Boise

I flew to Boise for a quick 24 hours and was able to catch two of Marcus's games.  Some of my aunts, uncles, and cousins showed up to cheer him on.  I also texted a couple friends in the area at the last possible second and they came too.  Marcus and I went to dinner with my Dad and Kathy, then hot tubbed with my fun cousin and her kids.  After the second game, I had a nice nap in the backseat of my car (sleeping in the backseat is a talent I have), ate Chik-Fil-A, and flew back to WA.  It was quick and productive!

The best part was coming home and pulling into the driveway to see Henry waiting at the door to see me.  He ran into the garage and climbed into the front seat and hugged me before I even got out of the car.  I don't want to ever forget that. 

Grandma Great

My Grandma, Ruth Spjute, also known as Grandma Great, passed away in October.  She was 95 years old and I'm so glad we were able to drive to Boise to celebrate her life and be with family.  She was a tiny lady with the biggest heart.  When I was a kid we would often go to Boise in the summer and I have vivid memories of hearing the screen door slam behind me as I sprinted across the lawn to swim in the pool.  She always had homemade cookies for us to eat.  And American cheese slices.  I'd eat them all day long.  I remember after Randy and I broke up (we had an off year) she sent me the kindest card and told me she was thinking of me.  It was so thoughtful I still remember it after all these years.  Fast forward so many years later and my boys would sprint through her house and out to the pool for a quick swim on many of our pit stops in Boise as we passed through traveling to and from Utah.  I loved how she loved my boys and always sent them birthday gifts.  She was frugal and funny, wise and compassionate, and so so loving.  

Sadly, I didn't take any pictures at the funeral!  Ethan drove up from Logan and we stayed at my cousin's house, a fellow boy-mom who was happy to put up with us for less than 24 hours of pure chaos.  We drove back home right after the funeral but had just enough time to do some polar bear swimming in a nearby river before putting on our Sunday clothes for the funeral.  

Love you Grams!

Brrr!!

More Vacation

Our 2014 Summer Vacation has come to an end.  The boys and I fly back to RI tomorrow afternoon.  We've been cramming so much fun into every day like we do every year that it just feels routine.  It's going to be a big adjustment when we get home and have to get back to daily life.  I can already hear the whining.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.  This vacation has been full of mini trips.  First Seattle, then to Randy's parents' house, then camping, then to my Dad's, then up to Boise for a few days, and finally back at my dad's.  I'm so ready to be done packing and re-packing suitcases for quick little trips!

Taking the double-decker train into the "Big City"  {Salt Lake which is most definitely not big}

riding a train is as exciting as Christmas morning for these boys

The annual grandkid picture in order by age

The boys first time bum sliding in Farmington Canyon.  I used to do this when I was a kid.  I feel old.

"We love bum sliding!"

Rocking the road trip with 7 kids in the minivan.  Boise or bust!

Pickup trucks mean we're not on the East Coast anymore

Playing at the parks American Ninja Warrior Style

Moms get to swim too

Parker ate dinner with Linz. {It's a mockup of her headstone in my Grandma's garden}

Parker discovered the freedom of water wings.  Now we both have fun in the pool.

My anniversary strawberries delivered to me in Boise.  Twelve years, baby!

There's no such thing as too much swimming

Lunch with my high school friends.  We laughed until we cried.  Love that!

Building boats to sail down Grandpa's waterfall.  It didn't work.

Fake birthday for the birthday buddies, courtesy of the grandparents

Fake birthday cake which was just an excuse to make cinnamon roll cake.  It is soooo good.

Thanks to all our family and friends who took time out of their busy lives to see us.  We seem to turn order into chaos wherever we go which is why it's so nice of everyone to be excited when we visit.  Or maybe the excitement is just an act?  Hmmm. . .