Simple Pleasures

 Some of the simple pleasures of being in Idaho included participating in the summer reading program at the library.  Seriously the librarians in the children's area of the Twin Falls Library are amazing.  They made us feel so welcome and planned such fun activities.  I was so impressed.  They totally made me want to be a librarian when I grow up.

 Aunt Lisa took the girls on a chics night. They got to ride in her bug with the top down and pick out any toy they wanted no matter the size.  They were so excited both girls were up and playing with their toys at 6 am.  Love it!

 Colin spent at least three days outside breaking up rocks and pounding on various things.  He loved this hammer so much, that mom sent it home with him..

 Liam spent a week on the river with 15th ward and GG and Pops.  He had an amazing trip and felt so welcomed and loved by their ward.  It was awesome.  A summer trip to remember and boy did he come back tan!

 I love camping in the the yard.  I remember summers where we spent entire weeks sleeping out on the trampoline or in the tent.  I miss Idaho's pleasant summer nights and fairly mosquito free territory.  I promise, I will never complain about Idaho mosquitoes again, not after living in Tennessee.   Anyway, Tim and Audrey came down for one more last hurrah before we headed back...  We camped out on the front lawn.  It was wonderful.  I count my blessings for this sweet sister-in-law.  As time goes by, I love her more and more... She is amazing.

 Maryn with Colin and her Tinkerbelle.  hee hee

 Tim  made a super yummy peach cobbler!

 Emery making mud...

Tim and Audrey brought their climbing gear, so we took the kids bouldering.  Jentry and Corey King have had some boulderfests down at Dirkies Lake and have really done an amazing job.  Their efforts should be commended.  The climbing map was great and overall, I was impressed with the obvious awareness of the area and it's cleanliness.  Way to go you two!

   Liam free climbed with Uncle Tim to help set up the first climb.  I love this shot.

 Sassy Cheeky girls gearing up to climb!

 Maryn's new harness!

 Spider Monkey Colin!

 I am STRONG!

 Emery...

 Isa...

 Snack Time

 I love how Tim coaches and belay's.  I trust him implicitly.  He's a great teacher.

 And this is the result of a few hours climbing.  Colin went home and crashed for three hours.  Didn't move at all.  Crazy kid.

Aunt Suzy...

I worked it out with Aunt Suzy to go back to Pocatello for another fun filled weekend with Aunt Suzy.  We had made plans for she and I to go to Fiddler on the Roof together, but decided the kids needed a little more Aunt Suzy time, so while Liam was on his white water trip, we headed off to Poky. 

Aunt Suzy surprised the kids with a trip to Bear World...They LOVED it. The were facinated by the animals.  They took tons of photos and had a blast in the petting zoo.  Even Emery gathered her courage and petted a few of the animals. 

 Colin was in seventh heaven feeding Daisy the deer.  He loved it!

 Cooling off after riding all the rides.  Em had a little whine to go with our cheesy happy grins!

 we took a really fun tour where we went through the park in this open truck.  We got to feed the animals which was neat.  The bears were so cute when they were begging for food.  It's hard to remember seeing them like this that they are a wild animal that can be dangerous.

 I took the kids home to Twin and went back up for my Aunt Suzy date.  To say it was awesome would be an understatement.  We spent the day first seeing Fiddler on the Roof.  Seriously that is one of my favorite plays and it was so well done.

 Yes that is a photo with Michael Ballam.  I have heard him speak at a home school conference before.  What a wonderful man.  He was wonderful as Tevye .  The link below is a neat article about his preparation for this role.
 http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment2/56549357-223/ballam-opera-festival-logan.html.csp

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Funny Story:  while we were waiting for the show to start, we asked a woman above us to take our photo.  She agreed and we got to chatting.  She has sat in that seat for 21 years.  She attends the festival every year and loves it.  She asked us where we were from.  We told her and she said she had a neice serving a mission in Nashville.  We have sisters in our branch, so I asked her what her neice's name was.  She said Caitlyn Pitcher.  This sweet lady is Sister Pitcher's aunt Jackie!  How funny is that and how small the world is.

Following the show we went to the Logan Temple.  It was awesome.. With all the focus this trip on pioneers and my heritage, it was really touching to see this temple  It's simple beauty and the work and effort that the pioneer must have put into this temple really touched me. It made for a very special addition to an already wonderful day.

 Last stop was Rebecca Swain Williams wife of Fredrick Granger Williams, grave site.  As I learned about this spunky, strong, intelligent woman I felt such gratitude for the women in my life who are such great examples to me.  Those who have come before and set the stage for me and those who continue to touch my life and teach me.  Aunt Suzy is another of those great women.  Her smile is like bottle sunshine.  Her laugh is infectious and her abilty to roll with the punches inspiring.  She is wonderful and I am so glad I had an opportunity to spend some extra one on one time with her.  Thank you Aunt Suzy for everything!  We love you!

More random moments...

You know, some of the best parts of this summer were spent just doing simple things.  Things like walking downtown from mom's house to the park and showing the kids the rocks we used to play on when I was growing up.  It's going to the library and cookies with Aunt Lisa.  It's sitting on mom's porch watching Colin pound rocks with Gramachele's little hammer.  It's the time spent with my kids really enjoying them and being with them heart and soul.  I LOVED EVERY MINUTE of  this summer.  

 NINJAGO!!!!!!  This little face melts my heart on a daily basis!

 Oh ho! Someone found Gramachele's Halloween dress up.  Doesn't Isa do Steam Punk well!

 And Skater Chic!

 Mom and Dad's porch has been falling down for a few years.  The High Priests and Elder's Quorum organized a service project to lift the porch.  I am so grateful for the gospel.  Without the love and service of these great men, I don't think my parent's porch would have made it through the winter.

 Colin was in 7th heaven watching all the men working.

 Liam got to use this as an official service project for scouts!

Gramachele gave this hammer to Colin and he has hammered non-stop since then.  What a cutie!

 We had some really great chats with Grandpa while we were here.  We took lots of walks around the property and helped Gramps out with a few projects here and there.  I love this great man.  I love his love of the land and his work ethic.  I love how much he loves life and nature and all the beauty that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with.

Random Photos

Isa did Emery's hair for the first time. She did a great job!

 Swimming at Miss Marsha's house

 New Swim Suits

 It is a requirement to go to Daisy's for volcanoes with Gramachele.  I worked here where I was in college.  It was a great job.  I worked for great people and love to go back and visit.