Crazy Weather!

We have had some crazy weather these past couple of weeks - lots of rain, intense thunderstorms, cooler temperatures, and then beautiful sunshine.  Weather reports have not always been spot on!  On Wednesday 8/13/14, we decided on one more family float on the Teton River.  Canoe, 2 paddle boards and lunch packed, we put in at Bates by noon.  Although storms weren't highly likely, we figured we'd beat them if we got on the river early.  Lots of fun and playing on the boards and one moose and lunch in a good spot ... then ... the storms started to move in quickly.  We paddled hard, hoping to beat the rain, and we actually did.  However, the wind was so strong that Brady and I (on boards) were being blown upstream!  In quite a few spots, we jumped off and walked our boards.  Corbin even got out and towed the canoe.  We took out at the first campsite at Rainey (or Big Eddy) and Corbin brought the truck to us.  As we drove back to pick up the car, the rain was strong and steady!  We were lucky - and had a fun and educational adventure.

Lunch on the River

Check out that sky!

Such a ham!

We got home, took hot showers and put on warm clothes, wondering if our evening plans to go to the Teton Springs pool for music by the Miller Sisters would be cancelled.  But by 5:30, the skies in Victor were clear, so we headed down.  The kids had a blast in the pool, I had good visits with Heather, Corina, Lisa and Jay, and we all got to spend time with Karee Miller's new baby, Enza.  The music was, as always, awesome -- a good evening!

Karee and Candice Miller - LOVE THEM!

Human Pyramid -- Brady, Connor, Margaret

Human Pyramid - Brady, Connor, Gabby

Annie with Enza

Ladies' Night

Monday 8/11/14 was a gorgeous day, so we headed up to the Targhee pool, as we haven't been there in awhile.  Corb got in a good bike ride, while the kids and I hung at the pool - swimming, reading, and lunching.  By the time Corb got back, the pool was pretty packed, but we carved out enough space for ourselves for a family game of "push and glide."

It was Susy's birthday and a bunch of the ladies were trying to find a time to get together.  We managed to agree on appetizers on Monday evening in Victor (West End Yard).  Corb decided this was a great time to take the kids to Big Hole BBQ - on everyone's bucket list - for dinner, so we coordinated the two outings.  Our ladies night was short, but awesome -- good to gather the group together.  Susy and I agreed to meet for a trail run (Southbound, Horseshoe Canyon) on Tuesday morning.  Carlen's hoping for a walk on Wednesday, and the whole group is aiming for a walk early Friday morning.  There's also hope that many will get to Teton Springs for one more Miller Sisters concert on Wednesday night.  We'll see ...

Corb and I have decided that it's best if we head back east a few days early.  We've had so much fun here, and really there is business to tend to before everyone heads back to school and work.  With a few extra days in Andover, we might minimize some of the stress and "crunch time" feeling as we prepare for a very exciting year ahead.  Our plan at the moment is to leave Driggs on Sunday, 8/17/14.

Back: Carlen, Nancy, Tammy, Heather
Front:  Sharon, Susy, Annie, Lisa

Groupie!

SuperMoon

With all the hype about a super moon on Sunday night (8/10/14), we decided we needed to see it in style!  We set up the fire pit and chairs near the creek bed, for a good view of the moon rising.  The night did not disappoint.  Clear skies, one shooting star, star identification with iPhone app :-), a gorgeous moon, s'mores, and - most importantly - fun family conversation and laughter!

Brady whittles roasting sticks; we're set up and ready for a fun night!

Figure 8 Races!

One thing all the kids have been looking forward to this summer is the Figure 8 Races - the last event of the Teton County Fair, Saturday 8/9/14.  We planned to meet the Wilcoxes there.  Heather had suggested that we get there very early to get the parking we wanted, so we agreed that a tailgate picnic would be fun.  Of course, I took that literally, and we were there by 5pm - first spectators :-)  Despite some initial boredom, everyone settled in to a fun evening.  Brady drove our car around the parking lot solo, the kids picnicked on top of the roof, Brady and Corbin inspected the race cars and chose their favorites, we had fun all watching the races from the beds of Harley and Cheyenne's trucks, and Heather and I were called in for "lap counting" duty in the final heat!

Connor, Rudi and Margaret

Creative Play

With so many "screen" defaults and planned outings, creative play moments can take time to develop.  When they do, we notice.  She's a gem -- loves her "babies and puppies."

Table Mountain

After seeing how Thursday turned out, we decided to plan to hike on Friday, despite the iffy forecast.  We packed everything on Thursday night and got up early on Friday morning (8/9/14), after Brady and Connor had slept out in the wall tent.  We went up the face and planned to go down the Huckleberry trail (longer, less steep), but the clouds on top were a little ominous, so we opted for the faster hike back down the face.  It was steep, but not as difficult going down as I'd remembered.  That Huckleberry trail is beautiful, but it is never-ending.  Every time I've done it, we are ready for it to be over, with about 2 miles left!  The decision to go down the face was right, as the thunder and rain started in earnest when we got to our cars in the parking lot (after the kids got to wade in the creek, of course!).  It took us about 3.5 hours up, 1/2 hour on top, then 3 hours down.  Not lightning fast, but not too slow.  We ran into Brady's teacher from 4th grade (Mrs. Kunz) and her two kids (ages 15 and 12).  That was fun.  The other cool moment was just before we summited, we met a woman on her way down.  She was 79 years old and does this hike every year.   This year she was joining her nephew and his boy scout troop (they were still on top and she wanted to start down early).  She told us that last year, at 78, she did it alone (!!!) and completed the round trip in 6 hours.  That inspired all of us.  She vowed to be at least that fit next year at 80.  I have no words.

Thursday night - packed, ready and hopeful!

Elsa, Ann, Will, Brady, Connor - ready to start

We can see where we're headed - Table Rock!

View of where we've been

Last scramble up

On Top!  Cloud cover not obstructing view!

Moms' "selfie" -- or is it a "groupie?"

Love this picture!!

Our mountain goats scrambling down with no problem

King of the hill

Good resting spot on the way down

Boys playing on the boulder -- near the bottom!

Cheers to us!

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.