Bayles reunion

I swear I had the best childhood ever.  I was raised in a small town where horses, bugs, dirt, stay dogs and farmland were all just part of any old day. My dad was a football coach which just added a different level of uniqueness to my little life.  My dad grew up herding cattle from southern Utah to Colorado and back.  We spent a lot of time as kids around horses and cows.  We used to brand cattle and compete in the little buckaroo rodeo.  I wouldn't change my little girl days for anything in the world.  I love to be able to take my kids to see how I grew up. I wish we lived closer so we could go more often.  

 We made a little pit stop at Arches National Park on our way down.  Here are all the little kiddies in front of delicate arch.

 Cameron wasn't feeling well so a little piece of cheese to the forehead and a nap seemed to do the trick.

 Clara made a bunny playground.

 Our next stop was the Monticello temple.

 We made it to Blanding to eat lunch at the Patio. When I was little if I got good grades my Dad would bring me here for ice-cream.

 We love the horses.  The kids love to be able to roam free and not have to check in every second.

 A bunch of kids piles in the back of Shawn's truck to go catch craw dads

 lovely little fellas

 having a blast

 watch out for the pinchers

 what happens when you get to far into the lake and end up going all the way in?  A bunch of people throw sweatshirts on you to keep you warm.

 Watermelon eating

 photo bombed by Jalen

 an old cattle shoot

 cute little cousins.

 and their backsides

 Clara is in love with horses.  She has been for a few years.  She really took to this horse named Curly.  She spent the whole time at the fence.  She would talk to him and talk to him.  He hasn't been ridden very often because his owners live in Salt Lake.  He is not super friendly and usually won't come near people but after a while this horse would come right to Clara and let her pet him and pet him.  I told my Mom that it was only a matter of time before Stephen (the horses owner) would have her riding.  Sure enough,  Clara worked her magic on Stephen and he let her ride.

 She was in heaven.

 grinning from ear to ear.

 then Lauryn got her turn,

 Thanks Uncle Stephen.  You made her whole trip.

 Across the highway from the ranch is Mesa Verde so we decided to go hike to some Indian Ruins.

 No fear

 taking a little rest

 when I was little we would come here and there wasn't even a ranger. I am sure there had to be someone around to prevent vandalism but I remember walking all around and in these ruins.  Now you can only go inside one of them.

 grinding some "corn"

 going into the hole

under ground

 these are the ruins we hiked to.  I think they are beautiful.

 back to the ranch to shuck some corn.

 We love helping out

 Lots and lots of cousins

 My Aunt Mikki makes amazing quilts.  My parents bought her a book with patterns in it a little while ago so she made them this beautiful quilt.  My parents were very touched.

 A house divided.

 Let me help you with that

 practicing for the skit

 pretending to be Granny

 showtime

 new cousins

 time to cook craw dads

 headed to their death

 cracking the shells

 chow time

 a little help from Grandad

 this is how we roll.

 We were sad to be leaving the ranch but on our way to our next destination we stopped at four corners where Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona all meet.  Cameron was in heaven.  He thought this was totally cool.  When I was little we would come here and the Navajo people would be selling jewelry from the backs of their trucks.  The place has changed over the years but I love the culture that is found here.

 waiting for our Navajo tacos.