British Invasion {Saying Goodbye}

Tonight we said our goodbyes to the British Invasion. I can't believe they're leaving tomorrow! It's been so fun having them here. We had a nice dinner at Jeff's parent's house with everyone. Even if no one was in the mood for a forced family picture. But I insisted and practically yelled at everyone to stand there and smile. With how expensive travel to and from England is, not to mention the fact that Aurelia is going to University soon, I didn't know when the next time we'd all be together again might be.

The kids were happy to help me test out my camera settings though. There was a storm coming so we had to do a longer exposure to capture enough light. Goof balls!

All the grandkids. At least Cassie is always happy to get her picture taken. 

Not too shabby for a forced family photo!

{Left to right: Kylee, Mataya, Susie, Cassie, Ty, Jacob, Wally, Alexis, Gwen, Glen, Samuel, Aurelia, Vickie, Pearl, Roy, Cole, Jeff, Jenny}

I'm really going to miss my nieces! Their personalities were so fun to see. Since Aurelia always has her nose buried in a book, poor Alexis had to endure my picture taking.

Vickie also brought everyone a gift. Our traditional Bristol Blue Glass ornament. We love our Bristol Blue Glass! If we didn't have to worry about some little boy who thinks our furniture is his personal wrestling mat and that anything can be shot at without notice or care, we'd get out our vases and milk jug again.

We let the kids stay up really late playing games. No one wanted to go home.

I'm really going to miss the British Invasion. I sure hope it's not another eight years before we get to see each other again.

British Invasion {That Famous Preston Night Rodeo}

Pre-children and back in the day when Jeff and I were young and in love, we went to "That Famous Preston Night Rodeo" every year. Jeff went every year - sometimes all three nights of the rodeo - growing up. And since it was tradition, it was also on the British Invasion's bucket list. So Jeff and I ditched the kids at Bear Lake with my parents {it also happens to be Raspberry Days this same weekend} and headed over to Preston for the rodeo.

That Famous Preston Night Rodeo got its name because it's recognized as the first night rodeo in the world... 75 years ago this year! How cool is that in little ole' P town! I love seeing the backdrop of the carnival rides, especially as it gets dark and all the lights are sparkling.

Bareback, saddle bronc, calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and bull riding. 

My absolute favorite part of the rodeo are the horses. I love watching them and love, love, love the bareback and saddle bronc events. 

The mutton bustin' is hilarious. I still remember one of the rodeos when this sheep literally sailed out of the shoots and the poor kid just hung on for dear life. I had no idea sheep had "hops" like that one!

And of course the cowgirls get their turn to show off with barrel racing.

Back to the cowboys on the saddle bronc. 

I know this picture is blurry, but look at how beautiful that paint is! Gorgeous!

 

The backdrop with the Ferris Wheel is really cool. At least I think it is. 

Oh sure the bull riding is cool too, but not as many cowboys are able to stay on for 8 seconds like they can on the broncs. You really must be totally insane to strap yourself onto the back of a 2,000+ lb. snorting, slobbering, pissed off bull with horns and huge, er, um, manhood whipping around. Like this big, bad boy who decided once his cowboy came flying off his back, he'd take after the rodeo clowns and then just play dead. Strangest thing I've ever seen!

Or this monster who took after the rodeo clown sitting in the barrel, not thinking anything was coming his way when the bull decided he'd had enough fun.

We'd forgotten how much fun the rodeo was! I even busted out a cowboy hat to wear for the occasion. Jeff and the British Invasion were too chicken or embarrassed to be cool like me.

But not too cool for the tradition picture with the rodeo queens! Every year we went to the rodeo, Jeff got a picture with the rodeo Queen and Princesses. He says who doesn't like girls with giant belt buckles? Yeah. I'm sure that's all he likes. Even though our nieces acted horrified that we'd make them wait in line after the rodeo to meet the rodeo royalty, they loved it. They even got some royalty swag signed by all of them. Miss Rodeo Idaho {Hali Stutzman} was on her way to the National Rodeo Finals and expected to place very high in the competition.

We're re-invigorating this family tradition next year!

British Invasion {Bear Lake}

After driving non-stop for three days, we headed up to Bear Lake for three days of relaxation and fun in the sun! 

I'll admit this trip taught me something about myself... I am way more controlling than I realized. It took all my mental strength to not completely lose it because we didn't have a set plan for meals in Yellowstone or Bear Lake. Well, I wrote a menu for three days but Jeff wouldn't let me buy the food. I wrote a huge list for Glen to go to the store and purchase and bring to Bear Lake. It about killed me. I had good reason in my mind for just doing everything myself. Like the fact that the only grocery store up there on a holiday weekend is the last place I or my wallet want to be. 

But he told me to relax and let go.

We only had a slight food mishap with some key ingredients being left in Logan but it was fine. We had a great time doing nothing. And only driving the ATVs when we felt like it, not all day long!

We read on the beach. Well, Aurelia read on the beach. The rest of us swam, played in the sand, and played fetch with Blu.

We made my father-in-law do a dutch oven dinner and cobbler. Yum. That should happen way more often!

{Grandkids from left to right: Ty holding Ashyln, Shelby, Cassie, Aurelia, Alexis holding Cole, Samuel, Pearl, Jacob}

We went on "side-side-side" rides and prayed Alexis didn't kill anyone on the 4 wheeler. Even Jeff said he was a little scared riding with the speed demon! But oh, did she have fun... said it was the best part about coming to America!

We sat around the fire and made smores. 

We went moose hunting. And the mooses did not disappoint. We saw two bull moose run right in front of us. 

And with a raspberry milkshake, our 1,500+ miles trip with the British Invasion is over.