The Mountains Are Calling...

Camping - Take 2...

So, we hit our second camping weekend. It was fun going somewhere new. We had been to Lake Cascade several times, but never camped there.

It's pretty tough to beat the scenery...

 

And the sunsets definitely don't suck...

And just because we like to camp, it doesn't mean we are savages. This little gem is one of my favorites as far as "camping gear" goes....

The weather was gorgeous. We took a bike ride Saturday that had us all tired and probably pretty smelly. No showers = stinky Tverdys.  We decided to wait to go to Church until we got home Sunday evening. You're welcome to anyone who would have been in our immediate vicinity.

Macie had a great time running around like crazy. She was pretty tired by Sunday...

Peyton was scheduled to get her wisdom teeth out Monday so since she will have to be popcorn free for several weeks, Mark bought her some Jiffy pop. Remember this stuff? Way more fun to watch cook than it is to eat...

We roasted a few marshmallows...

But mostly just hung out with each other. So glad the girls are still willing to hang out with us...most of the time anyway.

Not sure when or where our next camping adventure will be.  Peyton only has one free weekend this summer since she's starting her job. Maybe this will be the year I'm willing to leave her home alone? Maybe...

Humble Pie

Last week, I posted the following image on Facebook:

And then, a few days later I read about the gorilla that had to be put down because a young boy fell into the zoo enclosure.

We were driving to visit Marks parents and we had quite a discussion on the irresponsible parents who would let that happen to their child.

I am embarrassed to admit that it took me over 24 hours to realize what an a-hole I am.

I read one comment that by 4 a child should have been taught about rules and that they are more than capable of following those rules. Truth.

HOWEVER...

4 year olds are not known for their excellent decision making skills. They are also known rule breakers. They are fast, and wily and completely predictable in the the sense that they are TOTALLY unpredictable.

If you have kids, think back...have you ever turned your back for 2 LITERAL seconds, only to turn back around and have your child nowhere in sight? 

Peyton fell off a picnic table bench when she was 15 months. It was probably 2 feet off the ground. I was sitting right there. She didn't cry, nor act like anything was wrong. Her arm was broken.

Another instance...Sydney was probably 3. The girls were up at zero dark thirty, Mark was out of town. I went into the restroom and I heard "Three little monkeys jumping on the ---" and then a thump and a short cry. And then, the silence...which if you are a parent, you KNOW is that 2 seconds before the real cry. I didn't even have time to say "No jumping on the bed!" before she crashed. ER visit, nursemaids elbow.

Or the time Peyton was riding her new bike...in a parking lot with the only vehicle being Mark's parked pickup. She went right for it. The only obstacle in the entire parking lot and she hit it before we could stop her.

Those are but a few of the many times that my kids got hurt with me right there. We won't even talk about the times that I wasn't.

Things can happen in the time it takes you to look at a text, tie your shoe, tend to a sibling, get your camera to take a photo of your amazing kid. 

None of us can say for sure that this, or something equally as awful couldn't have happened to us. Accidents happen. Most parents are doing the best they can.

This situation is terrible for everyone involved. Do we really have to make it worse by pretending that we are above such an occurrence?

I did that. And I'm sorry.

Like campfires and marshmallows, we're just better together...

This past weekend we headed to Bruneau Sand Dunes. If you've never camped here, know you better go early in the season. It tends to get super hot and mosquito-y later.

We left Friday night and rolled in just in time to set up camp and play some Yahtzee before bed. We are wild y'all.

Saturday, it was pretty cold and windy when we woke up. We decided to have breakfast inside the trailer. Solid choice. After breakfast, we figured if we were going to hike the dunes, we had better get to it!

About 15 minutes in, the sun came out. It was gorgeous! Unfortunately, we also found the mosquitos. Poor Peyton gets it the worst. We have decided it's because she squeals and flails around so her adrenaline is an attraction for them.

Macie and Sydney had boundless energy. I think I hate them a little.

Just as we rolled back into our campsite, the heavens opened up and it rained and hailed for a few hours. Perfect time for a nap! I love naps.

