"Rock the Falls"

This past Saturday I finally got to go to a rock concert! Yea! I've been wanting to go to a concert forever! I don't have any friends that love rock 'n roll like I do so I never have anyone to go with. Lame! While my little concert lovin' bro Ryan was in town I decided to find us a concert to go to. Firehouse was playing in Sandy Downs, ID so I immediately bought three tickets. I remember listening to their CD when I was younger and singing along to their tunes on the radio. They were AWESOME performers. Loved it!

Eric was supposed to go with us but he bailed on me (sheesh) so I took my 12-yr old cousin Kaitlyn instead. It said right on the ticket that it was an all ages show but I don't really think that was true! I think she got more of an education than she was bargaining for. Oopsi!

The night started out with a local band named 2AM Logic. I was impressed with how good they were. I guess Idahoans really can rock! Unfortunately they shouted out a few "F" bombs and I started questioning if my sweet Kaitlyn should have come. The lead singer had a really fun personality though and he was making jokes to make the audience laugh. They even had an adorable woman playing on one of the guitars. She was the only other woman on stage besides the hostess.

We were about four people back from the stage; right in the "mosh pit". Just kidding Tauna if you are reading this! In the front row was this older man with long hair that kept head banging and doing the rock symbol with his hands. He also kept shouting, "Oh yeah! Are you gonna shred it! Whoo! Yeah!" and various other phrases that kept cracking me up. He had two curly haired short women next to him so when they all started head banging all you saw was hair. HIL-arious! I really should have taken a picture of them. In fact, I can't believe I got out of there with only one picture my brother took of me and Kaitlyn. I usually take pictures of everything!

The second band on stage was called Still Standing. Never heard of them. They all had the hard core rocker look though, tats, leather and all. I was mesmerized by one of the guitar players and spent more time paying attention to him than to the music. He just looked too pretty to be a guy! His body frame could even be a woman's. Heck, he already had on the eyeliner so maybe he really was a woman. Okay I'll quit now. The lead singer to this band wasn't as much fun as the beginning band but they were okay. Ryan said all their songs sounded the same. Yeah, pretty much they did.

By now there was lots of smoking and boozing going on. At least Kaitlyn got to see how drunk people act. She said she's never drinking! See, I guess she got a good education out of it after all.
It was starting to get HOT, HOT, HOT too by the time Firehouse came on. They were definitely worth watching perform. I've been singing, "Don't treat me bad", "Love of a lifetime," and "When I look into your eyes," ever since then. Anyone remember those songs? It really brought me back in time. My throat started to hurt from screaming by the time they left the stage.

We were starving when Great White came on so we headed for some grub and sat down on the grass to watch the last performance of the night. I didn't really know who they were. They were kind of boring though so we only stayed for a couple songs and then we headed out of town. Thanks Ryan and Kaitlyn for going with me! Sorry about the bad parts Katie-Kate but I hope you had fun with us anyways!

Rodeo Time!

On Friday the 17th we packed up into my mom's van and headed for a little rodeo action! Last year at the rodeo Carlee just kept on saying, "Horsie! Horsie! Horsie! Yee haw!" This year was no exception.

This is my grandma Brewer, Tina, and my mom Rhonda.
I love getting out with my family!

Hungry, hungry Carlee was non-stop eating that night. Here she is snitching Collin's cotton candy.

Yep, she was a sticky mess afterwards.

Here she is after stealing grandma's snowie. We bought her one without red dye but she wasn't having it. Everyone else had red so we gave in and gave her a red one too. I think she is sick of being different.

Carlee had to swipe some of grandma's hamburger too. Yes, we did feed her before we even came to the rodeo but she still acted like she was starving!

Grandma bought some popcorn and of course she had to eat that too!

Collin loves to participate in the Bob Sherman's Memorial Stick Horse Race. I wonder what he liked better: the race or flirting with the cowgirls. Hmmm....

