Friends, Family, and Random Summer Snapshots

Our friends from our California days came to visit for a weekend back in June.  They now live in Colorado. We showed them all the big sights here in Idaho Falls.  (We didn't really...I think we were kind of lame hosts!)  One of the days we did manage to take a jaunt up to the BYU Idaho.  In college we always called BYU (Utah) "the BYU", it kind of stuck.  Anyway, we walked around campus with all our kids and got lots of looks from students.  I remember back in the day seeing people like us..."old people" walking around campus.  Do I look that old?  Probably, because all the students look REALLY young!

James and Andrew chatting it up in the Cafeteria. 

Sophie enjoyed herself.  The kids liked being able to choose any kind of food possible to eat.  

We made all the kids pose after getting a few souvenirs.  See all these boys?  We were both "all boy families" when we lived by each other.  These seven boys were it.  Who knew we would end up with those three little blondies on the left end...the girls!  

This is the "real" picture. 

What we looked like walking around campus.  Since Ryan was working, it was just me with Kristina and Sam.  We were hoping no one thought we were sister-wives.  Just kidding.  Mormons DO NOT have sister wives.  (Anymore at least.)  

It was sure fun to catch up on old times.  We took this picture really late the last night they were here.  In case you are wondering, we were trying to strike an "Annie" pose. 

These two were just babies when we last saw each other, but they became friends fast!

PS  Their little girl's name is Natalie too.  I like to tell myself it is after me!!!  Everyone needs a namesake, right?  If they decide they don't want her, I will gladly take her in!  Somehow, I don't think they will give her up.  She sure is a cutie though. 

I have been SO grateful to have a working washer and dryer after a few months of problems.  However,  I will miss all those fun times we had at the laundry mat.  Not to mention all those nice people you meet!  These two were "supposed" to be helping me, but they managed to hide instead. 

Sometimes on Summer afternoons when you have a lot of bored kids, but you need to get things done, I recommend letting go of expectations and letting them all zone out to a movie.  Look how quiet they all are.   I have to say, I will actually miss afternoons like this when school starts next week.  

We have FHE once a month with our entire extended family.  Summertime is always fun, because there is more family around.  I found this picture on my phone of Grandpa giving us all a lesson...it is a picture I want to remember.  I believe he was teaching the importance of hard work?

I love capturing moments between London and Annie.  Annie was obviously listening really closely to the talk. 

I LOVE this picture that Grandma sent me of Holden (cousin) and Joshua from their fishing trip with Grandpa.  It is the kind of picture you pull out in February to remind yourself why you love Idaho so much.  I love summer in Idaho! 

Not the best picture, but someone on Facebook thought there were only two Adams girls and so they had a bet going.  We had to send them a picture to prove there were actually three of us!  

Sometimes when the kids take my phone I get pictures of my screen at the moment.  I am glad they captured this sweet message between Ryan and I.    It also captures the crazy hours we sometimes keep around here. 

Cell phones are so fabulous for communicating when your husband works in the basement and you are upstairs.  I often go to sleep and then wake up to see Ryan still hasn't come to bed so I shoot him a text.  Sometimes he is working so hard, he doesn't get back to me until 4:52AM!  And now I must sign off so I don't have any of these late night texts tonight!  I must get some sleep so I have my A game on tomorrow.  Heaven knows to have it on during these last few days of Summer Vacation.  My patience is starting to get THIN.  :)

It's about time...4th of July!

Last year,  I told myself I was not going to get up early and do the parade because we always stay up late on the 4th and it is too much for the little ones. I couldn't resist though...we went to the parade.  (Minus Ryan)  I was glad we did.  

Here is the crew this year...

Annie and Luke with Isabelle

The kids like the sit right on the street so they can collect lots of candy and coupons for us!

The adults hang back and enjoy the show.

This year Abigail was even in the parade!  She had a big cheering section of cousins.  

Post-Parade we always head over to Grandma's for a BBQ/Splash Party-

someone was a little excited.  

Grandma brought back the giant slip-n-slide from last year.  We had a little less participation from the adults, but the kids sure had fun.  

Ryan and I made homemade ice cream like we always do.  (Triple Berry this year.)  

James is taking a quiet moment to enjoy the deliciousness of it. 

My nieces are all growing up and they are turning into pretty little things I must say. 

Pretty with a bit of sass on the side. 

I think the new hit at Grandma and Grandpa's house is the sandpit. Keeps the little ones busy for hours. I might need one of these. 

Poor Ryan, this summer has not been a summer of leisure for him I am afraid.  He is working nonstop and wasn't even able to take a long break on Independence Day!  Lots of work is a good thing, but also stressful and usually means no sleep/lots of cankers for this guy.  We sure do appreciate all his sacrifice for us! (I think he actually might have been taking a break here with a nice little game of cards on his phone.)  :)

My Mom whipped up same fancy-dancy drinks that we learned how to make in Relief Society.  Basically, you put lots of ice in your cup.  (Sonic ice is best.)  Then you pour your first colored drink on the bottom.  The trick is that the drink on the bottom has the highest SUGAR content.  The second layer is your drink with the second most sugar.  The last layer is usually sugar-free something or other.  This is a great idea for gatherings and you will be sure to impress your guests! The color/flavor options are endless!  Just check the grams of sugar on the outside of your drink containers. 

