We get in the car and head for Washington!
This year we brought a few friends along who needed a ride to Utah - Grace, Emery and Keith. They didn't know how bad 6 hours in a mini van could be. We showed them. Boston ended up sitting in the front seat by me because no one else could handle him. I'm sure it was all part of his plan.
At a gas station in Idaho, we came across these lovely creatures. The boys asked the attendant why their heads were so big. So random but it was Idaho...
The first day at my parent's house the boys were like kids in a candy store. They were assuming the position.
Boston waited very patiently for Hudson to arrive every time. Four wheeler rides were hard to come by.
We had a sister's day out which included lunch, shopping and a pedicure. Callie (on Christine's lap) is starting young.
We visited Grandma Quinton by taking her to a doctor's appointment and dining out at KFC (her choice). My mom asked her if she remembered me and she piped up, "Yes, but it's been a while." She's still got her edge. It was nice to visit with her. It has a been a while.
My dad convinced my cousin Justin to take the boys out fishing near the Grand Coulee Damn. My dad said it was pure entertainment. I have a feeling though that what happens on a fishing boat, stays on a fishing boat.
Boston, Jackson, Kale and Beau
That's a serious fish! So glad he didn't bring it home. I'm not much of a fish eater because it stinks.
Kai and Leighton
Jackson and Justin
Uh, that life jacket may not be able to do its job? I am bummed my dad didn't pose for any of the pictures. At least he remembered to take them. Thanks Dad.
Boston loves Kutter! Boston asked me the other day if I was going to have another baby. He wants to hold a little brother or sister and doesn't want to be the baby. Even brought up adoption when I said we weren't going to be having any more babies at our house. He gets along best with kids younger than him.
My mom and I made strawberry jam. This stuff is like red gold! Don't even ask how much sugar goes into it. It's not important.
I spent lots of time looking out the kitchen window and thought of how much a mother sees through the kitchen window. I remember my mom watching us play basketball or fight or walk our pigs (yep), and knock on the window and direct us from her perch. There is so much more I could say about the kitchen window but I'll save it for another day.
Matt and Jodi are a beautiful couple! Eric was able to fly in for a couple days so the adults went to dinner at PF Chang's.
Mine and Kennedy's hands - whose is bigger?
Grandpa and Grandma Jenks - 93 and 87 respectively. The only person Grandpa remembered was Eric. Figures. He's memorable.
I spent lots of time in this house growing up and it always brings back fond memories.
Jackson is a professional slip n slider as you can see. Beautiful form!
Beau, Hudson, Hunter, Leighton, Boston and Jackson. Cousins are the best!
Boston tearing it up.
Kennedy gets a "10" for form too!
We were all sitting around this table enjoying a bowl of cherries and decided the kids needed a slip n slide. 10 minutes later, the guys rigged up the above redneck version. Eventually the kids added soap and kept us entertained for hours.
My parents planted these cherry trees when I was in high school so they weren't producing fruit when I lived at home. This was the first year I went out in the orchard and picked cherries and took it all in. I wish I would've had a camera because it was beautiful. Their orchard overlooks the basin below and their home and land. I had a moment for sure.
Hunter and my mom came out in the orchard to snap a few pictures of our difficult family. Are family pictures ever smooth? We had some tears, some condescending words but ended up with a picture that sums it all up! FAMILY!
I found my Jr. prom dress in the basement bedroom closet. What you can't see is the back of it, unzipped. Yep, I guess my rib cage grew, at least that's what I'm going with.
Baby kitties are always present in the summer time at my parent's house. There were 7 of them in all shades with 2 nursing protective mommies. The kids tried to convince me to take one home but I didn't even come close to saying yes. I think kittens are cute but cats freak me out! They're skittish.
We attended the annual Basin City 4th of July parade. It came and went but is a fun tradition. One float throws ice cream bars and the fire truck always cools every one down. Although this year it was only about 80 degrees.
Eric, Kennedy and I observed from a far.
After lunch we headed to Matt & Jodi's for some lake time, barbeque and fireworks. My dad's token peace sign.
Hudson buried Beau in the hot sand.
Jodi and my mom bathing in the sun.
I couldn't resist a shot of Matt. He's been working out and looks blog worthy.
