Life at the Lake

With our substantial amount of time spent away this summer, it's safe to say the majority of it was spent at the lake. Sam's childhood home is here, and with the future of the lake house a little uncertain since the passing of his grandparents. We're planning to soak up every minute we have. It's so awesome to see our kids get to build some of the same memories that Sam grew up enjoying.
 

Sam, my love, is quite the Grill-ist. He's actually quite the cook in all cooking methods. Here he is doing what became a regular routine. Grilling up a bunch of his specially seasoned meats. This is Sam's Dad, Dave. The kids were kept busy by Sam's cousin Sadie and her boyfriend. Plenty of board games to keep busy with out at the Lake house.

Part of the perks of being in Coeurd'Alene for so long is being there with several different sets of cousins. Here's some of Sam's cousins. We played at the water most days until it was almost dark. Sometimes we played in the water even when it was dark. Night swimming turns in to night fishing.... which is what Sam did and it's how he justified his belly shirt (so immodest! ;) He didn't want his dry t-shirt soaking up the water from his wet shorts- making him cold. I'm sure that's it, either that or he's got an affinity for T-shirt knots.

Another great thing about spending lots of time at the lake each year is that we make good friends that the kids look forward to seeing each summer when they return. Here's Reese and his little buddy Marcus. Ready to find some fish to capture! The girls are carrying on the tradition of getting a good wash in while they're down swimming. Don't knock it if you don't try it! Talk about a great day of deep conditioning! They leave in their conditioner all day long and it helps their hair not get all nasty for the many days in the sand and sun. The person doing a flip off the diving board is Sam's aunt Carol - she was a gymnast some 30 years ago... looks like she hasn't lost her touch!

Many many fun times were spent joy-riding on the golf cart. Audrey is now old enough to be allowed behind the wheel. Scary as it is, we had lots of side-splitting rides. Sides split from laughing out loud at my crazy daughter's driving skills. Driving the boat is my favorite. I love driving when we're pulling tubers. I love that people on the boat actually clap for me when I toss the riders 15 feet into the air. To me, it feels like a win/win. :)

So beautiful, so blessed, we're so grateful to have such a place to enjoy. We Love our life at the lake!!

Send them to Grandma and Grandpa!

While the kids were safely tucked away with my parents, Sam and I made a getaway to California. This was back in July mind you, but like I said, I'm a little behind on the blog.  Sam had some business down there so I just went along and we were able to do some sightseeing along the way. Our first stop - San Francisco.

This beautiful building was just one of many on our drive into the city - while we were trying to find our hotel, we saw a big crowd of people who were taking pictures down a street. We kept driving and before we knew it a city worker directed us to drive down the street so we did... it wasn't until we were on it that Sam realized it was Lombard St! One of the curviest streets in existence and apparently quite famous. So we drove down it and luckily got a few pictures when we realized what we were doing.

Next up, Sam had a little surprise for me - he'd heard about a Segway tour that goes all over the city - so you not only get to see all the famous sights, you get to learn a new skill and practice it! It was pretty funny to see these big groups of people in the reflector vests and helmets traveling through the streets in big troops! It felt a little nerdy, I'm not going to lie, but hey, it was still fun! San Francisco also surprised me with how chilly it was for mid July - as you can see I had to put Sam's sweatshirt over my sweater and scarf. That building behind us is the one and only Alcatraz. We'll have to save touring that for next time, maybe with the kids.... we could scare em straight or something.. ;)

Down by the fisherman's wharf was a bustling, fun place - lots of street performers, vendors, boats, good seafood to eat, sea lions, trolley cars and most everything San Francisco - here's one guy who was messing with me and wanted to pretend to steal my purse.. nice try buddy. There was even a guy who was holding tree branches in his hands and he'd jump out from behind stuff just to scare people. He seemed to like to rotate his location just to keep everyone guessing. San Francisco is also the birthplace of Ghirardelli chocolates - we tried so hard to get ourselves there but with so much to do we just didn't have time to hit it. Another point on the list of "next time"

This carousel was down one of the piers. Do people who live here know how lucky they are? I love it!

There are actually lots of different types of "trolley cars." the original trolleys run on the hills mostly and then there's lots of electric rail cars that go around the city - most of them vintage and actually donated from other locations. Like the one by Sam - below that you can see the traditional trolley car.

We stumbled into this beautiful church - I did take a picture of the outside of it, but only on my phone. It's St. Peter and Paul's. Apparently, when Joe DiMaggio wanted to marry Marilyn Monroe here, the church wouldn't let them because it was a second marriage for both of them. So Joe partially solved the problem and paid the church lots of money just to take pictures outside the front of the building. They actually married in the courthouse. Just a little tid-bit I learned on my totally awesome segway tour!

After a few days in San Fran, we started our way south and took the Pacific Coast Highway. Although it's incredibly windy ( like a wind up toy, not like a storm...) and slow - we couldn't miss out on all of the absolutely breath-taking scenery. We only got stuck behind the same camp trailer 6 times, so it was all worth it! haha, every time we'd pull off to take pictures, the same trailer would catch up to us and then we'd have to try and pass them again. Oh, and I tried to count how many red convertibles we saw and I know I can remember at least 5 but there were plenty of other colored convertibles taking the drive too. Please excuse my Zha Zha expression in the collage below.. when asking strangers to snap pictures, you get what you get - I think I must've been mid hair flip or something.. at least it wasn't on purpose!

