Rainy Days

This past week we've had really rainy weather.  It has put a damper on some things, but we've managed to squeak things into brief moments of good weather -- or just figure out what can work in the rain!  We also got a few housekeeping items taken care of.

Sunday (8/3/14) was a lazy day.  Before the clouds got too bad, the kids and I biked downtown to explore the new "Geotourism Center" and enjoy ice cream treats from Barrels & Bins (one of the few places open on a Sunday).  On the way back, we ran into Jay and Gabby at the park, so Margaret went home with them for a little play time.  I then picked up the girls and took all four kids to church before coming home for a nice dinner on the deck.  Rain threatened, but didn't start until later.

Brady and Margaret at one of the Geotourism exhibits

Margaret and Gabby visit some horses near Gabby's house

On Monday (8/4), we wondered if our plans to go to the Spud would be tempered by the weather.  Even as late as 7pm, we weren't certain.  But we decided to risk it and ended up having a wonderful time.  We only got a few sprinkles near the end of the movie and most people stayed outside anyway (a few of us retreated into cars).  We brought Gabby and then she and Margaret had their sleepover.  We met the Russells there (Linda and her kids also joined us -- fun to see everyone).  Planes 2 was the movie -- very cute.  And it was relatively short, so we were home before 11pm.  Good night!

Playing catch before the movie

Cozy in the back of the car -- Ann joined for the movie

On Tuesday (8/5), we had to take the truck in for service in Victor.  Mixed in there, Brady rode his bike to and from Victor (got soaked, but wanted to finish the ride!), Connor played at the Russells' house and Ann joined Margaret and Gabby at our house to watch an American Girl movie ("Chrissa").  As I was driving the girls home and planning to pick up Connor, Susy called and suggested we go Huckleberry Picking (I capitalize it intentionally!!).  I've never gone and always wanted to, but never knew where to go.  So I jumped at the chance.  Sarah MacMillan led the way, and we had a wonderful outing, despite the rain.  Brady made huckleberry milkshakes that night, and we've had a couple of mornings with huckleberry pancakes.  I was very happy!

Is it every kids' dream to ride on the outside of a car or what??

On Wednesday (8/7), I brought my subaru in for service and met Heather and Tammy for a long walk while I waited.  When I got home, I brought Margaret down for a haircut.  She's been loving the "extensions" that Poppa put in her hair, but it was time for a trim, so now she has a new pink and green braid!  Cute.

Thursday (8/8) was supposed to be our day to hike Table Mt. with the Russells, but the weather forecast was so bad that we decided not to go.  Much to our surprise, Thursday turned out to be beautiful and would have been perfect.  The rain did not start until about dinner time.  Thursday morning, Susy and I did a great track workout while Connor and Will played on the baseball field.  Then Will came back to our house for more play time.  By dinner time, the rain had started so we had to eat inside.  This turned into a spontaneous dance party after dinner.  Corbin had been playing some "old" music -- Frank Sinatra era -- and he started dancing with Margaret.  It caught on.  The other fun part was that Brady, who loves Frank Sinatra, knew most of the lyrics and would sing along from time to time, just to amuse me!  Fun family night.

Washing Dishes

Our dishwasher had been acting up a bit, but most recently it started leaking, so we are washing dishes these days.  It's been good for the kids, because it's so rare that they ever have to do anything other than rinse and put into the dishwasher (if that!!).  We've had a few nights where the kids are completely in charge of cleanup after dinner, and it's been fun to watch them all work together pretty well.

17th Anniversary

17 years of marriage - I feel so blessed to have such a happy, healthy, evolving marriage with my soulmate and best friend.  Our time in Sun Valley was a wonderful chance to celebrate our years together.  On the actual date of our anniversary (8/2),  we each did something we love (I hiked, he biked) and then we all met at the Trap for some Teton and Wydaho nachos with family.  Later that evening, we commented to each other that today was a really neat celebration of the life we've built together.  Happy Anniversary!

