Diamond

Anyone who knows the Moody family knows that the pets around there are members of the family. Unfortunately on Tuesday we had to say goodbye to one of the best. In 1994, my mom brought home a pretty black yearling. She made her way into our hearts pretty fast- I was 7 years old at the time. I was fortunate enough to get to know Diamond more than a lot of my family members because I got to do 4-H on her when I wasn't able to use Tomahawk and then we moved up into the high school rodeo level. She helped me progress and become a better rider. The two of us won saddles, buckles, trophies and other prizes throughout our time together.

I will miss her sooo much.

I wish I had some pics on my computer of us competing. I guess I will need to get those uploaded at some point.

Here is a tribute to Diamond written by my mom- Cynthia

R.I.P. Diamond Dee Rose

April 19, 1993 to Sept. 6, 2011

I fell in love with Diamond from the very first moment I laid eyes on her as a baby by her momma’s side in the sale ring. I thought she was the most perfect beautiful little black beauty I had ever seen. So did a few other people, therefore, the buying price was not cheap! Who said Money can’t buy happiness? I had been dreaming of a black beauty since I was a tiny little girl. She was the most intelligent horse I’ve ever been privileged to train and ride! She was soooo athletic! As a 2 year old she demonstrated a reining pattern including flying lead changes, speed changes and a beautiful sliding stop most veteran reiners would envy! Throughout her 18 ½ years she had many accomplishments including: Awesome trail horse, babysitter horse for my young children (even though she was a colt herself), top 4H horse (winning most every class she was in), top barrel and pole horse (she won MANY saddles, buckles, and prizes for Megan and Maisa—and even me), breakaway, goat horse, bulldogging (for Brock), hazing (Megan hazed for Brock on her barrel & pole horse when he needed a hazer at high school rodeos), parades, queening, rodeo flag carrier, lion hunting, deer hunting and even carried handicapped children for lessons (she could always be trusted and took care of and knew who was on her back), she won Grand Champion mare when shown at halter (except for one time). She also raised 5 beautiful babies! She loved being a momma! She always gave 150% at everything we asked of her! She could even make a rookie like me look like I knew what I was doing. She took life pretty seriously! She accomplished all these things even after we were told she was going to be a brood mare from the time she was 4 years old after a permanent injury to her right front knee joint capsule. 14 ½ years of knee pain is enough. In spite of her pain, she loved her many jobs! She loved to run!!! She had the most beautiful chiseled face a horse could ever have! She’s always been my sweetheart, matching the heart on her face! I don’t think God could have sent a more perfect horse to me and my family! We will miss her! "Nothing is more sacred than the bond between a horse and a rider. No other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner’s heart, soul, and very existence dies also." ~Stephanie M. __________?

-Here is my mom with one of her very best friends- Sunday Sept. 4th-

Family Pics

Love my lil family- 'nough said.

Le Beach

We went to the beach- well Cedar's beach! Needless to say- there were dead fish, wind and the sand was more like gravel- but oh well! I liked it! Dad and Hayden, not so much! I guess we'll just have to keep going until they both like it- hehe.

Ball!! Too bad we couldn't swim out to the ball- The ball was the one thing that perked her up- she didn't care for the chilly water nor the gravel (sand)- but the ball- now that is important!

Then, we went for a drive- I love to look at houses- dreaming really- but Colby showed me this beauty- I think it should be our future home!!! I love it! Landscape and all..... well- the shutters I'd change- but other than that- I'm sold! If only it were in Delta- (someday?)

16 mOnThS!!!

Oh where oh where has my baby gone? Oh where oh where could she be? 

Well- she became a toddler on me! 

Oh what is a mother to do?!?

Having another baby isn't an option right now!

Oh well- at least we are thoroughly enjoying this little toddler!

What things does 16 months bring for us?

Climbing on EVERYTHING!

Running- playing!

She plays dress up with charlie- She'll put headbands and hats on Charlie's head.

AtTiTuDe!!

Still only saying a few words- however, 'outside' is one of them- not mama or dada!

She has been hating her baths for a couple weeks and we have no idea why!! She used to LOVE them!

She gets a little carried away on the rocking horse- it almost endos because she is rocking so hard!

Yesterday she went jogging into her room saying 'ni ni- ni ni' apparently she wanted a nap- I put her in her crib and she was fast asleep in no time flat! This kid loves her naps (at least now she does)! 

For the past couple of months she has been working on getting molars- only ONE has popped through- so that puts her total tooth count to 7- unfortunately there is still a lot to go! 

