Farewell to our Home away from Home.

When Kendall was a tiny baby (4 months old), Kevin brought up the idea of going camping.  I am not a tent camper, with or without an infant.  To his musings, I responded, "Get me a little travel trailer and I will go camping every weekend."  True to his form, Kevin had procured us a cute little 18 foot travel trailer within weeks. 

 

Our first trip was in April of that year.  We went up to Horse Thief Reservoir.  It was during the time that they had drained the reservoir, and we were one of very few people braving the cold to camp up there.  It snowed on us during that first camping trip, but that was okay, because we slept in a nice warm camp trailer!

There was a bunk bed above the queen bed in back.  Kevin made a wood side railing so that the girls could sleep up there without rolling off.  As they got a bit older, they would open the closet door and use it as a stepping stool to climb up to the bunk.  We camped many times in which I would have to put the girls in the little bathtub at the end of the day to get the mud and dirt off of them.

 

Kevin hung a cork board just inside the door of the camper.  We would take pictures of our camping trips and hang them on the bulletin board. 

I bought an awesome little drip coffee pot that worked by placing it over a gas burner.  I never had to go without a good cup of coffee.

We made many beautiful memories in our little camp trailer.  However, during our trip to McCall we decided that it was time to sell the trailer.  We were unable to take it out last year, and Kevin was sure that he would not be able to take it out this year either.  Items like that are not made to sit.  It was a very emotional decision for all of us.  It felt silly since it was just a material possession, but for us it was more than that.  We will still be able to make beautiful memories.  It will just be through different means and methods.

 

We brought it home last week and cleaned it out.  We put it up for sale on Friday.  Kevin was feeling particular anxious about it and, frankly, so was I.  Day one, we had a number of inquiries, but the right person had not come along.  Kendall and I dropped Sidney off for gymnastics on Saturday morning.  After she ran in to her class, I pulled over.  I asked Kendall if we could pray about the trailer.  She started the prayer.  I finished by asking that God would provide an awesome young family that would make equally awesome memories.  My worst fear is that it would go to an old man that would smoke cigars and use it for hunting.  Not that I have anything against old men that smoke cigars and hunt, I just wanted it to be used in the way that we were blessed to have used it. 

After I picked up Sidney from gymnastics, I arrived at the house to find a young couple (mid 30's) along with their parents (mid 60's) looking at the trailer.  The young couple had two kids ages five and eight.  The couple had grown up camping.  Their parents were going to buy them a trailer for their family.  The couple had been looking for quite awhile.  In fact, the Tuesday before they almost bought a different trailer, but for some reason they decided not to.

Well, they bought our cute little travel trailer.  They were very excited to take it out with their family and start making memories of their own.  Little trailer...we loved you while we had you!  Now onward to more journeys, just different.

 

 

A Relaxing Weekend in McCall.

Last weekend, we were able to get out of dodge and relax in beautiful McCall.  It was a gorgeous afternoon in Boise, so I took the afternoon off work and did a bit of yard work.  After that, Kevin and I decided to pull the girls out of school a bit early and head to McCall.  We were certain they would be upset with us for pulling them out early.  They were, but it did not last long.  Once we arrived, we checked into our room and the girls headed straight to the pool for some good times. 

Kevin chilling by the pool side (well not exactly "chilling" since it is super hot and humid in the pool area).

 

We woke up on Saturday morning to snow.  It only lasted a little while before it started to drizzle.

There was an awesome STEM fair in McCall on Saturday afternoon.  It may have been the best one I have attended yet.  Idaho Public Television had a booth in which the girls made balls balance on a single point by attaching counter balances.

Dr. Picklestein conducted a number of experiments.  I learned a few things and had a lot of fun myself.  The kids in the room were super engaged and had a great time.

The McCall police department had an obstacle course set up for the kids that simulated drunk driving.  The kids could put on goggles that simulated various blood alcohol content levels and try to ride the course.  Kendall put on the most extreme googles and managed to knock EVERY SINGLE cone over. 

Sidney chose a milder pair of goggles, yet still knocked some cones over.  I certainly hope they understood the meaning of the course...

