4th Festivities

As the kids get older, holidays just get better. We had such a great time celebrating Independence Day this year. We even bought our own fireworks (to me, that feels like a new level of parenthood...weird)! We started the day off at our annual tri-ward pancake breakfast and bike parade. We got the bikes all decorated and had a great time. Before going to bed, both Carson and Cade said that it was their favorite part of the day. Their bikes are their whole world right now so it didn't surprise me. Notice that they are both on big boy bikes. Carson finally decided to pedal...his eyes have been opened! :)

Carson lost a balloon mid-morning.

Then we headed downtown to the parade...a first for us. It was much better than I thought it would be and the boys were so into it. I just sat and got all sweaty. Holy hot!

We sat right in front of the Capitol Buiding...so fitting.

Stephanie's family joined us...

The bagpipes were my favorite part of the parade. They were so awesome!!!

It was so cute to see the kids with their little flags. From start to finish, I don't Cade ever stopped waving it.

And Carson made sure he waved his hand to everyone. They've got this parade thing down!!!

After the parade, we all took naps. The boys played in the backyard for over 3 hours in their pool and sprinklers and asked every 10 minutes if it was dark yet. They knew what was coming!

Steph's amazing cookies. This is a talent I absolutely do not have!!! They were delicious.

We ended the night with fireworks. We set off our own and also watched the show put on by the city. I'm so grateful for freedom. We are so fortunate to know no other way. Our blessings are bounteous. God bless the U.S.A.

Living the Life!

The boys had a little get away without me and got to spend a couple of days with my parents in Twin...their favorite place. Grandpa took them on lawn mower rides, they rode bikes, ran through the sprinklers, visited Shoshone Falls, ate at Cafe Rio, played with cousin Chandler, and went to Art in the Park. What more could you want?! Here is a little piece of their Heaven.

Nerd Alert!

"Look Mom, we're ready to go to the pool!"
You aren't going to lose these two at the pool!
Tonight was the trial run for the new life jackets. They. Were. Awesome! Lots of buoyancy but they could still easily float on both their stomach and back without feeling awkward. They loved them...thought they were cool. And I'm feeling much more at ease knowing that if my Carson-Man takes off running like Dash and jumps in, he won't die. Yep, that's a good feeling.

So, if you see us at the pool, will you be embarrassed to say hi?! :)

On the 1st day of SuMMeR!!!

This is a picture of the picture that Shane got yesterday. It's what our primary did for Father's Day this year. Love it.

The Big Mountain

Just after getting started. We have talked for forever about braving Table Rock with our boys but had yet to do it. We have both hiked it, just not with Cade and Carson. Enough was enough and we set foot on the trail. Table Rock is a well-known hiking spot in Boise. It takes you to the cross that many have seen. The foothills are pretty much in our backyard, so we have no excuse not to get out and enjoy them. This hike is not like Mt. Borah or anything but it is not for the faint of heart. And I'm happy to report that we all made it! The boys took us by surprise. They did awesome! Trucked up that trail like it was nothin'...taking three times as many steps as the adults. It was great. Beautiful weather. Beautiful scenery. We did end up with some scraped knees, hands and elbows but nothing life-threatening. And despite the bumps and owies, they kept going. Such a great life lesson, right?! The boys are still talking about how they climbed the "big, big mountain." So proud of themselves.


Still close to the bottom but well on his way...

We went with this cute family. They had gone once before with their gang and assured us ours could do it. Their kids are angels to mine. They just make me happy.

The kids were so funny, looking for bugs and sticks, rocks and treasures. Sage kept calling herself "the clues girl."

We decided to stop at the rock quarry for a well-deserved treat. We made doughnuts. Shane's little trick. It was awesome and they were delicious...re-fueled everyone before heading back down.

Look where Carson got himself...scary!

Eating the goods.

Sugar lips

Unfortunately, we didn't get a good picture before heading back down. It took us a total of about 3 1/2 hours....give or take. The boys were exhausted and went straight to bed when we got home (perfect!).

We went again the following weekend with our Trek Family. I take for granted where we live...to have so many great things to do outside and so close. It's been great to get out and enjoy it. Good for the soul.

"My Dad is Awesome!"

Shane+Amy+Carson+Cade+PJs+Backyard+Tent+Blankets+Pillows+TV+Movie+Popcorn=

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN!

Kart pictures

One Man's Junk

Shane speaking here - I don't frequently post, but occasionally I have to spread good news and this is as good of a venue as I can get.

If you know me well then you know that I like junk. I love thrift stores, garage sales, junkyards, auctions and Craigslist. I find value in items that others consider worthless. Another love of mine is things that go vrooom. I love cars, bikes and anything mechanical, though I have really owned very few things of that nature. Finally, I love a good project. I'm generally more interested in starting projects than finishing them, but I like a good challenge to research, plan and carryout.

Today the stars aligned and the perfect trifecta occurred.

Today was our neighborhood's annual garage sale day. Dozens of garage sales scattered throughout the subdivision. I found the diamond in the rough. A go-kart. Not just any go-kart (I'll explain later), but even any go-kart is a pretty rare find at a garage sale. The seller and I negotiated a bit (after my third trip to the sale) and I finally ended up with an ugly old go-kart and motor that isn't attached (but suposedly runs).

So there you have it, in one swoop I got a motorized object, a project and a screaming deal all at once. I am beyond excited.

I am not sure where this project will end up. Our boys are too young, I am too old and we simply don't have the space to keep it. I may try to get it running, clean it up and get my money back.

Our family had a go-kart when I was younger and we drove the wheels off the thing. Finding this gem brings back some great memories.

Here are the key specs for any gear heads out there:

It's an older frame that rides very low to the ground. Has two motor mounting plates (i.e. could take two motors). It's two-wheel drive with a drum brake on the rear axle (donuts?). The tires are old slicks almost identical to the final tires on our family go kart. The motor is a 2hp Briggs and Stratton. It looks like it has been set up as direct drive (no clutch) so I am interested to see how that works out.

I've got lots of work to do.

Happy & Sad

These boys definitely try to ham it up to get what they want these days. These pictures with their facial expressions say it all.

This is the face I regularly get from Carson when he wants to show me just how sad he is. Cracks me up. Sometimes he really goes over the top and squints his eyes so that they are almost completely shut. And he loves nothing more than to be validated in his feelings so I be sure to comment on his extreme sadness.

When Cade demonstrates his sadness, he slumps his shoulders over and moups around the house. This is him trying to act it out.

Then he wanted to show me his happy faces.

Sad brothers...

I love you boys to the moon and back!