Our Summer Days│Part II

After finishing up his intern year of residency (hardest year EVER), Scott had a whole week of vacation.  We decided to spend it in good ol' Idaho taking the kids camping.  We couldn't go to Idaho, though, without taking the kids to the drive-in.  It had been a while for Scott and I and the first time for Brielle and Braden.  We left Brooke sleeping at Scott's parents house.  It worked out perfectly.  We watched Monster's University.  It was cute and I wouldn't have wanted to spend that evening doing anything other than being together as a family.  There is just nothing in this world that beats being together.  

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We headed to Hiese, the next day.  

The drive there is nothing less than beautiful.  

Such beautiful open spaces. 

We set up camp...

Then, headed to the pool.  Brooke was in heaven.  

She jumped off the edge into the pool, over and over and over. 

She is a fish and not afraid.  It was a bit exhausting catching her and she would get very upset if we'd say that was enough, all she wanted to do was jump from the edge. 

Trying to get a picture with Scott and the children, but Brooke wasn't having it, she wanted to go back to jumping. 

After playing at the regular pool for a long time, we had a break and decided to go to the hot spring pool. 

It was so hot and the smell of sulfur wasn't my favorite. But it was nice and we played there for a little while.

After the pool, we were getting everyone changed but Brooke escaped while Scott was changing her...

We had some yummy roasted hot dogs and had a relaxing time talking and enjoying the nice setting. 

After dinner, we went on a walk along the Snake River.  It is so beautiful there and I LOVE the lighting at that time of day. 

We had some smore's, enjoyed the fire and called it a night, it was late and we were all exhausted.  

The night proved to be a bit challenging with Brooke, she woke up quite a few times and woke up at the crack of dawn.  

Everyone got up and poor Brielle was exhausted.  We let her sleep a little longer while the rest of us had some breakfast.  We packed up camp and decided that a ONE-day camping trip is enough with an almost two year old.  Scott took Brooke to take a nap at Scott's parents house and take a nap himself and the older kids and I went up on a short hike after dropping them off. 

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Some people had told us about Cress Creek and said how beautiful it was up there.  

They were right! It was so nice but it was a super hot day, so we hiked slowly but enjoyed it. 

I love that my kids are still young enough and hold my hand.  

I'm sad Scott missed this, but Brooke was so grouchy and she would not have endured this hike well, especially since we forgot our carrier in Utah.  The scenery was breathtaking and the hike was fairly easy.  

Brielle and Braden soaked their feet in the creek to cool down. 

Brielle made me pose. ha ha! 

The view was beautiful. 

We saw some friends at the beginning of the trail and they warned us about poison ivy.  I'm so glad they did because it was everywhere!

I'm so glad we remembered to bring our water bottle, it was boiling HOT, as my kids would say. 

We loved this hike! Next time, we will remember the carrier for Brooke and Scott will get to join. 

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For months and months, Braden had been looking forward to going fishing.  We picked a very HOT day to go fishing and didn't go until the afternoon so it was the hottest time of the day, which didn't make it all that enjoyable.  But we made the best of it and had a good time.  

My good husband spent most of his time, putting worms in the hooks and showing the kids how to handle the fishing pole without tangling the fishing line...I lost count of how many times we untangled fishing line, but it was a good learning experience and they will get better at it the more we go. 

From these pictures, you would never know, how HOT it was that day.  

Wish I could say, we caught a fish but none of us did! :(

But we did get to spend time together and that is what matters. 

I was trying to get Brooke to look at me, so I said, "Brooke, there's a spider crawling on my head!" 

She has a very concerned look on her face!

I'm glad Lanie was able to come with us. It's always fun to spend time with her. 

We had a great time and made memories. 

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Later that day, we went to see our good friends Em and Reese.  We had a little BBQ at their house and enjoyed talking until it was way passed our children's bedtimes.  Colt is a week or two younger than Brooke and he is a whole head or two taller than her! He is all boy and so cute.  Kindee and Brielle had a grand time playing dress up, they even put on a little singing show for us. It was so cute! Braden loved playing in their trampoline.  It's always nice to see old friends!

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Lanie was so sweet and took our kids on individual dates with her and had activities for them while we stayed at their house.  The kids LOVE Lanie and think she's the best.  

They decorated rice crispy treats one night...

Even Brooke did it...she is getting so big! 

Thanks Lanie for keeping the kids entertained! 

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We also got to see my cousin Bonnie and her family.  They have been living in Idaho since last year, it's nice to be closer and be able to see them more often.  They have 5 cute kids and 5 instant friends for my kids.  

We met up at the park one day and they had a blast running around and being kids. 

It was getting closer to Brooke's nap and she was not in the mood for pictures! 

We had to get a picture of us!  It seems like not long ago, Bonnie and I were our children's ages and were playing and running around just like them! 

So glad we got to spend some time together Bonnie! I love you and your kids are so cute! 

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Lanie took us to iJump and the kids had a blast! I've heard how much fun these places are, so it was nice to experience it first hand and it really is as fun as everyone says it is. We loved every second! 

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Scott had to go back to Utah after a week in Idaho, to start his second year of residency.  The kids and I stayed for a few more days hanging out in Idaho, he drove back for the Wood Family reunion late on the 3rd after getting off work.   He had the 4th off but couldn't get the 5th off, so we drove back to Utah late the night of the 4th.  It was a bit sad, because the family reunion was a two day event.  But I'm glad we got to see a ton of his aunts, uncles and cousins, whom we hadn't seen in years.  It was a HUGE family reunion and it made me so grateful for the heritage my children have and for the legacies or faith and hard work that Scott's great-grandparents Jack Sr. and Blanche Wood left.  It was neat to learn more about them and share who they were with our children.  It amazes me that all of those people you see in the picture above, are here because of two people.  

Brielle was dying to see Scott's cousin Whitney, who was Miss Idaho all of last year and competed in Miss America.  Brielle finally got her wish! Whitney is one of the sweetest girls, seriously! She's not only beautiful but kind and fun to talk to.  

Brielle Wood was a little girl when Scott and I got married and she was the cutest little girl.  When I was pregnant with our Brielle and were searching for names, both Scott and I LOVED the name Brielle.  We asked Kristin and Rick if they minded if we used it, they wouldn't have the same last names, Kristin said they would be honored.  She was so good about it and we have loved telling our Brielle about how cool Brielle Wood is.  She was so happy to finally see her again.

Thank you Clay and Karen for hosting us for almost two weeks in your home! 

Glad we got to spend time with you and make memories!