A ride to the Velvet Ridge...Memorial Day Weekend.

This year for memorial day we had the opportunity to get together as a family to spend some much needed uninterrupted time together.  Something I always enjoy.  We loaded up the 4-wheelers, motorcycles, and UTV's and headed to the Velvets.  Such a beautiful place to ride and we had it all to ourselves for most of the afternoon.  Everyone (kids, adults, young, old) had a great time and many laughs were shared.

Trying out the bike before we start.

Tracy and J.T. ready to go.

And we're off!

Crossing a little water.

Matt, Brody and Dillon

Matt, Meghan, and Haylie

Girls rule!!!

Hang on Tave!

Part of the group

Mom and Dad in the most comfortable ride.

First crash of the day.

Shane and Haylie

Brody getting pretty brave and going pretty fast.

Climbing Hills

Powered out on the way to the top and tipped over.

Tracy showed him how to get back on your bike while on a hill.  He did it perfectly.

Off and running again.

Aunt Mony taking a spin.

Jaron, Triston, and some unknown rider coming behind.

Brody and J.T. going down some pretty rough and rocky terrain.

They crashed at the exact same time but were eager to get up and back on their bikes.

Tracy and Shane making sure they were ok and still wanting to ride.

Wendy and Monica

Look at the view!  What an amazing ride!

Tracy, Haylie and of course...Buddy.

Back at the trucks.

After we spent the day riding we all came back to our house to eat and watch T.V.  Meghan had a couple of quilts to tie so everyone jumped in to help her get them finished.

Looks like I need more seating.

Brody played way too hard.  He didn't even get his legs up on the couch before he zonked. 

Still tired.

Tying Meghan's quilts.

Even the guys jumped in to help.  It didn't take long with everyone working on it.

On Monday morning (Memorial Day) the American Legion goes from cemetery to cemetery in our little county to put on a little patriotic program to honor all the veterans that are no longer with us.  This is a special program for my family because I have 2 Grandpas that participate almost every year.

Mom on a fast paced walk trying to get to the cemetery before the program starts.

Grandpa Lars is 85 years old this year.  I have so many fond memories with him.  What a remarkable man he is.

Ready...

Aim...

Fire!

The American Legion Members

Haylie and J.T. talking to Grandpa about his gun.

Brody helping roll the flag up.

My family (minus Shane) Monica's family, Tracy's family (minus Jamen and Tracy), Aunt Natalie, Heidi, Grandpa Lars and Grandma Rhea.  What an amazing place we live in.  I am so grateful to all the Veterans and members of the armed forces that put their lives on the line everyday to ensure our freedom.  I am especially proud of my relatives who have given of themselves unselfishly to make our life as it is today.