Getting Ready for Winter

So, I realized that it is getting awfully cold outside for when we send Heston out to go potty or get some exercise but he has NO body fat (wouldn't that be nice?!?) and very short fur so he needed a coat. But any store bought ones don't fit him because he is so weirdly shaped. I downloaded a pattern and sewed him one. We got some boots for him too.

Isn't he handsome.


Except he can't (or won't) walk up the stairs with his boots on so Kaytee had to carry him.

Alicyn's Art Show!

***** C A U T I O N ! ! ! *****
Blog below for Mature Audiences only!



So, last weekend we went to Laramie to see Alicyn's Art Show at The University of Wyoming. It was pretty amazing. It has been fun to watch her develop her talents in different art mediums. Although this wasn't really what we were expecting . . .



Oh, wait, those aren't Alicyn's work - they were just all over the outside of the gallery showcasing her art show so as we stood outside and Alicyn invited her guests in to see her artwork she kept pointing to this wall and saying, "Come and enjoy my art" indicating the door to the room to enter her gallery, but looking like the above wall of paintings was what she wanted people to come see. Most of the paintings were unsigned but we did find one with an artist signature - didn't know we had TWO budding artists in the family!

Yes - this is more like it. Alicyn and her wall of amazing fish. She does lots of really big art (takes up a lot of space) but has lots of little pieces to hang. Mike was such an amazing support to her in getting it all set up. (We love you Mike!)

Here she is pointing out one of her favorite pieces . . . actually they are ALL her favorites!

This one was really cool from both far away and up close - left lots of interpretation up to the viewer. . . fish eyes? fish eggs? planets? abstract designs with no meaning whatsoever? Who cares . . . it looks really cool.

Of course there were some that wanted the artist herself to explain each piece and it was so much fun to listen to Alicyn explain the biological significance of each section of her print.


And how fun to have old friends come to support. Here is another amazing artist from Worland, Mark Bartholomew and he and Alicyn have been friends since they used to argue over who had the correct answer for their math problems in 6th grade.


Dad manned the reception table and helped serve all the amazing food . . . For all her denying it when she was younger, Alicyn has turned into an amazing cook. Everyone raved over her Chicken Enchilada Soup and Sopapilla Cheesecake bars.


And where was Kaytee in all of this - waiting for us back in Casper with her friend Chantel as they cheered on friends from other schools in the State Volleyball Championship games.

Homecoming - The Conclusion

Soooo - at half-time of the football game the Homecoming Royalty are all introduced to the crowd and walk out in pairs. Except of course - - - Kaytee. Her other royal half is the quarterback, so he was the first to run off the field. While the other football players who were in the royal court ran over to get in line - he ran straight into the locker room. So when they announced the junior class royalty - Kaytee came walking out, smiling and waving, all by her lonesome. I was standing next to his mother to take pictures and she seemed a little stunned that her son just didn't show up. Kaytee was very cute about it and said Dane really apologized later that night at the dance.

After half-time, especially since the outcome of the game was never really in question (see previous post), Kaytee went to Chantel's house to get all dolled up for the dance.

Since Kaytee's date isn't quite old enough to drive yet (I know. sounds weird, but this IS Worland) she went and picked him up. After his parents got their share of pictures, they came back to our house so I could take a few. Because she really didn't want to wear a corsage, Jacob gave her some flowers. Then they were off to the dance. She had a good time and came home pretty much right after it ended because her date (only a freshman) had a curfew and was leaving to go hunting with his dad early in the morning. Quite the parent's dream date - way to go Kaytee!

Da-da-da-daaaaa! Princess Kaytee!

This just in . . . Kaytee Lois Croft is the Junior Class Homecoming Queen

(or whatever they call it!?!) Doesnt she look so royal and benevolent and smiley?

So, when we moved to Worland many years ago we quickly became aware that Homecoming in a small town is quite the production. (Prom is too, but we will save that for a spring posting.) So this post is going to be my effort to remind or inform my "many" readers of the unique joys that come with a Worland Homecoming.

