Seriously ... this is my life?

This morning I ran the Colter 1/2 marathon with a bunch of good friends. Afterward, my friend Sharon gave me a great massage for my very sore and tight hamstrings and glutes :-)

Then we hung out at the Driggs Centennial Celebration at the City Park. It was a nice chance to run into friends from the school year and just hang out for a festive day. Later this afternoon we had a family outing to Pierre's Playhouse (in Victor) for the matinee showing of "Despicable Me," followed by dinner at the new "Cheeseburger Factory." This new restaurant pretty much only has burgers on their menu -- local beef, ground daily, slow-cooked ... can I just say "yummmmmm?!" Also, they have books and games to entertain the children while waiting. Corb read some stories and Brady, Connor and I played a game of "Apples to Apples!"

At home we had soccer in the backyard and dance recitals on the deck ... a lovely evening outside.

A special day ... seriously? is this my life?!

Tomorrow's plan includes going to Pendl's in the morning to listen to the Miller Sisters music and then head to Darby Canyon for a hike to the Wind Caves. I'll take Brady and Connor, and we'll meet up with about 4-6 other families. Corb and Maggie will stay home together, as Mags isn't quite ready for this hike!

Wow.

Poppa and Connor

Every morning during Gary and Sue's visit, Connor would snuggle up with Poppa on the couch in the early morning. Poppa tells stories ... many stories ... and Connor absolutely soaked up every word. In fact, Connor is now practicing his own storytelling skills!

Usually Poppa was lying down on the couch and Connor would just climb up and settle in ... I only got this picture where they were sitting, but Connor's attentive look tells it all.

In addition to many walks, bike rides, and outings ... Sue and Maggie painted toenails; Gary and Maggie had many tea parties and played "restaurant;" Sue and Connor read lots of books to each other; Gary and Connor told stories; Sue listened intently to Brady's ideas and dreams; Gary engaged Brady in conversations around ethics and morals. It's always special to watch grandparents interact with grandchildren.

Before bed tonight, Connor was very sad ... he realized that tomorrow morning Poppa will not be here to tell him a story.

Lia

Last summer, we noticed a girl named Lia, on Brady's soccer team. She was quite a good athlete. This winter when I volunteered for the Winter Sports Skating program at the elementary school, Brady and Lia reconnected and became good friends. While most of the other girls were engaging in typical behavior -- chasing, teasing, taunting, tattling -- Lia skated up to Brady and said, "Hey Brady, wanna play?" They've been great friends ever since. Along the way, I've developed a nice friendship with Lia's mother, Sue. Sue is a chef, who enjoys hosting her friends for a "girls' night" whenever Lia's dad is out-of-town. It was my privilege to be included in one such dinner this spring! Lia and Brady skied and learned judo together this winter and rode bikes and explored together all spring and summer. This summer we've had Lia over a number of times while her parents worked ... she's easy to have and is kind to Connor and Maggie. Friday afternoon, Sue, Lia, Brady and I went over to Jackson to visit the Museum of Wildlife Art (good Maurice Sendak exhibit) and have dinner. It was a fun outing ... and kind of a "good-bye."

Trail Ride

Friday morning, I took Brady and Connor on a trail ride with Susy, Elsa and Ann. All 4 kids did great -- Brady and Connor were noticeably more confident on horses than in previous years. I credit 4H and the riding lessons they've taken. Susy and I were able to bring up the rear ... and chat along the way. After the ride, the boys taught Ann, Elsa, and Susy the "Superman prayer" and Ann and Elsa taught us "the contradictory rhyme."

Three Generations on the River

Dad, Brady, and I floated the South Fork Canyon earlier this week.  We started the float at Conant.  While waiting for Dad to do the shuttle, Brady and I walked through the fly shop, made lunch on the boat, and practiced casting off the dock.  On the water, we beat the bank with yellow stimulators and yellow sallies while floating between riffles.  On the riffles, we'd anchor and fish the drop offs with PMD's.  A thunder storm  during the middle of the afternoon unfortunately put down the hatch and made the fishing tough.

