First Swim in the Pool!

Yesterday we had our first swim in the pool.

 The kids could hardly wait for the finishing touches to be completed.

 They worked long and hard to see the project to completion.

 Now they are enjoying the fruits of their labor.

And it feels real good in this heat!

Donuts

All four of the kids finished the school year with straight A's.  I don't know how we ended up with so many smarty pants.  We went to Krispy Kremes with the report cards and came home with 24 free donuts.  If you didn't know - Krispy Kremes gives away a free donut for every A on your report card!  A very sweet reward!  

"School is Out" Road Trip Part 2

 Our second night of the road trip we stayed in Fort Bragg, CA.  

 We had a great time exploring the beach and climbing on the rocks there.

 There were so many cool plants that we don't get to see on Oregon or Washington beaches.

 We found some crabs in the tide pools, which made Bowen very excited.

 Then it was time to head down the road.  Our third and final night was spent in Reno, NV.

We didn't do much in Nevada other than stay at a hotel.  Then next morning we headed home to Idaho.  It was a fun trip and we got to see lots of new places.   The kids want to go to the Grand Canyon.  Maybe that will be our next road trip . . .

Our "School is Out!" Road Trip

To celebrate the end of the school year we took a 4 state road trip in 4 days.  Starting in Idaho we headed west into Oregon.  We stayed at a lodge in Ashland, OR the first night.  Here is Bowen standing with the goats at the lodge.  They also had baby bunnies!

 The next day we made it into California.  This was all the kids' first time to CA.

 The main destination on our trip was the Redwoods.

 Everything is big in Redwood country.

 Paul Bunyan is big.

 And so are the trees.

 We all had fun exploring the forest and reading facts about the huge trees.  We even got to drive through one.  Our car barely fit.

 I can appreciate God's handiwork in many landscapes and places on earth, but the Redwoods are especially spectacular at showcasing God's awesome power.  Those are some mighty big trees!

It's Snowing!

We had our first snow fall today.

And it's still coming down out there.

Bowen will have to go back out and shovel the porch again.

Alaina's Happy Birthday

 Did you realize my little Alaina is now 12?  We celebrated with her a couple of ways this year.  Frozen yogurt with Grandma and Grandpa, some homemade caramel apples later, and yummy chocolate earthquake cake and 12 candles the next day.  Delicious.

Here she is with some of her loot.  Happy Birthday Alaina!  

We love you.

Hayride, Pumpkin Craving and Costume Catch-up

 Playing catch-up with some October pictures!  

 We had a local youth group over to our house for a hayride a couple days before Halloween.

It was chilly that night and we followed it up with a roaring fire in our newly finished fire pit.  And hot dogs.  And s'mores, of course.

We had fun carving pumpkins at the last minute.  The girls worked a long time on their detailed carvings.

We had many activities on Halloween night - a barn party,

some trick-or-treating,

 and some visiting of family.

 Fun times!