Busy but tons of fun.

This last week we have done so much. I drove over 300 miles in the great Boise valley. We went to Simmons on Tuesday to meet friends from the old ward and neighborhood. The kids played on the back yard blow upwater slide. The kids just loved it. They got grass all over thanks to Mike who had just mowed.

Friday the 18th was crazy busy. We met Giles and Wilkeys at Carl's Jr in Boise for a early lunch and the play area is always a hit with the kids. After a few hours of playing and some eating We headed to the Ross's where Karissa and I got our hair cut. Then we were off to Ivy Wild to meet friends, the Nokelbys, Wings and Simmons and played in the water.
Friday night was the kick off to Eagle High's 10 year reunion. I didn't take any photos I even had my camra. Yes I'm a dork. Saturday we went to Eagle Island for the family picnic. There again I did not take photos of the class mates but I did take some of the kids playing.
The boys are still talking about how Mike Stone threw them into the water.
That night the class met at the Reef. It was so fun seeing old friends and how we really all look the same. I thought we all look pretty good for being 10 years older.

Twin Falls Temple

Monday we went to the open house of the Twin Falls Temple. We stopped at the Snake River and saw some parachuters jump of the bridge. The kids got a kick out of that.

The Twin Falls Temple was just beautiful. We had an all day FHE talking about Temples. The Sealing Room made the biggest impression on the kids. The mirrors are huge. I think they may understand what forever is a little better.

Boating

Kim and Chris took us out on their boat Thursday early evening. We went to Lake Lowell. The water hasn't turned too thick. It was warm and fun to play in. Kim, Kyle, Karissa Colby, Dillin, Chris Karissa, Colby, Kyle tubing. Kyle wanted to go fast the hole time. Colby is like his dad and didn't care to go too wildly fast. Karissa would go faster but just as long as it's too wild. They are just like Brian in that way. I think Kyle will be the one that will go on the wild roller coasters with me.

Lakeview Park

I took the kids to the park to play and have lunch Thursday. Lakeview Park has old tankers, steam rollers, air planes, and trains. Plus there is a lot of shade. We ended up at the play ground that is on the other side of the raod from the main park because there was a party going on over there. We had the play ground to ourselves but that only lasted 10 minutes. This was the 1st time I think the kids have ever been on a merry-go-round. They had a blast. The merry-go-round and the swings were always my faves and it's fun to see the kids enjoy them too. Colby is getting really good at the monkey bars. It does make him mad when he can't make it all the way across. Kyle would go up the slide because you couldn't "slide" on this slide. Karissa came and took a minute rest in the shade then she was off.

Kyle's song

It's not like we didn't sing to him all day. But I think he know that it was 'his' day. It's just some of his song that he sang.

Kyle's Birthday Day

July 5Th Kyle turned 3 years old. For weeks I have been asking him what kind of cake he would. He would say a raspberry Mickey Mouse cake with Transformers on it. You can see why I would ask more then once. Well, that is what he got.
On your birthday we let the kids pick their birthday dinner.
Kyle wanted grandma to make pizza and it was so yummy!
The kids helped grandpa power wash the deck and they thought that was the coolest thing ever. It was really funny to see the kids fly back a little when they would pull the trigger.
Colby was first. He didn't like flying back. Grandpa helping Kyle so he wouldn't fly away. Karissa was quit the pro.

The 4th!!!

What a fun day! Annette, (my sister) Autney, (her daughter) Skylr (Autney's baby) and I went shopping. We went to the good old Boise Towne Square Mall. I have been to many malls in VA that make Boise's Mall look well, small. But they don't have a Buckles or a Down East. So they are a 'must go' while I'm in town. We had a fun dinner with family and fire works when the sun was finally down. The kids asked about very 15 minute if it was dark enough. There were so many firework in the air. The kids just loved it. From my parents we could kind of see the fireworks going off at Simplot Stadium. Those went off forever. The kids asked, "Why do we light fireworks on the 4Th?" With out getting in to a history lesson. I told them It was because we are so happy to live in a free country. Where we can got to what ever church we chose and we can go to place when ever we would like. It really make me think about what life is like in other places in this world and how grateful I am for our Forefathers and the Pioneers. Colby has just lit a firework!!!
Karissa whatching the family firework show. Kyle and Julie having fun.

A lot to write about.

The weekend of the 21st Brian came down from Riggins to drop off fish and to get us to go back up. The water was high and muddy which made for not so hot fishing. We still had fun playing on the sandy beach, fishing in the trout pond, and eating dutch oven cooking. We made it back to Boise on Thursday so we could make it to a Basketball tournament at Meridian High Friday and Saturday where Kevin, who is 6'7" and will be in 10Th grade this fall was playing. Friday we had to go to Louie's in Meridian. Brian's Family has known the owner's for years and we LOVE their food. It was really cool because Dad Lou and his wife were there so we could say "Hi" and little Lou was there too. We couldn't have asked for a better time.

After the basketball games we went down to Kim's. They have fixed up there 100 year old Craftsmen style home and we just had to see. It looks so nice. I just love their paint colors and the stained front porch floor and steps.

Saturday more basketball games. The afternoon we had a wonderful sealing to go to. My sister Annette and Crag Miller were sealed for all time and eternity. My folks had a Bar-B-Q for friend and family at their house afterwards. It was a blast. Tons of lawn games were played, Boccie ball, Chineese horse shoes, tricks preformed on the tramp, frisbee... Parker thought an ultimate frisbee game would be cool but he has a blown knee and most of the others were still to full. Brian called the evening his 'last supper'. Sunday he headed back to Virginia. While the kids and I stay out west with family for another month. Oh, and Sunday night a police friend stopped by to say "hi" & let the kids play in the police cruiser for a while. Were they ever pumped. They forgot about their dad leaving for a few minutes anyway.

With the hot weather the kids are playing all the typical water games... riding bikes in the water, slip n'slide, jumping on the tramp with the sprinkler.

I have really come to love my friendships with my family and friends as I have realized the strength and wisdom that you get from every person that has ever touched your life. I love my family and am so grateful for the knowledge that I have that families can be together forever, and by your works ye shall be known. I am grateful for the time that I can spend here this summer. I'm loving every minute.