First order of the day is the crowning of the Homecoming Royalty at the Spirit Assembly. Here are Kaytee and the Homecoming Junior Prince/King guy being presented with their crowns, flowers and sashes (actually I guess it is just a rose and a tiara for Kaytee - Poor Dane only gets a sash.)

Then they have to fix their sashes.

Then the games begin. First a competition between the classes to see who has the most spirit (All of this to get our football team fired up for a victory . . . I think.)

This lively relay race required team members to race down the court with a wet sponge on a long string attached to their waist. They then had to use the sponge to extinguish a lit candle. Ten team members had to do this, with the increasingly wet candle needing to be re-lit each time. It was actually quite hilarious. Notice Kaytee's role in all of this - sit on the edge of the court and observe her subjects.

Next were the class skits. I was laughing so hard I forgot to take a picture until they were just finishing up. Here are the seniors from the football team performing "All the Single Ladies".

There was lots of opportunity to cheer and to show how loud and crazy you could be. Again, Kaytee and Dane royally observe from the edge of the court.

After the assembly all of the "Queens" got together for a picture at the request of their volleyball coach. Kaytee, Katelyn and Morgan (the taller ones) all play varsity and Mikala Cruz-Nicklas is on the Freshman team.

After the assembly, EVERY school in town and almost every business shuts down for the Homecoming Parade. Of course the attraction I went to see was Kaytee riding on a convertible.

And here are the Senior King and Queen. I though the wagon was a pretty cool touch but Kaytee said it was just because the convertible they were supposed to be on didn't show up so someone grabbed this last minute. Guess we have the kind of town where old covered (uncovered?) wagons are easier to come by than convertibles.

And no Worland parade would be complete without our marching band.

Or the cool class floats. Here are a bunch of Kaytee's friends on the Junior class float. Kaytee helped build it, but didn't get to ride on it because . . . she is on the convertible with Dane. Here are Ashley, Karsyn, Taylor, Alyssa and Chantel. Isn't it amazing how this much variety of orange and black can exist in a single town.

Of course the parade couldn't end, or even begin, without our local law enforcement. Dad is in the far car representing Homeland Security. Thanks to all of their valiant efforts, no terrorist attacks occurred during the Homecoming Parade.

And here is a better view of the junior class float. In case you haven't spent a lot of time identifying Wyoming wildlife - it is a stork. He is holding a football in hopes that the team can "Deliver a Victory".

Like I said, EVERY school in town lets out. Most watch the parade but a lot of the kids make floats so they can be IN the parade. Look at the next three floats and try and guess which team we are playing in the football game tonight.



You might have guessed the Cody Broncs - like I was tempted too - but it is the Jackson Broncs and "Bite, Boot and Rope the Broncs" we definitely did! We just got home from the football game and when we left it was 36-0, Warriors winning.

The Homecoming Royalty was introduced at half-time and Kaytee and her date just left for the dance so you know what that means - more pictures to come! Stay tuned . .

Happy Birthday to My Sweet Ali!

We love you Alicyn Roma!
You have brought 25 years of amazing joy to our family . . .And this summer you were the most beautiful bride and get to start your own family with Mike! You are much loved sweetie!

"One year older -- and wiser too! Happy Birthday TO YOU!!!

Good-bye Old Friend

You will be missed.

Meeko loved being on the mountain.

This is the last picture taken of him up there this summer.

Thank you for being gentle and patient and accepting of everyone who came your way.

For smiling through everything
And just being there when we needed you most.

Meeko passed away sometime early this morning. Dad sat with him most of the night helping him through the rough spots. Winter won't seem quite the same without our big "bear."

I LOVE Family Get-Togethers!

Be Prepared! Lots of pictures to follow . . . because I have been gone a whole week seeing lots of beautiful people and this is my first chance to post about them all.

FIRST - I met Cassidy, Richard and James in Bryce Canyon, Utah where Cassidy and Richard ran the Half-Marathon. Cassidy has been training for the past 6 months or so, Richard for about 6 seconds. (Of course as a Military Man his whole life is training!)

