A Heart Full of Thanks Day 1

Today I am thankful for Primary music and children that sing them. I have been the chorister in our Primary for two and a half years. I love it there. I love all the songs. I sing them while I'm falling asleep (in my head, of course). I sing them when I wake up and can't fall asleep. I sing them out loud as I walk to school and when I come home. I just love them.

Seeing the Beauty of Fall

Six months ago I blogged about spring and how nice it was to experience the season. Well' I'm here to blog about autumn.I haven't been known to love fall because it seems that this neck of the woods has a week, maybe two, of what I would call autumn weather and then BAM! snow hits and it is winter. But, this last month has been spectacular. We have cool mornings and then wonderfully warm afternoons and evenings. It is the kind of weather that you must dress one way for mornings and then another way for the afternoon. And with this fantastic weather has come beautiful colors to enjoy. The leaves have lingered in their perfect color array for much longer than normal. The yellows, oranges and reds cling to the branches and gently twirls to the ground as opposed to yellow to brown to ground in seconds. I am loving it! 

My favorite part has been the near daily chore of raking leaves. We rake in the afternoon and by morning, as I step out for my short jaunt to school, the grass is covered again. I don't mind it because I know that the entire time I'm outside I am "stealing" away the memories of a fall that hasn't been seen before and may not be seen again. I wish this blog could have smell-a-vision so I could share the scent of those leaves as they are pushed and pulled into small piles dotting the yard. It is wonderful! 

Life is good! I do love the changing seasons of 2015. And I'd better go take Buddy for a walk before it is too cold and we aren't able.

The Bike Rides

I have been wanting to go on a long bike ride for some time now. Actually, I love any bike ride. So when my nephew asked me to ride with him to Grandma's it sounded like a great idea. He asked his friend. liam, to come. I asked him mom to come, too. Sixteen miles later we arrived. He enjoyed lots of giggles and smooth roads without much traffic. Nephew Quincy was happy but tired and had no intention of returning home on the bike. I didn't either, at first. But after resting for a few minutes I could have returned ... Just more slowly. We hitched a ride back instead. And Quincy and Liam were able to check off a requirement for their biking merit badge.

That ride got me thinking about riding further and exploring more. I had heard of a trail that went between Ashton and Tetonia, following along an old railroad line. It isn't paved and doesn't follow the road. Quincy needed a 25 miler so this trail would be perfect for him. So, Cristy, Quincy, and I decided to go. Then, as a bonus, Trent decided to go with us. It was a lot more fun with him. We started in Tetonia and began the journey. It was awesome! The views were spectacular. I will say, we were all doing well until we had to take a detour due to lack of rights on the trail. That detour was a killer!!!! Not just a little killer but a giant killer. The road went through a field that hadn't been water and the powdery dirt was a couple inches in some spots while we climbed hills. I think I was close to death. I also began to notice the horrid saddle soreness that was developing. Continued perseverance got us to the end where Tom picked us up, we drank Gatorade, and ate crackers. I felt much better after that. I am so excited to do that trail again.

Starting out in Tetonia.

Sights seen on the road less traveled.

One of three trestles we crossed.

The dreaded grain field road of dust and hills.

We could see the Tetons most of the way along the trail.

A happy crew. So much fun.

First Day

Today was the first day of school. Just two kids in school again. This was the first of their last. One year left. They are brave and good and kind. They are also a little nervous for the future. I don't blame them. I am nervous for them. It is an exciting and troubling time.

I began my first day of my eleventh year in second grade. I have NEVER been nervous before. This morning I woke up with nausea. I just wanted to throw up. It got worse until I got to school and saw that none of those twenty-five students were scary or mean. I could handle them. They were actually cute and have a funny sense of humor. I think I'll like them.

Summer Favorite

It must be July because the raspberries are bursting out. Tomorrow begins a morning ritual of picking but today it was just a little picking to top our ice cream. DELICIOUS!!!!

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.