ATV and Camping

For the past several years we have gone on a camping trip for Tucker's birthday....This was the first time Payton was able to go. She is a very good camper.

4-wheeling is a dirty job but someone has to do it.

Emily

Tucker---Happy 6th Birthday

We went on a Hike, Tucker rolled his eyes when I talked about the hike, he says grandma it was just a walk, but.....it's my story and I'm sticking to it.

This is Susan, she has her foot in the cold, cold water, why? Well she went on a ATV ride and she thought the ATV was headed over the embankment, so she bailed. The ATV rolled to a stop, on the road, and so did Susan. My helmet lost a visor and Susan has road rash, and bruises. Thankfully she is okay.

Mark caught several fish in Crooked River, but he threw them back.

The Cousins, had a lot of fun.

The last day Susan got back on the ATV, she drove a lot slower this time.

Mike's parents usually come camping with us, but they couldn't make it this year. And John and Nicole thought it might be a bit hard camping with a newborn, maybe next year.

Weekend Fun

Gary's brother came to drop off airplane parts and to pick up more work (he restores warbirds too). So after spending all day of Friday, unloading finished parts and loading up the parts and supplies to make new/restored parts for a P51 they decided to spend Saturday in the mountains of Idaho riding ATV's

We road 35 miles to the Graham airstrip. Not much to look at.... but that's why Mission Aviation Fellowship trains their pilots on Idaho's back country airstrips.

I think that riding through the streams is the best part of the ride..... I let Bryan ride my ATV, which meant that I rode behind Gary. I didn't remember how much I got bounced and bumped around. I'm still sore.

Sunday, the power was out for several hours, Gary was happy, he was able to get out the generator and make coffee and breakfast. He loves to use his equipment.

More Easter Bunnie babies-And a Volcano

Emily and Tucker came over after the Church Easter party, Yesterday---I needed the Bunnie ear pictures and I wanted to give them their Easter baskets.

Hadley came over today, for her picture and a trip to Jordon Craters

This is looking into Coffeepot Crater--See Gary the white spot in the middle. A few years ago we took my nephew Justin to Jordon Craters. He told his mom about the big hole, a really big hole.....but not as big as God. He's right!

This is another crater, it's not nearly as big but still scary.

Lava tubes, or as Hadley calls them "Castles"

My great nephews, Patrick and AJ and Gary. AJ (the little guy sitting) said that today was the best day ever, that was before running down the side of the big crater and doing a face plant. But even after getting scraped up, he would like to live at Jordon Craters in tents.

Here's Gary training his Militia....Wait maybe someone from Idaho shouldn't joke about the militia.

this is a view of the south side of Coffeepot Crater, and where AJ did his face plant. He started running down the side and before anyone had time to tell him to slow down, he hit the flat area and just went over. He was brave and shook it off and had a wonderful time.

I would like to say how thankful I am that they got the Ship's Captain back from the Pirates----

GO NAVY--

I hope you had a wonderful and blessed Easter.

Gems

I noticed on my site meter that a couple of people found my blog by searching for Jewels and gems. I'm sure, I'm not what they had in mind. However I do enjoy looking for rocks. I wish I could say jewels but I really haven't had that kind of luck, well except for the time Gary gave me my diamond engagement ring while we were out for a drive and picnic. Idaho is the "GEM" state so that helps in my rock/gem hunting. Also I have a husband that doesn't mind stopping and letting me poke around in the hills. I have the most fun sharing my love of stones/rocks/ gems, with the little kids. It is so much fun watching them fill their pockets. And when they give me one of their special rocks, I keep it. The most prized and precious gems are my family.

Some very sad news!

When Gary's daughter and family came to visit from California we took them out to the desert to target shoot. Something they never get to do in CA

Gary just told me his gun safe is full-----I told him to have a yard sale.

Susie's Babies

Today I received an e-mail warning parents about a book that Oprah is pushing and Dr. James Dobson warned against. The book is "Conversations With God" by the title it seems just like a book I would have bought for my kids. But from everything I've read, it seems the writer and I believe in a different God. Which should remind us how important it is to read the books, or least know what they are about before giving them to your children.