The twins were the first to head out on the boat. They were so excited to get on the tubes and show what they're made of. Jackson likes to take it slow and Leighton wanted to go faster. Jackson is definitely more cautious.
Hunter and Kennedy spent lots of quality time together. The first week we were there Kennedy went to a basketball and volleyball camp at Hunter's high school. Kennedy has decided she hates basketball but loves volleyball. Hunter drove Kennedy around and took care of her. It was probably the highlight of the trip for Kennedy - hanging out with Hunter. Thank you Hunter!
Boston is always ready for a game of baseball.
Matt tickling Launa. Him and Jodi should've had 5 more kids (they have 3) because kids love them. I guess they still could??
The twins take water balloon fights very serious.
My mom enjoying Kate.
Jodi & Matt have quite the green thumb along with vision. Their yard has it all.
Matt doesn't mess around with the fireworks. Definitely the boys favorite part of the day.
Leighton & Eric in Matt and Jodi's gorgeous yard with the park in the background. Dreamy place to live.
These kids could man-handle their grandparents now.
Hunter and Kennedy - best friends.
The 4th of July is as American as it gets and we honored the day in style.
We enjoyed Ashley & Mark's new house by eating dinner on the porch.
Kate enjoyed trying on my shoes. I remember doing the same thing with any high heel shoes (maybe I was a little older). Fashion over comfort.
Matt's parents have a quaint pond that was straight out of a magazine. Eric had already gone home but I kept saying how much he would love this place. He's very nostalgic and this place oozed it.
My mom and Jan (Matt's mom) have been friends for years.
Yes that is me rowing the boat with Boston and Jackson as my helpers. I was very careful because the water didn't look like something I wanted to fall in. Greg (Matt's dad) plants fish in there for yuppies to come to the country and fish.
Seventh heaven for my dad - relaxing on the dock with a glass of lemonade. Notice his muddy knee...10 minutes earlier he had it out with the edge of the pond.
The twins jumped right in and started fishing. You didn't want to be anywhere near them because they would just swing their line/hook anywhere, just about catching each other. Other than dinner, they fished the whole time. They too were in seventh heaven.
Boston on the other hand, spent a lot of time stressing about the mud, the dog, the bugs, the food, etc. He finally found a paint brush and relaxed for a bit but was ready to leave when it was time. He did make a friend in Laurie, the goat.
Grandpa with the boys. He's very patient with them.
Jackson came across an artist's tablet and found his piece of paradise. He loves to draw or "sketch" as he calls it.
We went to the Aquatic Center in Moses Lake because...that's what you do in the summer time!
Beau (11), Leighton and Jackson. Looks like our hand-me-downs will fit Beau when he's in high school.
Boston and I enjoying the lazy river. This was the only time I spent with Boston here. He has learned how to swim and hit the ground running. He went down the big slides, the high dive, and did the surfing thing without me even knowing. I sat and did nothing. Weird.
Ashley wasn't able to sit and do nothing. Launa is 4, Kate is 2 and has a bun in the oven. Sitting and doing nothing is far, far away.
The twins and Beau taking it easy.
My brother Brandon needed a ride to Utah so I left a few days early (spent almost 2 weeks there) and met up at Chuck E. Cheese in Layton for Detton's 6th birthday.
Kennedy loves Sara and I think Sara loves her. Sara is 3 and just about as adorable as they come.
Tony & Allison and Brandon & Jenn - They obliged me for this picture. Must capitalize on all of us together.
Detton (the birthday boy) and Boston. Detton is the sweetest boy around. He wasn't too sure about Chuck E. so Boston was there to comfort him.
Another family obliging me - Shannon and Dave with Ella and Sara.
All the cousins doing what they're told - posing for a picture.
The big boys cheering the birthday boy.
This was our last stop. We stayed the night with the Bell's in South Weber and headed home the next afternoon. Upon arriving into the valley and seeing the lights Jackson said, "We're in Vegas Baby!" Leighton asked if it was "a mirage." My eyes were quite fuzzy but assured them we were home. There really is no place like home, wherever that may be.
Thank you Mom and Dad for taking care of us! Your home is almost as good as it gets (except the 40 minute drive to the civilization I call "Target."
