island park (part 2)

Onto the camping fun!  What a fun week we have just hanging out, loving the mountains, enjoying the surrounding area, eating good camping food, making smores, and cuddling by the campfire!

 

The very first night we were trying to get the kids down, I surprised them with matching Happy Camper pajamas.  Jammies are about the only thing I can dress my kids alike.  They were super excited and pretty "Happy Campers".  We also had a mama and baby moose run through our camp and the kids were amazed.

 The first day we decided to float the Henry's Fork of the snake river on the canoe we hauled up.  Our friends were holding it for us and said jump in.  I did and was sitting backwards, sure glad they were there to guide us.  It took Mike and I a bit to get the hang of it (we almost needed counseling), but soon we were pros.  I was in the front, the kids sat together in the middle and Mike was in the back.  We stopped a few times to play in the water.  Rylie went off a rope swing, man she is getting brave.  We also floated by a baby moose out in the water, pretty fun!  Definitely doing it again.

 Next we headed up to Sawtell, its the big soccer ball on top of the mountain.  I think its a satellite thing or something.  Any way the ride up was pretty nice until you get to the switch backs.  I was a bit nervous on the switchbacks and on the washboard corners.  Once we were on top, its pretty amazing view!

 

 

  Spent a couple days on Island Park Reservoir, we are pretty lucky to get to hang out with the Fredrickson's on their new fancy boat.  We all got up skiing/ wakeboarding and the kids got to tube rides which they love.  Rylie first time trying to water ski, she was pretty excited to try.

The Fredrickson's!

 

Bode and Mike in the tube!

Saige and Rylie

 

  Being cool at camp!

We spent one day going to Virgina City, an old abandoned mine town.  Its pretty much the same it was a long time ago.  Its ok, not my favorite.  The kids got huge suckers to tie them over and the homemade icecream was worth the drive!

 

 Packing up is the hardest after such a fun week! Onto the next adventure

Island Park (part 1)

 

We took off to Island Park for 10 days of fun! 

It started out with Mike doing a half marathon in Island Park.  It turned out to be one of the hardest half's he had done, but he got it done!! 

Trent, Bonnie, Danelle, Shannon, Billy, Sallie, Mike, Bode and Rylie

We hauled our trailer up to Island Park to camp in a few days.  But for the first few days of our trip, we stayed at the Dance Cabin.  Its always fun to just hang out!

Rylie, Jackson and Bode

 

Headed to Big Sky, Montana - the weather was on and off that day with rain.  So we just hung out and waited for the clan to zip line.  It's absolutely stunning up there, I wish the ski lift had been going so we could have rode up to the top.  We saw a Mama and baby Moose and hail on the roads. 

 Crazy weather for July 

I am always taking the pictures, this time I had Mike take one so I could show you that I do go with them on these adventures!

 

 Jackson, Bode and Rylie

 Miniature golf 

 

 First time on the bungee jump.  Rylie loved it and its a good thing.  We waited in line, then it would thunder and lightening and they would shut it down.  We would wait again, and again it would be shut down.  FINALLY, she got to do it.  And since no one else was in line, she used her two tickets all in row!  

and Bode got brave enough to try it 

Little Monkeys on the bungee jump at Big Sky, Montana 

 

Spent the next day hanging out at the cabin, rode the razor (kids favorite) and cooked a delicious dutch oven dinner!   More Island Park adventures coming up..

4th of July!

 

Happy 4th of July!  I love this HOLIDAY, this may be my favorite. 

Love RED, WHITE and BLUE

Love the traditions that come with the holiday

Cookout with the Beckstead's

Logan Fireworks

Lewiston Parade and Fireworks

Summer

 

And Sparklers...

 

 

 

and new clothes...

and being together as a family, making tradition and memories! 

a lot of posts

Prepare for a lot of posts.  I wanted to post Rylie back to school today, but realized I have almost all summer to catch up on.  As  I was trying to sort pictures, I wondered if anybody still looks at the blog or has it just become my journal.  I love keeping up the blog because I am never caught up on scrapbooking.  I feel I can keep track of it all better.  So let me know if you still check it out or if its just for me. 

Camping...

1st camping trip of the season wasn't very far away, but was very fun!!  We met some good friends up Green Canyon for the weekend.  The kids love just being out and about, and really love camping.  This is how Bode camps, DIRTY!  

 

 

 

 Hiking in the cave

 Maysie, Rylie, Bode and Austin

 

Strike a pose

 This was Bode's "little lizard" and he was in love with it.  Carried it all the way down the canyon, loved it, dropped it, squished it, fed it, dropped it.  He was so proud of it and I think he mauled it.  I finally convinced him to put it in a tree so his family could come find him again.  He really didn't want to part with it, but his little lizard wasn't coming home with me

still going...

As you know, we have moved into my parents home for a few months (house progress to come).  Living with them brings many adventures, opportunities and fun on the farm.  I don't think I will ever get Bode back to the city.  My parents have been so gracious sharing their home with us.  My kids have such an opportunity to get to know my parents on a whole new level.  It's priceless, I don't think they will forget this summer.  And they LOVE my parents!

 

Bode and Grandpa on the tractor. 

Bode has learned all about tractors, all about cutting, raking and baling hay,

and feeding the bucking bull.

 

Playing in the water, its a daily event around here!!  

and the mud! 

Meeting friends at the park!  Rylie loves being with her buddies.

Swim lessons!  I never got a picture of Rylie because this little guy was not so sure about leaving mom for 50 minutes!!  He made it and by the end was doing really well  

Rylie played T-ball and loved it!  

She has grown up so much, plus it was fun to have her friends on the team. 

 

going for hike, can you believe this view!

 

More swim lessons... 

"BE THE ONE" was the theme for girls camp.  Even though we have moved out of the ward, we decided to stay in our old ward for awhile and I helped out with girls camp. We sure had a fun camp and a lot of fun at Bear Lake.  I will miss the young women in the ward for sure.  They are pretty amazing young ladies. 

Ward SPLASH party, water balloon games and slip & slide.  The kids had such a blast, man they are growing up on me.  

 

Instead of going to the pool one day, we decided to make our own water party.  Complete with two pools, and a slip and slide.  Can't beat it on a hot day

Rylie's best little friend Hannah joined us.

Hanging out on the farm with Jax!