Always Busy

Mike and I got up early to exercise.  It was a killer on the arms.  I was so glad to be done!  We then went to the ward clean-up project.  We pulled weeds on the baseball diamond.  Stockton met us there.  He slept overnight in President Back's backyard.  I was so tired when I got home!  Matt and Sam were there.  I talked to Sam for just a bit before she went to the fair.  Matt was helping Mike build the pool shed in the back.  This afternoon I packed up and went to Lagoon to pick up Bubs and three of his kids.  I was about an hour late; but if they have to wait for me, at least they had a great place to wait.  As I was leaving to Idaho Mike was pulling out of the driveway to go to the Bradley's.  Their basement flooded.  So glad that wasn't us!  We got to Grandma's house around bedtime.  Bubs mowed Grandpa's yard.  I picked up apples with the kids so Bubs could finish the backyard.  Grandpa made yummy fish and potatoes for dinner.  It was a really good day.

Quick Trip

Last night I had every intention on not playing games . . . . but just as I was about to go to bed, Pace came over and the game playing was about to begin! The only problem was, Mike had gone to play games at a friends house and took all the Dominion games! I ended up teaching Mike and Pace how to play Settlers. That is a game everyone should know anyway. John liked it. I wonder if it is because he won his first game. Anyway, Mike came home and was able to play. I was good and went to sleep. John and Pace were able to get in one last game of Dominion.

This afternoon we took John to the airport. He is now back in Ohio. Boo! Once we dropped John off we went straight to Idaho. Cassie is going to stay with 'Momma Jones' for a few days. I dropped her off and 'Momma Jones' will bring her back on Friday. Ange was so nice and drove up with us. We made pretty good time and dropped Cassie and Mallory off a little before five. Ange and I then went to visit Grandma & Grandpa Parry. We were only able to stay for about an hour. Even though the visit was super quick, I really enjoyed it. Ange said several times how it was really hard to leave. Everyone loves Grandma & Grandpa.

I was very thankful Ange wanted to come along. It was nice to have someone to talk to, and it kept me awake. After dropping Ange off at her house, I got home at 10:50. Now I'm looking forward to sleep!

Raspberries

We went to church this morning with my Grandma & Grandpa. Tammi's husband Frank spoke. He did a great job. After sacrament meeting, we packed up to go home. Preston and Jorja snuck out to pick some raspberries. Thanks for letting us stay Grandma & Grandpa. I'm sure glad I get to visit you more often! Hopefully we'll see you in a month!

Preston

Preston & Jorja

Grandma & Preston

Jorja & Grandma

We made it home safe and sound. My back is killing me though. I don't know if it was from the zip line, or I slept wrong, or the drive home. It hurts. Too bad my next chiropractor appointment isn't for a few weeks. I had been going every week, but I wanted to space it out a little more. Bad timing on my part. It has really helped. Now I am off to eat a bowl of raspberries and whipped cream. Sounds delicious. Preston fell asleep on the way home, so I'm anticipating a long night.

Running the River Wild

We woke up bright and early this morning to go river rafting! Our first stop was at Steve & Sharon's cabin where they fed us breakfast. Stuffed french toast. Seriously, they take us down the river and feed us breakfast? Pretty great deal we have going there. Next Steve went to drop off the raft while Sharon got us suited up. Stockton and I were both able to have a wet suit, which I have fallen in love with. We then met Steve at Sheep Gulch. Steve, who is extra friendly, had a passenger with him for us to bring up to the launching point. This passenger was very drunk. He reeked of alcohol at eight in the morning. Oh boy. Luckily he didn't vomit in our car and we all emerged safely.

The river was great. Sharon mentioned that novice paddlers always look at their paddle instead of enjoying the scenery. I always do that! I tried hard not to this time. Mike also found my camera this morning. It was with our swimming suits. Mike had put the bag in the closet. No one ever opens the closet in the downstairs room, so it didn't even dawn on me to look in there. In his defense, he did show me where he was putting it. I remember that now. My memory sure isn't what is use to be.

I tried to snap a few pictures as we were floating down the river. I snapped the camera onto my life jacket. I tried to get a video once, but failed miserably. Maybe next year. The river was running at 17,000. Steve and Sharon usually run us at 6,000. We ran the river in a little over an hour. Stockton was able to run. Maysen stayed at the cabin and watched the little ones. Hopefully she'll want to go next year, but it was really nice to have her so all the adults could go . . . especially since we were only doing one run this year.

