Hole in the Wall

Yesterday we took a trip to Hole in the Wall Wyoming with my friend Carol and one of her friends. Carol is my go to girl for everything WYOMING! She has been everywhere and knows so many interesting things about Wyoming. A lot of the places she's been are historic sites that not many people know about or go to because you do have to drive a ways to them.

Hole-in-the-Wall is a remote pass in the Big Horn Mountains of Johnson County, Wyoming. In the late 19th century the Hole in the Wall Gang and Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch gang met at the log cabin which is now preserved at the Old Trail Town museum in Cody, Wyoming. 
The area was remote and secluded, easily defended because of its narrow passes, and impossible for lawmen to approach without alerting the outlaws. From the late 1860s to around 1910, the pass was used frequently by numerous outlaw gangs. Eventually it faded into history, with gangs using it less frequently. At its height it featured several cabins that gangs used to lie up during the harsh Wyoming winters, and it had a livery stable, a corral, livestock, and supplies, with each gang contributing to the upkeep of the site.(wikipedia)

We got back from our "daycation" around 6 pm and decided to tackle our crazy yard! Keith decided to pull out the lawn mower and go at it! I can't believe our lawn mower conquered the crazy yard!

Before

After...!!!

Today after church we decided to take a scenic drive to castle gardens, we had to bring Carol along with us again, of course, because she is the best tour guide!

The Castle Gardens Petroglyph Site is located in central Wyoming approximately 45 miles east of Riverton. The name of the area comes from the outcropping of sandstone which the wind has eroded into fanciful shapes resembling the turrets and towers of castle. This unusual formation has been luring visitors for thousands of years, and many of them left their mark in the soft sandstone--the area holds a treasure of Native American rock art, or petroglyphs. The most famous petroglyphs were done in the Castle Gardens Shield Style, the oldest recognizable example of the shield-bearing warrior figure type. It is described as "elaborate and carefully made figures," and it "combines several different manufacturing techniques that serve to distinguish the style as unique in the Bighorn and Wind River Basins. The style is also unique in that it depicts shields alone as well as shield-bearing warriors" (Francis & Loendorf 2002:136).(wikipedia)

Some of the shield petroglyphs 

What a fun weekend! Now onto prepping for visitors (Keith's parents) on Wednesday!

Reunion Fun!

Two weeks ago (Aug. 6th) we packed up the car and headed to Idaho for a week! On our way Carson and I spent a day with my sister Misti in Idaho Falls helping her set up her 2nd grade classroom, while Keith spent a day with his brother in Rexburg. I can't believe Misti is going to be a teacher! Whoo! So excited for her, man it's a lot of work getting everything ready.

When we got to Boise on Saturday the 8th, I dropped Keith off at the airport and he spent the whole week in Alaska hunting caribou and fishing with my brother and nephew, meanwhile, Carson and I spent time with my family, enjoying many sleepovers, splash pads and time with cousins. Part of our trip was spent in Nyssa, Oregon at the LDS church Camp Hycliff for my mom's family (Brown) reunion. We had a blast going down the water slide till we were sore, playing night games, eating yummy food, swimming at Owhyee Reservoir, skits, a pinata, and just enjoying time with my mom's family that we really only see like once a year.

Some exciting news we learned at the reunion is....my parents announced that they will be putting their papers in within the next month or two to serve another mission! We are so excited and happy for them! I think this calls for another trip to Boise to see them before they leave :)

We had lots of sleepovers with cousins--cuz they're just the best.
Saturday night- Cousins-- Brielle and Malia's house
Sunday night- Cousins-- Hailey, Katy, Aiden & Abby's house
Monday night- Cousins--Alexa, Tristan, Brecka, Brynlee & Tyson's house
Tuesday night-- Cousin- Emma's house!
We gotta fit as many in a week as we can.

Monday night sleepover

Tuesday night sleepover

Meanwhile.....in Alaska

They got 2 caribou

Meanwhile in Oregon....

It was more smooth of a ride with a tube for sure, but it was definitely more thrilling going down without one!

Not sure if they tipped but they sure had fun.

Love that Carson has 36 cousins on my side alone. (shaving cream and a tarp = pure fun)

Squeezing in the back of my brother Kirk's truck to go to Owhyee Reservoir. Oh this reminds me of the 90s.


Meanwhile....when we got back to Casper...
I got in full house mode for visitors coming next month (Keith's parents and sister)

A little sneak peak....my house is finally coming along, decor wise. I still have a lot of hanging of pictures etc., but slowing it's coming along. We finally have all the furniture we need!

The start of Carson's room...more to come.

All new furniture--rug, couch, and curtains. More pics to come...