What ever Happened to the Steeds?

For the first month or so of my blogging absence I was too busy to blog because of abnormal levels of family and moving activities. And things have since calmed down, but now I've got various computer issues. (I hate posting with no pics.)

Before Jamie got laid off we had this big trip planned to drive out to Vegas, California, and Utah for the summer. My dad had a ticket booked to fly out and drive with the kids and me and then Jamie would fly out later and join us. With the layoff, plans were quickly adapted and the roadtrip turned into a move. So we quickly packed up everything and headed out. Jamie stayed back to finish packing and drive a moving van to Vegas.

The kids and I drove across the country with my dad and stopped in Vicksburg, Mississippi to see the Civil War battlefield and museum. Then my sister-in-law joined our caravan with her four kids in Texas. We were traveling with seven kids: 8,7,6,5,4,3, and 2. We dtook an extra day to show the kids the Grand Canyon, then finally arrived in Vegas. Jamie arrived with the moving van a couple weeks later (thanks Mama Steed and Chelsea for traveling with him!!!) He arrived just in time for me to go with the Steed girls to a girls' weekend in St George. So awesome (but no pics, grr)! I would highly recommend being a Steed girl, best choice I ever made!

After a week in Vegas of hiking, swimming, marshmallow gun wars, petting zoos, games, and all manner of cousin chaos we headed up to Utah to our little patch of heaven. When I tell you our family (my dad's family) has a cabin in Utah, you are probably picturing some nice log cabin with rustic decor. Don't. "The Ranch" is a furniture graveyard with the random leftovers of decorations and supplies from several different households. But it is one of my favorite places in the world and the memories and sentiments attached are worth their weight in second-hand appliances.

Have you ever romantisized a fabulous activity or vacation from your childhood and tried to recreate the experience with your children, only to find that it's not so fun for the parent? And your kids aren't half as excited as you'd imagined they'd be? Well this was not one of those weeks. My kids had as good a time as I did. It was bliss!

Things at the Ranch are just simple and relaxing. You sit on the shady porch and watch the kids play (and enjoy this view-pic above), go for a walk through the aspens, dangle your feet in the creek, gaze at the stars, play poohsticks on the bridge, and pick wildflowers. [sigh] I needed this!

The rope swing- a Ranch classic.
See, Emma? Mom's not as old as you think.

Floating down the ditch

Can't reach to dangle your feet from the bridge? Find an extension. Grandma's work great.

Fourth of July at the Ranch is extra fun. Independence Day is a big deal in Oakley. My mom got cowboy hats for all the grandkids. So cute!

Oakley kicks off the holiday with a parade where the kids filled their hats with saltwater taffy. Andrew fell in love with his new aunt, Maria, who collected candy for him. He planted a big kiss on her at the end of the parade to show his gratitude for her services. Then we had a bbq back at the Ranch with my dad's family- the 4th is Cannon Reunion time.


The kids were disappointed we didn't go to the kids' rodeo so we had our own and made my sister's boyfriend be the bucking bronco. Then in the evening Jamie went to his first Oakley rodeo.



We also went hiking in the Uintas. Beautiful area! Turns out Jamie's a stud in a cowboy hat. All this time I never thought he had any country in 'em. Course he tromped all over Utah with his rebel shirts.

The Saturday following the ranch reunion my little brother got married! He's joining the Vegas clan now for dental school. It was a happy day and they looked great!


My mom made these cute ties for all seven grandsons (yeah, this is only three but catching seven smiling boys that are under the age of 8 ain't happening).



Emma was a pretty little flower gir l with her cousin and felt entitled to join in on the couple's first dance.



The next day we joined up with my mom's family for a good 'ol Hatch reunion. We really pack these things in and maximize family vacation time. It was fun having Jamie there the whole time too.

And great news, we got back to Vegas and Jamie started interviewing with Harrah's Entertainment and is now the Internal Communications Manager for Ceasar's Palace and Rio. Thank you for all your prayers and support. We felt them carry us during a difficult time and I see how perfect the Lord's timing and planning is here.