More slip-n-slide.  Why does this run look so painful?  

Better. 

Do your gatherings ever look like this?  Instagram, texting, games, the ways to interact are endless!  (Don't worry...I am just as guilty.)  You can't tell but all four pictured here have a device in their hands. 

 What happened to laying in the grass and discovering the world outside?  

Well, I guess they did, because they found this beauty near Grandma's garden I believe. 

The snake might have been the highlight of the afternoon. 

Michael and Luke are always at it.  Sometimes I think they live to endlessly torment each other.  

And of course, we had A LOT of really yummy food to eat. 

We had plans to watch the fireworks with some friends. Heidi and her family decided to join us.  However, plans changed with all the chaos that usually exists around the river in Idaho Falls on the 4th of July.  (FYI, think that Idaho Falls is just another small town celebration on the 4th of July?  Think again.  We have the largest fireworks show west of the Mississippi.)  Travis found us a new spot to view the fireworks from and I think it was the best spot I have seen as far as seeing the fireworks up close and HUGE.  (Scenery and atmosphere didn't get such a high grade.) 

Annie with Aunt Heidi, waiting for the show. 

Sophie munching on some of the Subway we picked up for dinner. 

When it finally was dark and we thought the fireworks were about to start, these two got SO excited.  

Sophie kept jumping up and down.  The fireworks start after 10pm, so it is a really late night.  (And remember, we go to that really early parade. )

This year there was a tragedy on the river right before the fireworks were to begin.  It is so beautiful sitting along the Snake River and the Falls, but it always makes me nervous with the kids.  I am actually surprised nothing bad has happened in past years.  There were tons of police, helicopters, and emergency vehicles surrounding the river and they were holding off the fireworks in hopes of a happy ending.  We waited and waited.  We would get periodic updates on the radio stations that carry the program.  They asked everyone to turn off their cell phones because law enforcement were having trouble communicating due to EVERYONE talking on the cells during this time.  They asked for everyone to pray.  

Some people prayed, and some also played games to pass the time.  

About an hour later, they decided to start the program.  (Yes, it is a program here.  The half hour or so of grand-finale type fireworks are choreographed to patriotic music that everyone is playing on the radio. )  It is awesome!  Unfortunately, it was just too late for the girls.  They both fell asleep and missed the fireworks all together.  Here some pics of us before everyone konked out. 

 (Can you see how tired Ryan is in that picture? His eyes are getting glazed over from one of his many all nighters he has pulled this summer.) 

Waiting for the show.  (And praying for the poor young man that fell in the river. He was found later that night.  So sad.)

And one last picture of the day...Sophie hiding.  

She found herself a candy bar and is making sure no one discovers her treasure.  I like the dirty look she is casting for me looking her way. 

Even though the 4th of July was over a month ago...I can't say how grateful I am to live in this country.  Such a great holiday to celebrate our Independence and be grateful to be Americans!  

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

First Race in Ten Years

  Every year there is a race in our town, To Bone and Back, and I have always thought it would be fun...but you are on teams and the logistics have never really worked out.  Well, the week before the race my good friend, Juliana, asked if I wanted to fill in on her team.  After having Pleurisy and my lung problems this Spring, I had not gotten back to exercising. Had I been running at ALL? No.  However, I would be running the last leg, which was either slightly downhill or flat, and it was only five miles.  I could do that!  So, with NO recent training, and being in the worst shape ever, I ran on their relay team.  It was so much fun!  (At least the cheering for others before and the feeling when it was done was fun.)

Ryan brought the kids out to support me along the way, they had just come home from the Father's and Son's outing when I started running.  I am feeling pretty good here.  I have my music going and I am enjoying the scenery. 

The second half of my race was right into town and I have to admit, my pride kept me going .  The boys were so cute to bring me water and run along side of me cheering!  

I couldn't help but keep running with these guys yelling, "Go, Mom!"

I was SO happy it was only five miles.  The sun was high and I was hot and tired. 

I feel slightly pathetic that I was so worn out after five miles, but I think I was seriously in my worst shape ever.  Luckily, my team was happy with our finish. We had some really great runners that went before me.  I can't believe there are people that run that whole race solo~all FORTY miles!  WOW. 

 Thanks for inviting me to run, Juliana!  It inspired me to start doing it again.  And the best part was, after the race I had no lung pain at all! 

I came home from the race to this yummy thing waiting for me on our counter...

I was SOOOO surprised to find out this handsome young man had made it.  I think he felt a little bad about not being there to cheer me on.  All was forgiven when I dug into the cake.  Seriously, coming from him especially,  it meant A LOT!!!  

Thanks to my Mom too for coming with the girls to cheer me on.  I had some serious support.  (Much more than I had on my Marathon.)  Maybe the key is sticking to local races.  

And here is a picture I found from Annie's Birthday that I missed. (It was the day after the race.)  We are all enjoying those ribs I told you about. 

As you can see, any calories I might have burned throughout my run, were put right back on within the next 24 hours.  I had to make sure my body was properly nourished, right?!  I mean this WAS my first race in 10 years after all!