in the same boat

We have been together for 5 whole years. They have been years filled with change, but I sure am glad we made it through together. The good news is that we still want to be in the same boat, which is what we bought to celebrate. We are the owners of a wilderness systems tandem kayak, complete with an extra seat for Rhone and a rudder to handle the bay. We got it on sale and with no sales tax-gotta love DE. We celebrated by "picking crab" with our friends, making 2 of Ben's favorite meals, eating red, black and white m&m's, and paddling our kayak. Ben surprised me with an over night trip to NYC and a Broadway show. I have my parents lined up to watch Rhone for a few days so we can take a get-a-way out west too. I am excited for my 1st night off in over a year and a half. Personally I think I deserve one :)

Here are my then and now shots. I put my dress on for a picture for Ben's card. This one with Rhone turned out cute. It said, "5 years, 5 states, 2 degrees, 1 dog, 1 baby and the dress still fits. It was meant to be."

Before the work began. Good thing we had some experts to show us how to find the meat. Their anniversary is the day after ours, so it was fun to go together.

2 dozen crabs later, we were all stuffed.

The camera battery died, so I had to get a picture of all 3 of us when we got home.

Of course we put our little guy to work. He got even and REALLY soaked Ben with the hose. It was pretty funny.

Cutting our cake together, it was pretty funny, but still sweet.

The funnest part about playing wedding dress up is that my mom's dress fits her too! That's after almost 30 years together. I think that Rocks. I hope I am that blessed.

3 busy days

I feel like we are always busy. We are busy traveling, with company, work and cramming as much fun as we can into the little family time that we get. Unfortunately things are about the get busier. Ben starts grad school this fall at the University of Oklahoma (blah) and I have new church responsibilities (young womens president, yikes), so things aren't slowing down any time soon.

The day after Ben got home from Spain we headed out on a little camping trip. Then we spent the next day at the beach. After that was the first Saturday in August, which is the Wyoming Peach Festival. This festival marks our 1st complete year in DE.

At our campsite. It was pretty toasty that night, so we stayed away from the fire unless we were cooking.

Rhone's favorite thing about this camping trip was the air mattress (we were car camping in luxury). This kick gave Ben a fat lip.

Look at how much air this little guy gets.

Our delicious dessert- chocolate orange cake baked right in the fire. Oranges are amazing insulators.

Rhone rolled right out of his sleeping bag and unto the tent floor. He slept through the whole night without making a peep. What a great camper. (He's not wearing PJ's because it was HOT)

Cooking breakfast over the coals.

We ran home dropped off the camping gear and loaded up the beach gear. Rhone and Ben braving the waves.

What a cute little beach boy.

Rhone at the Peach fest. This year we made it in time for the parade. Rhone gets his picture taken here every year. See last years pictures here.

Ummmm free peach icecream is so good.

at home

We are pretty much "at home" any place you can imagine in Idaho. There is no other place on this earth where I feel so much peace and so blessed. I love being with my family in my home. We were a busy crew while we were there. Here is one last marathon of pictures to wrap up our trip.

Nana was so thoughtful to buy Rhone some fireworks and save them until we were home (remember NO fireworks in DE). This is Rhone with his first sparkler ever.

Rhone wasn't so nervous the next time we pulled out the sparklers. However Grandma Rose looks a little nervous :)

Safe on Nana's lap watching the rest of the fireworks show.

Rhone's 1st oreo dunking experience. He's had oreos before, but never dunked. Papa was happy to teach him the ropes. There really is an oreo somewhere in that glass.

Ummm good

There was a pioneer day parade in a teeny-tiny neighboring town. Rhone got plenty of candy and the clown made this cool sword for him.

This little guy LOVES riding the 4-wheeler.

He's usually up for a little bare back riding too. Thanks to Ed for the ride!

Rhone slurping up his 1st rootbeer float. Made with tasty Sioux City Rootbeer.

The big top, came to our little town. It was quite the traveling circus. They had a lion, 2 tigers, and a trapeez and all sorts of interesting acts.

Rhone with Nana and Papa

He didn't even take his eyes off the show to eat his snow cone. I am so glad that we too him.

at home with water

We swam, swam, swam while we were home. It was fun to introduce Olin to the pool. He and Rhone really had a great time in there together. Oli would crawl around after Rhone and giggle like crazy when Rhone splashed. Rhone and I were also able to meet up with Ben's sister in law and her son for some swimming in Poky. It was fun to get to catch up with them too. Rhone spent plenty of time helping move the irrigation water too. The newest "water" experience for Rhone was catching his first fish.

Rhone and Olin cooling off Rhone working the water valve at the aquatic park Jake and Rhone sharing a high 5 after they traded glasses


Playing in the irrigation sprinklers
It was so much fun to see Rhone's excited and scared face as he pulled the trout out of the water. We were hoping that some of the older kids would catch fish first, so Rhone could see them excited about the experience, but he landed 2 trout before anyone else caught one. Rhone's first fish. He didn't want to touch it. Landing a big one with Papa's help Showing off his catch

Just for fun, here's a picture of me camping around the same age as Rhone. I think we look alike, do you?

There are still plenty of Idaho pictures to come. Hopefully I'll be caught up soon!

at home in the mountains

One of the things we miss the most about home are the mountains. Just a few minutes drive and you are treated to the sweet smell of fresh air, views as far as you can imagine, aspen leaves dancing in the sun, cooler temperatures, and the peace of nature. I want to go back just writing about it. We took 3 "big" trips to the mountains. We took a picnic lunch up to a little stream where we ate and played. We took a rather long 4-wheeler ride up to Oxford Peak. And most important we went camping!

Camping

It worked out that we could only spend 1 night camping with Brock. It was still enough to get dirty, stinky, and see some amazing sights. Rhone was instantly entertained by pretending to hammer in the tent stakes with rocks, watching for wildlife and throwing sticks and pine cones into the fire.

Roasting our hot dog over the fireA little stroll with Brock


Sitting by the fire with Papa Gotta love a dirty face Idaho sunset Getting ready for bed. I love the boots, PJ's, and "Ace" what a fun mix.

The long trek to Oxford

We didn't actually make it clear to the peak. We had been on the trail a while and it was getting a little too techincal to have Rhone along. So we skipped the last bit and the hike across the ridge to the top. My traffic driving skills have improved on the east coast, but unfortunately my 4-wheeling skills haven't. I lost my momentum going up a rocky hill and had to do the walk of shame to the top, while my oh so kind brother rode the 4-wheeler up. It was still absolutely beautiful. Rhone was smiles the whole way even though he was restrained in the backpack the whole time.

On the trail. The ridge in the middle is the peak. You can see clear into the Cache Valley from up there. If you look closely you can see the trail up ahead.

Safely tucked away on Papa's back

Aren't those farm fields a LONG way down?

The view from part way down the trail

The family shot for the trip

There was some serious dust on the trail. Check out my uni-brow.

Still all smiles after the ride. He was waving bye bye like he was ready to go again.

Picnic Trip

This beautiful little canyon is only a few miles from my parents house. I absolutely love that in a matter of minutes we can be in such a beautiful place. Rhone loved throwing rocks in the stream, snacking on fresh peas, and spotting cows and wildlife. It was one delightful lunch.

Rhone and his Pop pop.
Watch out for that rock, it's coming right at ya!