August in Sun Valley!

Once or twice a year we venture over to the other side of the mountains.  Every time we do we wonder why we don't visit more often!  It was great to get out of the 100 degree temps in Boise and get a little relief in Ketchum.  We met up with the Dunns and the Richins and we all had a great time!  We settled into Elkhorn and then went over to the Dunns for dinner and treats.  Nice work on the cake pops Meggan!  Delaney says 'talk to the cake pop'. 

Not sure where she picked up the hip thrust from..Jesse perhaps?

 Hottest day of the year in Ketchum, no one has AC so the clothes came off.

 On Saturday we headed to Penny Pond for a little fishing.

The poor Richins got stuck with car trouble so that is why they are MIA.

 Delaney really wanted nothing to do with fishing.

 Quinn however wanted to hold the fishing pole really badly.

 Jesse caught the first couple so the girls could get the hang of it.

 Quinn was all over the fish

 Hudson too, no scardy cats here.

 These guys got over fishing fast

 Meredith had fun!

 We opted for a park picnic on Sat. instead of torturing everyone, including ourselves and the kids at a local restraunt.  We played a rousing game of Duck Duck Goose.  Quinn was trying SO hard to play.  Now every time we say duck she pats her head.

 Big kids humoring Quinn...

 Shirtless because she dumped a glass of wine on her head.

 Goose!

 Eli combining soccer and duck duck goose

 Short attention span

 Red Rover was a hit with the kids. 

 A little wife swap

 Adam and I were a force

 Apparently I was really into strategizing

 Quinn still playing duck duck goose

 Lovely setting!  We enjoyed the clouds and breeze.

 We stopped for ice cream on the way home.  The girls are REALLY into bugs right now.  I got them little bug catchers...

 Don't worry, it's fake.

We had a great time in Sun Valley, we can't wait to go back.  Maybe for some skiing!

Kindergarten

It was a BIG day at our house.  Meredith is an official kindergartner.  She was so ready, I had no worries. I wasn't going to shed a tear...no way!  Then I saw Delaney start crying and I nearly lost it. 

 Meredith waiting patiently for her entourage to arrive.  Complete with flowers for teacher.

 Sister escort.  Gotta make sure the neighborhood bullies stay away.

Delaney insisted on wearing a backpack as well. 

 Dad, Quinn, Delaney, Meredith and Papa!

 Beautiful new school, ready for the 1st day. We didn't really think they could do it but the school looks amazing and we are so lucky to be starting here!

 Quinn wasn't going to miss out on a photo op

 Papa Gene, Merediths personal escort service.

Hopefully he wants to do this daily...getting all of us out the door for the 1/2 block walk was rough.

 Meredith and Cooper were born 3 weeks apart.  We lived across the street, when we moved down the hill the kids went to preschool together.  Now they are reunited in Kindergarten!

Meredith kept asking me how she was going to know anyone if the Moms weren't friends.   Hmmm, perhaps I've had too many wine/playdates with friends!

Hot August Nights II

Another poor showing in the picture department.  I think I was just too busy having fun and enjoying uninterrupted conversations!  We held our second annual adults only extravaganza last weekend at our cabin.  Gene and Dana were so nice and took the girls back to Boise so we could have fun with our friends.  I looked forward to this weekend for ages and it did not disappoint!  Thank you to all our friends who joined us.  We know how hard it is to wrangle up babysitters etc...

Ryan and Jesse settling in next to the keg on Saturday.  Sadly I have no pictures from Friday night.  This is probably a good thing.

Amy and Fred rented paddle boards.  I think we really need one!

 Instant pros

 The Bordners heading to Shore Lodge.  Kirstin makes it look easy at 6 months pregnant.

 The crew!  Why are Ryan and I the only ones in our swimsuits?  Weird.

 We hired a local family to make a traditional Mexican dinner for us, it was supurb!

 Sara, Jess, Meggan and I

 The Bryan showed up with the shotski...things went downhill fast.

Going...

 Going...

 Gone

 I like the shotski a little too much and I'm happy that we don't have one.

Thank you everyone for joining us!  Our neighbors still like us so we'll do it again soon!

Most of August

I am so far behind on my blog, it's tempting to throw in the towel.  But don't worry, this also serves as my photo album/scrapbook so I HAVE to keep going.  We had a nice big 2 week chunk of time in August that we got to spend in McCall.  It was fantastic to settle into mountain life in a small town.  Before we left we attended the wedding of Jesses cousin Hannah.  She married Juan and it was great!

Don't let that innocent face fool you!

Cousin Anna was there, in her highchair on the dance floor.

I'm pretty sure Delaney skipped dinner and went straight in for some cake.

Now that Quinn is walking she is so happy.  Especially when there is a dancefloor.

I think we had to give her a binky because she was throwing a fit because speeches were happening and she couldn't hit the dancefloor.

Okay - on to McCall!  KK and Papa Jim met us for a week at the lake.  We did lots and lots of fun things.  My huckleberry spot produced yet again!

It's nice to have a few extra fingers to pick.  Downside is they get bored FAST.

KK made a wonderful pie out of our pickings.

Showing us her pie...

And how to eat it without a fork.

We got to see lots of friends while we were in McCall.  Ava came over for a playdate one day and Marly and her family hit the beach with us too.  3 kindergartners!

 One evening we went to Roseberry to their little free concert night.  The hit for the kids was seeing the cows up close and personal.

 The cows were thrilled.

 Beautiful evening in the valley.

 The Bryans joined us too. 

 Somehow Erin ended up at the kid table.  6 kids between the 2 of us!

 Quinn loves her new mobility.

 Maybe next year little one.

 Quinn HATES when Meredith picks her up.  I'm pretty sure the neighbors think we have some sort of torture chamber at our house.  Lots and lots of screaming...

 God help us when they are teenagers

 Trying for a 'jump' picture.  Delaney doing her own thing...not uncommon!

 Poor Thomas...didn't quite make the shot.

We ventured down the road to the wood boat show.  I fell in love and have decided having a wooden boat will be my retirement activity.  Boating, cocktails and fancy parties?  Done!

 I told you we were busy - we even went for a hike.  All 10 of us! 

Ava and Meredith ran most of the way.

 Jesse and Noah mostly carried kids

 Playing in a little creek along the way.   I so remember doing this when I was little.

 Looks like Jesse is getting ready to yell at me!  Probably for handing him another kid to carry.

 Quinn and Thomas, 5 months apart.

 The troops.  I think Thomas is going to loooove having older sisters when he's a bit older!

 Thanks Jesse! 

 Random shot of the girls waiting to get their hair cut.

We had a lovely stay in McCall and it's been a shock to the system to be back in the 100 degree heat...