the magical kingdom!

Stephen celebrated his 26th birthday on Sunday with a trip to Disneyland!!!! Actually, the trip just happened to coincide with his birthday, but i keep telling him that was his present. Here are the top 10 things that made Disneyland especially awesome this year:

1. More/Older nieces and nephews to take on rides. (they are so cute and fun, this was really the best part.)
2. Seeing Stephen's cousin Johnny and his wife Jen and their 4 cute kids.
3. Sharing a hotel suite with more cute nieces and a nephew.
4. Having the entire Stewart family (except Penelope and Jack) in Disneyland together.
5. Going to a "Princess Lunch" with nieces where we met Ariel, Aruroa, Snow White, and Cinderella!!!
6. Bacon wrapped asparagus.
7. Lots of Churros
8. Halloween decorations
9. Buying nightmare before Christmas souvenirs
10. Spending 3 whole days with Stephen.

Disneyland is really the happiest place on earth. Stephen and I were so sad to leave, but we really had a great time. Thanks Stewart Family!

Here are some Pictures.

Stephen and Daniel were best buds our first day. They went on almost all the rides together.
Not sure what David is doing in this picture.
Justin and Traci in the car with the sweetest paint job.
Dave bought ponchos for everyone so they didn't get soaked on the rapids ride.
Little Jon Jon driving the car. Look at those beautiful curly locks.

We went on the grizzly bear rapids like 10 times.
I asked olivia to smile for the camera and she stuffed this wrapper in her mouth and smiled. ha ha.

We'll miss you Disneyland...

Family Foto Fun

While we were at the ranch the Stewarts decided to take some family pictures.

Here is just one of the many family pictures

After taking the group shot, each family took their turn getting their pictures taken. Stephen and I decided we wanted some photos as well, even though we are just a family of two.

Crow Creek Ranch

Stephen's family goes to the Stewart family ranch in Crow Creek, Wyoming every year. This year we went over Labor Day weekend. The Ranch is like your typical Wyoming Ranch (or at least what picture a typical ranch being.) There are cows, horses and two dogs to keep them in line. The ranch is in a pretty rural area surrounded by pine and aspen trees. It is really beautiful.

When we go to the ranch we try to help out wherever we can. Last year we spent half the day raking up grass clippings around where the houses are and filling up a big hole where a pipe had been replaced. This year we got up early one morning and helped repair a 50 year old fence that was in disrepair due to snow, falling trees, and cattle. Although it was hard work (i really didn't do any of it, i mostly just kept the kids that came along from getting hit by swinging hammers and wood), it was really fun to see the fruits of our labors. Stephen's Uncle Brent who runs the ranch said that he had never seen the fence look so good.

The day we helped repair the fence also happened to be Stephen's Uncle Brent's birthday. (We didn't know it at the time.) Even though it was his birthday he was a good host and took us all on a horseback ride later in the afternoon. We spent the rest of our trip relaxing, going on a four-wheeler ride, playing games, and watching our cute nieces and nephews.

Here are some pictures.

Here I am on top of the Plateau looking over the Ranch.

Stephen is filling up the gas tank on the four-wheeler using these old-school-looking gas tanks
Every time Stephen goes to the ranch he finds a hat in his grandparent's house that he wears the whole trip. He chose the red one this time.
Here I am with Uncle Brent on our horse ride.