Coffee Pot Day--Day One and Two

The first day of vacation was a bummer for me. I woke-up not feeling so well and couldn't go far from the bathroom! Not a very good combination for camping. We managed to pack and get on our way, but it was a miserable drive for me and I let Jeremy set up camp and watch all the girls, while I laid in the trailer and slept all day! I felt totally guilty, but it sure did feel good. I woke to a rolling tummy and Jeremy feeding the girls dinner. Not bad for the first day! Bright and early the next morning we went looking for huckleberries. I love picking huckleberries. I'm not sure why, but I think it's relaxing and fun. We found a few, but most were green. We picked a few and the morning flew by.

We then waited patiently for Grandma and Grandpa to come and join us. I think that this is the third year they have camped with us. The kids enjoy having them come and it's nice to spend a few relaxing days with them. Baylee and Payge doing what they do best...EATING... Maggy and Dad chilling to some tunes.

Grandpa and Grandma come and we take them to John Sack Cabin, because you can't go to Island Park and not see the "BIG" fish and cool little cabin. It's just kind of the yearly thing that we do. This tuckered Taby right out and she fell fast asleep on the ride back to camp. As we then started to get ready to cook our dinner it started pouring rain. We tried to cook the tin foil dinners but it was raining so hard that it took forever. As quickly as the rain came it left and to the kids delight didn't ruin the much anticipated marshmallow roast. Our favorite...toasted coconut marshmallows!

On Top of Old Baldy

After dinner Dad/Grandpa took Baylee, Jer, and I on a four wheeler ride. Up to Baldy Mountain. It took use about 45 minutes and we took a different route than I had ever been before. I remember going in High School with Mom and Dad and getting a flat tire. Dad had to walk to get help. No flat tires this time. Just a good view and a good time.

Snow on top of Baldy Mountain. When I was growing-up Mom used to tell us that we couldn't wear shorts until all the snow had melted off Baldy. I don't think there are many days that Baldy doesn't have at least a patch of snow!

Bancroft Pioneer Day Celebration

Nothing Beats the Bancroft 24th of July Parade. Long Parade and you even get to see it twice! Candy, Candy, and more Candy. It's just one of those yearly tradition you've got to go home for. Growing-up it started with a Melodrama the night before and Lions Club breakfast the morning of the 24th of July. Someone would drive around town with a microphone system hooked to the truck and announce the parade, and harass the town's people to cook and enjoy the festivities. After the parade we would meet at the city park for the kids footraces, and the ever excited D.U.P. program. It was a time to catch-up with friends and talk about the approaching school year. After that the rodeo and youth dance. Fun times...
Today it's changed a little bit. Grandpa makes a better breakfast and it's free. We still line the Bancroft Main Street and watch the two-way parade. We still don't attend the D.U.P program, but walk the little craft fair set-up in front of the school. Hoping to run into some old friends and see how their family has grown. No foot races and the rodeo is also gone to the wayside. instead we go back to Grandma and Grandpa's and enjoy BBQ chicken and the big old shade tree. There's nothing like sitting at home in the swing, and relaxing the day away.

All Things Dutch

NOTE: This is Grandma and Grandpa Stavast it is a picture that was taken in 2006. That is Maggy sitting on Grandpa's lap.

I think that all our kids have tried on and worn these little dutch wooden shoes. I remember when Baylee was little whenever we would visit Grandma and Grandpa the first thing she would do was remove her shoes and prance around their house chasing the two dogs Toby and Cubby. Needless to say it was Taby's turn to wear the wooden shoes. She wasn't so sure it was fun, and took a bit of convincing, but here she is!

Drive-In Movie Time

Drive-in movies...A thing of the past...something that always sound like "so much fun!" This year we went to see the movies Despicable Me and Karate Kid. The girls were suppose to take a nap that afternoon, but like always the nap didn't go as well as hoped. Frankie cried all the way to Rexburg which set the mood. We got there WAY TO EARLY, and everyone was more than ready for the movie to start. We pulled the van seat out and they were ready for the movies. Maggy sat on the "poky" grass and Dad and Mom froze their hind ends off in the lawn chairs. It was a fun time, and I think everyone saw most of both movies.

Research Based Family Time

We took a trip to the Tetons to help Jeremy get ready to write his final paper for his Master's program. It was the perfect day. Sunny and clear. We left Frankie with Aunt Raini. It was the first time since March that we had gone anywhere without her. Strangely, I look at this pictures and feel that someone was missing. It is a little shameful that I've lived in Idaho all my life and have never been to the Tetons.

Baylee on her "side" hike with Dad. They wondered off and left the rest of us on the hiking trail to be eaten alive by mosquitoes!

We did go to the ski resort, splurged and rode the chair-lift to the top of the mountain. It was cold and very windy. I though Maggy would freak out, but Baylee was the scaredy-cat this time!

The Fourth of July

We didn't do much to celebrate the 4th this year. Not even a parade. We did however do our own mini celebration at home and roasted marshmellows in the backyard. I'm so thankful that our kids are easy to please. A bag of marshmellows, graham crackers, chocolate, and some cheap fireworks and they were completly satisfied to stay home and celebrate with Mom and Dad. Heck they did get to stay-up later than 7 p.m. and in our home that is a treat all in itself!

Baylee and Payge what great big sisters! I couldn't have made it through the last year without them!