One of my life goals is to someday get my pilots license.  Anytime I have an opportunity to fly with my parents and I'm available, I will take it!  I didn't have a wedding over the 4th of July weekend this year so I was free to fly with them and my sister, Jesse, to visit our family in Sun Valley, Idaho.  My cousin, Marron, was visiting from New Zealand with her two adorable little boys, Josh and Rafe.  I hadn't seen them since Josh was 8 mo. old.  It was so great to see her, my aunt and uncle, and getting to know those little kiwi second cousins of mine was a treat! 

We started the trip at 6 am out of the Fort Morgan airport-Idaho bound. The flight was amazing.  We actually flew through a full rainbow circle near the continental divide.  It was crazy beautiful. (Sorry no photos, it happened too fast!)  We had brilliant, clear (and mostly smooth) skies all the way.  We took a short detour to fly over Jackson Hole and by the Grand Tetons.  I went to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone a couple of years ago on vacation, so the scenery was very familiar, but seeing it from the air gave me a whole new perspective!  This earth is truly an incredible place.

We went to the local Rodeo on the fourth and the little guys dressed up like cowboys to go mutton' bustin'.  If you've never seen mutton bustin' first hand, you are definitely missing out.  It's hysterical!  And yes, it seems like a little bit of child abuse and animal abuse rolled into one- the kids get so scared. (Who can blame them?!!)  They mostly ALL cry.  The sheep almost certainly rolls over on them.... but I guess it probably feels like a big fluffy mattress rolling on you.  (At least that's what the adults like to believe!)  But, it is so dang funny! And, if those little mutton busters are the same kiddos that become the bronco and bull riders, then I would say it definitely builds ones courage and strength (either that or it causes brain damage-it might be a toss up) because seeing the bucking broncos and bulls up close is INTENSE and scary.  I would honestly be terrified to be on the back of one of those massive animals!  And if you are wondering if they get hurt, the answer is YES.  Check out the series at the end of the guy getting his face stomped on by the bull. The whole rodeo experience was fascinating. And so fun to photograph!   

Anyway, it was a short but great little trip.  Marron, I love and miss you guys.  I hope you move back to the states soon too!

Allan has been in the US for about three weeks now and Matt and I really wanted to get a family photo taken with him and the doggies before the snow flies. So, last weekend we went to Red Rocks and David Gaston of Gaston Photography met us there for a little family photo session swap.  (I shot his family and then he shot mine.)   Here are some of his images...  Thanks David!  We love them!

My mom always used to take my sisters and I's photo on the first day of school every year.   Allan started 7th grade at Oberon middle school on Monday this week!  Even though it was seriously difficult for me to function at that early hour of the morning, I managed to remember to grab my camera and snap a quick photo of him.  I love that it was dark enough outside that my shutter was automatically slow enough to see the motion in his hands, showing off his lunch money. Classic.

Our dear friends Angela and Ty Col(e)man's dogs are like Cheyenne and Charlie Brown's favorite step-sisters. Whenever we go out of town our dogs stay with them and when they go out of town, Sidney and Serena come and stay with us.  Matt has mastered the fine art of "walking" them all at once in the most efficient way possible, via beach cruiser.  He makes it look so easy, but take my word for it.... it's not!  Don't try this at home!