family "fun"

This is old man's ridge. Dave and I run up Weber's canyon to get here. The run is 6 miles up and back. It's a gorgeous and challenging run but one I love. I'll even take my pelvis hurting a bit just to do it--again, and again and again during my stay here at the ranch. You can see for miles on top with Idaho to the west and Wyoming to the east. This photo was taken about 2 weeks ago when, anyone that knows me knows I love yellow wildflowers, were in full bloom and so of course I had to stop and roll in them--achoo! The flowers are dead now and their leaves are drying to brown making the run have a soundtrack of crushing with each step. It's still beautiful though sans the yellow carpet. Below is a short video of the surrounding area. I'm a bit out of breath due to the altitude :-).

I just had to put this in here after all Grandpa Sharp was the first to own this ranch. He still loves it and when he comes for visit he still tears up. He's such a kind and loving man. I will admit however as much as he tears up for the ranch I believe more tears are shed each time he sees his family together. His heart is big.

Four generations of Sharp men. All love the ranch in their own way I'm certain. Where did Dave get his height???

So the store Land of Nod has all these little "crafty" items. They do run about $29.00 bucks a shot but they are worth it! They had this loom with scads of colors included. I have to say I LOVE these colors Sam chose to put on his first one. We also bought the kids some sewing kits. Sam has made a dog and and pillow. Sofie has made some little stuffed "bears". (shown below) They have been a god-send for our travels. The kids love them. I also got some knitting--but I can't figure it out yet. I'm having to watch some you-tube videos. Tried calling Matt today but family's in town and he's "hosting"

Sofie's "Totorro's" She did these herself! They are gorgeous! Love that Land of Nod!

Coppertone, Calvin Klein--or child abuse? Probably the latter I really do put sun screen on him but this manual labor has him soaking in some rays. I can't get him to wear a shirt--we're quite lucky actually to get him wearing pants. He was reluctant to pose for this, I'm not sure if it took him away from working or he actually does have some modesty issues--not sure where that comes from. Thank goodness we had a few clouds today to give that Nordic skin a break!

It was to be family "fun" riding our bikes, but it was really warm, Sofie was still a little under the weather and so whined a bit. I think she got heat stroke. For having 1/2 El Salvadorian blood in her that child cannot take the heat. It's funny. To give her credit she does ride this bike well however, she has voiced--a lot lately, that she's ready for a bike with pedals. I agree. I would like her to get some speed on the flat lands as I'm almost falling over trying to balance with the slow speed. We'll look into it but Sam just had his stolen at Jason's and I'm afraid he's first on the list as he's riding his old green one that should surely fit Sof.

We are hoping to build a little play house for a family project here so we rode down by the church to a home that has a cute little one. The kids were not impressed. "We want ours bigger. We want 2 stories--top floor living area, bottom floor store--No wait I want the kitchen on the bottom floor--OK....but...." It was a long hot ride.

Money is the root of all evil some say. However, it means the world to Sam. Sofie somewhat but to Sam it's his means to allowing his inner pyromaniac boy to bang--so to speak. He can buy so many fireworks with his income. Sofie can buy tic tacs. Hence she's happy with a 1/2 day's work, after all she can buy 3 tic tacs for $1.00. Sam, on the other hand will work a full day to have 15 minutes of fun lighting fireworks. It may seem to some he's not really getting much bang for his buck--but he'll take it.

Below is Friday tally day--pay day. Since Wednesday, our day of arrival, the kids have been taking the four wheeler out that has a wagon attached. They go pick up as many rocks as they can load, go to the scales, weigh them, write what the weight is and then dump the rocks by the metal building--for who knows what. I am hoping Sam will give us a full commentary on a later date. He takes this job very seriously--and it shows. Sam earned $6.00 and Sofie earned $1.48. Sam spent $12.00 on fireworks--this is not his first paying job thank heavens I would hate to see him in debt already. Actually Dave had to borrow a dollar from Sam yesterday. Sofie got sick in the truck (much to Dave's dismay as he won't even let us eat in it) and threw up all over her money. She says she can't use it because no wants money that has throw up on it. We've tried convincing her otherwise, telling her that money has far worse stuff on it, but we still have that money. She's a hard headed one she is. No matter, the taste of mint will overcome her, she'll cave and it's hello tic tacs--come to momma. Good-bye stinky, gross money.