First Camp-out of the Year

Last weekend James and Stephen were going to go camping just the two of them. But on Thursday night they decided that we should all go. The girls were all very excited about this, so we spent Friday morning cleaning up and packing and getting ready to go. James got home from work around 3:45 and we loaded up the Jeep and headed out. We went to Moose Creek Resevoir which is a beautiful little reservoir just outside of Bovill, ID, and about a 40 minute drive from Moscow. We didn't actually camp at the reservoir, we went a few miles on down the road and found a very nice secluded spot where we didn't see any other people the whole time we were there.

Within about 5 minutes of getting out of the Jeep, Stephen found a salamander.

James caught this frog and all the kids, but especially Noah and Naomi, were very fascinated.

Our camp site. We got rained on just during the night, but we were dry and cozy in our tent.

We borrowed this little row boat from some friends of ours in the ward, Weston Ricks who is originally from Teton and his wife Bridgette who grew up in Tullahoma. James took all the kids but Noah out on the lake Saturday morning and they had a wonderful time. Stephen and Annie got to help row. Then they explored a little island in the middle of the lake. They even got to see a bald eagle flying around and then it landed in a tree that was not too far away from them. This camping trip was a great start to our summer.

A Visit to City Hall

Stephen has been in Cub Scouts for a while now. Almost a year. But his pack doesn't have den or pack meetings during the summer, so if Stephen is going to earn his Wolf it is all up to us.

One of his requirements is to "visit an important place in your community, such as a historic or government location." So on Monday for Family Home Evening we went to visit City Hall. We didn't have any idea if anyone would be there or if the building would even be open, but we thought at the very least we could walk around outside the building and talk about what goes on inside. Well we got there and the building was open. Hooray! So we looked around on the first floor at some paintings and were just starting to head up the stairs when the Mayor, Nancy Chaney, walked in and said, "Hello." We visited with her for just a minute and explained why we were visiting City Hall. She then invited us up to her office and gave the kids each a City of Moscow pin. As we left her office we realized that a City Council meeting was just about to start and so we stuck our heads in the door long enough for the kids to see the Councilmen and where they sit, and where the general public sits, and all that kind of stuff. As we walked back outside we read a sign about the actual building. It was built in 1910 and first housed the Post Office. The kids had a really good time. Meeting the Mayor was kind of like meeting a celebrity. They were so excited. And now whenever we drive past City Hall, even Naomi calls out, "Look! City Hall!"

It Really Is Gone

Sam had to do some work in good ol' Cheyenne, WY a few weeks ago. Since he was in town he thought he would drive past our old home site and see what it looks like now. He very thoughtfully took some pictures with his cell phone and sent them to us. For those of you who never saw our house in Cheyenne here is a picture.

They left the two big trees because eventually there will be a very nice bike path running right along there somewhere. They will completely change the layout of the street so that it will run almost diagonal through what used to be our yard and will have a greenway with a path running beside it. To look at these pictures you never would have known that a house used to be there. I will admit that I got a little teary-eyed for just a minute, but I really am so glad we live here and not there anymore. You can see in the first picture from Sam part of the very large oil refinery that was just behind our house. We really were that close! And can you also see in that same picture some stacks of blue pipes? That was where the house with the meth bust used to be. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, read this post.) Oh yes, I am very glad we don't live there anymore!

Happy Birthday Annie!!!!!!!

Annie turned 7 years old on Monday! (So hard to believe!) She had a very nice day and a very happy birthday. Somehow I only took one picture of her, and it was at the end of the day. This is Anne wearing a new birthday outfit, and trying out her new stilts (with a little help) that James and Stephen made for her.

Mormon Channel

The Church now has its own official radio station and you can listen to it online. Just click on the button at the right or visit the Mormon Channel website where you can also find out what's playing.

Climbing Lessons

Yesterday James put one of his climbing ropes way up in one of our trees so that he can practice climbing and repelling. Stephen and Anne wanted to try climbing up the rope. So James showed them how and they did it! Anne tried first and went up a few feet.

Then Stephen tried and he quickly went all the way to the top!

Then Anne wanted to try again and this time she got almost all the way up! Look how high she is!

And look at the SMILE on her face!

They used a prusik knot to climb the rope. Here is a video of Stephen demonstrating.

Visitors!!!

We got to have Mom and Jane stay with us over Mother's Day weekend. We had a wonderful time and are so glad they could come visit.

Annie and Nana got really good at this. They practiced quite a bit and Anne enjoyed every second of it. There were many different versions to this one plus a few other fun songs they did.

What's a guy to do?

Naomi decided to dress Noah the other day. I've always known that with 3 older sisters Noah would eventually be dressed in girl clothing. It really wasn't as bad as it could have been. Even if he was wearing a sweater with flowers on it, he still wanted to play with the cars.

Olive Fingers

How Many Years?

Four years ago today we moved into our house. This is what our kids were like at the time. Aren't they so cute? And so totally little! Just look at their cheeks.