Vancouver Island Road Trip.

Sidney and her friends have been planning a road trip to Vancouver Island for months.  They met Tessa last year at camp in Hawaii, and she lives on Vancouver Island.  The plan was that Claire and Sidney would drive up there and spend a week and watch Tessa graduate from high school.  Parker and Tessa would meet up with them and they would all travel home together. 

Sidney and Claire decided to take a little detour to North Idaho to visit my sister.  She took them on a hike around Tubbs Hill.

They met up with the rest of the family for dinner and had a great time catching up with everyone.  Jason kept calling Claire 'Gretchen' and apparently it stuck.  That 'Gretchen' sure is a nice girl.

The next day they drove across the border to Vancouver and had a couple hours to kill before they had to board the car ferry to the island.  I guess it was the same day that Canada was competing in the World Cup and the city was abuzz.  Sidney said everyone was out on the streets dressed in red and white.

They had a wonderful week venturing around the island.

Sidney caught a purple starfish.

She fell in love with Tim Hortons.  Honestly, I think this is analogous to In-n-Out.  Is it really that good or is it just a cult classic?

I am happy to report they all made it back safe and sound and had an amazing time!

Father's Day.

Sidney was out of town for Father's Day.  Kendall and I traveled up to the cemetery for a visit.  We told Kevin all about our antics and wondered if he was just shaking his head at us.  What would he think of our lives today?  So much has changed since he has been gone.

HOSA Indianapolis.

 Sidney had the opportunity to attend the HOSA Nationals in Indianapolis. It was a week long trip with other students from Idaho and their instructor chaperones.  

The girls stayed four to a room and participated in the conference as well as explored the city.  They attended a WNBA Fever game.  The irony is that a week later, Sophie Cunningham became famous with her pointer finger and Sid remembered her from the game.

I was personally astonished that Sid could actually recognize her from these nose bleed seats, but they sure had a good time!

The HOSA conference also had a college meet and greet exhibit hall.  They got tons of swag and some of it came in handy with the rainy weather when they first arrived.

The rain did not last the entire time.  They also ventured out to some of the museums and sights.

This is the Borah delegate in their HOSA Professional uniforms.  They look so dapper!

They had a crazy early flight home, but got to enjoy the beautiful sunrise.

Seeing Double.

Kendall and her friend took their dogs out for a playdate.  Look at these two English Cream Golden Retrievers.  I cannot tell who is who.  They are exhausted after a fun filled play time.

Bailey going to camp with Sidney.

Willow has an obsession with cardboard boxes.

How on earth did she get up there?

Levi!

Sidney has been hauling Pigeon up to Star for some of her jump lessons.  The arena where they are doing the lessons is simply gorgeous.

Look at these beautiful flowers running down the center of the arena.  They divide the flatwork side from the jump side.

The trailer is finished.  Isn't it amazing!  We have been loving it.  Though, it has taken Levi some time to get used to loading in it, but we are doing it.

It matches my truck.  This makes me smile.

Flowers, naturally!

I celebrated my birthday this month.  Naturally, it included flowers.  But first, chocolate cake and birthday wishes!

My sister gifted me this beautiful orchid.  I have heard that these can be tricky, so wish me luck!

The girls and my parents treated me to beautiful cut flower bouquets.

While we are on the subject of flowers, I will share a few other treats from my yard.  My first bouquet of roses for the year.

My peonies were off the charts this spring.  It is such a bummer that they have such a short bloom season.

Remember the dahlias?  Here is an update.

...and they bloomed.

And the flowers just keep coming:).  This has been a truly unexpected treat.

Sip and Paint, At Home Style.

For Christmas this past year, Sidney had gifted me a lovely paint and sip basket.  It only took us six months to find the right time to do it.  We invited my mom and Claire to join us.  Sidney made it very special by setting up a nice table full of treats and supplies.

It was a super fun evening.  We visited with one another and saw our paintings turn into something beautiful.

The Puppy Place.

I do not love to travel, but I do so often for work.  As such, I always try to find the nuggets of joy in these trips.  AIA national this year was in San Diego.  I deem any trip to San Diego a treat.  Here was the view from my hotel room.  Check out this yacht.  It was insane to watch the size of the crew alone that maintained this boat.  For perspective. that is the clam shell ampi-theater in the background. 

We hosted an awards reception the night before the conference.  They were going to discard these bouquets, so I volunteered to take one to my room to enjoy for the week.  Win!

One of my favorite things at AIA is the puppy park.  This vendor sells the turf, but they always bring puppies as the main attraction.  The puppies are always crazy energetic in the morning.

By early afternoon, they are zonked in a pile.  The next morning, they rinse and repeat and start off full of energy again.  They tried to send one home with me.  It is a good thing that I was taking a plane...or else!

I love the sights and sounds of this beautiful beach town.  I will see you again in August, San Diego!