The Main Fork of the Payette

Last Thursday after work, our friends picked us up and we zipped over to Banks for a quick ride down the Payette. Warm setting sun, big white water and great company.

Main Fork of the Payette...Prepare to meet your match.

In the big yellow boat 'Skoolbus' with the Clements Crew.

Expert River Rat Logan and Boat Captain Sid.

The Shakespeare Festival

We belly laughed through the antics of two crazy old women and their crazier nephews in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' at the Shakespeare Festival. I know, I know, its not Shakespeare, but the Shakespeare option in July was 'The Tempest' which was reviewed as 'heavy on philosophy, light on plot' and definitely a drama. With my brain on summer cruise control and Marnie's pregnant bod (and brain) in survival mode, we opted for a lighter, more comedic option to entertain rather than challenge us.

We enjoyed a fabulous festival picnic of cous cous salad, prosciutto wrapped cantaloupe, cucumber brochette with hummus and some delicious cheeses (inspired by our recent viewing of Ratatouille). Notice the elaborate set up complete with egg crate padding, pillows, and reclining lawn chairs. We obviously opted for the grass seats in order to spread out and accommodate Logan's recovering back injury, Marnie's 'baby any time now' stature and Mom's sore neck.

The amphitheater is nestled right against the river complete with a cool breeze, the sounds of rippling water, and flocks of geese flying overhead.

Eva's new chariot

Although it has absolutely no shocks and absolutely no padding, Eva seems to really enjoy her new bike trailer and her morning rides along the river. She spends the first 15 minutes talking and singing and listening to her voice vibrate over the rocky path, and the last hour of the ride in what we call submission mode. Hanging on to her belt strap, eyes half closed, patiently and quietly waiting for it to end. Her favorite are the days that we stop to pick wild blackberries. There is nothing like a break for sweet, delicious berries.

We've figured out that if we stock the trailer with a water bottle, a toy, and a book, and create a crude captains upholstered chair out of beach towels packed around her, she is content until we finally pull up back in front of the house.

The Grandma Gasp

Eva has a new reaction. When she discovers an interesting flower in the garden, or turns to a particularly startling page in one of her favorite books, or tastes a delicious green bean, or gets surprised by the pop up toy that continually pops up every single time she hits the big blue button, she gasps. Mouth wide, eyes big, and audibly gasps in startled amusement. Now any of you that know my wonderfully excitable mother-in-law Susan have no question where Eva gleaned this new entertaining piece of her repertoire.
You can always count on Susan for a purely genuine, absolutely sincere 'You're having a Baby?!' reaction to just about any news...'Avocados are on sale at the grocery store,' 'My fingernails are dry,' or 'The oven is preheated' all elicit the excited 'I won the lottery' reaction. It truly is a joy to share anything with Susan and know that she will be just as excited (if not more) than you are. I'm sure Eva picked up what we now call the Grandma Susan gasp when we spent last week with her in Utah. We are so happy to get to take one of our favorite pieces of Grandma Susan's love with us in the form of a fluffy baby girl!

Its all about the equipment

Lets see here...float-check...sun canopy-check...squeaky frog belly up-check...goggles-check.
OK, we're ready for some fun in the sun!

Food, Friends and Fireworlds on the Fourt of July

A red, white and blue feast with dear friends at the Fields.

Its the Stars and Stripes forever...smocked all over this chunky babe's bod.

Even today's swimming suit is red, white and blue....

A Trip to the Lake with Ashley Rose and Georgia Gay

Grandma Susan had her hands full at Jordanelle with Ashley, Georgia and Eva in the boat.

Ashley Rose and Uncle Logan played name that tune with Disney Princess hits.
Of course Princess Ashley schooled him.

Grandma, Grandpa and two topless toddlers. This is what life is all about.

Logan and Captain Billy G share a love of the Colonel's own.

The Big Boss

Its pretty clear who is running the show on this family weekend. The Queen Bee sits knowingly in the high chair throne surrounded by her buzzing attendants, Aunt Jenny, John and Caroline Stromberg all gathered at John and Susan's for a family weekend in Utah.

It appears that one of the subjects, Grandpa John, has misbehaved and is being swiftly
punished by her Highness.

And the Queen is a stickler for details, constantly holding the hive by the 'short hairs' making sure each toy is tasked to perfection. Cousin Caroline is clearly not playing to potential, a situation that demands the Queen's attention.

Cousin Time!

A week of fun at the Deans in Provo. Plenty of play time with Caroline and John Stromberg.

Grandma Susan and Aunt Jenny with an apparently very scary little bunny.

OK, Maybe the bunny isn't quite so scary.

A Trip to the Cabin

Eva's first campfire with her dad.

Skiing Lake Cascade

John and Em

Eva's first skinny dip in the lake!

Sitting for a read with Grandpa

Marnie in the boat and Grandma reading on the dock.

Beautiful lake Cascade

Logan, Dad, Me, Tom, Liz and John Sitting around the campfire

Logan lathers up in the lake...a clean camper is a happy camper.
He soon realized that a hot shower in the cabin was a little less public.

Liz old schooling on the knee board.