I'm an Idaho Girl

I just love going home to visit. I'm lucky that Mike loves it too. In fact, this trip originally hatched as a visit for just me and the kids for a week so Mom and I could do girly stuff like sew and garden together. But when Mike heard about it, he just couldn't be left behind. We did end up gardening a lot (see here), and Mike was able to hit golf balls, ride his road bike, and watch the Tour de France every single day we were there, so I would say it was a successful vacation!

I am not good at condensing things... I want to remember each moment captured... so it's a little long winded.

My dad used to do this when we were little... he in fact gave me a ride before Maddie jumped on!

My girls loved the back of Grandma's new (old) Mercedes convertible. Talk about style!

Grandma gave Maddie a really fun new project. I think I might need to get more of these.

Of course the girls were infatuated with Ozzie.

It turned into a party weekend when Emily and Ren came too. One night we got out a new yard game called golf toss, and it reminded me of my mom's Poi balls from her Polynesian dance days. (When I was little she was in a performing group for about 5 years that did all the authentic dances, like the Hawaiian hula and Tahitian hip shaking with the big grass skirts.) So she got out her Poi balls and gave us a lesson. She is still amazing!



Of course we enjoyed some fun in the sun.

The girls chilled with Grandma...

And made a great big mess. Good thing it was all hose-able!


My dad got out the power toys and we tested them in the yard.

Later that night we took them out the canyon rim for some riding. The girls were so funny--we beat the trailer and toys, but when they got out of the car and saw the dirt, it was like they thought that was what we came for and they were thrilled!

Me and my Pops with the Snake River Canyon in the background. Isn't it beautiful?

Maddie and Ella both went for little spins with Daddy.

We took turns on the dirt bikes too--I tried it for the first time and actually drove around a little!

This is really gross but there were TONS of filed mice. Seriously, hoards of them on each trail. Ella thought they were so cute (kind of like she loves ants and spiders?) and she spent most of the evening following them and calling, "Mousy, where are you?"

A little dirt never hurt anybody. But the dirty bath water that night was pretty gross.

While I was in Twin I also met up with Tasha, a best friend from high school. We always had so much fun together. It was awesome to catch up with her and meet her newest daughter, Sofia.

Our kids had a great time together too. Wish we lived closer and could do more playdates!

Check out that poser!

The kids got a hold of the camera and took this hilarious shot of Ella's snaggly teeth. I just love it! It shows how her incisors are really about to burst through on the bottom, and you can see the tip of one on the top. Just wish they would come in already and leave us alone!!

A quick word about Ella Bella... she has seriously changed in the last month and all of a sudden she is not my baby anymore. She says multiple new words every day and mimics sounds for things. A few days ago she finally mastered "Maddie" (she has always called her "Yaya") and is just made Maddie's day! Maddie is constantly asking Ella to say things and is so proud of her when she can do it. Another example: yesterday she woke up and asked for the "bucky balls" clear as day. She astounds us! We just love her!