Bonnie Springs Old Nevada

On Sunday we took a little drive over to visit Bonnie Springs Old Nevada. It is a replica of an old Nevada mining town, complete with a petting zoo, mini-train ride, and various melodramas.

At the pond, ducks and swans abound.

Oliver poses...or maybe, it's a look of "can you put that camera down already?" Hehe.

Inside the petting zoo area, memories of my childhood come racing back. In a petting zoo long ago, a randy goat started eating up little Tami's dress. History repeats itself--but Oliver finds humor in the sweet, spotted deer gnoshing on his polo. Mommy wasn't thrilled with the prospect of trying to wash out a green/grassy/muddy/slobbery stain. But, after all, it was in the name of having fun...

BACON & EGGS

UH-OH....Oliver must smell mighty tasty--the miniature pony is going for his shirt as well!

Feeding the pony...

Oliver and Daddy

family photo

I **LOVE** this shot!! Precious.

Oliver was thrilled to ride the train and kept screaming "Hello, Mr. Engineer!"

feeding the swan

Oliver takes the oath of gun safety and is awarded his "Old Nevada Posse" badge. A melodrama with the posse chasing down gun-wielding bad dudes ensues.

The afternoon finishes up with Oliver and I begging for $$ for a bath.

For more pictures of us enjoying Bonnie Springs, please click here. HAPPY TRAILS!

Daddy's Arrival

Brad arrived for a week-long class in Las Vegas, plus an added week of family stay, so it made for a nice lengthy visit. This was a good thing. :) Oliver loves heading to the airport, and we wait and keep our eyes peeled for Daddy coming down the escalator. That first Run-and-Jump into Daddy's arms is the BEST!

Oliver is just ALL SMILES.

Back at the homestead Brad divvies out the surprises...this time Grandaddy sent an Alabamaian Spidermonkey for our little spidermonkey. A perfect match!

More adventures to come...

Latest Scrapbook Pages

Now that I am fairly up-to-date on the goings-on around here, I figured I'd get some of my recent digital pages posted. The last few weeks whenever we drive around town Oliver always asks what the "pokey thing" is. I told him it's the Stratosphere. So one night we decided to take him there for an awesome view of the city. There are no tripods allowed up there (not that there is any place to put one), so this great shot came courtesy of Brad...his hands are wayyy steadier than mine! I LOVE this photo, Las Vegas is such a beautiful city at night!

Neon Lights -- for credits click here

Here we have our annual visit to the Easter Bunny. Oliver has never had fear of the bunny, in fact, the kid smothers him with kisses and hugs every time.

Easter Bunny 2009 -- for credits and to read the journaling click here

I have my creepy fun with Oliver on April Fool's Day. This was a good one. Poor kid. Hehe.

April Fool's Day 2009 -- for credits and to read all about it click here

Oliver has a smile a mile-wide...it always cheers me to see it. He really does exude pure happiness.

Happiness -- click here for credits

Just a sweet picture.

Seek love -- credits

A Day in the Desert

On Sunday the Clines invited Oliver and I to join their family to go riding in the desert. It sounded like lots of fun and something new and different, so we accepted. Oliver excitedly chattered non-stop about "going to the desert" (as if it were some far-away destination).....even though we live in one on a daily basis. :) A short 30 miles to the north brought us to a dry lake bed where they go riding. We got out and first thing Oliver did was give his best little girl an excited hug!

The desert is uniquely beautiful in its vast loneliness...

Oliver starts his explorations...









Trying to snap a Dust Devil...



Hot Shots

After lunch in the trailer, I get some driving instruction from Mark before my first solo outing...

Whooo-eeeee! Lookit Tami go!

Scarlet

Scarlet riding off...

I take the Rhino for a cruise with Oliver, Sierra, and Lindsay.

Fun stuff--kinda like a Golf Cart on steroids :)

A shot of the little ones before our ride.

While the bigger kids do their ATV-ing, the little ones (and us bigger ones) find plenty to occupy our time. Golf, bubbles, digging in the dirt, and hanging out in the trailer (also handy for shade and snacks). Check out Oliver's golf stance...one that would make his Papa proud!

Layton and Oliver

Oliver loves to be around other kids. Well, unless he gets teased or someone annoys him ...then, this look of frustration when something is not going his way.

Luckily, it never lasts long...


Mark in action

Lindsay takes Oliver and Maddie out for some exploratory adventures.

Oh, gads...what the heck have they come back with? Excitedly, no less...

Oliver is SO proud of the rusted chair frame they have brought back from its slow death in the desert. He wants to bring it home. Of course. I told him we cannot keep junk like that in our yard. He holds his hand up and shakes his finger at me matter-of-factly. "NO, Mommy, dis is not junk. It's TWEASURE from the desert!" Right. As much as I love my kid, we did NOT bring this beauty home.

And, the fun of the day comes to an end. With naptime having passed, Oliver promptly falls asleep during the drive home, with dreams of sun, sand, and treasures of the desert swirling in his head.

Thank you Mark and Scarlet for inviting us out for the day--we had an awesome time!