Mike's 40th Birthday Party

The kids and I tried to be sneaky and planned Mike a 40th birthday party. We spent a few days making decorations and a day making a giant cake. Then on the party day we went to Lake Lowell and set up everything at the covered picnic area. Once our guests started to arrive we sent Mike a message saying the kids and I decided to go to Lake Lowell could you meet us there after work. While we waited we BBQ'd hamburgers and hot dogs and the kids had fun running around. Of course someone at work had accidentally mentioned the party to him so it wasn't a big surprise. So Mike called to tell me he would be at work late then snuck up on all of us. He was still surprised that his friend Danny from high school was there. We all ate then had birthday cake and he opened presents. Then the kids all went down to the water to play while us big people watched. It was a nice party.

Reva and Al at the party

Owen and Grandma Reva

Cousins eating hamburgers and hot dogs.

Cousins playing

Mike with his giant cake.

Molly and Will eating cake.

Mike and Danny.

Opening presents with his little helpers.

New backyard fire pit.

Kids in the water.

Big people talking



Our 6th Anniversary

Mike planned a wonderful weekend in Cascade for our anniversary. He reserved a room at the Ashley Inn which was very nice. We went for a ride out to Horse thief reservoir then went out to dinner. The next day we headed to ride around the lake and into the mountains to find snow. Where we had a quick snowball fight and took photos of the view. Then we headed to Gold Fork hot springs for a quick soak in the hot water. Once nice and relaxed we found a campsite and set up camp for the night. Where we enjoyed the sunset over the lake and sat by the campfire. On our way home I took a few photos of the sail boats on the lake. It was a nice weekend. :)

At the Ashley Inn in Cascade

Horse Thief Reservoir

Lake Cascade

Lake Cascade

Snow in the mountains

Snowball fight.

View of Lake Cascade from mountains.

Gold Fork hot springs

Our camp site.

Sun ready to set.

Pretty sunset.

Sail boats on the lake.



Headed home. :)

Weiser Fiddler's Festival

Today, we danced at the Weiser Fiddler's Festival. Since it was a Wednesday only four of us girls could make it but we had a great time. The rest of the group will be performing on Saturday evening but I have plans with Mike. Ashley took most of the photos for me and did a great job. Uncle Scott, Alyse, Lexi, Alaina and Layla came to watch and keep Ashley and Owen company. It was a nice afternoon and the kids took some funny photos while waiting for me. It really felt like summer today, in the 90's. 

Habibi Nada on the stage

Stacy and girls while Liz was teaching the audience how to belly dance.

Owen being goofy on the side.

My solo costume for this summer.

Weekend in Council

This weekend we went to Council to visit my parents and help with their yard sale. The kids had fun exploring, playing in the hot tub, making smores by the fire and had a lemonade stand. It was a nice weekend.

Owen on the little bridge by the house.

Owen exploring while grandma and grandpa were moving the mules to a summer pasture.

The mules in paradise.

Grandpa opening his father's day gifts.

Smore time.

Making a lemonade sign.



Idaho State Penitentiary

We decided to take a day trip to the Old Idaho State Penitentiary. The kids had fun looking in all the old buildings and seeing how small all the cells were. It was a beautiful day and we have a nice time.

New inmates.

Kids behind bars

The arms exhibit

Out in the grounds

Ready for lock down

Our cell block

The women's ward

View of the penitentiary from the foothills.

Old Fort Boise Days

This weekend was Old Fort Boise Days in Parma. My new dance troop Habibi Nada performed three group dances then we had a few of us perform solos. The weather wasn't the greatest, windy and trying to rain but we had a great time anyways. I promised Ashley and Owen that if they were good during the performance they could go on a couple rides and play the fish game. We managed to get their rides and games in before it really started to rain. It was a fun evening.

Habibi Nada

Kids on the vehicle ride.

Throwing balls to win gold fish.



Kids with their new gold fish.