Can we fix it? Yes, we can!

I will end this blog with the grand finale, but first...the beautiful screen door.  Our back door is strange.  It opens the wrong way.  We like to let fresh air in, but not the bugs and a traditional screen door would just not work.  Sidney had told me about our neighbors mesh door.  Kevin and I had one of those vanishing screen doors at our last house, and I hated it.  Sid convinced me to try this one out.  I LOVE IT!  My friend Kristin says there is no way she would have one of these, too many snakes by her house.  Thank goodness snakes are not prevalent at our house (knock on wood)!  It took only a day or two for Bailey to get the hang of it.  I keep expecting him to go charging through the grandparents screen doors now.

My garden fence had started to fall down, our neighbor got a dog and we put up a pool in our side yard.  All of these things combined required me to put a temporary fence up.  Well, my dad helped me build this more permanent fence with a lovely gate for our side yard.  It is perfect.  No more fence barking, no more dogs in the pool and not trampled veggies.  Heaven!

Kendall has been mowing the lawn for a year or two now.  Sidney decided this was her year to go for it.  I am so happy to have my own landscaping crew.  I love the help, but most of all I love that I am raising strong, capable, independent women!

This last story makes me the most happy.  My check engine light went on last week.  I was super frustrated as I had just had the vehicle in for service.  I told my mom that I had an appointment to get it checked, but just to plug it in to the machine they would charge me a hundred dollars.  My dad mentioned that O-Reilly could plug it in and check it for me.  I recalled Kevin loving O'Reilly.  I turned left instead of right and pulled into their parking lot.  The man said, "Yes, I can do that, but it will cost you $500."  I gasped then realized he was joking.  I replied, "Great, because the dealership will probably charge me double."  He went out and had me plug in the computer.  It gave him a code, which he then typed into his system.  He pulled up the part that was the likely culprit.  It was a $30 part.  I said, "Thank you, well at least I know when I take it in."  He looked at me and said, "It is two screws, a hose and an electrical plug. You've got this."  I failed to mention to him that I used to be an aircraft mechanic.  Why to automobiles intimidate me so much?  Probably because I do not have the repair manual.  Oh, but I do have YouTube.  I walked out the door with a $30 part.  

After dinner, I gave it a shot.  It took me 30 minutes to change, 20 of those minutes were trying to figure out the quick disconnect hose that none of my YouTube videos showed.  Finally, I found one that did show it!  Well after replacing the part, I started up the vehicle.  UGH, the check engine light was still on.  The next morning, I called a mechanic that I have used in the past that is super trustworthy and honest.  I relayed the whole story and asked if I could bring my vehicle in.  He said, "Oh, I am certain you changed the right part.  The light just has to be cleared."  What?  He instructed me to go back to O'Reilly.  They could hook their machine up, and I could clear the light.  Yep, that is exactly what I did.  The man working there said that if I changed the defective part, the light would stay out.  If not, it will come back on in about 75-100 miles. So far, so good.

The moral of this story...I am thankful for my dad mentioning an alternative route.  I am thankful for the O'Reilly man believing in me when I was not so sure.  I am thankful for the Pro Auto Care mechanic that was honest enough to tell me the final step.  This is not the first time they have been so amazing!  Most of all, I am thankful to myself for giving it a shot.  I am woman, hear me roar!

Virtual School, Times Two.

Sidney had started online school last year through Gem Prep.  As I may have mentioned in previous blogs, it was one of the biggest challenges I have ever faced.  It took a lot of grit to figure it out.  Her mental health has never been better.  She had decided to do it for one more year and perhaps go back to brick and mortar next year.  It was a good thing, because it turns out the school year started that way for everyone.  Here the girls are on day one of school this year.

Kendall moved over to Boise School District this year, so starting online has been a bit strange.  To my surprise, she has been enjoying it a lot.  The only thing she said she missed was meeting new people.  That being said, by Thursday, she had already exchanged email and phone numbers with several girls in her classes.  She is going to do just fine!

One of Sidney's assignments was to take a picture of her being math ready.  Her teacher required each of them to get a TI calculator.  When she told me this, I assured her that we had plenty of those lying around.  I am both a TI and a math geek.  Sure enough, we had the exact model her teacher preferred without a single purchase.

I totally forgot to take the picture by the front door this year.  So, instead here are a few pictures to show just how grown up these girls have become.  Our neighbor actually made this dress for herself for a dance last year.  Kendall picked it up at the neighborhood sale.  It fit her perfectly.  She has no idea how gorgeous she is.  Let's hope it stays that way!!!

Sidney has been doing a bit of shopping of her own.  She still remains our resident fashionista.  I am certain this is not a trait I have imparted upon her.  I am not sure if Kevin would approve of how grown up she is getting!  What a beauty!

Smores, Cupcakes - Just Wow!

I have an amazing job.  Yes, it has been very stressful at times.  However, I work for an awesome company with a great leader.  I had taken on a 'special project' that has been very intense these past few months.  To my surprise, there was a package waiting on my doorstep one afternoon.  It was a thank you for doing such a great job on the project.  How cool is that?   

Kendall immediately grabbed the harmonica and started playing us a tune.

After dinner that night, Sidney recommended we try making stove top smores with the kit.  Yep, that is my daughter roasting marshmallows over an open flame - IN THE HOUSE.  

The smores were delicious.  All of the ingredients were superb, which made for a very rich and yummy smore.

This past week, everyone in the company received a note to check our mail later that week.  We were so excited to see what was coming.  It turned out to be a package from my work with a pick me up for the end of summer!  We received a box of Wicked Good Cupcakes.  The name says it all!

My mom asked us to send a picture.  Well, she was too late for one of the jars.

