15 miles. So we were going to treat him to breakfast at the Cowboy. Well, we found out that all the cars parked there each morning at 7:00 are just getting coffee, because they don't serve breakfast until 8:00. The only other restaurant in Absarokee that serves breakfast is closed on Thursday. So we had some breakfast sandwiches from the convienence store along with a donut. We felt bad, but Dylan was fine getting a donut...what a treat! At the school, parents can come and eat with the kids so we surprised Dylan for lunch. He was really excited. His aunt Darlene and my cousin Penny and her hubby Jess were also there, so he had a great time. After school, Dylan opened another gift - a football. So we played some football, then baseball. He requested steak dinner, so I barbecued during the game. I made a small cake for his birthday that night. Then before bed, we let him open a couple more gifts.






On Friday, Dylan had 6 friends ride the bus home with him for his party. By 5:00 more kids, family and friends showed up and we had 20 kids from 4 months -11 years old and I'm not sure how many adults. The kids had fun playing outside all afternoon, even though it was really windy. Brian had set up some fun football obstacle courses that were hillarious to watch.




Dylan had a Denver Bronco party, so his cake was decorated to look like Mile High Stadium. It was actually one of the easier birthday cakes I've done.




Logan had a blast with a card Dylan got that played music when you opened it. He played with it all night.

Dylan playing with his new speedstacking game.

The boys ready for some dart tag.

Dylan got a lot of wonderful gifts and had a great time and everyone left about 8:30. We were exhausted, but I let him and Colton stay up to watch a movie after we cleaned and played with the new gifts. We just camped out on the couches and none of us made it through the whole movie, but Dylan managed to last the longest.

On Saturday, we went to Billings and waited in line at Shiptons to meet 5 of the boys favorite PBR bull riders. They were so excited to get autographs. Then we had to rush over to the horse auction and work. After that we had dinner at my sister's house for Travis' birthday. On Sunday after church, we went to the PBR in Billings and had a great time. It was a crazy weekend but we all had fun.

Just Stuff

We've had a lot going on the past week. We had an auction Saturday in Columbus. After church Sunday we got to relax and hang out. When Dylan was in school, Colton spent some time helping Brian on the ranch. They were busy calving, feeding cows and harrowing pastures. We had a bum calf that Colton feeds in the mornings and Dylan feeds in the evening. We took a walk down to the calving pasture and Logan had a blast just trying to keep up with Colton. He is big into animals now, so the horses and cows were really exciting. It was cool but nice out when we started out for our walk and then about an hour later when we picked Dylan up from the bus it started snowing. The boys ran around trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues.......remember those days?! On Friday night Brian and I went out on a date while aunt Holly babysat. Everyone had a nice night. Brian and I went to dinner and a movie which we haven't done alone since I was pregnant with Dylan so we were definately overdue.

Getting ready to harrow our yard........"I can drive it dad!"
Giving Scout some love.
picking Dylan up from the bus....."I can drive this too!"
Colton being Colton!
Dylan hurrying off the bus before he freezes!

Dylan feeding the calf.
catching snowflakes!


On Saturday we had another auction in Bridger then I took the boys to Billings to a birthday party at the Billings Gymnastics School for Ava Smothers. Her mom and I went to school together and they recently moved to Billings so it was great to see her again. The boys had so much fun that Dylan wanted to change his party this week and have it there. I told him it was too late, so I'm sure he is already planning for next year! the kids had fun jumping into the foam pit


Sunday after church, I had a Melaleuca presentation in Absarokee. I took the boys with me and they did so well while I was working. They even help out with a few demonstrations now to keep them busy. So this week we are busy celebrating Dylan's birthday! He will turn 7 on Thursday and we have a big party planned for Friday evening. So, I should have lots to post next week!