Ben's grandmother died a couple of weeks ago. (Yup, I am behind on my blog...heck, I am behind on my life. EVERYTHING is past due.)
She was almost 95 years old and though she was having some health issues we weren't expecting the phone call saying that she had passed away.
We packed up the kids and drove to Bear Lake for the second time this summer. Kai was so excited for another "Wode Tip." I think he actually enjoys them now.
We ended up keeping really busy on the trip and it turned out to be enjoyable (considering the circumstances.)
My two handsome boys before the funeral.
I didn't take many pictures at the funeral b/c I was just trying to keep my two kiddos quiet and let Ben be 100% there.
After the funeral Ben went golfing with his Dad and bro so I took the kiddos up to visit my Aunt Jean in Treasureton, Idaho. Jean is my Mom's identical twin. When I am with her, I always feel...home. She reminds me so much of my Mom. I just ache to be around her. She is so loving, and so welcoming. My kids are lucky to have such incredible women in their lives who care so much for them.
I love Jeans house. I love everything about it. There is so much to do there. It's beautiful.
When I was younger my Mom used to drive me and my brothers up every summer for a few weeks. I have so so many amazing memories from Aunt Jeans house. I have been wanting to take the kids to visit her all summer. Growing up she had horses, chickens, ducks, goats, dogs, cats...you name it, she probably had it. I grew up fishing, horseback riding, bridge jumping, tubing down the river, and four wheeling..etc. I loved going to Preston Days every summer. The sidewalk sales, carnival, parade, and Preston Night rodeo were always a favorite.
Some of my favorite memories are with Jean and Kirk at their house in Treasureton.
I want so badly for my kids to experience some of what I was able to. To create some of their own memories in Treasureton. I am so glad that I was able to visit Jean and Kirk. Kai was able to experience a few firsts while we were there and he loved every minute of it.
When we first got there, Jean showed Kai her ducks and geese. Kai loves animals and was so curious.
Cic was totally off her schedule and was super clingy. I just had to try and get a group shot though...even if Cic was screaming bloody murder.
Kirk took Kai out on the four wheeler to round up the geese.
Loving every minute of it...
I love Jean and Kirk. So lucky to call them family.
Feeding the geese and ducks.
After all the bread was gone, Kai climbed down from the fence and went back over to sit with Kirk on the four wheeler.
On my way back to Ben in Montpelier, Idaho I came across this. I was so dumbfounded and didn't know what to do. There were sheep EVERYWHERE! I thought it was such a sight to see...
Kai saying goodbye to his cousins...
I love this girl.
There are times when I look at my kids and wonder how it is possible to see my heart beating outside of my chest.
Love this picture of Ben with his Grandma Nield.
Grandma Nield lives right by a railroad. Kai is still obsessed and loved watching the trains go by. He even woke us up one morning by running into our room yelling, "Mommy, choo choo!"
We stayed an extra day and decided to hike Bloomington Lake. I would totally recommend this (kid friendly) hike to anyone who is going to Bear Lake. B-E-A-utiful!
Don't let these pictures fool you. It was FREEEEEZING. (Note to self, pack winter clothes the next time you go to Idaho in August.)
The water was so clear and oh so tempting. I wanted to go swimming so badly but my boy scout of a husband kept reminding me that it was way too cold to jump in (party pooper). There was an awesome rope swing and everything...Maybe next time.
Kai had an absolute blast on the hike. I love hiking, but right when we started Ben said, "Keep an eye out for poison ivy. I don't know if there is any on this hike." Of course Ben always knows a "short cut" and we rarely hike on actual trails to get to places. So, we were just walking through bushes and possible poison ivy.
Seriously?! I am totally allergic to poison ivy. It can just be in the air and I get it. I'm actually surprised that I didn't get it just by Ben saying the words, "poison ivy".
Growing up in Texas I got it EVERY. SINGLE. SUMMER!
Sometimes twice a summer. I get it so bad that I have to get a steroid shot in my bum. Super fun!
So, the entire hike, I am not enjoying the scenery, I am looking straight down at the plants we are walking through trying to remember how the saying goes...I kept reciting, "Leaves of three let them be. Leaves of five stay alive." I'm not even sure that is how it really goes. I just kept thinking, "So, am I supposed to stay away from the leaves of three and "let them be?" or should I "stay alive" and steer clear of the leaves of five?" Ya, I didn't quite understand. The only thing I could remember was that poison ivy has a red stem.
Luckily on the way back, Ben led the way on a path where I didn't have to look straight down and worry the whole time.
There were so many beautiful things to see on the hike. (So glad I got to enjoy them on the way back.) :)
Ben was so patient and pulled over several times for me to take pictures on the drive back down the mountain.
This picture makes me smile. I am looking at things, taking pictures and Ben patiently plops down to wait. This picture totally looks like a typical "senior picture pose."
We stopped by Grandma Michaelson's house before leaving. Ben has so many great memories here.
I guess Grandma Michaelson was famous for her garden. She hasn't had a garden for years, but some of her raspberries are still around and we got permission from Ben's folks to dig up a few bushes. It was such a great idea. "Let's dig up some raspberries and take them home so we can have a little piece of Grandma Michaelson in Colorado."
It was a great idea until we got home...
So, what do you do when you come home with raspberry bushes and no place to put them?
Talk your hubby into building you a garden!
Not my greatest, easiest, OR cheapest idea.
He did such a good job a did it all in one night.
I love how handy Ben is.
This was the view from our patio while we were working on the garden.
Kai was such a helper.
Hopefully our raspberries make it through the winter.
"If they expect us to expect the unexpected, doesn't the unexpected become the expected?"~Unknown
Here's to many more "expected" weekends!
