Hayden Creek

Having lived outside of North Idaho for the last many years, I had kind of forgotten how glorious it is up here. Within just a few miles of my parents' home, there is just endless opportunities to enjoy God's glorious earth. God really did a good job when He made our earth. It is a lot of fun to enjoy it. Thank you, God!!

Today, we traveled just a few miles away to enjoy Hayden Creek. It is just a haven for all kinds of outdoor fun. I remember in years past riding motorcycles up in all the mountain roads up there. It is fun for that. There are several areas where people have apparently set up target practice with their guns. The ground is just glittering with used bullet casings and shattered glass. The glass bothers me. Even where we pulled off to play, the ground was littered with broken glass. I was very worried that the kids would slice their bare feet if they walked too far away from the creek without shoes. Poor respect for a beautiful area....in my opinion.

We still had fun though. The guys were going to take out the motorcycles and four-wheeler for a ride while the women and children played in the creek. BUT....on the way there, the bike Tim was riding developed some issues....and they couldn't get the four-wheeler started again. So, we ended up just enjoying the beauty and water as a family. I think the boys still managed to have a good time.



And how can you be playing in a creek without building a dam? Daria and Tim spent some time sort of making a dam. They didn't go all the way across the creek. Daria declared that she was making a calm spot for the fish to settle into. We did see a little 2 inch guy that Kyle attempted to catch....but he was a quick little bugger. I think Kyle actually touched it once. Eeewww!

There was a little mini waterfall where we had set up our little spot. It was fun to watch and attempt to cross there. The current was pretty strong so we were cautious. Caden lost his flip flop there and it was hilarious watching him attempt to rescue his shoe. He almost fell in once.


Being the mom that I am, I couldn't just wait for my son to tumble into the current, (not that the water is very deep....but it is moving!), I decided that I needed to help. I handed him a stick....and SUCCESS!!


Daria was the only one who was brave enough to wade out to the edge of the water fall and sit in the water. The water is COLD!!! I think I gasped just about every time I took a step into the creek. If you were in there for any length of time, your toes got numb. Daria didn't seem to mind, though.

We ended the day with a little marshmallow roast in Mom and Dad's back yard....and some night time frisbee.




I would have to say that it was another successful day. Tired kids. Tired parents. Tired grandparents.

Lots of great memories.

Riding with the Big Boys

While we were at Hayden Creek playing, my nephew, Kyle, wanted to take a little ride on one of the motorcycles. With it being his first time to attempt to ride by himself, his parents, and Grammy, decided that riding on the dirt roads would not be the best of ideas. He wasn't too pleased to wait....but it was a good thing.

As soon as we got home from the creek, Kyle's dad helped him ride in the grass of the backyard. But, after dumping it only once (they're heavy!!) He did really well. It was fun to watch him gradually gain confidence. At first, he didn't want to learn how pop it out of first gear...or ride it down the driveway. Pretty soon, he wanted his dad to show him how to shift gears and then he was roaring around the backyard. By the time dinner was ready, he had driven it down the driveway. I'm pretty sure that he was on cloud nine.


Daria is never one to be left out of privileges. She begged and begged for Tim and I to allow her to attempt to ride the bikes too. Of course we said no. I'm not even sure she could hold it up on her own. Kyle is two years older and it was difficult for him. I told her to wait another year or two. (besides....I wasn't quite ready for that!!) She was finally content to take a ride around the yard with her dad.

The boys, of course, refuse to be outdone by their older sister. They were quickly clamoring for their turn to ride with Dad, too. Dad was quite willing to oblige.



Once Luke was on, he didn't find it nearly as thrilling as it appeared. When we told him he had to keep his feet up, or he would get burned by the exhaust pipe, the glory of the ride had lost its luster. Two trips around the yard were enough for him.

I was fine with that. I'm not sure how I feel about my boys getting interested in motorcycles. I would really prefer that they live to a ripe ol' age...and with all their body parts intact.

Who knew it could be so difficult to let my boys grow up?

On Vacation

We've been on vacation this week in lovely North Idaho. I've been wanting to post something every night because our days are so full and exciting. Yet, with Summer and the long days full of fun and excitement, I am finding that my times for blogging are short and spazzy. I will try and get caught up here soon. If you are interested, when you check back, be sure to scroll down. I am going to be post dating things as I am able.

Tough problem to have, huh? Too busy having fun to post. But what fun we are having!!

Thanks for not giving up on me!!

Round Lake!!

North Idaho is a land full of glorious lakes. We could probably go to a different lake every single day of the week. Round Lake is one of the best lakes around....in my opinion anyway. There are endless possibilities of things to do when you are there. Swimming. Hiking. (You can walk all around the lake on a gentle, family friendly pathway.) Fishing. Boating. An adventure awaits you around every corner.