The girls climbed into the back of the ambulance to check their oxygen levels and heart rates.  I had to myself as well.  I can be slightly competitive (shocker).  I had to show the girls how healthy I am:)

After an evening of billiards, ping pong and swimming, the girls woke me up bright and early to exercise.  UGH!  Once I was in the fitness room, I felt much better.  They practice their gymnastics and rode the bikes for a bit, while I walked on the treadmill.

We headed back to Boise around lunch time.  As we were leaving the condo, we saw a bunch of deer grazing by the entrance.  It was so nice to get away from it all!

Fearless.

The girls are always amazing me, mostly in a good way.  Lately I have noticed that they are becoming so bold and independent.  As I mentioned in a previous post, we joined the YMCA.  Kendall has taken a liking to the rock climbing wall.  I keep threatening that I might give it a try.  It is pretty much an idol threat, since I am certain that some teenage worker would have to come rescue me in the event I actually did make it to the top.

Sidney is a great swimmer.  Like many things in her life, she is the only thing that holds her back.  I took the girls swimming a couple weeks ago.  At the Y, the kids wear bands based on their skill level.  Everyone starts with red (very limiting).  The child can then test for yellow or green.  Sidney will do the yellow test all day long.  Passing the yellow test allows them to play unattended in the warm pool, the slide area and a couple other small areas.  The green test allows them to go absolutely anywhere on their own, including the high and low diving boards.  To pass the green, the child must overhand crawl to the ropes and back at the super deep (high diving area) end of the pool. 

Sidney is capable of passing the green test, but she will never give it a try.  Mind over matter.  During this visit, she came and told me that she was going to test for the green.  I absently nodded, since I have heard that one before.  She followed it up with, "Well, maybe I will just go down the slide a few times before I do."  Kendall and I nodded and smiled knowingly.  There was NO WAY she was going to try the green test, but we will play along.  About 15 minutes later, I looked up to see where the girls were.  I saw Kendall at the deep end of the pool, running along the side cheering on the swimmer in the water.  I looked to the water and saw little Sidney swimming swiftly to the ropes.  What?!?! 

As Sidney finished the test and climbed out of the pool, Kendall greeted her.  Once she had her green band on, the two of them walked over to the diving boards.  At this point, I am on my feet walking quickly to the other end of the building.  Kendall climbs up to the high dive while Sidney steps gingerly onto the low dive.  She walked out to the end.  Kendall yelled, "1, 2, 3..." and off they jumped.  Little Sid is growing up!

 

Kendall wrote a blog post recently about her invitation to the gymnastics competition team.  After a weekend of praying and pro/con lists, she decided to give it a go.  Kevin and I were very clear that it is a one year commitment.  Once she starts, she has to finish. 

 

Week one was quite the eye opener.  She had been part of a recreational class which practiced 2 hours a week.  Now, she was part of a competition class that practices a minimum of 6 hours per week.  The first night of practice, she was on cloud 9.  Adrenaline got her through the grueling 3 hours of practice.  Night 2 was a different story.  She was sore.  She was tired.  As I went in to pick her up after night 2, I could see it in her face that something was wrong.  I asked her if she was okay.  She stoically replied, "Wait until we get to the car."  As we settled into our seats, I asked again.  She started to cry, "The coach yelled at me.  I hurt my knee.  She kept making me practice.  She is mean."  Alas, reality was settling in.  I explained to her that these were some of the differences between recreational and competition gymnastics.  The expectations would be higher.  The demands would be stronger.  The coaches would be tougher.  I went on to say that this year would build her character.  She would know at the end of it, whether this was for her or not, but along the way she would learn a ton.

 

The following Saturday, as we were picking Sidney up, her old coach approached her to ask how team was going.  Coach Becca, reinforced everything I had said and also talked about how much stronger she would become.  It would take hard work, but her body would get used to it.    We are now in week three.  She is already adjusting to the new schedule.  She is excited to try out grips for the first time and have the opportunity to try more advanced moves.

An Egg-cellent Easter!

We had a fun Easter.  My sister and her family had to leave the day before, but my parents were able to stay a couple more days.  The evening before, my mom and I helped the girls dye eggs.  By help, I mean we drank wine while they dyed eggs.

