McCoy'sTrack and Field Day

At the end of May, Thatcher Elementary has a long standing tradition of a end of the year Track and Field Competition.  Each student gets to pick four events to compete in and there is also a class relay race.  McCoy was really looking forward to this day.  Parents and grandparents come and watch, cheering on their favorites.  McCoy chose softball toss, soccer kick, backwards race, and the marathon (which was one lap around the track).  After the track and field events the students go to lunch with their families.  

McCoy does the softball toss

McCoy with his biggest fan, his mama

McCoy (center, green shorts) waiting for the gun to start the backwards race

He got fourth place in this event.

McCoy (gray shirt/green shorts) runs the marathon

McCoy did a great job at his events and had a lot of fun.  Afterword he picked his favorite mexican restaurant for lunch.  McCoy loves chips and salsa!  That was the best prize for a race well run!

Carlton Peas in a Pod!

I had been wanting to get a ultra-light portable hammock for some time but never had a reason to actually get one until Declan was going on a 50 mile hike for scouts.  I figured he could use it to sleep in while on his hike and then we could use it on any outing.  Declan slept in it for a week setting it up in a different place each night.  He got pretty good at it so when we went to set it up at Blackjack he knew just what to do.  

Declan shows Eddy how to set up the hammock

Once the hammock was set up everyone wanted to try it out.  The hammock can handle up to 600lbs so more than one could try it out at once even!

Zany gives it a go

Archy tries it out with trepidation and Declan helps him 

Let the master show you how its done!

Now it's Quinton's turn

Boy that hammock is almost touching the ground,

 Zany must be heavier than she looks

Who took a two hour nap in it?  Eddy!

Surprise, it's me, I had to use a bag for a pillow

What fun three peas in a pod:  Archy, Zany, & McCoy

So cute! 

You may find this at a local antique store, Germaine's Emporium.

Next time we may even talk Pa into trying it.  

Fun at Blackjack

Ashlee and I are always longing to get out into nature and picnic or camp.  We decided to head up to Blackjack to check it out and see if it would be a good spot to camp.  With the elevation at 6300 feet it is a bit cooler than where we live and it is in the pines.  One of our (Ashlee and I) favorite TV shows is ALONE on the history channel. It is a survival show where 10 people get left on their own with no food or human contact and whoever last longests gets half a million dollars.  The setting is amazing forest and ocean. We don't want to do the whole survival thing but camping in a beautiful setting we could do!

Blackjack is pretty close, less than an hour drive and we were there.  We set up our day camp and planned on a picnic lunch/dinner.

Picnic Time

McCoy playing in the pines

Archy using his monkey skills to climb a tree all by himself

It wouldn't be an outdoor picnic without some baseball.

Quinton as catcher, McCoy pitches

Quinton decided to take the lazy route and catch while sitting a chair.

The seated catcher, Quinton

Besides baseball you gotta play some games card games and some Headbandz.  Pa got an appropriate card for the woods!  Bigfoot!

Princely Pa

After our meal we went on a hike that began with a trail and ended up with us wildkating it ( a wee nod to our high school alma mater WILDKATS) through the forest.

Carlton Clan on a hike

On the hike we saw some lovely catci and something shocking!

Cactus in bloom

While we were hiking off trail we came across an abandoned hobo camp.  There were blankets, books, unopened canned foods, trash. Everyone was shocked by the find and wondered if it's former occupant would be returning.

Checking out the abandoned camp

Declan, Zany, Archer in hat and McCoy

 with an Alligator Juniper Tree

Later the Fortitude Four (Ashlee, Zany, Rhiannon, & Declan), went on another hike right up a steep hill to the very top.

Onward, hikers!

View from the Top

Once one of us decided we like something it isn't long before everyone else jumps on the bandwagon.  Declan liked our walking poles and bought some for himself now Zany wants some but she could only pretend.

Declan and Zany

Imaginary poles work as well as real ones!

Maybe a rare bird in there somewhere?

Archer swings the tomahawk that Pa helped him make.

Pa was on the hunt for feathers for a project and was offering a quarter per large feather.  Zany with Ashlee's help Zany found one.

Zany and moneymaker feather

It wont be long before we head back for some camping fun, but I think we'll take food we aren't quite ready for the survivalist experience!

An Evening with Coyote

Ah, Sunset. I love to feel the sun on my face. I wonder what I shall get for dinner.

Hmmm, looks like those javelina are nice and tender.

Surely they wouldn't miss a little one now would they?

That one does look a little mean, but he can't be that fast can he?

Wow, he is pretty light on his feet

I wonder what his forty time is, he can close pretty fast

That's right you better quit chasing me.

I don't really fancy javelina anyhow.

Looks like squirrel is back on the menu! 

Easter in Duncan (a catch up post!)

Every couple of years the Duncanites try to move the easter egg hunt to my house.  My tiny 1/3 of an acre isn't nearly as fun as risking pokes and scratches on acres of desert landscape.  The weather is always lovely and cool with just the right amount of sunshine.  The lilac is always in bloom and so are the orchids, besides at this point it is long standing tradition.  Nona always does some fun $5 dollar money eggs the kids really look forward too.

Baskets ready?

Ashlee and I always hide the eggs.  Over the years we have developed a few favorite hiding places. This year Ashlee thought it would be fun to throw eggs into these large briar patch full of really scratchy, pokey plants.  Poor McCoy (below) is right in the midst of them trying to get an egg.

Fighting hard for the egg

Declan fighting his own fight for the egg

Archy gets the easier turf since he is younger and finds one on the woodpile

                                Sometimes you gotta climb trees to get to the good eggs

Archy in Mulberry Tree

 A wee butterfly stops by to say hello!

Lilac bush in the front yard

After all that hard work it's time to check out the loot and eat the chocolate before it melts more!

Left to right back row: McCoy and Archer

Front row: Zany, Declan, and Quinton

After all the hunting was done we headed out to visit Grandpa Agle's grave.

Putting in new flowers

Forks up for Grandpa who was a Arizona State Sun Devil, too!  

We miss you!  It's a good reminder at Easter,

 that it's only temporary we'll see and be with him again.