Vacation Wrap-Up

Whew, we are finally back at home in Boise. I kind of forgot what our house looks like and I'm pretty sure I have forgotten how to cook. The good news is that the kids won't have to live on Ritz anymore now taht we are home. We had a wonderful trip through Montana but we all needed to get back to our own beds!

Delaney got her own cone at the DQ in Big Fork. 25 cents for a mini cone! She thought she died and went to heaven.

Meredith got a big one.
Last Friday I helped put together flowers for my cousins wedding. 60 centerpieces, bridesmaids bouquets and church flowers - all in 4 hours! It was a miracle I tell you. And I got to spend some quality time with these to ladies. My cousins wife Katie and my others cousins fiance Corona. We might have to make it to Boston for that wedding!
Lots and lots of flowers.

The flowers in Big Fork were gorgeous.

This was before the rehearsal dinner. After 2 weeks away from home we were having some serious melt-downs!

A hug from Delaney helped I guess.

My Grandma Betty was in attendance too. Here she is with her 5 kids!

My cousins Jeff and my second cousin Libby.

My Aunt Carolyn and my cousin Darbi

The putting green was a huge hit with the kids.

I didn't plan on all of us matching!

After a night chasing my kids around Grandma KK needed lots of drinks!

A quick snooze on Dad does the trick every time.

Thanks for a great trip Mom and Dad!

Next Up: Delaney Jane Turns One!

July 2009 - Missoula/Anaconda

I have a few more photos from our stay in McCall. This was last weekend before we headed to Montana. Papa Jim and Grandma KK drove down to pick me and the girls up and head to Montana. We had a couple fun days on the beach before we headed out.

This is the only time Delaney would stay in one place and not eat sand. She sat at the little picnic table on the beach and had tea parties.

She also really like riding on the floatie.
We also had a mermaid on the beach. Notice our nice sand. Our neighbors had new sand dumped last summer and it all washed up onto our beach over the winter!

On Monday we headed to Missoula. My mom has been promising to take Meredith to a hotel like Fancy Nancy forever. So afte our SEVEN hours car ride we got there. Road construction was a nightmare. Meredith liked the desk the best.

We met up with my Uncle Bob at the Carousel in downtown Missoula.

We also found a place for Delaney to work. We also liked Uncle Bob pushing the Bob.

This thing went FAST.

From Missoula we headed to Anaconda to visit some more relatives. Both my parents were born and raised in Anaconda so we have lots of people to visit!

We got to celebrate my other Uncle Bobs birthday. Meredith is so confused about all the Uncle Bobs that I have.

We made a trip to visit my Grandma Thelma at the nursing home. Delaney was not thrilled, she really wanted the cat that was roaming around the halls.

Meredith was in heaven when we went to my cousin Russells house. It's outside of Ananconda and has a gorgeous view or the area. We got to visit Miss Logan Mckay, only 8 days old and so sweet.

Cousin Jace showed us all around. First we petted the rabbits.

Then we visited the horses. Meredith was pretty jealous that some people get to have horses right in their backyards.

Next stop: Big Fork for my cousin Bens wedding!

A Big Milestone

Just as Jesse was walking out the door to head home to Boise, Delaney took her first steps! Not just one but four or five. I have a feeling she's going to be running by the time we see Jesse on Friday. It was also special that my parents were with us to see the big first steps!

We are off to Montana tomorrow, wish us luck!

July 2009 - Week 3

I'm trying to post a bit more this week than usual so I don't end up posting a 1000 pictures at once when we finally get home. We are really enjoying our stay in McCall this month. It's been great to have a bigger chunk of time to really settle in. Although we're pretty sure our next long stay will entail finding a nanny for the girls so we can have some down time. The good news is that everyone is really tired by the end of the day and sleeping really hard even though I know M. Delaney has a new tooth coming in. She seems happy enough!

We've had a couple smores nights on the beach. We have also been lucky to have some company as well. Our neighbors have great-grandkids that come and visit each summer. We love it when we get to see them!
Meredith has some wild hair by the end of the day. It's almost white again.
This is Jack Mattson from Seattle. His mom Debbie is the granddaughter of our neighbors. This was his first smore and he liked it a lot!

Delaney likes to cruise the goose fence along the beach.

This is Teresa and her twins Jenna and Patrick. They have a foundation http://www.jennaandpatrick.org/.

Teresa told us about how as a young girl she would get to skip bathtime and wash her hair in the lake. We decided it was a great tradition to uphold!

Uncle Scott (Uncle Cotty) came to visit! We made a trip to Ice Cream Alley. As soon as we round the corner Delaney starts saying "mmm, mmm". She is an ice cream NUT.

After ice cream we went to check out the new public park in downtown McCall.

Meredith likes the idea of running through the fountain but she doesn't actually want to do it I guess. Delaney really wanted to, she is our wild child.

We like to boat over and park at the marina and walk downtown.

In front of Hotel McCall

Meredith and Uncle Cotty

Delaney was very tempted...

This is what our hair looks like after a week with our a real shower. Lake showers count right?

Next Up: KK and Papa Jim visit and then on to Montana!

July 2009 - Week 2

The girls and I began our marathon summer trip last Wednesday. We headed North to McCall to spend a week and a half at our cabin before we head to Montana. We arrived safe and sound a day ahead of time to get all settled in before Jesse and our friends the Kearneys arrived on Thursday. We had a great time all weekend long. It's nice to be able to unpack and stay for a while!

Sarah and I managed to go for a run (I know!) on Friday and we met up with Danielle Dahlberg and Sarah Dopko on Saturday for a mountain bike ride in Ponderossa. Thanks for letting us tag along ladies! I think there was some concern when Sarah and I showed up with no water looking like we were heading to Body Pump. But we made it and it was fun!

Meredith has been really into playing "Shaunas wedding" wearing my swimsuit coverup as her wedding dress. And don't worry, she now has a dishcloth veil to complete the look.

Morgan and Marley served as bridesmaids. I was the groom.
We had quite a crew on Saturday. I've done nothing but change sandy diapers. Miss Delaney eats sand by the handfull all day long. We just quit trying to stop it...

Cabana boy Ryan sprinting to get me another g&t.

We were so impressed by Morgan, she went wake surfing with Ryan. Brave girl!

Not too sure about the water temp.

Success! I think Ryan lost a few layers of skin on the rope.

Meredith likes to do whatever Morgan does so she gave it a whirl.

And that was the end of that...too cold for my princess.

Helping Dad drive the boat is much warmer!

Delaney is a huge fan of boating.

Aiden likes it most of the time!

Meredith and Morgan went tubing all by themselves!

Delaney tries so hard to be a big girl like Morgan. She also HATES that hat.

Thanks everyone for joining us last weekend, we had a fantastic time!