Coffee Pot--Day Four

You would think that by now we would be ready to go home. I am telling you the kids just never get tired of this place! Raini and the kids came and visited us for the day. We played and floated in the river and had a hot dog roast! Grandpa played chauffeur for the river rats, read his book and Grandma watched the kids with Raini.

Baylee taking Ryver and Maggy for a ride up stream.

We took the kids for a float ride from Mack's Inn and tied them to the back of the kayaks. We got done much faster and it was a lot warmer for Mom and Dad.

Maggy practicing fishing in the river. I think the biggest fish in that part of the river might be the size of my big toe, but man there are a lot of fishermen that like to "practice."

The very nice older couple from Utah told us that we could use his kayaks for the day! What fun. I told Jeremy that it was dangerous for us to try something new like that because now we are both hooked and would love a pair of kayaks to add to our camping gear!

Floating the river...what could be better? Maybe Maggy's smile!

The girls were begging Jeremy for a ride in the kayak. So he paddled them upstream for awhile. Don't they just look thrilled?

The traditional campfire hot dog roast. Enough said!

Coffee Pot--Day Three

Three cute little girls waiting to go fishing.

Taby enjoying the great outdoors at 2 1/2 months old. We've got to train her early! I have to say that she is quite the little trooper!

Maggy was not so excited about the fishing and the two older kids. The worms freaked her out and the fish were to slimy. She reminds me a lot of me at that age. She doesn't like to leave our side and is a chicken about most everything. Poor girl I know how she feels.

Payge hoping to catch a fish that probably isn't even there. We figured, "What they don't know won't hurt them!"

Baylee waiting patiently to catch fish at the kids fishing pond. There was another family there fishing and we politely asked them if they have ever caught a fish there. They said that they have been coming here every weekend, and have never caught a fish. Some people never learn, but we did. We packed up the fish poles to find us another "hot" fishing spot!

Baylee was the first one to catch a fish, but it was so small she didn't know it was on her line so she just walked off and left her fishing pole sitting there. Jeremy then picked it up and reeled it in and found a tiny little fish at the end. Baylee never did give up trying to catch another one.

Payge finally caught a fish thanks to uncle Eric. Like I said before...what they don't know won't hurt them...Right?

A picture of camp. This is the second year that we've had this same campsite.

Coffee Pot--Day Two

Today was Eric and Bonnie's first full day with us in Island Park. We had a full day full of fun. First we went to Johnny Sack's Cabin, then floated from Mack's Inn to the campground. Then finished the day with S'more making. I'm not sure we could get Bonnie to float down the river again after we found that disgusting leech sucking my ankle!

Payge found a new friend this weekend aren't they so cute. They never left each others side.

Another fun picture of "buds" Eric and Jeremy walking down the path from Johnny Sacks' cabin.

Fun to be cousins and even more fun to have boys to play with! Thanks Eric and Bonnie for sharing the weekend with us.

The kids spent all morning catching skippy bugs in the river. They had a whole bucket full and then brought them back to camp for us all to see. The bucket tipped over and the skippy bugs all escaped. Some got thrown in the fire, others were saved and taken back to the river.

Maggy eating her first S'more.

Payge and Baylee enjoying a S'more before bedtime.

Grandpa Gordon had never had a S'more before. What a shame for a guy who camps as much as him. He said the he hadn't been missing out on much all these years. Crazy man.

Coffee Pot-- Day One

Happy campers that's what we are! After 6 months of planning and antcipation, vacation week is finally here! Over the years we have gotten everything to make this camping trip perfect! Coffee Pot is our annual vacation spot. Taby 2 1/2 months old

It doesn't take very long for the kids to find the river and all the fun things that go with it!

Good Ole 24th of July

Old traditions are the best, and the twenty-fourth of July is one of those traditions that as a kid and teenager was the highlight of the summer. As a kid the 24th of July actually started on the 23rd with the town dutch oven dinner and melodrama. Both Raini and I were part of the melodrama plays for 2 or 3 years. What fun memories. Then we would wake up the next morning and go to the Lion's Club Breakfast. Of course it was fun to see the town of Bancroft quadruple over night. It was always fun looking out for friends that had moved away or we hadn't seen all summer while we waited for the parade to start. After the parade came the foot races in the park, the DUP program, then the good old Bancroft Rodeo. Not to mention the youth dance that night. Many good memories... As I grow-up it is still fun to relive those good childhood memories, and share them with my family now. We don't take the kids to the breakfast (Grandpa makes the best breakfast around), DUP program(boring anyway), foot races, or famous rodeo. I hope my kids will have different fond memories of going to Grandma and Grandpa's for the 24th of July, of the parade two-way parade and the absurd amount of candy thrown. Thank Heavens for small town traditions.
The girls anxiously awaiting another shovel full of candy. Maggy waving trying to use her charm to get more candy one could ever imagine. Did I say the amount of candy they got was totally absurd!

Splish Splashing in the Backyard

This summer has been so full of fun that wow it's almost over! This is a example of a fun afternoon of play at home with Ryver and the Girls. Notice Payge and Maggy's posing as Movie Stars, and Ryver telling the world that he's the man. Yes, Ryver you are the little man at my house.
What fun sliding down into the freezing cold water. What it would be like to be a kids again.

Every time Ryver would go down the slide he would jump up and say, "Na Na (dawn), Yay, Yay, (clapping his hands). I would then have to say: "Yay, Ryver, Yay." Then he would hold up his crooked pointer finger and say, "one more?" I would then have to reply: "Yes, Ryver, one more time." This went on for a very long time. What a fun Maggy and Ryver have together. . . usually.

Craters of the Moon Favorites

Taby's favorite thing about Craters of the Moon was. . . going home where she could sleep and it was a little cooler. She also loved being carried around by mom.
Maggy's favorite things was the flushing toilets. She has a deep fear of vaulted porta potties! She also liked when the volcanoes went "Boom!-- but danged-it mom we missed the show."

Payge liked exploring the cave and being Ranger Tiffany's helper at the Jr. Ranger program.

Baylee also liked exploring the caves, and was totally into the "science" of it all. She's our technical little girl and loves to use her vocabulary.
Baylee-- "Mom I need some hydration."
Mom--"How about a drink Baylee."