Vedauwoo and Laramie Enduro

Saturday we were up and about early so we could head to Vedauwoo for a picnic and some hiking around before we had to meet up with Steve.  As a kid growing up in Laramie, Wyoming I remember going to Vedauwoo for picnics and climbing around on the rocks and then in high school I began camping there with friends and attended many large "gatherings", as I will now call them.  It is an amazing place that is like no other and I love all the memories I have from there and look forward to making many more in the years to come.  

This year the boys and I were joined by my brother Robert, my little sister Tonia, my niece Kathy and her boyfriend Brian and my sisters grandson AJ.  I am always so thankful for the family members that are able to make it to Steve's race every year, it really means a lot to us both. 

Lucas and Landon love going to Vedauwoo almost as much as I do; which is so awesome!!  One of these years I will take our camping gear with us and that is where we will stay and maybe Aunt Tonia will let us come shower a time or two at her house.  :) 

Steve finished the Laramie Enduro bike race for the ninth year in a row!! And yet again I did not get a picture of him finishing the race. The whole time we are always like "is that him, no that's not him that's a girl" or "no that guys has the wrong color jersey" or "his bike is the wrong color."  One of these days I will get the ultimate picture.  I guess I could just take a picture of everyone who finishes around his projected time and then just delete the ones that are not him.....hmmm  

A long day for some very tired boys!! 

Cheyenne

Our trip to Cheyenne would not be complete if we didn't stop by Ridge Equipment Company and visit the Ridge boys putting in a hard work day.  It's always fun to see the personal projects the boys are working on as well. 

Cousin Kent would probably agree that they all get their good looks from their Aunt Aggie.  ;)

Tonia took the boys and I to the new Southeast Wyoming Welcome Center just outside of Cheyenne.  The boys liked exploring the exhibits and looking at the animals on display.

I was a little tempted to leave them there.........jk.

Friday after Steve got into town we had a pretty good hail storm.  I took lots of pictures of our vehicles just in case they received any damage.  Luckily they didn't.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Carnival

One day was spent at the carnival where the kids got to ride all the rides they wanted.  Well other then Lucas who was too big for a lot of the rides and had no desire to go on the faster, scarier rides. 

Landon chose to ride the roller coaster alone since Lucas did not want to ride. 

Later this day our friends Kristen and Megan Upp arrived from near and far Nebraska to come and spend time with us.  The Upp sisters and I joined my niece Kathy and her boyfriend Brian at the Luke Bryan concert. 

 

 

Even though the weather did not cooperate and decided to pour rain the entire night, we still had so much fun!!! 

 We then got to spend the next morning visiting (and laughing) with Kristen and Megan and having lunch before they had to head back home. 

Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo

We stayed in Cheyenne with my sister Tonia and her husband Kent for almost a week.  I thought for sure she would never want to speak to me again but so far she still calls me. ;) We had plenty of activities scheduled so the time actually went by fairly quick.   

We spent one morning shopping at the booths at Cheyenne Frontier Days before then taking in the "Grand Daddy of 'Em All" Rodeo. 

Our favorite events were the bronc  riders and the bull riders.

During the steer wrestling one of the horses collapsed and started convulsing.  It was so sad to see such a big, beautiful animal fall to the ground for no apparent reason, it brought Tonia and I both to tears.  We later learned in the paper that the horse had previous heart problems and died almost instantly. 

When I bought the tickets, the saleslady told me we would be in the shade during most of the rodeo.  Other then when we took a break in the shade under the stands to refill our water; we were in the sun the whole time and by the time they turned on the misters, we were already sweating and the rodeo was almost over.  In spite of the heat and the horse collapsing, it was very exciting and entertaining for us all. 

Laramie, Wyoming - Summer 2013

It was very hard for me to go back to my hometown of Laramie, Wyoming last month.  The boys and I usually spend at least a week at my moms and just knowing we would not be seeing her this time was so difficult.

We did get to spend time with Aunt Tina and her family as well as Uncle Robert.  The boys enjoyed a water balloon fight, riding bikes, playground trips, and playing basketball and football with cousins and new friends. 

I got to spend time with this big guy.  Silas is my great nephew who is just barely a year old and yet I think he is heavier than Landon.  A whole lot of baby to love on.  :)

We spent one day hiking around the lakes in the Snowy Mountains with Uncle Robert and my nephew Stacey.

Oh and Taby Dog too!!