Idaho City (June 12)

Last weekend we went to Idaho City for free fishing day!

We borrowed a tackle box form my dad, and grabbed the boy's poles, packed a lunch and headed out the door at 9:15 a.m.

(Of course that was after I went grocery shopping at 6:45 that morning)

There is a pond in the main part of town that is stocked with fish. So we decided to fish there first to guarantee a catch before trying our luck in some river or stream.

It was crowded and the water was mossy and nasty, but we did catch one catfish. A lady held it for me while I cut the line because it had swallowed the hook, then she tossed it back in the water!

I was crushed... I said, "OH, we were going to take a picture!" The only fish of the day and some lady threw it back!

We planned to do a picnic lunch, but the place we were fishing at had free hot dogs in honor of Free Fishing Day. And the local store that provided the hot dogs also had a big drawing; and every child there got a prize: fishing poles, tackle boxes, lures, bait, big and small. The boys each got something small and then we headed for a short hike by the river.

We tried fishing a little, but the water was too fast and after 2 snags and having to re-hook and bait the line I gave up!

Tyler prefers throwing rocks in the water to fishing.







We made it home to Luck Peak area just in time for the road to be sectioned off for the Half Iron Man race. So we sat in traffic at 4:30 for about 45 minutes.

I've decided: It's not about how many fish you catch, but who you're fishing with!

Hiking w/ Alex (June 7-8)

The Monday after Tory's birthday, He and my brother in law Alex Beal had a backpacking trip planned. The went to .......... (Somewhere past Horseshoe Bend direction)

Tory took the camera and a new set of batteries, and just as he suspected the ones in the camera were dead because the boys were playing with it again! So he pulled out the new ones he brought.... Just his luck... they are dead too!

No Pictures!! Alex had his camera so we'll have to get some from him... some day.

(If I get pictures soon I'll post them.)

Happy B-Day Tory (June 3)

I'm too lazy to separate these young pictures of Tory.

On June 3rd we celebrated Tory's 32 birthday. We had a simple party with just our little family and a homemade chocolate cake.

Tory didn't want much for his birthday...

He's always very easy to please... (especially since he usually gets his own presents and gives them to me for hiding and wrapping!)


He got "Plant Earth" and "Blue Planet" DVDs,

about 7-8 hours of nature shows and documentaries!

And something he has been wanting for a long time; a hiking water filter! Small, light weight, but very nice, and it gives you safe filtered water in minutes.
I'm grateful to have Tory in my life. We've been married for almost 9 years. He is a wonderful man. I am blessed to have him in my life. He is the best Dad! He's always coming up with fun adventures for us to do! He takes care of us and he loves us with all that he is. He is my husband, my love, and my best friend!

I love you Tory... Happy Birthday.

Kindergarten Graduation (May 28)

Chase had his "Kindergarten Graduation" on Friday, May 28. I almost put him in a white shirt and tie, but he didn't want to dress up that much.
This is Truman, Chase's best friend in his class.

When we got to school and saw ho the other kids were dressed I was glad I didn't insist on the tie!

Chase said his favorite thing about Kindergarten was "House Keeping" (a little toy kitchen area in his classroom.

Mrs. Greear has been a wonderful teacher! I wish the kids didn't have to change teachers every year, but I'm sure the next one will be just a great!

After the show was over we went back to the classroom for cookies and apple juice!

Tory's Road Trip (May 27)

Tory and his friend Rob (from work) decided to brave the open dirt road and take a day to explore some unseen parts of our beautiful State. They went on Mud Flat Road. It starts south west of Mountain Home and goes over to Jordan Valley area.

They took a Jeep Grand Cherokee on a 260 mile trip; 180 miles of that was dirt road!

They left a t 7:00 a.m. and got back around 10:15 p.m.

Tory took a lot of pictures but these were some of my favorites!

It rained a lot that week so all the colors were very vibrant; unfortunately our camera just doesn't seem to it justice.

Being the prepared scout that my husband is, He left me with a detailed map and all the areas he would be and the approximate times he would be at each of them.

He told me he would call and check in a 12:00 when they stop for lunch, before they got out of cell phone service range.

Since they were running late (from the dirt roads being rougher than anticipated) The Old Basque Inn restaurant had just closed it's kitchen at 2:00. They got there at 2:10. The kitchen didn't re-open until dinner at 5:00.

But they had some extra soup and sandwiches so Tory and Rob didn't starve.

15 hours, lots of mud, and a flat tier later They finally made it home safe!

This is a map where they went!