THE FAIR WAS FAIR

I am not a big fan of the fair, but we did go for a little while this year. The car show was fun to see, especially the Porsche (my favorite car ever).

Here are some fun photos from the parade. I love small town parades! They have the best attractions! The parade was the whole reason we went. My two older sons are in a band and they had a performance in the parade. They sounded great and had lots of fun.

I am surprised at how much they enjoy performing because I hate it and so does my husband. They really have a great time!

The band is part of a group called Wild Child Rock Academy run by a local man. It has been a great experience for them so far and they are having a blast.

I {HEART} BOOK CLUB

I belong to the best book club ever! It is full of the most fun women, the best conversations and the greatest girl-bonding moments!! Bonko (or Bunko, whatever) doesn't hold a candle to our excellent parties! Who cares if we are only discussing the book 10% of the time, that's not what it's all about. It is about hangin' with the girls, discussing both trivial and not-so-trivial items, eating snacks (both healthy and not-so-healthy), and most of all, bonding with a very good group of friends. Thanks, Ladies! You ROCK!

P.S. If anyone wants to join, membership is free and open to all!

TO MY FAVORITE OLDEST SISTER

I have an amazing older sister. It is her birthday today and I can't be with her, so I thought I'd wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY by spotlighting her.

Some of my favorite memories:

• The night we slept on the trampoline so that we could sneak out and put 'borrowed' traffic cones and signs in the driveways of boys we knew.
• The mornings when she literally had to drag me out of bed to finish the board game we had started to play the day before.
• When my parents let me drive over to Provo to visit her at BYU. She would take me dancing and try to get me into clubs when I was underage (it never worked because I always looked too young and am a horrible liar).
• When she set me up on dates with guys in college. I never really liked many of the guys, but it was fun anyway.
• Getting her hand-me-downs 3 years after she wore them. (I was pitifully short and she was statuesquely tall). She always had (and still does) good taste in clothes.

I could go on forever, but I will save it for lunch tomorrow!

Just want you to know you are loved, Ang!!

1ST DAY OF SCHOOL

YIKES! Our summer is over! I am very sad! I have really had a great summer and I am not looking forward to going back to a scheduled day. I guess I really don't have a choice, so I'll do it, but I will rebel as often as I can!

Here are my cute kids in our traditional 1st-day-back-to-school photo spot. We have a Senior, Sophomore, 8th grader, 3rd grader and kindergartner this year.

My youngest has not been looking forward to school, but she was so good. She went in and found some friends, gave me a hug and let me go. No crying or pouting! I was so proud.

PARTY DAY

We had 3 parties at our house yesterday. I did it on purpose so that I could have my Saturday free and they turned out great!

First, my oldest daughter gave a baby shower for a friend. They had a good time and it was nice. Look at the cute diaper cake they made for her.

Second was the "beach party" for my youngest turning 6. They had a ball playing with water balloons and in the wading pools.

They are so easy to please at that age. She was so funny, telling everyone that they were 'so sweet' after she opened their gift. Sometimes she's 6 going on 16.

Third, we always have to have the family party since so many relatives live in town. It was fun too. The weather cooperated all day long and it is nice to have it all over!!

NEW ART- LAST OF THE SUMMER

This is from last week. There wasn't much water left in the river, so I did one of the puddles.

This is my aunt's painting. I love the contrast not only in our styles, but also in our choice of subject matter. Her style is so loose and mine is so tight. I need to take a few lessons from her.

This is from Tues., probably our last painting expedition for the summer. I don't know that it is done. I think it needs more, so if I add to it I will post a before and after. I am so proud that I reached my goal of creating once a week this summer. Hopefully I can keep it up for the rest of the year!

GOODBYE HAIR

I chopped off my hair and I'm very happy with it! It is very easy to do and much cooler. Why didn't I do it at the beginning of the summer? I wish I knew!

DUTCH OVEN RECIPE

This is a yummy recipe that was very popular at our family reunion. The boys had it at scout camp, so I got the recipe and it was a hit. I thought I'd share it so you can enjoy it as well. Isn't it pretty with all the different colored peppers?

SHRIMP JAMBALAYA HASH

1 cup red potatoes, cubed

1 cup peeled sweet potatoes, cubed

3 Tbsp. olive oil

8 large shrimp, peeled, deveined, quartered

6 oz. sausaged (smoked, precooked), halved and sliced

1 med. yellow onion, diced

1 each red and green peppers (I used orange and yellow as well)

2 cloves garlic

6 scallions, chopped

1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper

Boil potatoes for 2-3 min. Heat oil and saute onion and sausage. Add potatoes, peppers, and garlic and saute. Add scallions, salt, and pepper and saute 2-3 more minutes.

FAMILY REUNION IDEAS

I am in charge of my family reunion this year. It is going to be very laid back and have lots of time for visiting. That's what I like most about reunions anyway.

One thing I did this year was make a coloring book for the kids. I got the idea from a Stake Relief Society meeting and felt like it would be a great thing for my family. Both my parents have passed away and many of their grandchildren won't ever know them. I thought this would be a good way to tell my parents' story. I wrote very simple information about both my parents and found clip art or drew illustrations to go with them. It turned out great. I hope the kids enjoy it.

Another thing we are going to do is have movie night. I made a movie/slideshow of lots of family photos- all the way from my dad's mission until right now. It is 17 minutes long, so I won't put it on here, but it turned out great. I let my kids preview it and they loved it! I made every family a DVD copy so they can watch it at home too.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Here are all the photos from our trip for all of those who may be interested. I really could live in Idaho. It is so beautiful!

WET & WILD IDAHO

For all of those who did not know, Idaho is very wet and very wild. It was our first time going up to run the Payette river and all it's forks. It was definitely the wettest camping trip I have been on. It never got above 60 F the whole time we were there. But we still had a blast! This is our camp by the river. It rained the entire first day. I mean, poured, and I mean all day!! Here are some other highlights...

My oldest rowing the Main Payette with the boys.

My oldest with my husband- the only two dedicated enough to go the first day (it was around 48 F and still pouring rain).

Me rowing the Swirly section of the North Fork. (I let Sam do the hard parts).

My children on the way home- no worse for wear after their cold camping experiences.

The best part of the trip- we met some people who told us about these cool hot springs. It was very fun! You had to wade across the river (to the knee at deepest), but it was worth it!

Ah, our Saturday night baths. At least we didn't smell like smoke for church the next morning!

MORE WATERCOLOR

I am still going painting with my husband's aunt. We both really enjoy watercolor painting and it has been great to keep me creating this summer. Here is my painting from this morning. Not sure if it's done yet. Sometimes that's the hardest part.

FAMILY NIGHT S'MORES

We have an amazing covered patio. It is like another room and we have loved it! Last night we lit a fire in the fireplace and roasted marshmallows for s'mores. It was lots of fun and very yummy. It was a little warm for a fire, but it just made the chocolate gooier.

The boys had to have a fire-starting lecture first. After all the scout camps this summer, you'd think they would have it down pat.

That one looks good!