Summer Fun at Grandma and Grandpa Orton's house

Karli and the kids (sans Dustin) drove in a few hours ago from their amazing two and a half week sojourn to Grandma and Grandpa Orton's house/petting zoo/summer sanctuary. Dustin liked it there so much that he decided to stay for two more weeks.

I was super excited because now I have something to blog about again, even though I wasn't there. And yes, I tried to get Karli to contribute but she says she's too tired. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt today.

As the kids get older they're getting opportunities to do some real fun things there that they couldn't do when they were a little bit younger. I'm not sure Karli was ready to come back to boring old me and our little house and our little yard.

Karli was able to accomplish her yearly task of picking and canning raspberry jam. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for growing such beautiful raspberries this year!

Well, on to the pictures.


This was a first for the kids... a float down the Grand Ronde River. The big kids hopped on tubes with Grandpa while Dustin and Grandma waited for them at the finish line. And Dustin got wet.


There's nothing better than sticking your toes in the river.


Grandma and Grandpa Orton at the Lay Homestead Ranch in Union Oregon.


Dustin getting wet again. He later caught a fish in the creek and he was very proud of himself.

Looking for Grasshoppers to catch fish with.

Kristen also got wet and caught a fish later on as well.

Katelyn was content to sit on a blanket and read. Just like her mom.

Dallin and his .22 caliber rifle. Sources say he didn't kill anything.

Then he caught a fish in that little stream. He was too afraid to touch it, though.

Katelyn modeling her beautiful dress she made with Grandma's help.

Taivan Orton, Dustin, Krissy and Klora Thueson on the tramp, striking a pose. Dustin's probably a superhero, power ranger or ninja turtle.

It hasn't been a stay at Grandma and Grandpa Orton's house without a ride in the tractor's trailer. Here's Taivan, Noah, Dylan and Dustin.

A few days later Dylan's family, Julie's family and the Poyfair's went back to the Lay Ranch for more fun. Here's Dallin and Dylan playing with a fish. Poor fish.




Here are some fun videos of Taivan, Noah and Kyle Thueson playing with a fish in a bucket.



Kendra Thueson and her pretty hat.

Ahhh, fun with Cousins. Dustin, Taivan and Klora.

Here's Krissy and Aunt Julie after a hike up some rocks.

Pretty girls with pretty Sunday dresses.

Dallin was a good cousin, and took the time to drive Kyle around in the tractor. Kyle absolutely loved it.

Dustin Poyfair. The Horse Shouter. Here he is with Jenny the Mule. Dustin made sure he went out and talked to the horses several times a day. It's fun to see how much he loves the horses.


Dustin and Klora. They were born 17 days apart and they're bestest cousins.

Aunt Julie started a water balloon fight that was a big hit.

Klora was sad when it was time to go home to Boise, Idaho.

For ten cents you could buy pine cones from these cute kids.

Proof that Dallin is my son.

Karli and the kids stopped at the Open House for the Twin Falls, Idaho Temple. This is the first time the kids had been through a temple and it left quite an impression. Katelyn liked the sealing room with the mirrors, Kristen liked the Celestial Room and Karli liked the painted mural of the Snake River in the endowment room.

So there you go. They had a blast, but I'm glad they're home.