One must always dress appropriately for the occasion...

The rain stopped about the time we were getting hungry for dinner. I was able to cook outside which makes me happy. Mark and the girls went to the Observatory Saturday night. I stayed behind and read and went to sleep early. Macie did the same. Minus the reading...

It was the perfect combination of activity and rest. Just what I look for in a camping weekend!

Five Years ago...

Today, this popped up on my Facebook Flashback.

It's hard to believe this was our kitchen at that time!

I hadn't started back to work yet, so had a lot of free time. I remember I was having a bad day. I took this shot to send to Mark to let him know I got my agression out. :-) I tore out all the old drywall in one afternoon. I'm not sure I'm that tough anymore.

Shortly after sending that pic, I found the roof leak that the inspector had missed. So, that was awesome.

5 years ago was also when I created my first blog. It was about the remodel. You can see it here if you're interested. I remember really enjoying the remodel project. It seemed like such a bonding time for the four of us. It was crazy, and chaotic, but we sure spent a lot of time together. Ha!

Looking back at photos, it hits me that it was a huge undertaking. And a much bigger risk that either of us was comfortable with. Which is funny now, but we are pretty cautious.

And, I really, really love our home. We lived in our previous house for 10 years, and it never felt as much like home as this one. Maybe because we tended to every square inch of the current one?

Anyway, enough nostalgia for today. I'd hate for you to think I was a big sentimental softie.

Well, she was just 17, you know what I mean...

And the way she looked was way beyond compare. You know that Beatles song, right? Please tell me I'm not horribly old!

I mean I do feel horribly old as my first baby turns 17 today! Last year on her birthday, I wrote this post and it's all still true.

My new favorite thing going in to her 17th year is that we are 99% sure she will be gainfully employed this summer! No more free-loader! Just kidding, she will totally still mooch off of us for a long while. Sigh.

This is part of her gift:

And yes, those might be lottery tickets. Shhh...

Her other gift is getting her car detailed. I mean, what teenager doesn't dream of car detailing as a gift? Actually, she's pretty excited. Her third gift didn't ship in time. I'm awesome like that. She is celebrating with friends tonight by having a bonfire in our back yard. Unless it's super windy...then I will shove a bunch of money at them and send them to a movie or something. Not that I'm praying for wind or anything. ;-)  Just kidding, these friends of hers are amazing.

So, here is what 17 looks like at our house...

Pretty exciting, huh? I'm sure that melted wax in the sausage patty was delicious!

17...get it? This definitely earned me an eye roll.

Happy 17, Peyton Grace!

Sigh...

Impulsive? Depends on who you ask...

Am I impulsive?

Nah, I'm just a good, quick decision maker. Really. You should totally ask my husband. Lololol.

If my children have any impulsivity control, I'm afraid I know exactly which parent that comes from.

We have very different decision making styles at our house. Mark thinks about things from all angles. Me? Noooot exactly my jam. This was first very evident to Mark about 5 months after we got married. I decided it was time for us to have a baby. Guess who celebrated their 6 month anniversary expecting a little bundle of joy? Good thing we were serious!

Mark often laments that hopefully I don't view husbands like I view vehicles. First sign of trouble, I decide we should start "thinking about" looking for a new car. I always swear I won't come home with something new. I do mean it when I say it. Really!

Thankfully, I DO NOT consider trading him in at the first sign of trouble. I mean even if I were to consider it, I wouldn't actually do it.

This brings me to the latest thing that I thought we should start "thinking about."

My new couch!

Special thanks to my sister-in-law Julie.  We have an agreement that husbands can be lent for furniture moving pretty much any time.  ;-)  Oh, and also, Chris and Tils should get some credit.  LOL

Our old couch came with us from our last house. It was super comfy, but not all that practical. It was light beige...almost off white. What were we thinking? It also doesn't have arm rests which makes it very difficult for some of our extended family members to get up.

