Wordless Wednesday

Throwback from last summer. Wish we could go "home" this summer, but all our budget is being saved for Hawaii. 

Summer!

Linking up with Mama Kat again this week for writer's workshop. Click the box at the bottom of this post if you want to know more. 

The first prompt I chose this week is: Share a summer sunset!

I haven't taken any sunset pictures this summer, so this is one from our drive to Oregon last June. 

Since that didn't involve much writing (or thinking) I am picking one more: List 8 things you miss about summer when you were a child.

1. I miss going to summer camp. I spent many years going to Camp Kuratli at Trestle Glen, a camp for The Salvation Army. This is a picture of me from who knows when:

I'm the girl in the middle, looking at the camera in my blue and white dress... oh the bangs! 

2. I miss working at summer camp. I worked at the same camp for two summers. This is a picture from my first year. 

Enjoying some brownies before dinner <3 

3. I miss being able to play in the river. These are pics of my girls playing in the river on the edge of my home town (Summer 2010) 

Alivia

Natalie 

McKayla 

4. I miss eating popsicles all day long 

5. I miss going to the Oregon coast, multiple times each summer 

6. I miss swinging 

5-16-12 Alivia 

7. I miss when a kiddie pool was all I needed to have hours of fun 

8. I miss when I could collect rocks with NO reason, just because I thought they were cool or pretty. 

What do you miss from your childhood summers?

This post inspired by: 

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

MK Nature Center - Saturday, May 28

 

Wordless Wednesday

Photo credit to Stephen - January 31, 2022 - Near Jefferson, Oregon

 

What I love about Winter

Linking up again this week with Mama Kat for writer's workshop. If nothing else, it keeps me writing and helps the memories flow. Check out more info by clicking the box at the end of this post. 

This week the first prompt I choose is:  List 8 things you love about winter. Those of you who know me, know that winter is my least favorite season. Seriously. I love the warm too much to enjoy the cold wet dark season. However, I am going dig deep and think positive and List 8 things you love about winter

1. I love watching the snow fall outside my window. It is just so pretty to watch! 
   
   
2. I love the way the naked trees look with a layer of snow on them. 
   

   

   December 14, 2021 - St Luke's Plaza 4th floor, Boise, Idaho
   
   

3. I love a nice warm beverage when I get home from being out in the weather. 
   
   
4. I love the Christmas holiday and seeing all the outdoor décor that accompanies it.
   
   
5. I love being able to snuggle under a blanket and watch TV with my family (just doesn't feel the same when it isn't winter)
   
   
6. I love the frost that I can inspect on my windows or the leaves or the grass. It is so sparkly and pretty. Nothing can compare to the glitter of a frosty morning. 
   
   
7. I love how the coats of animals change and they get fluffier! 
   
   
8. I love watching the kiddos and the dogs play in the snow. From inside. I don't like being IN the snow. :P 

This post inspired by:

Wordless Wednesday

 

The dog park was so beautiful on Saturday...

Wordless Wednesday

View from the top of Lucky Peak dam on Monday. Little smoky but still a beautiful view.

Oregon Vacation: Part 2

 Our Oregon trip part 2: 

Thursday, July 22

The girls and Tabi's kiddos. Natalie with Silas in her lap, Alivia, Aeri and McKayla. 

Thursday, July 22

Just Aeri and Silas in the tent. 

The moon on Thursday night was incredible! Pictures don't do it justice, but I still like them! 

Thursday, July 22

Thursday, July 22

Friday was our beach day. We didn't get to go last trip, so this one we had to go. We went to Ona Beach, just outside of Newport. It is one I have gone to since I was a kid. 

Friday, July 23

 

Friday, July 23

From left: Alivia, McKayla, Colleen (my sister)

Friday, July 23

Our doggies LOVED the beach. I was quite surprised that Lola went in the water! At one point, Maverick was in clear up to his chest but not further. 

Friday, July 23

Lola got all windblown and her fur took on a "beach waves" look. I wish I could have captured it on camera, but this is all I got. 

Saturday evening we headed over to Analise's house. As is tradition over there, we took family pictures. I had to share all of them because it feels like they show our personality. 