The reason I enjoy Round Lake is because it is plain ol' beautiful. There is wildlife to see. Last year we saw a moose. This year was herons and turtles.


The other reason I love it is because the water warms up faster than the bigger lakes....thus the swimming is a little better for aging bodies. :-)

While we were at the lake, we enjoyed just about everything there is to enjoy while we were there. It was awfully muggy yesterday....so we chose not to do the hiking....but I really do enjoy that trail. One of these years, I will have to take my kids on it.....it is just cool.

We enjoyed swimming. Luke was enthralled with the new life jackets that were purchased for the canoe. This year, he was brave enough to do a little swimming on his own. Last year, I had to drag him in. Each year, he is getting a braver. Here he is decked out for an adventure in the water. Isn't he just adorable???


Caden was totally enthralled with fishing. He could hardly contain himself with excitement. He was totally beside himself when he actually caught something. Not that the fish itself is anything to write about. It was probably about 2-3 inches long....not weighing hardly anything at all. BUT....it was fun to catch and release. I think Caden caught 5. Kyle had 14. Daria caught 3. Luke didn't have the patience for it....but he was enthralled with the process.



Boating and canoeing were also a highlight of the day. We kept those boats going almost the whole day. What a ton of fun!!



Here, Caden is attempting to learn how to row the boat. The flow of the paddles was a little difficult to master.


He eventually took over complete reign of the oars, while I had the life of leisure. Granted...we never got very far....but we attempted to have fun.


Luke even attempted to try to master the boat, too. He was having a grand time trying to be a pirate on his own. Once again, I don't think he got very far.


When I asked the kids at the end of the day what their favorite part of the day was, they responded fishing. I think that my favorite part of the day was when I sat myself on the prow of the rubber raft and loaded all the kids into the boat. We paddled out to the middle of the lake and had a grand time. The kids were playing pirate...and walking the plank.



We had a wonderful day. Full of fun, laughter, and great memories. As we packed things up, the kids were already begging to come back again. Round Lake is becoming a family favorite for family activities. I know that my dad would love to take the kids there in the winter and have a winter picnic. I'm actually a little surprised that we didn't do that this past winter. Oh well. I think I just refreshed his memory.

All in all it was a great day that ended with a big splash......

And an even bigger bang....bang....bang. (We made it home....just in time!!)

Simple Pleasures

We have been vacationing in North Idaho at the home of my parents this week. The weather has been HOT. It is amazing how those extreme heats....and high humidities...make live s l o w down. It has been nice not having an agenda to hurry here and there to. I love just sitting sometimes and enjoying the simple things in life.

One of the most simple of pleasures is playing in the sprinkle. Clean, honest fun. I remember as a kid that it would seem that I was impervious to the cold. Not so much now that I am getting up there in years. I get a little jealous when I see my kids playing with wild abandon, completely impervious to the cold water.

Tim got some great pictures of my kids, and my niece and nephew playing in the sprinkler and enjoying some of the simple pleasures in life.




My niece has found some modern-day simple pleasures. Our society has created wonderful ways to stay close....even when you are far away. She misses her friends. I wonder if she gets finger cramps from texting.


She did enjoy showing Luke the pleasures of tetherball. She's got her volleyball form down well.


Tim had the fun idea of bringing balloon rockets for the kids. He probably spent over an hour blowing up balloon after balloon. At least he had one of those hand pumpers. Though, I kept wondering if he was going to get blisters galore. The kids had the best time with those rockets. Alyssa even managed to be enticed into the fun. Of all the pictures that I took of that....none of them really do the event justice.


But by the end of the evening, the kids were laughing and having a grand ol' time. That was when I was really struck with the idea that sometimes it is the simple things in life that are truly the best.

Twelve Already????

It is a strange thing. I won't divulge my age, but I tell you that I don't feel nearly as old as I am. Lindsay says that I'm not old....so...I'll stick to that. Even so, I know that the years are sneaking up on me faster and faster the older that I get. Before I know it, I will be an old lady with grandchildren grabbing at my ankles.

Today, Tim and I celebrate 12 years of marriage. I swear it was another one of those "I blinked" moments. It seems like it was yesterday that I was putting on my beautiful wedding dress and Tim was decked out in his hot tuxedo. (Hot in more ways than one, if you catch my drift.) Our wedding day was one of the best in my memories. To be princess for a day is every girl's dream come true.

It has been a good 12 years. I won't say that they were perfect, but they have been good. When I look back over the years...and where we have come from...and where we are now....I truly feel like I am blessed. We have been blessed. To find a man who loves God as much as I do...who has the same values....I feel so very fortunate. I pray for my own children to find a partner such as this.

I couldn't let this day pass without marking the day here on my blog. To be blessed, what more could I ask for? I love you, TimJ and I look forward to many more years with you. To the good. The Bad. And the Ugly. We'll have an adventure for sure.

My Sentiments Exactly