Ready...set...

Go!

Whoo hoo!

Get around that barrel Collin!

Collin swears he was neck and neck to this boy but it looks like Collin was trailing a bit. A picture is worth a thousand words Collin!

Everyone that participated got a squirt gun. Collin immediately wanted to fill his up with ice water and squirt daddy. Good job Collin!

This is the first year that Collin participated in the calf scramble. I think that's what it was called, I don't really remember.

Anyways, Collin had to chase a calf with ties on it and try to pull one off. Whoever did got a prize.

Collin didn't get one but he did have fun. That's all that counts right?

The little clown dancers were so cute! Collin said he wanted to dance too. Maybe next year!

We always love to see the flag presentation before all the action begins.
Don't you just love America!

The rest of the pictures are of the bare back bronco riders and a couple bull riding shots in no particular order. We love the action! I still can't figure out why I can't get any good action pics at night though. Sigh.

We had a blast and we're glad we went. We'll have to go again next year!

Atomic Days!!

Our little local town of Arco, ID celebrates
Atomic Days every year. Why? Because:

"On July 17, 1955, Arco became the first city in the world to be lit by nuclear energy! Electricity, generated by the Boiling Water Reactor III (EBR I) at the internationally renowned Department of Energy Idaho National Laboratory, was switched by local technicians to light our little City of Arco for approximately 2 hours on that historic day. Arco’s Atomic Days, sponsored by the Butte County Chamber of Commerce is held annually on the weekend closest to the July 17th anniversary, is a community-wide celebration of this historic day in our community’s history. High school graduation and family reunions, as well as the wide variety of things to do and see, draw folks from across America to our hometown. We hope that you will stop in and enjoy the celebration, activities and history Arco has to offer!" (blurb taken from visitidaho.org)

The kids favorite part of the celebration is the parade, fun at the park, and the rodeo. They definitely had a blast this year. Check out a few pics from the parade!

This is my father in law Larry lounging on the lounge chair. So nice to see him there! We were also graced with our uncle Johnny and Aunt Patty's presence. We don't get to see them enough.

Collin had to take a picture of his cousin Kaitlyn.

(Collin, Kaitlyn, Tina, and Carlee)

Oh look! Here comes the parade!

Yummy ICEE's!

We love our veterans!

Here's a pic of me with the kids before Eric handed the camera duty to me.

Check out my candy!

Carlee still thought the sirens and horns were too loud.

Brotherly love.

Kaitlyn and Collin had to watch out for Carlee a lot this parade. There were some really bratty boys that kept trying to steal the candy right out from under her. Poor little Carlee is too slow and they took advantage of that. They also kept going past us to steal the other little girls candy next to us! So rude. Kaitlyn and Collin had Eric's permission to knock 'em over but they were too nice. They were really frustrated with them though. We try to teach our kids to be nice and fair but this parade we had to tell them to push the boys outta the way and get that candy! You know, if they don't get any candy then momma doesn't get any candy. Momma has got to eat you know. Just kiddin'. Sort of...

Yea! Horsies!!

The parade always has a collection of older cars rolling by. I should have got a picture of all the cars later at the park but I forgot to take many pictures there.

Usually we have a short display of wheelies and stunts from local motorists. The kids love it! I had to take a picture of the littlest performer because he was so darned cute. Daddy says when Collin gets a dirt bike he'll have to practice so he can be in the parade.
Ummm, sure.
Someday.
In the future.
WAY in the future!

After the parade we headed down to the park to check out the fun. They had craft booths, jump houses, food and games. Eric participated in the horse shoes this year but got beat out by an older retired couple. I'm sure they had more time to practice!

The kids had to go on the cute little tractor ride that was touring the park. So cute! Collin is riding with his buddy Zane.

The girls had to ride in the back. I wish I would have got more pictures of them playing but oh well. It was soooo hot I think my brain was melting anyways. It was a fun morning though and we're glad we went.