This brought back memories of the time that I didn't follow my own advice. I love to read and I wanted my kids to love to read, so I bought books when ever I could. One time I was buying books at the Christian book store and I picked up a book for Susan aka Susie-- The book was Susie's Babies and it had a picture of cute little hamsters on the cover. I found out later that this is a great book to read to children who are asking a lot of questions about where babies come from. My daughter used the book to share the facts of life with her sister and her younger cousin and.....who knows how many others.

Life is Great

I caught a cold
I missed the family Jan. Feb birthday party yesterday
my granddaughter, my daughter, my niece and my sister's birthdays were celebrated and I stayed home, I sure didn't want anyone else to get sick and besides I felt awful.
but hey, the sun is shining......(insert singing and dancing). I sat in the pickup today during my lunch hour and afternoon break and absorbed the sunshine. I'm already feeling better.

Christmas--At Last

A Christmas Card from Gary's daughter Bonnie:
Jon, Bonnie, Lance, Hayley, Caroline, Brett and Matthew

And a Card from his Daughter Brenda:
Brenda, Gary, Michelle, and Chris


Today we had our Christmas with my kids and their families. We waited until the new mommy, daddy and baby could join us.

Santa Gary

Emily and Payton

My daughter Amy and the grandbabies.

Payton was the center of attention today.

Sledding Simplot Hill

The founder of the company I work for -JR Simpot built his home on a hill over looking Boise. JR flew a huge American flag, it was so big that when the wind blew, the snap was so loud it woke the neighbors, or kept them awake, or at least it bugged them--I heard about it on the news. Anyway a few years ago the Simplots donated their home to the State to be used as the Governor's Mansion. For some weird reason people have always been welcome to use this property for snow sledding in the winter and Ice blocking in the summer. The kids had a wonderful time, with the exception of Emily, she had fun until they hit a bump and she went under the sled. They should have had helmets. The one draw back to the sledding area is the road. So we adults, stood at the bottom to stop any sled that got too close.

I wonder if she will end up with a black eye?

Before the crash!

The race is on.

I enjoyed watching my grandkids, my nephew and my great nephews having a blast.

What A Wonderful Christmas!

We have been blessed this Christmas, with a new grandbaby. What could be a better present?

Erin, my niece thinks getting engaged is a pretty good present. Welcome to the family Andy.

John, Nicole and Hadley think that finding out they are having another baby is a great present, and so do I. Their baby is due the end of July.

My mom and Dad---John and Thelma---They started all this!

Susan and Mark and Payton. They didn't make it to the big family dinner- The Doctors told them to keep the baby away people, especially little kids that might have a cold or flu. Gary and I went over to their house this morning for breakfast.

Amy and Mike, Emily and Tucker--We haven't had Christmas with Gary and me and all my kids, we wanted to wait until Susan and Mark and the baby could join us---Not sure when that will be.

my nephew Sean and his nephew AJ.

My niece Carrie and her sons Patrick and AJ.

My sister Cheryl and her husband Tony.

My brother Rick and his daughter Courtney.

My brother David and his sons, Garron and Justin.

We had a great day, great food, gift exchange , and games. Tomorrow some of us are going sledding. Not me, I'm taking pictures. This is the only time I will hope for snow.

Christmas Eve

Gary and I are spending a quiet evening at home tonight. I had to work today until 1:00, but since Gary already had plans, and the pickup I stayed at work until 2:00. But I spent the time with my feet up resting. When I got home I made a popcorn cake, and I need to make one more plate of goodies and Cranberry salsa for tomorrow. Tomorrow morning we are going to Susan and Mark's for breakfast, truthfully I'm going to see the baby:) then we will go to my mom and dads house for dinner. The whole family will be there, well except for the brand new baby, and her parents. Have a Merry Christmas.

Happy Birthday John and Carrie

John and Carrie's first Christmas

2nd Birthday---I think

One of their Graduation pictures

Guess what my sister and I were doing 29 years ago today. My poor parents, both of their daughters in labor at the same time, I was at the Caldwell Hospital and my sister at the Hospital in the next town. John was born 1:37 am and Carrie 6 1/2 hours later. Sunday at their birthday party Carrie called John "Her twin brother by another mother"