Here they are in the wee hours of the morning at the starting line; just before Richard handed James and the car keys to me and decided to make the ultimate committment to his darling wife and accompany her on her 13.1 mile run.Just as the sun peeked over the horizon, the starting gun rang out and they were OFF. All 1,300 or so of them. It really was an amazing and inspiring sight.
This is part of the beautiful race course. They took us non-runners through by pilot car because there is only one road from the beginning to the end of the race.

Here are the victorious runners. I felt so bad because it was so crowded around the finish line and a little awkward with James and the stroller and various bags that I didn't get in close enough to get a picture of them actually finishing. But I know they did!
James was pretty happy to see his mom and wear her number and medal.
His favorite part was afterwards when she let him hold her post-race banana. He began eating it; peel and all. Mmmmmm

After sleeping and swimming and just plain relaxing back at our hotel we drove through Zion's National Park and then through St. George before going home to Las Vegas. We had a wonderful time in Cassidy and Richard's new home playing with James and Isa - but I didn't get pictures :(

Then I drove up to Utah and arrived at the exact same time as Conrad and his two boys, Colton and Damon, drove in from California. The next morning we had an early (and amazingly delicious!) 24th of July breakfast outside at grandma and grandpa's church.
Then off to Spanish Fork for the big Pioneer Day Parade. Here is one of those "I Spy" pictures. See if you can find: Shane, Conrad, Damon, J Ryan, Adam, Bethany, Braddock, Ethan and Colton.

I though this was one of those "Only in Wyoming" types of attractions, but, no, it was a pretty big deal in the Spanish Fork parade. I think I counted more than 20 in this Tractor Brigade.
Here is the Beautiful Brielle as uncle Adam lifts her high to see the parade route.
She looks like she is flying!

That night we went to the Spanish Fork Rodeo. We got there early enough to have amazing hamurgers from the concession stand (Of course they don't hold a candle to Ralphburgers.)Here is another "I Spy" pic. See if you can spot J, Conrad, Damon, Bethany, Emma, J Ryan and Colton.
We saw some pretty good rodeoing but most of my pictures just turned out blurry because the action was so fast. Here is a guy who rode standing up on the backs of two gigantic Brahma bulls.
Then it got dark and started to rain - and Grandma and Ralph were prepared, as always.

The next day we all went up the canyon past the ranch for a fun day of picnicking. Here is MY whole family together - we don't get to have all of us kids together very often. There are Marilee, Me, Mom, Greg and Conrad.
There are always so may cute and crazy cousins to get pictures of. They enjoy the chance to all get together too. Here are Melanie, Del, Ethan and Katelyn.
Conrad took time out to "pitch" to Alisha's, Melanie. She already has her mom's skills at bat.
Later Melanie and Braddock played a game that I never quite figured out - but they were sure having fun.
Alisha and Adrian's youngest, Savanna, always finds something to make her smile. She is the sweetest, most content little girl. Even when her big brother chops off all her hair!

And here is Jim and Bethany's little Emma just hanging out with her Great Grandma.We don't have too many REAL "Stott" cousins but here are two of them who just met for the first time that day: Colton Stott and Josh Stott.Darcie's little Jocelyn spent most of the picnic napping. Here she is trying to wake up and eat some lunch. Love those little ponies!
So, J Ryan was pretty amazing out on the frizbee field. Look at that stretch! Alisha, Adrian and Shane seem to have conceded that J Ryan was unbeatable and begun their own conversation.

And it looks like Brielle is trying to get a game of football going.There was a really fun creek that kept all the little kids fascinated and their mothers worried. But these two 'big boys', Damon and Ethan, had fun re-landscaping the area.
Kae Dawn got to take some time to sit in the shade and visit with some of Marilee's "girls" and hopefully get some of their recipes. These three are the most amazing cooks. Adam's wife, Crystal (soft chocolate chip cookies), Michelle (lucious orange bars) and Ali (some pretty amazing sweet and nutty and gooey chex mix thing that none of us could leave alone.)"That's All Folks!"