"Oh, That Summer"..............

The first Summer I met Eric we had a fall in love, fun-filled Summer that I will always remember as "Oh, That Summer". Our return to Idaho has created a Summer that I will always remember as another one of those "Oh, That Summer."

We started out with the Fourth Of July!

Our Fourth was spent in the Teton Valley where the day started very early with the balloon festival, the small town 4th of July parade, a breathtaking view of the Tetons, a hike to some hidden waterfalls, a four-wheeler ride and we ended the day with sparklers and fireworks. I will never forget going to Packsaddle Lake and my girls braving the rope swing. Daring Reese got right on and grinned the whole ride but sweet Waklee had to get the fearful tears out before she got on. She did it though! I even braved the swing. Cute Kimbri was "makin' memories" as she swung over the lake to end up in the cold mountain lake below. We love you Kimbri!

Spending the Summer with my parents has been a treat for my kiddos. They get to ride the four-wheelers, swim in the pool, ride their bikes and the unnamed horse whenever their hearts desire. Canon wakes up in the morning making "brumbrum" sounds and cries everytime someone goes outside without him. Reese learned how to ride a bike without training wheels and there are quite the paths from the four-wheelers out here in Hamer.

We spent a day at our "new grandma and grandpas" that is what Reese calls Grandma and Grandpa Kunz's. I think because they are away on their mission and we don't get to see them. Grandma has a beautiful yard that was missing her Grandbabies and so we spent the day doing some yard love. I will never forget the giggle Canon made when he sunk his little piggies into the dark, cold Idaho dirt.

Our next adventure was our last minute trip to Lake Powell (my Disneyland.)

I grew up going to Powell and have some wonderful memories. I am so excited that my kids will now have those same memories. The weather was hot and the water was warm and we loved every minute of it. We would get on the lake around ten in the morning and get off at sunset and fall into bed exhausted. The first day Waklee was timidly jumping off small cliffs and by the last day she was jumping off 30 foot cliffs. Who knew all it took was Mom yelling, "Be a leader." Reese was brave as always jumping in the lake, off of cliffs and braving the tube. On the first cliff jumping day she wore her fingerprints off of her fingers and toes because she climbed and jumped off so many times. And well, I save lives. I seriously saved Reese's life when she jumped in without her jacket on (not such a good memory) and then saved Canon when we got swamped on the tube. Eric and Chad saved the day when they rescued the Woolstenhulme's twice in the dark.
When do we get to go back?
Our Summer continued with Waklee taking swimming lessons at Lava Hot Springs. She spent the week in Bancroft where she caught a fish with Roy, ate snow cones, stomped the grounds of the small town, walked the tight rope and rode bikes endlessly. I went down for the day and had a wonderful time as always.
We had to say good-bye to my younger brother, Tagg or a.k.a. "Hightower", as he is gone for the next few months in the police academy. We have been keeping his girls busy making bows, ties, and a trip to the zoo. Canon already loves to tease cute Londyn.

Pioneer Day!
One of the things I missed very most about Idaho when living in Portland was Pioneer Day. It's the Fourth of July all over again! We enjoyed the fabulous St.Anthony Pioneer Day Parade where my kids got a load of candy. We even got to see an old friend from college, our cute Angie Paangie visiting from Kentucky. What a treat that was. I shed a few tears for Neil and Lana as I know how hard it is to be away from loved ones on special days like that.

The Blue Angels Air Show was also on Pioneer Day. We got spoiled and had awesome seats and Eric was in "man heaven."
We ended the day with the St.Anthony Rodeo and Fireworks. Waklee joined her cousins in the calf scramble (wearing flipflips, not so good) and has informed me that she will be riding a calf next year. (Waklee has gotten over being fearful since moving to Idaho.)


We ended our July with a special day for our Waklee. She was baptized on July 31st. We are so happy and proud of you our beautiful Waklee!
Whoa, I can't believe we fit all that fun into July. Glad there is still August to enjoy. We have an address just not a moving date, can't wait to share.