Lower Salmon Rafting

We spent July 9 - 13 on the Lower Salmon River.  Just 4 of us.  Lindsey loves rowing the boat, Sparky is typically her co-pilot.  The trip was relatively uneventful and fun.  Sparky got up close and personal with a skunk but the smell waned before the take-out.  The last day provided a significant electrical storm and a rainbow at the take-out.  Best family time ever!

Lucky Peak with Snowden

Snowden's wonderful Father and Aunt have re-homed the family ski boat from Lake Tahoe to Lucky Peak Reservoir for the summer months.  Lindsey and I spend an evening in the boat with James and Meredith.  The photos below are particularly hilarious because they show the drastic differences in the two girl's personalities.  Lindsey was constantly giving James the "thumbs up" to go faster, while Snowden was giving the "thumbs down" to go slower.  

James, Snowden and Lindsey

Father's Day

Lindsey wanted a scooter for her birthday.  Grandpa Dave came through in style and since Father's Day is the day after Lindsey's birthday, we learned how to scoot after breakfast at Grandma and Grandpa Mattson's house.  We spent the rest of the day floating the Boise River.

Happy Father's Day Dad!  You are the best.  We love you!

Cute kids

"Mom, it is hard being 4"

Lindsey turned 4 on June 20th.  She planned the cake, invite list, food, and entertainment.  Here's how it unfolded.

• Cake:  Elsa cake, no chocolate.  Blue frosting, raspberry in the middle, vanilla flavor
• Entertainment:  Bounce house, just like last year
• Menu:  Peanut butter and jelly, olives, salami, pink goldfish crackers, capri sun, and berries
• Friends:  Eleanor, Garrett, Piper, Maudie, Autumn, Lucas, Conner, Elsi, Olivia, Snowden, Quinn
• Dinner:  The Hills Family and Grandma and Grandpa Mattson

Lindsey was pumped for the party and had a really fun time but the attention was a bit overwhelming. A couple of days ago she told me that being 4 is hard because you have to brush your teeth, put on your shoes, feed Sparky, and lots of other things.   Super cute perspective.

final touches on the Elsa cake

With Garrett in the bounce house

Snowden Stead

Ready for cake, but the candles blew out in the wind.

Happy Birthday round 2!

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Buddies with the Frozen microphone...Let it go...

Tristan, Kylee, and Hayden Hills

Grande Ronde - Year #2

We did our 2nd Grande Ronde trip last week with our brand new raft.  Great river, awesome people, and the best family and dog bonding time ever.

Dog Party - Daisy, Sparky, and Pepper

Andy and Chris

Mocktail time

Fairy house with Dad

On the new raft with Lyla

New friend Stella

Lindsey on the sticks with Sparky

Mothers Day Fun

Family photo at the Modern for breakfast.  

School friends Juniper and Piper

Mother's Day celebration in Lindsey's classroom

Mother's Day celebration at Elm Grove Park with Olive and Elsi

Patient Sparky getting a "costume" for Elsi and Lindsey's "wedding"

Eloise May Mischkot

Eloise May Mischkot, Lindsey's first cousin was born March 19th, 2015.  We visited her, Ted, and Lisa in late April.  She's a beautiful baby, happy, and likes to sleep.

Lindsey and Eloise

Papa Jim and another granddaughter

Ear to ear grin, yogurt, and bike!