 

We hosted a barbecue.  For those who were not paying attention, Easter feel on April 1st this year.  I just knew that somebody was going to pull a prank.  Rebecca Nelson did not let me down.  She brought a beautifully decorated cake that was really made of cold meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  Hannah could hardly contain herself as Kendall decided to dive right in. 

My dad, relaxing for the day!

We decided to have one big hunt this year, instead of boys versus girls.  We figured Sidney was big enough to knock those boys over if they got in her way.  Kendall had to stretch pretty high for a few eggs.

Sidney getting ready to inspect her loot.

It was a great time and a beautiful afternoon.

Spring Break Frenzy!

My Sister, Hallie, her friend Angel and my parents came down for Spring Break.  It was a party!  Jason and Dylan were also here for the Bucks Bags Baseball Tournament, but they had to stay with the team.   My sister and the girls came a day early and we did touristy things.  We visited the Capitol for the first time.

I love this picture.  I am three stories above taking a picture looking down on them.  While they were looking up at me, my sister captured this cool picture.

 

Two peas in a pod...my zany sister and my zany daughter.

 

'Somebody' managed to commandeer my cell phone and went to town taking picture of herself in front of the headless statue.

 

The girls spent hours making signs to cheer their cousin on.  It was such a beautiful week for a baseball tournament.  No rain and barely a cloud in the sky.  The team played four games over three days.

Cousin love! 

The girls caught up with Dylan after the first game.  My sister took Kendall and Sidney to have pizza with the team one night.  They had such a fantastic time.

On Friday, my mom and sister took all of the girls to the aquarium while I went golfing with my dad and Kevin.  Crazy Kendall decided to pet a snake.  You go girl!

Love these ladies!

Such a sweet picture of Sidney and her cousin Hallie.

As if that was not enough fun for one week, we also visited the Boise Zoo, where we ran into some of our favorite people.  Kendall's friend Rayah was there with her family.  The girls actually had this pre-planned and really enjoyed meeting up for a bit.  We also ran into the Brandt girls and their Grandma. 

It is a good thing that we do not live on a farm, or I am certain that Kendall would have us talked into all kinds of crazy animals.  Every time she sees Valerie, she inquires about Mick (the resident Llama).

Sidney had just finished a report on capybara's.  They are considered to be the world's largest rodent.  She was super excited to stumble across several of them at the zoo.  They really are kind of disgusting creatures, but it was pretty cool that Sidney could rattle off so many 'fun facts' about them.

Hallie and Kendall were both brave enough to feed the very picky giraffe.  This giraffe will only eat lettuce of a specific size.  What a beautiful creature, but I suppose if you have so many people poised and ready to feed you, it is okay to be picky.

While Kendall and Hallie were waiting in line to feed the giraffe, Sidney and I snuck off to visit one of my personal favorites, the penguins.  They were very active when we arrived.  Sidney brought her camera with her and got a ton of excellent pictures.

Hallie has been learning the song Say Something for an upcoming recital.  She has an intense passion for music.  For her recital, she will be both singing the lyrics and playing the piano.  She taught Sid the lyrics, and they did a beautiful duet for us.

I just love this picture of Sidney.  It truly captures the love she has for Hal.

  

My mom took each of the girls out on a special date.  I did not get a picture of Kendall on her breakfast date, but I did get this one from my mom.  Beautiful! 

 

Both of the girls chose to go to IHOP on their dates.  My mom had two yummy breakfast dates in a row.  Lucky grandma and even luckier little girls.

 

As I mentioned in my previous post, Kevin had started prednisone a few days before my family arrived, so he was the picture of energy!  He even decided to join my dad and I on a golf outing.  He played seven holes, very well, if I might add.  Then he drove Miss Daisy (that would be me) around the course and gave me lots of tips!  I made it all 18 holes, which is pretty good for me.  I am a nine hole kind of golfer.

 

 My dad, the leftie.  I love playing with him.  He is a good man!

 

 

 It was an amazing action packed week.  I am so thankful that we all got to spend this time together.