Beach Fun in McCall

Grandma Sharon is always great to help the kids make sand castles on the beach in McCall. There are plenty of forest goodies that wash up on shore for castle decorations. July 4th, 2010.

Noah's 7th Birthday Party!

Noah's Science Birthday Party! It was a smash. We had a great time and the experiments were fun and educational! The boys got to choose their scientist name (i.e., Professor Bubbles, etc.). Our experiments were mainly with dry ice, polymers, and more. Grandma Karen and Dad helped a lot too. Noah loved it all. He helped plan it and he loves science. We will have to do another science party because I have tons of stuff left over. Thank goodness for Steve Spangler Science.com Jeremy was getting rid of the dry ice and some fell down the garbage disposal. The boys loved when he turned on the disposal, the dry ice smoke would poof out like a volcano. The boys loved the exploding diet coke too. We did it twice and wanted to do it all night if we had more. July 9, 2010

Our Second Attempt to Hike to Twin Lakes in McCall

We decided to try to hike to Twin Lakes in McCall. This time Grandpa Michael stayed at the cabin with Milo, Jeremy was gone, and Hillary, Davy, Oliver, the dogs came with us. The hike was a success. It looked like a completely different place a month ago. It was beautiful. So picture perfect green and thriving. We didn't catch any fish but we had a good hike. We did get a lot of good photos and memories along the way. I found a toad and impressed/shocked Davy when I picked it up so the kids could look at it and hold it. They love all kinds of creepy crawly jumping creatures. July 2010.

4th of July in McCall

We spent the 4th of July in McCall this year with Grandpa Michael, Grandma Sharon, Uncle Milo, Aunt Hillary, Uncle Davy, and cousin Oliver. We love watching the fireworks from the boat. Hillary and Davy brought up our boat. The water was freeeeezing, but with wet suits, in 60 degree water, we water skied, wake boarded, surfed, and tubed behind the boat. Noah and Paige tubed without wet suits. Paige surfed with Uncle Davy behind the boat. Hopefully the cold water and being dragged under the water for a while (they don't understand, "let go of the rope" when you fall), hasn't scarred them for future boat trips. Kids are tough and adventurous. While in McCall, we fished, boated, hiked, biked, swam, and had a blast. Summer 2010.

Summer Fun at Grandma Karen's House

Grandma Karen knows how to spoil the grand kids. That is why they always want to go with her and have sleep overs at Grandma Karen's and Grandma Thompson's house. Here is some back yard fun that Grandma supplied. Wahoo! Summer 2010.

Mountain Biking in Eagle

We took the kids to the Eagle Fitness Park where there are a variety of biking trails, courses on dirt and pavement and more. Noah was much more braver than mom. It is nice having cool and free places to have fun as a family so close to home.Summer 2010.

Weekend Trip in McCall

June 2o1o. One of our many summer trips to McCall. It was a late summer in McCall. In May and June it was still cold, rainy, hailing, and sometimes snowy. But there were also times the sun came out. Any time of year McCall is still beautiful. We went on a hike with Grandpa Michael, Grandma Sharon, and Uncle Milo to hike to and fish at Twin Lakes. There was still a lot of snow on the ground and a lot of water on the ground from snow melting. Grandpa's Explorer got stuck in the snow just before we got to the trail head. Luckily we were able to dig and push it out. We never made it to the Twin Lakes this trip. The kids were cold and soaked and tired, and we got a little lost. The trail was hard to find in the snow, mud, and water. Defeated, but happy we tried, we went back to Grandpa's cabin and had hot chocolate. When things get warmer we will try again. The trail head is also where ranchers have an old cabin, hay loft/stable, and it was fun to explore them. We also got to do a lot of balancing acts on logs to get over really wet areas. In this area there are a lot of old dead/burned trees, so Jeremy liked to show off his strength and kick/push giant trees over with his bare hands. Noah thought it was cool. Jeremy is our super strength dad. We have a family joke that he has super power muscles because he is always lifting really heavy and large things that probably would be best with two men or a dolly to do. Thank goodness his back is still doing good.