Saturday, July 24

Saturday, July 24

Saturday, July 24    

Saturday, July 24

From left: Roselyn, Callin, Alivia, Natalie, McKayla and Ava (my friend Kendra's oldest) 

Saturday, July 24

Roselyn and Callin were just cracking me up. Aside from the fact that I could NOT get a smile out of her. 

Saturday, July 24

Saturday, July 24

My girls and their 8 year old cousin! 

Saturday, July 24

Oregon Vacation: Part 1

Saturday, July 17

Natalie still loves taking the selfies with my phone - sometimes they include the dogs!

Saturday, July 17

My bff's youngest. Another pic. Shared the first one here.

Sunday, July 18

The first kitty on our vacation edition of "Tour of Cats." We came to see her newest addition, Munchkin, but she was feeling under the weather. This is Nutmeg who graced us with her presence. Usually she's hiding from company. 

This is a picture I "stole" (asked if I could use) of Munchkin. Feeling much better now. We briefly saw her during our visit. 

Wednesday, July 21

The usual view I had of Natalie and McKayla. Alivia spent all her time with Roselyn, my brother's 8 year old daughter. 

Thursday, July 22

McKayla seems to be the cat whisperer. She's always loving on them! This is Smokey, our friend Tabi's "barn cat" (just means he is an outdoor cat who is responsible for keeping the mouse population down around her property)

Thursday, July 22

Natalie not amused with mom taking pictures of her. I think this one just shows how freaking long her legs have gotten! 

Thursday, July 22

And Smokey just being a cat. He was so freaking friendly! 

Saturday, July 24

My father in law's cat Kit. Not so friendly (she's an only child with a single dad :P) but super playful

Saturday, July 24

She has two kinks in her tail which makes it look almost curly lol. 

Saturday, July 24

Stephen took us by this cool totem on our way home from his dad's place. I had to stop and snap a picture. 

Going to stop there for now. Will add more pictures (and stories) later this week (maybe next) 
 

Weekend Fun!

This weekend was one of firsts for me. Let me tell you a bit about what we did this weekend.

Adventure Yesterday (August 12)

Video from the "Float the Boise River facebook page.

Let me tell you a bit about the river float. Stephen and I went with my friend Morgan, her husband and another couple. We started out all separate but soon found a rope to connect us. Tip for next time: not so much slack between people. The first bit of excitement was at this point:

another from the Float the Boise River fb page

The first dip in the river sent Stephen off his float. He was tied to the cooler which made it difficult for him, especially since it was our first time. Morgan's husband was able to stop and help him right himself and the cooler. Only lost his hat (which he wasn't happy about, but we just bought it for six bucks, so I am not complaining!)

Other then that, there weren't any major mishaps. We ended up close to the banks (both sides) several times. This is one of the problems we found with being tied so loosely. If one of us floated off a direction, the rest would follow. It made it really difficult to keep on track in the middle-ish of the river.

Overall this was a wonderful afternoon. It was warm enough outside that the cold water felt pretty good. I can't say for being completely submerged though, only Stephen "got" to do that. We all made it to the end of the float in about two hours. None with injuries and only missing one hat. I call that a pretty successful first time.

Big thank you to Morgan and Matt for the invite. We had a blast! If you are ever in the Boise area in the summer time, check out this fun opportunity.

Today's Adventure  

We got to paddle boat today. After my migraine passed this morning, I was able to get out this afternoon. We went for a walk and as we were leaving, Stephen pointed out the paddle boats. He mentioned that would be fun. We both decided it would be a great chance to check prices and see if we could even go with Odin along with us. 

At only 10 bucks for a half hour, we paid the price and got our boat. 

These ducks were all sitting on the log, I thought it was funny. There is one "duck" that is actually two baby ones. SO CUTE! 

Let me tell you, paddle boating is a lot harder then it looks. 

Not sure if it is because of the type of paddle boat, or maybe the fact that Odin was with us or that I was wearing flats (not appropriate footwear for pedaling). 

But we really did have fun doing it. The temperature today was perfect for being out on the water. There were other people around to wave at and they all loved that we had Odin sitting with us. 

I had a blast taking pictures of the fun ducks. We only almost hit one. They must be used to it, they moved out of the way most of the time.