She got a glimpse of a few bites left in the second jar!

Maybe I am simple, maybe I just like food - but these two gestures went a long way for me.  It is nice to have a job where you feel appreciated.  I am not one to think of these kinds of things, so it always takes me back a bit when someone else does.  I am so fortunate...and grateful.

Horses and Golf - What More Can You Ask For?

 Yes, these two activities have become our summer staple.  Yes!  Sidney continues to grow in her equestrian skills.  She is so confident on the horses.

Her and Avery take a lesson together each week.  This has been a great time for both of them.  They love riding together and have a healthy level of competitiveness that keeps each of them pushing themselves just enough to keep it interesting.

Dad and I talked Mom and Sidney into coming golfing with us.  They had fun driving us around.  If only I could teach Mom not to talk when I am swinging:).

Yes, I think sometimes my game gets worse before it gets better.  I suspect that is pretty normal.  I love this game, but it sure can be frustrating.  I often hear Kevin's voice on the course, telling me to "Relax, have fun."  On this particular day, I was nailing it.  I wish all days were like that!

Glorious Montana!

The second leg of our summer adventure was a trip to see Roy and Sherry in Seeley Lake.  The afternoon we arrived was beautiful and hot.  We headed down to the lake to wade in.

Then it was off to Holland Falls.  Roy took us out on his fishing boat.  We journeyed back to the rope swing.  After much to do, the girls went for it.  I was quite shocked with Sid climbed up and let it rip.  She is becoming so bold.

Roy took us on a jeep trip up to Morrell Lookout.  It was a gorgeous view from the top.

On the way home, Kendall seemed to be having a serious conversation about something.  What exactly do you think they are discussing - the art of making fry sauce, maybe?

One morning, we took the canoes out for a spin.  There is a lovely canoe trail.  It was so relaxing.  Kendall and I decided to give paddle boarding a try.  These were awesome paddle boards, as they converted to kayaks.  It was nice to have both options.

AshLee, Cody and Kassi came up for part of the trip.  Roy took the girls huckleberry picking.

Sid had taken her guns, yes plural, so that Uncle Roy could take her shooting.

All of the ladies joined in the fun!

The morning we left, Roy woke the girls up at six am for a short hike.  The short hike ended up being five miles!  Sherry and I stayed back and prepared a huckleberry pancake feast, including bacon eggs and delicious coffee!

Before we had left for vacation, I had booked a hotel in Idaho Falls.  We typically drive straight through, so part of me wondered if this was ridiculous.  It turned out that it was the most perfect plan ever.  We did not leave Seeley until 10 am and arrived at our hotel right a check in time.  We grabbed an early 'linner' and reserved our hour at the hotel pool.  It was pretty cool to have a special time to swim.  After a good swim, we treated ourselves to ice cream.

The next morning, I woke up early, of course, and headed out for a walk along the snake river greenbelt.  I managed to cross a bridge without thinking that I would need to find another bridge to cross back over.  My short walk turned into a VERY long walk.  It was great though, because the morning was gorgeous.  I got back to the hotel, just as the girls were waking up.  We grabbed our 'breakfast bags' and sat by the river to eat.  

All in all, it was a much needed getaway!

Ear Piercing and Pretty Nails.

 As I mentioned in my last post we went up for Dylan and Heather's wedding.  The girls and I splurged and got fancy nails for the wedding.  Acrylic nails were the only thing that helped me stop biting my nails many years ago.  The girls had never gotten their nails done, so it was a fun treat.

I mentioned that we love road trips.  Well, my sister had told us about this awesome piercing place in Spokane.  Sidney had one of her piercing done with a gun a few years back, and it never healed up.  We had waited for this trip to get it done at this particular place.  So, one our way through town, we stopped.  

Kendall spontaneously decided to get her second holes done.

Not to be left our, I re-pierced my cartilage.  I had also gotten this done many moons ago with a gun, and it never healed properly.  I am happy to report that we are about five weeks out and all piercings are healing nicely.

A Wedding and Sushi with Hallie.

Ah to catch up on blogging.  I have been very bad about keeping up this year.  Sidney keeps telling me I should do one each Friday night.  That would make great sense.  Well, here we go.  The month of July was insane and fun.  It started with a trip to Northern Idaho for Dylan and Heather's wedding.  It was outdoors and beautiful and THANKFULLY no one got sick.  The girls and I do great on road trips.  We actually kind of love them.  I download a favorite authors audio book.  The girls pack their 'fun' bags and off we go.

It was an awesome time to visit with our family.  The girls and I and my mom took some fun photos while everyone was at the rehearsal.

The wedding venue was absolutely stunning and naturally helpful in social distancing.  It was in an old refurbished barn.  Sidney tells me they basically joined two stalls to make a ton of smaller spaces with tables.  There was an amazing fire pit and even three horses on the grounds.  Of course, Sidney wrangled up the horses in no time.

My Dad was on of Dylan's groomsmen.  He looked very dapper in his wedding attire.

The place where they said their vows overlooked a beautiful valley with mountains beyond.  Just gorgeous!

It is hard to believe that Dylan is old enough to be getting married.  It feels like just yesterday that I was at Ventura College and got the "I'm pregnant!" call from my sister.

My sister was a beautiful mother of the groom!

We were not able to make it up for Hallie's graduation, so we planned some special time together.  She suggested sushi for her graduation lunch.  The girls and I are total novices, so Hallie basically had to order for us.  Oh, and I am allergic to fish.  However, there were plenty of choices that do not involve raw fish.  

It was absolutely amazing.  The girls are definitely sushi fans.

We demolished three orders of these crab/cream cheese won-tons, in addition to our own meals.

It was really good to be with our family and we were grateful to be part of Dylan and Heather's special day.