Holland Lake - 2012

We spent a week up at Holland Lake with our families.  It was absolutely amazing.  I have really grown to love camping.  There was a time when I despised camping (this might be attributed to living in tents when I was a little girl).  I will save that story for another time:)  When we moved to Idaho, Kevin always wanted to go camping, and I would pray for bad weather or some other intervention.  The day came when Kendall was about 4 months old, I finally told Kevin that I would go camping ONLY if he we had a trailer.  I do not believe 24 hours had passed before we were the proud owners of a little pull trailer.  I do not believe 36 hours had passed before we were on our first camping trip, with a baby.  Did I mention that it snowed?  Each year as the girls get older I have loved it even more.  This vacation topped them all! 

We spent plenty of time on the beach.  Here is my sister channeling a movie star.

Kendall was happy to see her long lost friend "Karla K".

Sid kept telling Grandma that she wanted to go "into the deep". 

We hiked up to Glacier Lake.  Dylan inherited my Dad's pink water shoes.  His quote, "I am man enough to wear them!"  Hallie was so brave conquering her fears and conquering the streams via log bridge.  There were three of them to cross in total.  She was feeling pretty feisty on the way back down.

 My Mom did amazing on the hikes.  It is hard to believe that she had suffered a major heart attach 18 month ago!

Once we arrived at the lake (which is freezing I must add), Jason and Dylan set off in their float tubes for some fishing.

My Dad and I hiked around the lake and fished along the way.  It was good to get some time with my Dad.  It seems that the older I get and having two little ones of my own now, we do not get too much father-daughter time anymore.

The girls hung back at the beach and continued to play hard.  They had so much fun.  They stayed up late each night and ran around the campground playing hide-and-go seek with all of their cousins. 

Cody brought his kayaks and was extremely generous in letting all of us use them.  I do not think he actually got to spend very much time in them.  Here he is catching a moment of peace.

Kendall and Sid even joined in the fun and hopped on the back of the kayaks for a spin around the lake. 

Kevin and Roy out enjoying a ride in the boat.  What I am not showing in this picture is that Cody was in one of the kayaks at the same time;  Kevin and Roy thought it was super funny to drive by and flip him over.  I must admit it was pretty hilarious.  Cody did not go down without a fight.

We snuck in a second hike to Holland Falls.  It was a hot day and the falls cooled us right off.  One of my favorite things about the hike was getting to spend time with my sister-in-law Sherry.  It was great to catch up!

Lisa planned a retirement party for Terrell.  It was a surprise to her.  The only way to get Terrell to leave her hard fought game of Farkle was that Roy told her to come quick "Kevin has a big surprise to tell everyone".  Terrell was certain that a new grand baby was on the way.  I can assure you, that is NOT the case!

 Sid was hamming it up for everyone.  She was one of the "big kids" this year. 

Here is our camp guest...can you believe it?  I took this picture from the door of our camper.  Kendall kept making incredibly strange noises (I believe she told me she was "calling" the deer) and he did not spook.   

I am happy to report that the mosquitoes were light this year!!!  The only thing missing was some pictures of the rope swing and Kaden suspending in mid air before dropping into the water.  I think he is part fish!

Oh, the Mischief!

The girls have certainly been on a rant lately.  First was the Willow Tree Faces, then there were a few other minor offenses and now this...

I was traveling this week and Kevin was home with the girls.  They decided to take it upon themselves to cut their hair.  Sidney looks like a rock star with one side much shorter than the other.

Kendall has no bangs to speak of.

Select the following link to listen as Kevin tried to get to the bottom of their rationale.

Video Link: Haircut 2012

My mom (AKA Grandma, of course) thinks it is a hoot.  Her words, "They are having so much fun growing up and just being kids."  Really mom?  I am certain that when I pulled the same stunt, you were not nearly as gracious.  I guess grandparents have it like that!

4th of July Raft Trip (on the 6th of July).

What did I do on the 4th of July?  I worked.  However there was a method to my madness.  My co-worker had asked us if we wanted to go rafting with his family and others on the 6th of July.  Sidney is not quite ready yet, as dumping a bucket of water on her would be drama.  Kendall is our resident fish right now.  Kevin had done a rafting trip a few years back with "the guys", so he was quite the gentlemen and agreed that I should go and take Kendall with me.  It was an absolute BLAST.  There are no other words to describe it except maybe fun, gorgeous. relaxing, exciting. hot (sun), cold (water).  Good times! 

Kendall caught on immediately and was begging to ride in the kayaks.  She even helped Nick maneuver the big raft through a couple of the smaller rapids. 

We stopped for lunch halfway through the trip.  It always amazes me how hungry I get in the great outdoors.

Glenn and his family were incredibly awesome and his boys were so good with the kids.  My friend Arielle's family was visiting from California, so they went with us.  Her step brother, Kyle, is four and hit it off with Kendall instantly.

Our Very Own Jack-O-Lantern.

Kendall has officially lost her first tooth.  She and Sidney both claim that they saw the tooth fairy when she came.  Sidney emphatically says that she had purple wings.  When I was little I was certain that the tooth fairy looked exactly like the top of a dandelion when it goes to seed.

The girls saw these lime green bean bag chairs the other day and just had to have them.  They wanted them bad enough to dig into their savings to purchase them.  The chairs have been pretty great as each of the girls is spending a lot of time in them;  Kendall reading and Sidney taking care of her baby dolls.  Here is what happens when you ask a sassy 3 year old to take a serious picture...

Birthday Gifts

My mom has been at it again.  Look at the beautiful window treatments she delivered on my birthday.  My dad perfomed his high quality installation work.  She made two cornices for our great room windows.  When my mom suggested the "large" size for these rooms, Kevin and I were hesitant.  She definitely knew what she was doing.  She sent the pattern a couple of months ago and when we held it into place, the size did not appear too large with the tall walls.  I think they turned out great.  I love how she finished the top with fabric and cord for the trim.  It is beautiful from all angles. 

She also made a valance for the kitchen window. 

The same fabric from the great room cornices was used for accent color.  There is only one thing left to do, I think I really need to paint the one wall in the kitchen.  I am thinking sort of a "rust" color.  Hmm...we will see.  Sounds like a good winter project.

Faces.

Many years ago (long before children), I started a collection of Willow Tree Angels.  Each of these figurines mark a special occasion in my life and I have received most of them as gifts.  When each of the girls were born, I bought some of the figures to celebrate the occasion and have kept them in their rooms.  The unique thing about the Willow Tree Angels is that they do not have faces painted on them.  Or at least they did not used to.

Tonight as I was tucking Sidney into bed, I saw both her and Kendall's angels sitting on the bed.  Something about them was different.  As I reached for them, Sidney proudly told me that her big sister Kendall had put faces on the angels.  Of course, she had helped.  I looked in horror at first.  Then as I went out to scold Kendall, I could not help but laugh hysterically.  She had tried so hard and put so much detail.  She told me that she really thought they each needed a face and "Don't you think they look so much better mommy?"  Kevin looked up to see the commotion and there we were both of us trying our darnedest not too laugh.
















Even the babies needed faces.  Kendall was so proud and Sidney kept explaining the whole thing to me.  She was so proud of her sister.

Yes, the angels will never be the same and though I am tempted to be angry, each and every time I look at those crazy faces I will remember today.  I will remember their innocence and how proud they were.  I will remember that no matter how hard I tried to be angry, the laughter could not be suppressed.  They are silly figurines, generic before today and one-of-a-kind after today!