A day full of festivals

We spent the day at the Indian Creek Festival in Downtown Caldwell. We watched the cardboard canoe race, painted figurines at the 4-H booth, visited Pansy the Clown and got balloon animals then played in the water fountain to cool off. After going home to make dinner we headed to Boise for the Hyde Park Street Fair. Where we watched the Cairo Fusion belly dancers perform then walked around and looked at all the booths and entertainment going on. We saw beautiful art, fun clothes and decorations. One of our favorite booths was the glass blowing where we watch a guy make a sun and flower out of glass. We all had a blast playing in the drum circle. It was a fun filled day and the weather was great for it.



Kids painting at the Indian Creek Festival 4-H booth.



Visiting Pansy the Clown




Balloon Art.

The Hardys at Hyde Park watching Cairo Fusion.

Owen with Cairo Fusion in the background.

Watching the entertainment.

Mariah playing in the drum circle.

Stacy and Mariah dancing in the drum circle.

The whole gang joined in. What fun!

Mid September Happenings

We found Alysha a full size violin that a high school student was selling on craigslist so she got it early for her birthday. Ashley and Owen have been spending many hours at the kitchen table creating art, lots of drawing and cardboard masterpieces. Ashley had me take photos of her and Chester so she could take a photo to school to show her new teacher Mr. Johnson. Stacy turned 36 and got some new dishes and storage containers while enjoying a sugar free birthday party.

Owen learns to play soccer

Owen at his first soccer practice. He has never played before so was a little lost for the first game and did a lot of dancing around and playing with his hair. His second game he scored the first goal for his team and then another one in the middle of the game. He stayed with the ball and helped other team mates score goals. It was really fun to watch the six little guys play.


Owen at his first game.



Owen's first game, hanging out in the back.




Owen's second game.

Owen kicking the ball.

Owen in the game.

My little soccer player working hard.

End of Summer Camping trip to the Owyhees

We thought we should take advantage of the nice weather and enjoy a quick over night camping trip. We ended up in the Owyhees where we enjoyed the hot springs and went sight seeing at the Owyhee Dam.



My goofy kids playing in the nice warm water.

I think we scared everyone else away but had the hot springs all to ourselves.

Making everyone look into the sun so I could take their photo.

Checking out the views at the top.

Exploring Jump Creek

We decided to take a short trip out to Jump Creek to go hiking and explore. We hadn't been out there for awhile. Makes you realize how fast time flys by. We found a few lizards and some trails we hadn't explored before. There was lots of poison ivy so kept telling the kids not to touch anything green and we lucked out that no one broke out in a rash. :)



Hanging out by the waterfall.

Cool little trail went under some large rocks and made a neat cave.

Alysha holding up the rock so we could pass by safely.

It was a fun afternoon.

AUGUST - Month to see how many things you can do before school starts!

Busy, Busy, Busy! We kept ourselves very busy the last few weeks before school started. We took the kids camping up past Idaho City, we floated the Boise River, and I performed at the National Night Out. Uncle Cody stopped by to visit. We drove to Salem, Oregon to visit my grandfather where we were spoiled rotten and had a great time. On our way there we stopped at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery and Multnomah Falls. Once there Grandpa took the kids to the Kroc Center to go swimming, out for an evening of pizza and arcade games, to the A. C. Gilbert Discovery Center where the kids explored, climbed and learned a lot, and a ride on a hand craved & painted wooden carousel. Since we were so close to the ocean we had to take a trip to Newport to the Aquarium, we played on the beach, saw Sea Lions on the bay, went the the Riley's Believe it or not museum & Wax Works, stopped in the Butterfly Exhibit and enjoyed the Undersea Garden. We couldn't leave before flying kites on the beach. On our way back home we stopped at the Oregon Zoo for a train ride and to see the Dinosaur Exhibit. The day after we got home the kids started school, Alysha started 7th grade, Ashley started 2nd and Owen started Kindergarten. Their first day went great and we are trying to get back to our routine. We got a surprise visit from Aunt Shelley and cousin Sarah to wrap up August. It was great to see them. Mike took Sarah on a ride on his motorcycle and we celebrated James birthday and Sarah's early.


While camping Mike made the kids whistles so we always knew where they were.

We did some exploring.

The kids learned that you can start a fire with a magnify glass.

The girls painted me a pretty mug and flower pot.

We decided to float the Boise River for the first time.

Uncle Cody stopped by on his way through town to say hi.

Alysha and Amanda enjoyed the National Night Out while I performed.

Stacy performing the ROM

Kids at a rest stop on our way to the Oregon coast.

Alysha stopping to smell the flowers.

We went to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery.

We went to Multnomah Fall and hiked all the way to the top for the first time.

Kroc Center in Salem, Oregon

Pizza and Prizes with Great Grandpa

A. C. Gilbert Museum

We made squished pennies everywhere we went.

Ash & Owen on the carousel

Alysha on the carousel.

Kids at the Newport Aquarium

Hanging out on the beach

Owen on the beach infront of our hotel.

Ashley with a jelly fish

We saw Sea Lions on the bay.

Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Butterfly Exhibit.

The Hardy's in Newport.

The Wax Works.

Undersea Garden

Kite flying on the beach.

The Hardy's with Great Grandpa Richard :)

The Hardy's on the train at the Oregon Zoo.

Dinosaurs at the Oregon Zoo

Alysha's 1st day of 7th grade.

Ashley and Owen ready for 2nd grade and Kindergarten.

Mike and Sarah ready to ride.

Mike playing hacky

Kids at the park

Celebrating James and Sarah's birthdays