Beautiful Snake River

Stockton

Stephanie

Dad, Bubs, Stockton, Mike

Steve

Stockton, Mike & the landslide on the right

Mike saying a quick prayer before the rapids.

Sharon's not worried at all.

Wolf Creek

Oh boy

Bubs & Mike tightening Stockton's sleeves

Here we go!

Mike and Sharon's elbow

Dig!

Thank you Snake River! See you next year!

After rafting, we cleaned and packed up the cabin and headed to the Triple R Ranch, after stopping for square ice cream of course. This is my mom's Uncle George's cabin. Preston spent almost the entire time on the zip line . . . which means I spent the entire time on the zip line. Preston was scared to go by himself, so I went with him twice. The next time he wanted to crash into the pole. I explained that I would never make it that far. If he wanted to make it to the pole he would have to go by himself. He did. He looked scared to death, but he made it to the pole. He was so happy! After that he didn't need me anymore. By the time the day was done he was an expert. Too bad I had lost my camera so I couldn't take any pictures. I was worried I left it at Steve & Sharon's cabin. My cousin Justin took a picture of Preston's first ride. Hopefully I'll be able to snag that picture as well.

We then went to my grandma & grandpa's house. Mike found my camera. He had put it in the seat pocket behind the drivers seat. I was very relieved that despite my best efforts I hadn't lost the camera. I tried to take a picture of Jorja picking raspberries with grandpa, but it was dark. The pictures didn't turn out great. Picking raspberries with grandpa is one of Jorja's favorite memories.

Grandpa & Jorja

My cousin Tammi came over and talked with me for awhile. That was so nice. I didn't get a chance to talk to anyone at the reunion since I spent the entire time on the zip line. Oh well. My baby won't be little for very much longer. I know I'm going to miss having him want me around all the time. I'll just enjoy it while I can.

Team Preston

I went to church this morning with Grandma & Grandpa. The meeting centered around the theme of priorities. I thought that every speaker should have talked about Grandma & Grandpa. They have always had their priorities in order. I remember when mom was sick and they lived with us. They did our laundry, cooked our dinner and took care of everything while mom was in the hospital. What amazed me was they would drive home every Saturday night to teach their primary lesson on Sunday. They would come back Sunday night to be with us. Can you imagine if everyone in the church fulfilled their callings with the same level of commitment as them?

I drove home after Sacrament meeting. I sat down next to Stockton and Mike during primary. Jorja saw me from across the room. Mike said she missed me. She is a mamma's girl. That's just fine with me. Maysen made yummy chocolate covered oreos for the linger longer after. They were gone pretty fast.

I talked to my friend Seth and asked what he named his twin girls. He now has six girls. His new little ones are named Alex and Andy. I like that. He said he wanted to name them boy names because he was never getting a boy. His daughter Georgia calls them Chips and Salsa.

Tonight we played Apples to Apples. I was on "team Preston". We won. Preston was pretty pumped. Oh, and happy birthday Bubs!

Try to Try

Preston had his last swimming lesson yesterday. He has not wanted to go to swimming lessons lately. He always complains the water is too cold. That is the down side to having a hot-tub pool. When I was taking him to his last lesson I told him that I love watching when he tries his hardest. He told me he would try his hardest today. He did. No complaining and he had a great time. After he got out of the pool he said, "Mom, I always do great when I try my hardest!" I laughed and said, "I know! You should always try your hardest." He said, "Okay, I will try to try my hardest."

This afternoon I drove up to Idaho Falls. I drove by myself and wasn't tired at all. I did enjoy suckers the entire way and I listened to an audible book. Chains. I spent the night enjoying my grandma and grandpa's company. It was awesome.

Christmas...for Real

We woke up and had Christmas with Grandma & Grandpa. I was so happy to be with them.

They gave the kids some money. Happy, happy children.

We had breakfast with Grandma & Grandpa, then our plan was to take off to the cabin. The only problem was, Mike locked the keys in the car. We had to have a locksmith come over on Christmas morning to help us out. Finally, about 11:30, we were on our way. But…the roads were closed. We just missed it! On the plus side, we got to stay an extra day with Grandma & Grandpa.

Jorja had a fun time making an ABC book for Grandma & Grandpa. We also went over to John & Renee’s for dinner. Jorja loves meat.