Camping Idaho Again!

We've been so excited for the time we could return to the Idaho mountains to do some much desired camping. This was the weekend to enjoy an adventure. We took off Thurs afternoon and traveled to Falls Campground just past Swan Valley and stayed until Saturday afternoon. There are some beautiful waterfalls here, which somehow I did not get a picture of. They are pretty dangerous to climb around, so we didn't spend much time exploring over there.The dirt they are standing on is actually a STEEP ledge. I was too chicken to walk over there with my wiggling Emma in my arms. I was in reality uncomfortable with the others being so close.Daddy's getting the girls ready for their 1st "REAL" fishing adventure. Apparently, the stocked pond in Midland,TX didn't qualify. The river was pretty high and swift so Israel rigged some tether ropes to the life jackets they were wearing.
I had to laugh about this shot. This was the 1st cast...notice where it landed. Yep. The bush.These two had a great time fishing. (I love to fish, but didn't get my license this year)Somehow, pancakes are better when eaten outside...and shown to others...sigh.After breakfast, we asked Maggie to go in the tent and put her clothes on for the day. Two minutes later this naked head(and other parts) is poking out through the tent zippers , asking "Where are my clothes at?". I had just shown her! So, yeah, we took a picture.Day 2 of fishing was much more successful!! Israel caught a 17 in Trout. So, proud! He even cleaned it an fried it up for us that night! And it was YUMMY!! I was mostly excited because I realized I wasn't going to be expected to do the cleaning and preparation portion. I just got to sit back, relax and enjoy.Here's Emma's favorite place to play in the campground...the van...sigh. At least she was easier to keep track of. Maggie on the other hand, felt it necessary to be the sole member of the welcome wagon for the camp. Every time a car would drive by she'd race to the end of the site then jump up and down waving "Hello" and singing them a little song.One of our many "mini-hikes" with the girls.Emma was actually bringing me little flowers from the trail. And proof of their good time. The sheer exhaustion that comes at the end of the day!!!

My "Flower Pot Girl"

Here are Maggie's photo's from the production of the Wizard of Oz that she was in for ballet. The video clip will be coming soon.Maggie was so wired the day that these pictures were taken. During the photo shoot she kept falling over the other girls and making all kinds of mayhem. When they said "smile", she'd frown as big as she could then fall over in a fit of giggles. I am astonished that this class picture of the "Flower Pot Girls" turned out as well as it did.

Happy 10yrs Anniversary!

We can hardly believe it ourselves! We've made it 10yrs together without total disaster! Hooray! And we have 2 beautiful girls to share our love with. As many can attest, it can be a difficult road at times as we try to build our lives together with our spouses. But, with all the work and the patience it is so very rewarding in the end. I'm so grateful for my husband and all the many, many things he has taught me over the past 10yrs. And I'm grateful for all he is willing to do today to help strengthen our family. Happy Anniversary, Babe!

This is how we decided to celebrate our anniversary this year. Juleen, our good friend from college, took our girls for the ENTIRE day! We dropped them off after breakfast and headed out for the mountains directly after. We drove 45 miles to Palisades Creek and hiked to the lower lake. It's about 5 miles up and 5 miles back. It was absolutely breathtaking. Our pictures just do not do the area justice.

I was standing on a bridge on the trail when I shot this picture.
We got to see some of the wildlife, too. Here's a moose! She wasn't that far from us, but couldn't get a clear shot.We also saw 2 snakes (not very big). Israel was trying to scare it out of the hole in the rock so I could get a picture for the blog. Funny guy.
Here's a great shot of the lower lake. Too bad that lady is in it. I thought she was out of the picture when I took it, but apparently I was wrong. Oh well.And, of course, the great explorer looks over his journey. And tries to not fall off a rock!
I had to get out there too and didn't realize just how deep and swift the water on the other side of that rock was until I got there. I figured lower was better for safety reasons. I used to be much more adventurous before kids.
These are just photos we took along the trail. We really enjoyed this hike and welcome anyone who wants to come and join us next time. I could not have asked for a better way to spend the day.

Memory Lane...

Here is a fun little game... leave a comment on my blog of a memory that you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time or a long time, anything that you remember!

Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It is pretty funny to read the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you are playing and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. On your mark... get set... blog those memories!

Silly girls...

I just had to post this picture. I have been quite distracted lately and have been focused on just getting things done. Well, kids don't work that way. They are the best at living in and enjoying the moment. A few days ago, Maggie was effectively able to draw me into "the moment" and we had a great time taking pictures and giggling over the silly pictures we took together. This was one of them. I'll spare you by NOT posting the ones of our teeth, yeah, just our teeth. So silly.

Sweet Cherry Pie...

