Playing Catch-Up

To lose few people who read my blog

Sorry for my absence.

I've been playing, 

but I have also been slacking.

But I shall catch you up quickly NOW:

I have probably been overdosing on these lovely things:

Thanks Aunt Robin and Uncle Blake for letting us raid your patch.

Here is a picture from the earlier "letterized" Beach Boys experience

Ashley, me, and Shayna excited to be there.

Firework boats were made and sent down a nice little. . ."stream"

The launch

I got to take off to Bear Lake with the Savage Tribe and I loved every minute of the lake, butterflies, cabins, food, fun, and mostly the people. I love my family so much!

Bocce Ball - I missed the game as I sat on the dock by a Jet Ski
we couldn't use in the stormy winds

Now that's what I call service

I love butterflies AND this beautiful girl! :)

Candy Bar Game. :)

Hooray for shakes and my mini-twin. :)

Grandpa and the girls in the Hot Tub... I love that Grandma made it into this photo too.

:) p.s. it was also my mom's birthday this month*

(p.s. other cameras were utilized so I didn't end up with very many photos

and I will be posting my butterfly holding photos)

Before that adventure Grandpa took us to dinner with the same tribe and two six-year-olds took some great photos.

Best of friends

After the big adventure I got to attend the zoo with one of my best friends 

for one of my favorite men's birthdays (despite all of our fights)

I love Australia.

Hooray birthday boy #1

I ate delicious Caspers with the sister group. :)

And I have been on many a walks.

To top off the last bit of this summer update of life Shayna, Michelle and I took off
to Bear Lake where we had a wondrous photo shot...

photos will appear someday.

(Caspers is out next stop on photo shoot locations)

* Happy birthday to this gorgeous lady below:

Thanks for EVERYTHING you do for me. For listening. For advice. For letting me listen. For knowledge. For you example. For your faith. For your strength. For your fun. For your relaxed attitude. For your love and the example of it. For your joy. For your peace. For being beautiful and so much more. I love you most!

Summer Adventures

They sure do make me happy.

Enjoying the pool!

Nothing like being in the middle of nowhere.

Some people have THE coolest yard decor - mining equipment from Mackay, ID.

Wildflowers! :D

Best friends.

And MORE best friends.

Sometimes accidents happen.

But if disaster strikes you just go somewhere else. :)

Lovin' us some Brown Cows from Reed's Dairy

Happiness. Yep that's people for me.

p.s. I sure do love Vitamin D.

It tastes delicious in the form of milk 

and synthesizing it using the sun feels scrumptious on my skin.

p.p.s. tomorrow I get to hike with my friend Katie. YES! 

p.p.p.s. Katie we might need new pictures (except it will be 6 am). 

Photographers and Oh Dear Summer.

"Photographers are violent people.

First they frame you.

Then they shoot you.

Then they hang you on the wall . . .

but if you're real good they'll scrapbook you."

I just thought this was funny when I can across it today.

Also if I were to write a letter to summer,

I would ask it to please come quickly. 

I can't wait to spend days doing what I want to do.

For instance I often just want to do the following:

I want to make a mud pie.

I want to climb a tree.

I want to go camping.

I want to sleep on a lake shore.

I want to read a book outside under a tree.

I want to make a sandcastle.
I want to swim in a lake.

I want to stick my feet in a creek and 

listen to the bird sing and the leaves rustle.

I want to take a nap on the grass . . .

*sigh* 

If I have to wait - I will. 

You'll be worth it.

FaMiLy.

My family is my favorite thing ever.

I love July and this year it brought TWO family camp outs.

The first was a few weeks ago.
To Reservoir Lake.
We had a lot of really great times.
I think my favorites were swimming and star gazing.
Here are some photos of the bug infested, dirt filled fun.
Then last week we headed to Flaming Gorge
with the Savage tribe.

It was a different experience with motor boats and electricity
But still AMAZING.
We even caught some . . . fish. . . or crawdads.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa . . .
AND Janet for putting it all together!

Like I said. My favorite thing ever.

*my camera wasn't the main one for either trip sadly.

27/52

This year I can honestly say

I love Independence Day celebrated in small town Idaho.
I missed it terribly.

However I enjoyed my weekend nonetheless.

Last night, I joined the other Savages
and Michelle joined us (Cyri came for fireworks)
for some delightful stories, a bike ride, tag, and fireworks.

It was so much fun!

I love my family.
Remember the bike ride?
This is the bike.
We found another one too.
B riding the scooter.

Little Toy Trucks

Remember the past two summers
how I have visited this great little place
called Minnetonka?

I went again and this year we took a much larger group.

And enjoyed the crazy cave formations.

As well as the great natural place to eat.

Here are some photos to tell the story.
Katie, Natalie, and I starting the journey
in the back of a police car.
(no worries, it was an ex-police car)
We took a few.
Katie and I touching the touchable stalagmite.
The group outside the cave.
We found out later that we missed one.
Here is the real whole group.
On the log . .. as is the tradition.
(believe me I had NO idea that's how my face looked)

Also following this photo . . . I may have fallen in a bit.