Robbie Rodeo 2017

In August we attended our favorite rodeo!

Here's a few snapshots

(and a video at the end)

of the good times that were had by all!

 Time for the stick-horse races!

Jacob's first time entering!!

Robbie did a great job this year,

completing his heat.

Cousin Scott,

my kids' FAVORITE REAL COWBOY!

Taylor did well in her stick-horse race as well!

These two did so well

working together in the three-legged-race

Lovin' Cousin Scott

This random girl

was just SO cute

I had to snap a photo

We were spectators for the rest of the time

until it was time for the sheep riding!

Jacob had his heart set on riding a sheet this year

and he got his helmet and pads all set

But then while trying to walk around

with limited vision because of the helmet

he fell and busted his lip

which dampened his mood for riding a sheep.

He sure looks cute in his helmet though!

Taylor, on the other hand,

was determined to get a long ride this year

after last year's half a second debacle.

She got all geared up

The expert cowboys helped get her settled,

and she was off!

(She requested that I film it in slow-mo,

so here ya go!)

(This is a video you may not be able to view on a phone/ipad,

or even through the email.

Click on this hickles.blogspot.com

to go to the blog site to see it)

Thanks Cousin Scott for such a good time!

It's the highlight of my kids' year!

Our Big (Little) Buddy!

I didn't post about it
but on his birthday
we celebrated our Jacob Sterling
with extended family!

We put together a few favorite prints of Jacob

We decorated in green,
since Jacob had started talking about GREEN a lot!

We did it as a "potluck" and had hot dogs, burgers
salads, watermelon, jello, baked beans, etc...
Great two-year-old food! LOL!

Praying over our precious gift!

Look at this big boy with his "Paw-paw!"

 And we celebrated with Tres Leches Cake!

Here's a video of Jacob loving the attention of all eyes
on him while he blew out his candles =)

Remember, to view the video
you may need to go to our site directly
hickles.blogspot.com

And opened gifts-- thanks for lovin' our boy so well!

We're in love with this boy!

Happy Birthday Jacob Sterling!

We pray God bless you,
that you know Him profoundly,
that you influence others kindly,
that you grow in integrity and strength,
that you be a good friend, 

an honorable husband, 

a caring father.

We love you!

Photo Tour #8: San Diego Wild Animal Park

Our last day in California

was spent admiring God's Creativity at the Safari Park in San Diego!

First thing we did was get Grandpa some new hearing aids!

Then we went on a safari through "African Plains".

This is Tay and I with "Africa" behind us!

So many fun things to see!

Jacob was able to spot many of the animals

because it was a cool morning

so they were nice and active!

Can you spot the Cheetah?

Robbie's favorite was the Rhino.

This is a Black Rhino,

one of the most endangered large mammals on the planet!

Taylor (and Auntie Tricia!!) were most excited about the Giraffes!

And then we walked a bit near some bird swamps.

These are little babies!

(They have orange heads-- can you see them?)

That last one is called a Secretary Bird!

I think it looks like it belongs in a cartoon!!!

And to watch it walk, I couldn't help but crack up!

And this lil' guy who always looks to me

like he's a cross between a zebra, deer and giraffe,

was eating leaves off a high branch.

His tongue came SO FAR out of his mouth!

It was a beautifully clouded day,

so it wasn't too hot!

Jacob was stoked to get to "touch" a giraffe!

We stayed to watch the elephants for several minutes!

They were SUPER active.

I guess there were two new adolescents

(seen rough housing in this first picture)

so they were rousing the whole herd!

The big papa elephant was sprayin' himself down with water!

Very fun to watch!

And we went to the gorilla area for quite a while too.

Here's the "big daddy"!

Robbie kept asking why he was "so mad"!?!

And this was the newest member of the family,

this mama is holding a few month-old infant in her arms!

Hard to see in my shot, but so fun to watch!

Robbie's favorite thing about the gorilla area?

The bridge he could run up and down!

We were all fascinated by the Bats in the bat room,

but couldn't really take good pictures in there...

So Gramma and Taylor showed us what our pics would have looked like!

Auntie Tricia and Taylor kept a fine African rhythm.

And, on our way out,

Taylor and Robbie "became" little ducklings!

Our lil' fam of five,

enjoying our last afternoon in California!!

The day we were there

was the opening day of the new Tiger Trail exhibit.

Robbie spotted one right away!

And Taylor wanted to be sure to get a pic

with the big Elephant Statue

While Robbie insisted on getting a pic with the big Rhino!

Such a blast!

And... that concludes our Photo Tour

of our California Trip in May 2014!

Thanks for hanging in there with me while I took a while to post!