2010 Pioneer Rodeo

The big event of the year in Bickleton is its rodeo. Our first rodeo here happened to be Bickleton's 100th year so there was even more added celebration. My parents came out to join in the fun. It was an incredibly full weekend, but a lot of fun.


The boys have been visiting the carousel museum since we moved here and have eagerly looked forward for their once a year chance to ride the 100 + year old horses at the rodeo. Church members kept gracing the boys with tickets to ride. I lost count early on as to how many times we rode! At first they would only ride in the "sled". Note the boy (and the face) on the horse in front of us.


Nope...not one of ours. The little boy in front of us dismounted his horse and was determined to stand up for the next ride...much to the operator's dismay. I finally convinced him that it would be great fun to ride with me in the sleigh. Halfway through the ride, he put his hands over his mouth, like so, and never removed them. Having noticed his face before, I was quite curious to know if his hands were stuck?


Owen was the first one brave enough to ride a horse. Obviously Jacob is enjoying it as much as Owen!


Owen and Jacob stopped on the horse. Eventually Logan rode a horse too, but they both insisted on having one hand on the horse and holding our hand with the other.


Their other main form of entertainment was building pine needle towers:) They really did love the rodeo too...especially when the cowboys fell off their horses and were dragged around the arena while holding onto a long rope...rather twisted sense of enjoyment, I think:) At one point, Jacob offered to take them for a walk and Owen replied, "No, I don't want to miss anything!"

The only thing they did miss was Mutton Bustin'. I neglected to register them, but after watching it, I think I'm glad I missed the deadline! One kid flew out of the gate, holding tight to the sheep, and while refusing to let go, he lost his pants and a shoe! Seemed to enjoy it though:)


The Yakima Nation was invited to the rodeo since it was the 100th year and the native americans used to participate in this rodeo as well. (Now they have their own rodeo). I had to wipe away several tears as their drumming and dance reminded me of Savoonga. It was very different in style, but it brought back the memories.


Our rodeo queen was invited to join in on the "friendship dance." I'm guessing you won't have a problem spotting her in the group:)


Jacob was invited to join the group on the stage for the morning program to open the rodeo with prayer.


Owen, me, Logan, Dad, and Mom having a picnic lunch the last day.

It was a new cultural experience for me:) There were masses of people there, which seemed odd in Bickleton, but things have quieted down and are back to normal now.

VBS 2010

We just completed a week of Vacation Bible School. The youth group (and Jacob) were the leaders. We had 8 girls sleeping at our house and 7 boys sleeping at the church with Jacob. I think we were all taken back to Savoonga and Owen was very sad at the end of the week when the girls packed up their stuff to go home. The youth led VBS for the kids in Bickleton in the AM and after lunch they went down the hill to Roosevelt to lead VBS there. They really did a great job. It was fun for all and everyone looks forward to doing it again next year.

This was Logan and Owen's first VBS to attend from start to finish. They were a little young, but seemed to enjoy it...most of it! They loved the story and craft, but when it came to the games they generally refused to participate until the last day. They played Duck Duck Goose for the first time. I thought they didn't quite get it as they would run around the circle saying "Duck, duck, duck, duck, etc." and never say goose, but later when I asked them about it they said, "Me no say goose because I didn't want anyone to chase me!" Smart boys:) Later, during Freeze Tag, Owen stopped next to a girl who was "frozen" to say, "I'm going to hold your hand." and so he did:)...Ahhh, Owen and the girls!


VBS at Bickleton

The closing song on the last day...you can see how tired Owen was!

The boy's class before playing the balloon game. (Owen's "best friend" Sarah is standing next to him.)


Jacob and Owen playing a game during VBS.


Holly helping Logan with his sheep craft.


Playing soccer with the kids in Roosevelt.


The last night everyone from Bickleton and Roosevelt were invited down to Roosevelt for a BBQ and final presentation. It was great to merge the two communities. Now we're trying to recover until the next big event!