Finally, we made it all the way south to Newport Beach. We didn't stay too long here but did get to stop by and see a couple of Sam's friends. He's known them and swam with them since 8th grade. Here's chopper - one of the their dogs. He was such a gooood boy!

Heading back north we went through LA and I can't really express the irony I felt seeing one of our church's temples - the Los Angeles temple ( where my parents were married ) right on the main road just off the exit heading downtown to Rodeo drive. What a contrast in interests! I was proud of my church and loved seeing the temple set against the background  for what seems would be all things Los Angeles.

Here's some pictures we snapped while driving through - Some noteworthy shots - the chip n dales traveling in a pack, some people dressed in full star wars garb and the classic "paparazzi " they really were just wandering the streets, looking into all the ritzy shops to see if they could get a glimpse of someone famous. I tried to stay on the lookout too - but no luck. It was still fun to see all the places in person. I wanted to see the Hollywood sign ( I know, Cheesy ) but we took a wrong turn and got on to the freeway before we meant to - and once you're on - you're not going to be getting off just to circle back, all the driving in the city takes FOREVER. So, maybe next time.

We made our way back up north finally before we left the state to have one more day in San Francisco - we had a great breakfast and did a little more (pretty important) sight seeing. We couldn't leave the area without going over the Golden Gate Bridge! San Francisco really impressed me, theere was so much to see, such great food, and the people were so fun to watch. I'm a believer that going new places opens up new places in your mind! I'm so grateful for my experiences I've gotten to have with my honey by my side.

Here's a couple of famous buildings that dot the San francisco skyline - Coit tower and the Trans America Pyramid. I love big cities! They have the best Architecture!

It was an awesome trip. Thank you Mom and Dad / Grandma and Grandpa Ladd and Nyleen!! We couldn't have done it without you!!

Summer catch up - Step 1

Well, I knew the time would come that I needed to catch the blog up with all things summer - So with two and a half weeks of school under our belts, I've decided it's time for me to embark on this large but also largely wonderful task of chronicling our adventures.

Summer travels got off to their start with a stop to visit Mary and Tony - Sam's parents - in Southern ID. They've only lived there for several months but have somehow managed to turn their backyard into a garden of Eden of sorts! Mary had some specific projects she was hoping to have the grandkids help out with. So we came like little (easily distracted ) soldiers

 and got to work!

Grandma Mary ( Or Mimi - which is what she would've preferred to have been called ) has passed on a love of gardening and all things green thumbed to the kids. She's been planting flowers with all of them since they were in diapers.

The planter box turned out great and somehow we got through the experience without even getting completely soaked by Reese - who was (not sure by who ) put in charge of the hose - Although we did have several close calls......

G&G Mary and Tony are also avid bird house collectors and what Grandparent's collection would be complete without some grankid made arts/crafts projects included in the repertoire? Lets just say when Gma Mary does crafts- SHE DOES CRAFTS! The kids had endless options for their stylings and even Tony and I got in on the fun. They all turned out great and were added to the back yard collection. Thanks Gma Mary and Gpa Tony for the fun visit! We love you.



Our kids are how old??

Wow, I don't know where time's gone, but wherever it is, it went there fast!! I can't believe I have a daughter in Jr. High! She has loved going to a new school with more kids and she's really excited about this year. I know she'll do amazing and am so thankful she's such a good girl.

 

Audrey and her cute (much shorter-along with all her other friends) friend Kamri. So Glad she has such good friends.

Reese is now in the Big-kid's side of the Elementary school and was excited and ready to go back to school. He didn't get the Teacher he's hoped for but we know he'll be great and will keep on learning and growing. Ms. Elle will Start Kindergarten this coming week - for which she can't wait - We'll keep you posted with those pictures soon! Happy School year! It came too quick!



Picture Time Pretty Babies

Summertime fun with the Taylors!

We've been out of town for the last three and a half weeks and I know I'll have a lot of catching up to do ( in all areas of life! ) but here was a post I began working on before we left and I figured I better post it now or loose it forever! This was a fun weekend trip we took to visit our friends the Taylors up in Burley ID at their grandparents house. We went skiing/boarding on the Snake River and I can honestly say I've never played on smoother water. I was pleasantly surprised. Reese and Audrey both had success with skiing that day and we all had a blast. Thank you Taylors! We love you guys :)

Reese and Crew being their silly selves dancing on the boat. Sam and I both tried wake-surfing for the first time. It was a lot of fun, but probably not as easy as some make it look, as seen by my fist-shaking-while-sinking below!

The next day we made it to a fun place where a farmer has converted his rolling hills into a playland with very long water slides. I highly recommend this place to everyone. It's called Steadman's and is located in Raft River, near Burley ID.  It runs on donations only and frequently hosts girls or scout camps and youth groups.

As with all things that are great fun, we of course came up with new ways to push it. This day it took the form of Daddy riding/racing. Haha, Sam's a good sport.

Great. Family. Fun.

Happy Summer everyone!