I'm sure Mark knew as soon as I said I was thinking about it, we would have a new couch. I can't help it! I get obsessed with finding the right one. (Whatever the "one du jour" happens to be.) It haunts me...for real!  And that's not to say I'm anything but frugal. Which is probably part of the reason Mark rarely balks at anything. He knows I'm all about getting a good deal!

So, I started looking. And I really was just looking. But then I found what I wanted. It checked all the boxes. So, why not get it?? I'm sure Mark could offer some reasons, but I think he has a headache.

Me, as they were still unpacking and setting up the rest of the pieces.

Clearly, I am the poster child for delayed gratification.

Vegas, Baby!

It's Wednesday evening and I've just woken up from a nap.

Mark and I got home from our Vegas trip around 3 and let me just say that I am officially too old to survive for long on so few hours of sleep!

We spent a lot of time buying this...

Mama needs her coffee!

This is a shot of our new found freedom:

Because everyone needs to see us on the plane, right? LOL

It's funny that I didn't actually take a ton of photos. I'm usually whipping my phone out on the regular, but there are SO MANY PEOPLE on the streets and such. I think I've mentioned before that I'm not a fan of too many people being around me.

So, what did we do while we were there? Well, I gambled...a lot. Mark doesn't love it quite as much as I do, but he played along. We also walked...and walked...and walked.

Check out these stats from our first full day:

We did see a show our last night. I cannot recommend this enough!

So impressive! We kept thinking how much the girls would love it! But, I'm sure they were having a ton more fun without us. Ha!

This show was at our hotel. Which was why we chose to see this version of Cirque de Soleil. Because, lazy. And our hotel was amazing. I'd show you, but no pictures. 

Speaking of the girls, they went to Disneyland with the Bishop Kelly choir. Which was the catalyst for us going to Vegas. Win/win for sure! My friend Jennifer sent this of the girls:

Clearly they miss us.

And clearly, I was eating responsibly on our way home...

Airport Cinnabon? Yes, please!  (Poor Mark had to be my photo assistant)

I will say that our journey home was delightful with all this leg room. So nice for those of us who normally are squished up on airplanes!

And now, it's back to work. I can say that I'm actually happy to be home. And I'm also actually looking forward to the normalcy of life. Exactly what you would hope to achieve with vacation!

Now I just need my chicks to get home...

Smiling's my favorite! - Buddy the Elf

Peyton has declared 3/16/16 the BEST DAY EVER!!!!

After 4 1/2 years (3 years longer than anticipated) the braces are off. Can I get an Amen?

Without retainer

With retainer...that hopefully won't get lost for at least a little while!

This is what she looked like the day they put them on...

She's changed a little I think.

I took the morning off work to go with her...and to document the occasion, of course. Because if THIS isn't blog-worthy, I don't know what is.  :-)

I almost don't know which of us is happier. J/k, it's definitely me...

Happy birthday Nanna and Boppy!

For her birthday, Mark's mom requested we take her to see "The Young Messiah." So,Saturday morning, we loaded up and headed to Buhl for the day. Chris, Julie and Tilson were not far behind us, but apparently Starbucks was much slower than Dutch Bros?

We met in Twin at Sizzler for lunch. His mom LOVES Sizzler and their bread pudding. Here are a couple pics of our motley crew...

Ladies table

As always, my selfie skills are amazing, aren't they?

Mens table

The girls had their own table which suited them just fine.

After lunch, it was off to the movie:

Aunt Bill and Syd checking things out while waiting for the group to show up!

Nanna!

Mark even bought me candy to go with my popcorn. He said I earned it being on restroom duty.

The plan was to go birthday shopping with his dad after the movie. He wanted a new recliner so the boys decided we would all chip in. I'm sure the employees at the furniture store could hardly wait until we left. Hooligans!

Cousins! Big feet or small heads? Probably both...

We did end up finding a chair. We also almost lost the chair out the back of the pick-up because we are idiots. :-) After Church and dinner all us Boise peeps headed home. I'm sure Nanna and Boppy both slept well that night! I know WE were exhausted for sure!