Busy Weekend

We have almost completed our first graduation weekend in Bickleton. The previous week was full of end of the year activities at the school. As I watched the seniors during graduation, I was amazed to think that I've only known them 3 months and tears were springing to my eyes! We're already discovering that it doesn't take long to grow to love people in a small town! There were 9 graduates, so the ceremony took a more personal tone like Savoonga's. Here, they begin with a slide show, followed by each of the graduates giving a speech and giving flowers to their parents or parent figures.

Graduation morning, the boys were part of a kiddie parade in Sunnyside. They rode their tricycles and had a great time.



After the parade, we hurried back for a grad party. There were lots of younger kids visiting so the boys mostly had a great time playing with them on the swingset. There was just one moment when I oversaw one of the older girls hit Owen with her colored pencils. As Owen came crying to me, I heard Logan say very firmly, "Please don't EVER do that to MY BROTHER AGAIN!" That a boy!:)

This morning, we had church and have just been hanging around the house relaxing before the next 2 busy weeks! The boys invited me into the living room to see their "chicken house" that they just built. Wow!:)

3 in a Row

I figured I better catch up on posting pictures while I was on a roll! After Jacob's mom visited (and before my sister visited), the boys and I spent a few days in Seattle.


My mom going on a trip with Owen, Logan, and Caleb (driving) while Michelle and I sipped tea by the fire. Thanks, Mom. Ha, ha.


Owen and Logan enjoying icecream on my gma's porch. (We're still waiting to be able to wear short sleeves...they haven't been able to for the past 2 years of their lives! When will summer arrive in the NW?)


Owen helping on the church workday.


Owen, Logan, and Jacob at the end of the church workday.


Logan and Owen pointing to our new neighbors. We have bulls to the south, chickens to the west, pigs to the east, and horses to the north. We love it here!

Memorial Weekend

My sister and family visited us for Memorial Weekend. We had such a great time and it was so gracious of them to make the 7 hour trip through Memorial Weekend traffic to visit us for 3 days!:) I seem to have only captured two even halfway decent photos. I'm glad Michelle captured many more:) Anyway, the first morning we went to the cafe, then Jacob showed them the tavern and we walked by the condemned Post Office. The next day, we went to church. That night, Michelle said, "I like it here." I said, "Bickleton?" She hesitated and then said, "Well, your house...I haven't really seen Bickleton." I assured her that she actually had seen all of Bickleton, but I was glad she liked our house:) We had many good laughs this weekend.


Todd and Jacob took the 3 boys on a wagon parade to drop off recycling, play at the school playground, and feed the neighbors horses. You have to click on this picture to make it bigger because Jacob is clearly excited about the trip!:)


I believe Michelle was reading to Caleb and then Logan wanted to join and then Owen insisted on joining and then Michelle couldn't quite see the book to continue reading:)

Thanks for the visit. You're more than welcome any time:)

Happy 32 Kami!

Can you wish yourself a happy bday?:) I just did because I have some photos to share and I'm the only one to post to this blog!
I had such a nice birthday. The boys are growing up so much! Jacob has been so very busy lately with the end of school/church programs and graduation/VBS/rodeo approaching. He still managed to decorate my chair (a tradition the boys have started) and bake me a most amazing cake with the boys over his lunch break. When the boys awoke this morning, Logan said, "It's Mama's Birthday!" and he sang his own personal rendition of "Happy Birthday" to me throughout the day. Logan and Owen asked for supplies to make me "presents" and then told me I couldn't see them until my "party". They made and wrapped them all by themselves. And it was all their idea! How very sweet and grown up!

Baking with Papa.


Owen, Mama, Logan (still haven't purchased bday candles!)


Opening Owen's gift.


I'm obviously ecstatic over Logan's gift too:)


Owen disappeared before bed and then brought me his hat filled with all of his favorite things. He said he wanted to give them to me for my birthday because he wanted me to be happy. What a sweet child! (Logan, on-the-other-hand through himself on the floor in a full out tantrum when I referred to the present he gave me as "my gift"..."It's mine!" he protested. I will give him that it was almost 10pm at the time of the tantrum:) Just wanted to let you all know, after the very sweet Owen story, that we are in fact a normal family with typical 3-yr old boys:)

All-in-all I had a wonderful birthday and thank my family for all their love!