Pioneer Day

 The Ward had a lovely activity for Pioneer Day.  They did a good job.  There were lots of games and things for the kids to do, plus good food and folks to talk to.

 Cousin Isabelle and Marian on the stilts. They were pretty good.

 Rylee is hammering nails into hr game.  This was a fun project.

Less fun if you were Delaney and were having a hard time getting it done.

Callie and Marian were  great at this game of flinging a hoop back and forth using the two sticks.

 So it really was a good time for the kids.

Dinner was tasty, and this was Marian's drawing on the paper tablecloth.

Baby Goats!!

 We were invited over to see some baby goats.  There were 8 baby goats, 3 of whom were just one day old.  Who could resist?!  Not us.  Miranda and I hauled our kids 30 minutes into the country to play with baby goats.  It did not disappoint.

 Rylee is in love.  This is one of the one day old babies.

Sweet sleeping baby.  I think I need to take one home with me.  

Marian with a little goat.

Delaney had a marvelous time.

Marian was holding this little guy up to get a leafy snack from the tree.

 But his mama jumped on her to get the food herself.

Callie and Camden are tired after chasing the goats around.  

 Rylee didn't want to let this one go.

 And she certainly did not want to share her baby goat with the dog.

Here she is mad that Delaney tried to steal her goat.  She did NOT want to give it up.

Callie and Sarah, just hanging out with baby goats!

Now, the sad part is that there was an ugly poison ivy indecent while we were here.  Most of us washed thoroughly and ended up with random areas of itchiness.  Unfortunately, Marian managed to be covered in it and her poor face was so swollen she couldn't hardly see out of one eye.  That necessitated a trip to the doctor for her, resulting in a shot, some good drugs and anti-itch cream (And we all borrowed the cream to sooth our rashy areas).Marian was back to normal in a few days, but for the rest of us, the incredibly itchy areas lingered on.... for weeks!

Always a Party

 Miranda and her boys came to hang out, and she brought Deborah's girl, Sarah.  Much merriment was had among the cousins.... and the grown ups.

 The kids covered the entire room with blankets in an incredible fort.  Even more impressive was their clean-up job.

Callie was long-suffering with the attentions of some little boys.  But she loved it.  Really.

And, for his very important birthday. Dad had a Pie Party.  For our Party on July 21, Miranda and I made 19 pies for him. Let me see if I can recall all 13 types: Chocolate Truffle, Chocolate Chess, Black Bottom Chocolate, Lemon Chess, Toll House Pie, Pumpkin, Pecan, Key Lime, Banana Cream, Smores, Oreo Caramel, and Rubarb.  We opened up the house and many did come and partake.  It was delicious, and delightful!

A new baby and a snake

One of Mom's hen's was sitting on eggs. The girls were so excited because the eggs were scheduled to hatch while we were there.  Much joy and delight was had when the first chick hatched.  (Sadly it was the only chick to hatch and survive.)

The adorability is off the chart!

Look at that cute little chick!

We also saw this guy in the grass.  Had I known this was probably the cause of the 2 eggs that disappeared, I would have let Marian catch it and take it down the zip line.

And then we went to admire this guy again.

A Day at Silver Dollar City

We went to Silver Dollar City.  The big kids ran off to the roller coasters so I didn't get photos of them.  Rylee and Delaney and I spent the day in the kiddie area.  They had a good time.