Summer Arrives!!!

We are now into our second week of summer vacation. We have had so much fun. Even while washing walls, the girls and I have been able to laugh. That Katy-girl is a crack up. We have also kayaked a couple times. June is not usually warm but it has been a perfect 80 degrees nearly every day. We also had a fun day cleaning up the yard at Grandma and Grandpa Grant's house with the cousins. Not a bad beginning.

Plans for the summer include a week long conference on rocks and mining, ( I know it sounds exciting!) a week at girls camp, (Bring on the mosquitoes!), and  family celebrations for the Fourth of July and Pioneer Days. We also have a a big family reunion/vacation planned for the Oregon Coast. We are so excited about that!!!

Along with yard work, de-cluttering, and day activities around here, we will be busy and really enjoying ourselves. Bring on Summer!!!!!

So This is Spring

We have one of the most spectacular Springs in the history of forever. It has allowed us to experience outdoor adventures much earlier than previously known to those who live in our neck of the woods. So Trent, Buddy, and I have walked many miles up and down the Greenway trails. I've also been able to ride my bike a lot. I love that bike!

Tonight, Buddy and I set out a little late but our timing was perfect for seeing a gorgeous sunset. We had to run or it was going to be too dark on the way back. Now we are both very tired and coughing like we are about to die. We'll feel better in about an hour.

Life is good. I really LOVE Idaho. And it is nice to know what a real Spring is.

And Even More Small Town News

SOUTH FREMONT BRINGS HOME THE FIRST, YES FIRST, STATE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY! Yes I was yelling that. Because we're South Fremont and couldn't be prouder and I can yell a whole lot louder.

In More Small Town News

When small things happen in a big town only a few people notice. Fortunately, and unfortunately, when small things happen in a small town then everyone notices. But when something big happens in a little place then it seems the entire world is fixated and focused. Right now, our small high school, with its small studentbody, and its unassuming boys basketball team is the talk of the town and rightfully so. Today at 3:50 the boys play for the state title. I went back in the history books to see when the last time was that South Fremont won a basketball title and I got bored looking for it. Must have been awhile.

The best part is how there is so much support for them. Our little food joint, Big J's, has pulled in family members, retired workers, and possibly people off the streets (j/k) to fill working spots so every high school employee could go to Boise for the games. It is broadcast live on the Internet and I don't know of a single household who hasn't been watching or at least getting frequent updates from someone watching. The band was sent over and has played their hearts out. Most of the faculty from the schools was gone because those boys are OUR boys. They all need to be there to cheer and jeer. Unifying a community takes a lot of people and that is what is happening.

So ... GO COUGARS!!!!!

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I ran to Rexburg after school to get a new harness for Buddy. His old one is so weird that I can't figure it out and it isn't very comfortable for him, either. Upon my return, Buddy and I went for a walk along the Greenway. This was the first adventure of many along this beautiful trail. Buddy's new harness was perfect and he loved it. He also went for a swim in the beautifully clear and freezing cold water. He is a happy puppy today.

Friends

This is my friend Emily Rice. We have been friends for a long time. We met when Trent was attending BYU for Law School and her husband was in graduate school. We lived in the same apartment quad where each day our children played outside together. We had good times together like pushing our children up the Temple hill to the park, participating in EARLY morning deep water aerobics, swimming at the Towers pool, attending the dinosaur museum, and talking for hours. That all happened when our oldest two children were four years old or younger. Now they are in their twenties. A lot of time has passed and we can't do those same things anymore. We live in two different states and have busy lives. But, on those rare occasions when we do get together we can still talk for hours. I'm so grateful that I am able to visit with her like we did during those good 'ol days. 

Small Town Grocery Stores

Living in a small has its disadvantages and I am well aware of many of them. Like, there are no museums to go to. You have to find your own fun. And there isn't a lot of shopping. But, there are advantages too. Like, the pace is pretty slow. You know a lot of people and can wave to everyone. And, there is a small town grocery store. I love ours. It usually has what you need just not everything that you want. I almost always see someone to chat with for a second. 

Tonight, my sister and her husband were there. They bought a lot more than us and we were at the check out together. We were talking with the cashier, manager, and each other about a particular item they were out of and were getting rainchecks when my sister's purchase was completed or at least it seemed completed. Then it was our turn. They left and we proceeded to purchase our groceries. We didn't need a lot but when the cashier was finished scanning our items the total was over $100. I was dumbfounded. This is about all we got. There may have been a little bit more but not enough to total that much.

Upon closer inspection of the screen, I saw the things that my sister had purchased. They hadn't finished their transaction. All of our talking had gotten everyone distracted. We had a great laugh while we waited for them to come back to the store to buy their stuff. It was very funny. That is the kind of stuff that can happen in a small town grocery store and no one got too worked up about it.