Eastern Idaho State Fair

Between our two trips to hunting camp in September, I didn't think any of us would end up visiting the Eastern Idaho State Fair. But on a Wednesday when the older girls were all in school and Seth was at work, I sneaked to Blackfoot with my parents and sister to take a look around.

Walking around.

We checked out the incredible quilts.

Grandpa taught Winnie how to properly milk a (fake) cow. He milked from one side ...

while Winnie milked from the other.

She did pretty well. 

We petted some farm animals. Notice Winnie's look of apprehension. She is irrationally afraid of chickens. 

We got to pet a bunny.

And I let her pick out whatever treat she wanted.

Return to hunting camp

So much catching up to do ...

After our Labor Day Weekend excursion to Island Park, we returned the following weekend (September 9-11) and spent more time in the woods. Seth took Rebekah out on the Saturday evening hunt, and although we ended up empty-handed after the archery hunt, our girls (and dog) had a splendid time camping.

The girls had such a fun time with Uncle Doug's dog Roscoe the previous time we went camping that we decided to bring his sister, our dog Peach, to camp with us. The two dogs had a great time. I think, in the future, we'll have to bring Peach with us to hunting camp every time.

Roscoe, Seth and Peach on the hunting camp "couch." Both dogs received a lot of loving from everyone.

Analee reading by the fire.

Winnie (in her "hunting jacket") by the fire.

Miriam (and a whole lotta dog hair) by the fire.

Bekah, Peach and Miriam on the "couch."

Saturday morning, Winnie, Analee and I took the dogs on a walk to the nearby quarry. The dogs loved sniffing around.

The beautiful morning sun.

Seth helping Rebekah get ready to shoot the 7mm-08 Seth got so she can hunt deer. After she shot a couple, Seth and I worked together to sight it in.

This time, there were fewer people at camp, but we still enjoyed the beautiful fall scenery and weather.

Gwenism #19

While getting dressed this morning ...

Gwen: I have my kitty socks with the hearts on them.

Andrea: Kitty socks with hearts? Those kitties must love someone.  
Gwen: They love my feet because they're hugging my feet.

Labor Day

As per tradition, we pulled the trailer up to Island Park and spent our long weekend in the woods.

Saturday we had wonderful weather. The kids played in the dirt, took walks, went on 4-wheeler rides, picked flowers, ate food and listened to stories. Seth took Analee out on the evening hunt, and despite not seeing anything, they had a wonderful time.

Rebekah and Analee checking out their homemade target after shooting their BB guns.

Grandma Susan reading to Winnie and Miriam.

Miriam and Winnie playing with Uncle Doug's dog Roscoe.

Miriam and Analee lovin' on Roscoe.

Winnie on her perch.

Sunday we got up bright and early and drove the 45 minutes from our camping site to church at Mack's Inn. It never ceases to amaze me how strong the Spirit can be in a church packed full of people I've never met before. Then we took the girls to Harriman State Park to have a picnic lunch and check out the historic buildings, but before we could go on a hike, we decided the weather was iffy and headed back to camp. That turned out to be a good call, because almost the rest of the day was spent in the trailer or under tarps keeping out of the rain. The rain broke long enough for us to enjoy the big Dutch oven dinner Grandpa Dennis had spent the day preparing.

Keeping dry under the canopy Sunday afternoon.

Winnie, Miriam, Rebekah, Analee and Mack.

Early Monday morning we heard rain, hail and thunder from our trailer. It was really foggy when we got up, but the rain stayed away almost long enough for us to pack up the truck. Right when it was time to jump in the truck for the drive home, it started hailing again.

Analee and Miriam in the hail.

See?!

Winnie (and her jammie pants) in the hail.

To see more pictures from our weekend, start here.

First day of school

This year we've got three kids going to school all day. I'm not going to lie ... it's pretty great. I think I've gotten more done in the one week they've been in school than I did all summer long.

The first day of school was Monday, August 29. Rebekah is in 6th grade with Ms. Moore. Analee is in 4th grade with Mrs. Stegelemeier and Miriam is in 1st grade with Mrs. Hill.

 6th, 4th and 1st. 

Pretty girls in the back-to-school outfits they picked out. Rebekah is sporting hearing aids and contacts this year. Analee and Miriam both got new glasses before school started.

 Three cute and silly sisters.

Cliff Lake

While the Bostonian cousins were in town, we decided to head north and spend the weekend at the Wildes' cabin in Island Park and have some great out-of-doors experiences. This included:

Driving to Cliff Lake. (Rebekah and Seth in our truck.)

Getting pulled over because we accidentally drove past the watercraft inspection without getting our watercraft inspected. (Rachel and Justin's truck, but all of us had to turn around and be inspected. They were really nice about it.)

Canoing to a good spot to have a picnic lunch and play for a while. (Canoe #1: Uncle Justin, Miriam, Lily, Kelsey, Aunt Rachel, Hudson. Canoe #2: Grandpa Dennis, Cooper, Calvin, Grandma Susan. Canoe #3: Seth, Winnie, Rebekah, Analee, Andrea.)

Wading/swimming in the beautiful water.

And catching a bunch of these. (Justin, Seth and Grandpa did most of the catching. But the kids loved collecting them in containers and observing them before we set them all free.)

 It was beautiful weather, a beautiful lunch and a beautiful time with family.

To see more pictures, start here.

SRRYJ 2016

As always, the girls (and their visiting cousins) had a blast at the annual Snake River Roaring Youth Jam making art and messes. After going to all the booths, we ate a picnic lunch and treated ourselves to Italian ices, snow cones or smoothies.

Calvin, Bekah, Winnie, Lily, Miriam (in the red shirt) and Analee painting in black and white.

See, I told you Miriam was in the red shirt.

Winnie with her sailboat.

Spraying paint onto a canvas. This could have easily occupied her time for hours.

Miriam (and her new glasses!) and her sand art.

Analee (and her new glasses!) and her balloon sword.

Rebekah (and her new contacts!) making a paper plate fish.

To see more fun SRRYJ pictures, start here.