We floated into our campsite, Dry Canyon #3, around 6 p.m. and got the red carpet treatment in the form of a nice flat gravel bar.  After setting up the tent in the trees, we decided to set up our kitchen on the gravel bar.  After a hot dog dinner, the stars came out, Brady whittled a few sticks with his pocket
knife, and we watched the stars come out.

The second day started with a leisurely breakfast of bagels and cream cheese, yogurt, and fruit. We got on the water about 10 a.m. and were promptly greeted by a calf moose. Around noon we floated by the boat ramp on Cottonwood Flats and into a PMD hatch. We stopped and waded for awhile and all had success. Dad caught a few, I caught a few, and Brady turned a few. The picture of the cutthroat was caught just under the log behind us in 6 inches of water. Brady was my "net guy". He skillfully netted each fish with the boat net.

After leaving this riffle, we found another 50 yards downstream.  This time the fish were stacked in two spots; along the drop off and in the deep water at the end of  a run.  Brady and I both watch as we hooked fish at the end of the deep run, but due to the position of the boat and current both fish escaped our hands.

Time was not on our side as we were trying to get back to Driggs by 6 p.m. for Brady to attend 4-H.  After floating past the Fullmer Access, we turned on the motor and Brady took the helm all the way to the take out at Bynington.

We pulled into our driveway at 5:30 p.m., just in time for 4-H.  It was a trip to remember for all three of us.

From Lemons to Lemonade

Sunday night when we got home from the Chukars game, it was pretty late. We were kind of nudging the kids to get ready for bed quickly ... one might say we rushed them a bit! Brady cooperated 100% ... and right after he changed, I said, "Brady, throw those clothes in the laundry, because I'm going to wash a load of clothes tonight."

After we'd tucked them in, I hastily threw a load of laundry into the washer and went to bed. I got up a couple of hours later and decided I should put the clothes in the dryer. Since it was late, I was sensitive to the noise and the dryer was awfully loud ... something clanking around too much. I turned buckles inside out, removed a couple of things that could be hung to dry ... but still clanking. Finally as I grabbed Brady's shorts, I realize something was in his pocket. Much to my dismay, it was his iPod.

Oh good, I found myself in yet another "mother of the year" moment ... I seem to have many of those (is that normal?!). I had one glimmer of hope ... maybe it still works! Maybe it's like Timex ... keeps on ticking!! But, no.

I lost sleep, I dreaded telling Brady, I felt just awful. Normally, I would have shared the responsibility with him for not emptying his pockets, but seriously, I rushed the poor kid into putting those shorts in the laundry. The fault lies with me. Note that after all of this played out, we did talked about shared responsibility and how he does need to empty his pockets before putting clothes in the laundry. He was receptive to that conversation and agreed.

The next day, I did have Corbin check the iPod on his computer ... and there was a moment when we thought ... maybe ... but then, no. I had hopes of getting to the new Apple retailer in Jackson that afternoon, but we didn't make it before they closed. So I came home ready to break the news to Brady.

I told him what happened and he looked perplexed and asked, "So is it ruined?" My response, "Yes, I'm sorry." Pause ... then I say, "Brady, I do plan to replace it." Pause ... then a smile started to come across his face ... and he said, "So Mom, can I get the new iPod with FM Radio and a Video option, if I pay the difference?!"

I said, "Brady, I just handed you a lemon and you made lemonade!"

Glorious Anniversary

After a leisurely breakfast Monday morning, Corbin and I drove to Teton Pass and hiked up Glory Mountain. It's a fairly short and very steep hike ... though I must say it's much easier in trail shoes than in ski boots :-) !! We did an out & back hike along the ridge - beautiful views, spectacular wildflowers, and two moose. Our hike was a bit of a scouting expedition; we haven't explored that area much.

After our hike we spent the afternoon in Jackson - lunch at our favorite place and kid-free shopping! We returned to Driggs for dinner at Teton Thai and were home in time to watch "The Waltons" with the kids and tuck them into bed.

A great way to celebrate 13 years of marriage! We are very blessed.