Idaho

We arrived back home this afternoon after a short, but wonderful trip to Idaho.  (Above) On Wednesday we visited a good friend of mine (Afton), who just had a cute little baby girl.

 We stayed at my cousin's place (Anna) in the Boise area during our time in Idaho.  Douglas and Penny loved all the new toys.

 They also loved Dash, the house cat.  As we were driving back today Douglas said, "Dad, we should get a cat for a pet."  I asked him if he wanted a turtle, kangaroo, cow, fish, dog, or anything else for a pet.  Nope, he wants a cat.

 Mike and Anna's four children were awesome with Douglas and Penny.  Here Douglas is messing around with Evan.

Yesterday Anna was kind enough to babysit for us while Sam and I participated in some sealings at the new Meridian Temple.

Hanging out on the back porch with Grant, Seth, and Evan.

 I told you he loved the cat!

Watching Evan's fish and turtle.

Penny would squeal with delight every time she saw Dash.

Last night we enjoyed a delicious dinner at my Uncle Luther and Aunt Kathy's home, which is located only a few homes away from Anna's place.  Uncle Luther brought out his bounce house for all the kids.

I finally got to see one of my best friends, and cousin, Paul.  Thank you, Anna, for the nice photo. :)  The reason we are laughing in the photo is because Anna just told us, "Okay, now turn and look at each other."

Douglas?  Are you a wee bit exhausted after all the bouncing?  Your hair tells a story.  Do something for the camera!

"Okay, Dad.  Here's what you get."

Little Keegan (Paul's youngest) helping his grandpa (my Uncle Luther) roll up the bounce house.

This morning we bid farewell to my Aunt Kathy.

And Uncle Luther.

We ate some of Anna's yummy corn starch custard for breakfast.

Thank you, Evan, Seth, Grant, and Stella for wearing me out on the basketball court and the soccer field, for entertaining Douglas and Penny, and for being awesome people.  Evan, because of you I now want to learn how to play the ukulele.  Grant, good luck beating my record for fastest bike lap around the church building. :)

Thank you, Anna and Mike, for being amazing hosts.  Last night and this morning Douglas asked, "Why do we have to leave Anna's house?"  We love you!

Dandelions

Before I get to the Idaho photos, here's a photo of one of my favorite meals Sam makes.  Stuffed peppers.  In this photo Douglas is saying, "I don't like peppers."

Last Saturday evening we took a stroll down Lagoon Trail.

 Douglas found the dandelions.

He thought it was funny to blow them in my face.

 Penny is our nature girl.  She absolutely loves being outdoors.

Doogles had a long day.

A different day strolling down the other side of the Lagoon Trail.  Douglas loves taking pictures with his little camera.

Slow-motion video of Douglas blowing a dandelion.

Turn up your volume and you'll hear us blowing the dandelions in slow motion.

I'm teaching her young so she can take over the sweeping and mopping when she's three years old.

"Why are you taking a picture of me, Dad?  I'm just mopping."

Grandmothers, Wiggle Bikes, and Upper Falls

Douglas made a video for his grandmothers on Mother's Day.

We had him do another video without the guitar in order to hear the words a bit better.  He sure loves his guitar.  We're excited to put him in music classes.

We ordered a play set for the backyard.  Doogles took a butter knife and turned the box into Swiss cheese, and both he and Penny enjoyed playing inside the box.

Douglas was surprisingly adept at using the knife.  Music classes in the morning, self-defense classes in the afternoon? :)

 We spent the last two days in Provo visiting family.  Penny loves the wiggle bikes at her Granny's house.

Never content to ride.  Must climb everything!

"I did it!"

 Pushing her Granny's walker.

Riding her Granny's walker.

Relaxing with Granny Ogden.

 Yesterday we enjoyed a gorgeous morning with Sara, Jarem, and the kids.  We went up the canyon and hiked to Upper Falls.

Penny got a ride up to the waterfall.

 Douglas, Gideon, and Maxwell stopping for a break along the path.

Maxwell practicing the art of the double pick.  Much more efficient.

 Hup, two, three, four!

Sam and Doogles ascending the mountain.

 Made it to the top.  It's a short hike.  Perfect for a bit of exercise and some time outdoors.

 Snack time

 Behold, the power of the iPhone zoom.  Sam, Douglas, and Maxwell next to Upper Falls.

 Playing with our gun sticks.

"Oh what a beautiful mooooooooorning!  Oh what a beautiful daaaaaay!"

Douglas and Gideon