a good day at green bay

Growing up in Sandpoint we didn't stray far from home, especiallt to some of the really beautiful places becuase they were high school party places - Green Bay for example. Now that we are old and bossy we go where we want. Mel, Mom, Dad, and I took the kids on a good 2.5 mile hike to Green Bay on one of the first sunny days of our vacation and it was so nice. When we reached the bay, David, age 11, saw the parking lot and suspiciously asked Aunt Mel if she had know we could have driven there - cue evil Aunt Mel laugh! We love to make them hike!

As soon as we got there Nelson fell in the water (like could have gotten in serious trouble), but Aunt Mel ripped off her shoes and saved him thus earning the undying love of the "I only love my Mom" kid. Aunt Mel wins again. Later that day Mel, Dad, and I hiked back to the cars to drive them around in order to save Grandma's knees and Nelson was upset Mom and Aunt Mel were leaving him with Grandma so Mel told Grandma to just push him in and then save him! Brilliant!

Mel did not bring her bathing suit but decided to swim anyway.

We look for heart rocks on our adventures and Isaac was excited about this big one.

The kids played forever on this log and could have played longer but our tummies drove us to head home. It was a magical, lovely day.

declaration

I despise, deplore, and totally abhor scorpions!! The bug guy came on Monday because we found 2 when we came home from Idaho and we have found 2 since they came to spray (they said to call after 2 and so I did). Just this morning Nelson and I were coming in from the garage and there was one scurrying in the doorway of the laundry room to the hall and Nelson walked right over it!!!!! My heart is still racing. You can bet your boots I smashed it with one of Ryan's shoes and then flushed it down the toilet because, you've heard it before, I despise scorpions!

On a related note, in 8 years at our Stapley house we never saw a scorpion (they are super territorial - either you have them or you don't). I think we should charge extra rent for the lack of scorpions.

the 2006 girls

Katie, Nora and Clara were all born in 2006 and what a year it was! They are grand friends.

Here they are eating grilled cheese before the big kid backpacking trip, clean, combed hair, and sweet.

Here they are the next day, still sweet but considerably more free and dirty! So lovely!

it is very, vewry quiet

After a lot of noise in Idaho (good, happy, we were so glad we were there noise, but noise none the less) and then all the kids at home for a few last days of summer noise here in Arizona, it is all of a sudden very quiet in the Longhorn house. Yes, the kids started school today and I am on the smaller end of the kid count - 4 in school 2 at home. Sarah and Nelson and I ran some errands, hosted the pest control guy (we found scorpions when we got home), watched Larry's Silly Songs, Nelson had a nap, Sarah and I a swim, some lunch, Sarah is napping now, I am folding laundry and it is QUIET!

Isaac was a bit apprehensive about this kindergarten thing, and I think the other kids were a little nervous too. I truly hope it all goes well. They will be home in an hour so we shall see.

If you are wondering at the lack of pictures on this lovely blog ... I lost the camera cord - I know I am neither the first nor that last to do so, however it makes for boring blogging and I truly have no clue where to look.