Bannock with Aunt Amy

Amy, Brady and Diane arrived on Friday evening (8/1).  Amy and Diane were heading to Pinedale for a backpacking trip in the Wind River Mts and stopped for a visit on the way.  Amy had expressed an interest in doing some kind of hike on Saturday, so we came up with a few options.  On Friday evening, we all agreed that Bannock was a fairly family friendly hike that would give great views and not tax anyone too heavily.  We were also swayed by the fact that we could start Bannock later than any other hike as it was the shortest option (not to mention that the option of the chairlift down sounded good!).  The added benefit was that Margaret wanted to join!

So Amy, Diane, Connor, Margaret and I enjoyed a beautiful hike up Bannock.  Margaret did awesome!  She's ready for more, but we'll leave it that way for now.  That way, next summer hopefully she'll be anxious to hike again.  We had a little lunch at the lookout, then continued up to the "naturalist cabin" (ski patrol cabin in the winter).  We got some mini lessons on the geology and wildlife in the Tetons -- Amy and Connor were particularly riveted!  It was very cool to learn more about this region.  We hiked up to the peak behind the cabin and walked out to look at the trail to Mary's saddle.  After discussing options of some going on and some heading down, we all decided to take the chair down to meet Brady and Corbin at the pool.  Corbin had biked Lightning Ridge.

Fishing the Teton River

Margaret has been asking to go fishing this summer.  She did catch a fish during our "Floatilla," but still wanted to go in Daddy's drift boat, so on Friday 8/1 we decided to fish the Teton.  Connor was not as excited about fishing and floating as Margaret, but he did take a turn with the rod.  As hard as Corbin worked (and he worked very hard to get her in the best possible spots), Margaret did not catch any fish.   She had a few bites here and there, but that was it.  However, she had a wonderful attitude!  She wanted to learn how to cast and insisted on being very independent.  She took Corb's coaching and suggestions well and stayed positive.  At the end of the float (Bates to Rainey), she said, "Well, we didn't catch any fish, but we did see four moose up close and we did have fun!"  Good float.

Brady in Redmond -- home soon!

Brady's been having a wonderful time in Redmond.  He went camping with Amy, sailing with Gary, and to the Deschutes County Fair with Sue -- and probably plenty of Gator driving!!  I'm glad he's having this time, but I'm ready to have the whole family home again.

Brady with Aunt Amy and Shasta

Sailing with Poppa Gary

Today (Thursday 7/31) marks the transition from "Saturday to Sunday" in our summer analogy (June = Friday, July = Saturday, and August = Sunday).  Connor and Margaret are at TISA camp, I got in an early morning run with Susy and spent the rest of the day working and catching up on photos and blogs.  Tomorrow Amy will bring Brady home.  I'm looking forward to having the whole family back together again.

The Greens' Final Week in Teton Valley

The time has flown by, of course.  The Greens head back east this Saturday (8/2), so we have squeezed as much time together as possible!  On Tuesday, while Connor and Margaret were in TISA Camp and I used the day for work, Corbin packed up and headed out with Chad, Sean, and Jeff for an overnight canyon fishing trip.  They left at about noon on Tuesday and got home at about 5pm on Wednesday (7/30).  In the meantime, Kath, the kids and I all hung out.  They came here for dinner on Tuesday - Tony's pizza.  After whiffle ball and a movie, Kath and Lucie went home while Caden and Dylan stayed for a sleepover.  Then on Wednesday morning (after we all slept in!!), we met for breakfast at "Local Provisions" (the old TWR Grille).  Then Kath took all the kids to her house to play for an hour, before we all met up at the Targhee pool for a couple of hours.  But, the fun couldn't end there!  The kids all wanted to go to "art camp" for 2 hours of spray painting.  Kath and I reflected on what a great summer it's been and how much fun we all had together.  Our kids really are like siblings ... or at least cousins!

Lineup at the pool - not complete without Brady!

Art Camp with Terry