Summer Fun

 

This summer was filled with all things outdoors.  It was a super hot summer so we spent as much time in the water and up in the mountains.  We swam, played in the sprinklers, went boating and played in the lake, hiked and ate our fair share of popsicles and snow cones.  We were just go go go all summer long.  I taught a couple of weeks of swim lessons at my mom's pool, the kids did a soccer, tennis and basketball camps.  McKay finally took the next step with his swimming and can jump off the diving board and swim the whole length of the pool by himself without any floaties.  It may have taken a little convincing with a bribe to Jump Time, but it was totally worth it.  We spent as much time as possible with family and most evenings you could find us at either my parents or Craig's parents house swimming and eating dinner.  The kids love spending time with their cousins and consider them their closest friends.  Each day the kids also had to do their work books and they were good sports about it, especially since they got a quarter each time they did it.  It will be a sad day when a quarter is no longer enough motivation.

We headed up to McCall as often as possible and went on at least one if not two hikes each time we were up there.  We did 11 hikes from Memorial Day to Labor Day.  The kids as always did great and we are excited to push them even farther and steeper next summer.  This summer we hiked to Goose Creek Falls, Boulder Lake, Twin Lakes, Anderson Lake, Kennally Creek, Grass Mountain Lakes, Lake Rock Lake, Shirts Lake, Lake Serene, 4th of July Lake and Washington Lake.  We are so lucky to live in a place that offers so many wonderful hikes with such amazing scenery so close to our home. We LOVE Idaho!

A few other notable things that happened this summer...Brooklyn got glasses.  It's not a super strong prescription but enough that she was having trouble seeing the board at the end of last year.  So now she wears them at school when the teacher is doing things up at the front of the class.  We went to the Stampede Rodeo and the kids LOVED it.  And last but definitely not least, I got to go to the Jonas Brothers concert with some friends from the gym.  Yes, I know you are jealous.  It was actually a really great show and I love me some Jonas Brothers. All in all it was a fantastic summer filled with fun and sun and family!!

Labor Day Weekend

 

We decided to head to Sun Valley for Labor Day again this year.  It had been 3 years since we had been there and Craig loved the tradition so much growing up that we want to make sure that we continue it with our kids as often as possible.  Friday, Sept. 3rd we got Brooklyn out of school a little early to make the 3 hour drive over with Craig's parents.  We just checked into our air bnb and grabbed some dinner and got settled in.  Saturday morning after a quick run we headed over to the car auction.  There weren't as many cars as in years past, but the atmosphere is still so much fun.  After a quick lunch the kids headed over to the parade with Stan and Diane and Eric and Kim's family.  Craig and I decided to hang around the car auction a little bit more.  We then of course made a stop at the candy shop.  I can't go to Sun Valley and not get a ginormous dark chocolate peanut butter cup.  That evening we went into town for dinner at the Pioneer Saloon and then walked around downtown Ketchum for a little while before heading to the ice show.  Craig and McKay stayed home, we didn't think McKay would sit still long enough to make the ticket worth the money.  Brooklyn had a blast and it wasn't even very cold, which was super nice.  

Sunday morning we all drove out to the White Clouds for a little hike.  Stan and Diane dropped us off at the trail head and then headed to Redfish Lake while we hiked with Eric's family.  We first hiked into 4th of July lake and then our family along with Ryan continued onto Washington Lake.  It ended up being around 6 miles total.  It was a beautiful location and perfect weather.  After Stan and Diane then picked us back up we headed back to Sun Valley where everyone got a much needed shower and then we all congregated at our air bnb for dinner and to hangout.  Monday morning we just woke up and packed up and headed back for home.  It was such a great little get away.  It is so fun to share these traditions with the kids and it sure makes it extra great when the weather cooperates.  Hopefully they will continue the car auction and we will definitely be back every few years.