We had a fun discovery this spring. We had been told that one of our fruit trees was a pear tree and I was so excited, because I have been a big fan of pears since my youth. Now, I had never seen a pear tree, thus was unable to tell the difference until ..well...the stems seemed a bit too long for a pear and we realized we are now the proud owners of a fabulous cherry tree. After some internet research we believe they are "Royal Ann" cherries, often used for maraschino cherries and pie filling.

This is what we accomplished with our beautiful cherries today. I don't really remember canning with my mom much. I know she made some jellies and such, but I think she kinda gave up on all the extra work by the time I came around. Thus this is my first REAL canning experience. But, I am PROUD to say that with much help from my wonderful husband, together we canned 6 Quarts of cherry pie filling today. I even made my own fun labels. Too bad I was out of colored ink or they would have been really cute.Now we just have to get ready for when the apples and peaches are ready to process. I think I have a good month to prepare. Which is good because I think I'm going to have a much larger apple crop to work with....Yahoo!(no sarcasm... really)

Primary Ideas Please!

I'm in need of some case study/scenarios for my primary sharing time next week. This is the principle we are working on... "I will prepare to be a missionary by being faithful and obedient". So essentially I'm looking for short examples of choices children ages 3-11 are likely to make that would require faith and/or obedience. I've come up with about 4 and am now at a loss. I know many of you have children between those ages are bound to know of a few situations that have come up over the years. So I plead with you for help!!

A Day of Celebration

What a great day together as a family! This was the 1st year of many that Israel was able to celebrate with us. And boy did we pack the day full of fun activities.

Our celebrations actually began on the 3rd. Israel was given lots of fireworks from the stand he's been working this year and we've begun a new tradition. Fireworks in our cul de sac. So anyone who wants to join us next year is welcome! We had lots of neighbors and friends come and enjoy the show.

Early, I mean way too early, on the 4th we went to the Ward Flag Ceremony and pancake breakfast. Here is Maggie on the way from the breakfast to the IF parade. She was excited because her good friend, Trevor, was going to come with us.
The parade was about 2 HOURS long. So not expecting that! We missed the cutest baby contest on the green belt. Oh well, there's always next year. We then joined some friends for a wonderful bbq. And apparently Maggie played hard. When we were walking to the fireworks show from our house, she fell asleep onto Emma's shoulder!
She was still tuckered out when we got there! She slept for much of the waiting time.
Emma on the other hand, was busy , busy, busy ! It was a great day and I just can't find one thing I didn't like about the day.

Not to be left alone...

I took a few minutes while Israel & Maggie were at the pet store to post some fun pictures from yesterday. While doing so, Emma was playing around with various toys and I let her just do her own thing for a bit. That was my first mistake. Ignoring the silence...that was the second. Here is what I found....She had opened the Ovaltine and was having a great time "practicing" making her own chocolate milk. Good times...Good times....

Having Fun with the Green Family!

A Picnic at the Pine Tree House
We enjoyed a lovely lunch, a hike in the woods, swinging, and good company.
Maggie & Ellise on the tire swing

Emma, Maggie and Ellise on the swing

Layne, Deniene and Alayna

Alayna, Maggie and Ellise playing on the swing again! They were pretending to be on a roller coaster. What fun kids have using their imaginations.

After our fun picnic and adventures we met up with the whole family at Nana and Po Po Pop's house for a nice outdoor dinner and of course a lot of running around with the kids.

Shortly after, we all trekked over to Uncle Bill's for a horse drawn wagon ride. What fun we have together.

The girls made sure to have fun jumping on the trampoline! And Emma wasn't allowed up on the tramp so she amused herself by climbing on the side like a monkey.

Here's Maggie pointing out the interesting birds in the flower pots at Uncle Bill's.WHOA!

Definitely a great day playing the Green/Pope Family! We're so glad to have them in our lives!

Good Friends Are Hard to Find...and Keep

(Once again a rough picture of me. Ugh. It was hot and well whatever!)

As you all know, our family has been bouncing around quite a bit for the past five years and I have made some wonderful friends along the way. And I have been fortunate enough to keep in contact with many of them. As grateful as I am for each of their friendships. There is still something about having someone in your life that knows where you came from, where you're trying to get, seen you at your best and not so best, watched and loved you through trials and has just been part of your life for many years.

Deniene is that friend for me. We were roommates in college nearly 11 years ago now and we worked together at the local "hole in the wall" Mexican Restaurant. Before I married my dear husband, I lived with her family for a short time and they have since taken me in as one of their own. When we lived in Salt Lake City, we had the amazing opportunity to work closely in the temple there. We have been able to continue our friendship via phone calls, updates from family, blogging and visits when possible. I don't think I can truly articulate the gratitude I feel for having this wonderful "sister" in my life. I was so blessed to have Deniene and her family surprise me with an impromptu invite to spend the day with them yesterday.