She loves to be outside! One downside to our backyard is the dog poop! Yes- the other day she thought it would be grand to pick up a handful of the fresh stuff! I about GAGGED!

Her dancing consists of turning in a circle and swinging her right arm back and forth- it's pretty hilarious!

She still loves pretty much any food you give her (thank goodness)! I cannot have a child as picky as me-

There is so much more about her that I don't think about till we are in the moment! I love and appreciate everything this little rugrat has done and even through her challenging quirks I cannot get enough of her!

Here's some more pics- I decided I needed to dump my phone pics and let ya'll get a glimpse of them! I didn't have a camera on my phone till just a couple months ago and it is so nice to just be able to snap those candid moments without having to drag out my big camera- however, you can definitely tell they aren't as good of quality- thank goodness for instagram to liven them up a bit!

Colby and Charlie taking a lunch time nap! Yes- this cuddling with the pooch is a common finding at our house!

This is a pic my babysitter sent me- she always has her hair done so cute!

A few weeks ago Misha watched her for an afternoon- they went swimming.

This is Sammie giving Hayden a kiss!

She is not afraid to just walk right up to the horses at my parents house- and here- she got her 15 mo shots!

Back in May- my grandma Joyce watched her for a day! It is fun seeing Millie and Jaydree at the same table that their mom's (ie me and Chalee) ate at when we were little!

This is the company I get when I go to the bathroom- so helpful these two are! 

Family Outing

One of Colby's favorite things to do (when he isn't in the mountains) is to go to the greens!! He LOVES to golf- I don't so much like the price of golfing- but every now-and-again he gets to splurge! Well to prepare for the Cedar City Corp. Golf Tourny (today)- Colby wanted to go on a family outing to the putting area of the golf course (free!) to practice. 

For a little girl who loves to run free and LOVES balls- this was HEAVEN!

She is starting out young! She actually kinda knows what to do! She knows she is supposed to hit the ball with the club- and she for sure knows where to find them when they make it in the hole!

We are FAMILY!! (I'm singing that song in my head right now!)

After a little bit- Millie started getting a little sunkissed and cranky so her and I headed to the car to watch Tangled while dad got some practice in peace! That is one movie that I can watch over and over with her- it's so cute!

We need to do more of these free family outings! We get so caught up in routine, school, work ect. that we forget that we can have fun every once in a while! 

Any ideas for free family fun??

Under the Sea- Under the Sea!

The Bliss girls took a get-a-way!!! Nikki found us fabulous tickets to Tuachan's The Little Mermaid! Oh my gosh- it is amazing how they are able to put that production together! The special effects were absolutely amazing! We also got to enjoy some shopping and good food. I wish that I would have taken more pictures! I always wonder if people get sick of me snapping pictures all of the time- but oh well- GET USED TO IT!! haha 

(We loved Karlee's sexy pants- yes those were actual pants for sale at Rue 21- not pajamas!)

24th of July Weekend

It had been 9 YEARS since I was able to go to the Hinckley 24th of July Celebration! It had been 6 YEARS since Colby had been able to go. Why you might ask?? Every year since I graduated high school I have worked this holiday (or right around it) and during high school- every year except my freshman year I went to the Panguitch Invitationals High School Rodeo. Colby, of course, went on his mission the March after high school, so he missed those two years, and all of the 24th's after that he's been married to me- a healthcare worker who has to work holidays- and he's so nice and doesn't want to be there without me!

Just FYI- this year did not disappoint the years of anticipation! The parade was great! Millie finally learned that the stuff they throw out is candy- and she can pick it up!! She just hasn't quite figured out why she has to put it in her sack!

After the parade, while Great-Grandpa Bliss was still all done up in his parade garb and on his horse- the kids took advantage of it! Millie LOVES horses!

Oh the day was not over after the parade- oh no- we got to go visit with my family at my Great-Aunt Dorene's luncheon and Nikki cooked a fabulous (as usual) holiday meal! Then, we headed to the Hinckley Rodeo! I had been looking forward to this for quite some time- Maisa (my sister) ran barrels- my cousins McCoy and Damen Moody rode bulls- all three of them had the hometown curse and didn't do as well as they wanted! But, it was still great to watch!

And..... here are some random pics! LOVE the wrinkly feet after a long FUN bath!

Mom doesn't get much homework done because this little mess-maker think she needs to be right in the middle of all the attention! How can I resist!??