More of our 4th of July Trip (Montpillar Idaho)

The first part of our 10 day camping vacation we traveled to Montpillar Idaho for a family reunion. We really enjoy going to the family reunion. Even our 2 little dogs loved going camping. Fortunately we were able to let them run around free from a chain or leash. (Shawn and I were a little worried about this at first wondering if they were going to run away but they did great and just stayed close. Anyway they were exhausted by the time we got home) Our camping spot was in a great location where we could go riding anytime we wanted to, or we could hike around or even play in the stream. Every year they take a head count and this year there were 75 people there. It was a pretty good reunion this year.

So here we are all loaded up and ready to go.

It was so nice to have the cab-over this year.

It was a little tight when all 4 of us were in there at once but really we don't spend much time

These were our cooks and ooh man did they cook some good stuff. I think one of the reasons why I enjoy camping so much is because of the wonderful food. And that Koda he is such a wonderful helper. He just loved being able to help cook.

gotta love the bacon and sausage cause they cook tons of it each morning along with eggs, hashbrowns, and pancakes. you defiantly don't go away from here hungry

Koda helping Dave cook some hashbrowns

Thanks guys you made some wonderful meals. I can't wait until next year

Our 4th of July Trip (West Yellowstone)

While we were at Island Park we decided to travel into West Yellowstone Montana for the day. While we were there we went to Bear and Wolf Discovery Center. This place is pretty neat. We were able to see several real bears, and some wolves. Then after seeing the wolves and bears we left there and went to a local t-shirt shop and had some hoodies custom made just the way we wanted. (this t-shirt shop has tons of t-shirts, hoodies, sweats that you can pick from in just about any color you can imagine then you take it up to the desk and then choose what ever print you want on it and they heat iron it on. Its like having your shirt custom made just for you.) We really enjoyed doing that. Then after that we ate at a local sandwich shop. (i think the best part of being on vacation is eating out) It was a really good sandwich shop. After our bellies were full we were on our way to see a live musical. It was called Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. We all enjoyed it. Both of the boys even commented saying that they would go and see another show. Anyway, our trip into West Yellowstone was a great one!

Just some pictures of us at the Bear and Wolf Discovery Center!

the boys having their own penny engraved with a wolf on it

just the 4 of us taking a picture on a huge stuffed bear

it was fun to watch these two bears play

the boys wanting to get a closer look at the bears

when this bear came out he had a frozen treat waiting for him

(its just fruit that has been frozen all together in a large ball)

these are just some random pictures of the boys swimming back at camp.

they loved being in the water even though it was a little on the chilly side

Our 4th of July Trip (Island Park)

so after leaving Montpillar ID from the family reunion we traveled to Island Park for a few more days of camping. those that we were traveling with were shawn's mom, his sisters and their families, his brother and his family, aunt Pam, uncle Ken and their grandkids, aunt Melanie, and uncle Dave. all in all we really enjoyed ourselves.

Warning: there are lots of pictures in this post. it was hard to choose!

just some pictures of the boys on their wheelers.

these are pictures of us riding on rails to trails. its a trail that goes for several miles that you can 4-wheel, horse back ride, bike ride or just walk on.

just some views of the river. as we were riding on the trail i would stop every now and then to take some pictures.

while we were stopped for a quick break from riding our 4-wheelers we got to see this moose walking across the water. it was so neat!

just some of the family that was riding with us

anytime we would stop bry would lay back on his wheeler and just chill

more views of the river. i just could not get over how beautiful it was

i wanted a family picture at the beginning of the rails to trails path

while on the trail there were a few of these cattle guards that we had to ride over.

more pictures of us riding on the rails to trails

while we were camping we did lots of riding. while we were out we found a really fun place to play around at. bry trying out all the fun trails

shawn enjoying riding his wheeler

and koda seeing what new things he can do on his wheeler.

shawn's mom purchased her a new 4-wheeler just in time for our vacation. she just loved having her own wheeler to ride around with everyone.

bry doing cookies

koda and sammy chatting

shawn playing around

koda loving his new 4-wheeler

this is what our camp spot looked like.

Shawn's brother and his family, and his twin sister and her kids stayed in this little cabin. The cabin had no power or running water but worked great for them to stay in.

this is where the rest of us stayed. in our trailers.

all around us we were surrounded by water. It was so beautiful. One morning we woke up and there was a dear in the middle of the river having a little drink. It was so neat to just stand and watch it.

this beautiful waterfall was right next to the cabin. we just loved hearing the water flow down.

before we knew it it was time to go home. on our way home we lost all the tread off of one of our trailer tires so poor Shawn was on the side of the road changing it. other than that our ride home was good.

we had a wonderful 10 day vacation. i think all of us were so glad to be home. i know i was ready for a real shower. i sure was not ready for the 15 loads of laundry that was waiting for me though. o'well i guess that's part of going on vacation.

Out with the Old . . . . In with the New

A couple of weeks ago Shawn and the boys decided that their old bikes needed to go (cause they were falling apart) and that they needed new ones. Well I was not real excited for this but I realized that their old ones really were falling apart and that the boys could get hurt if we did not do something. So we got rid of the old bikes and went bought some new ones.

the old bikes on their way out

(bry has such a little tender heart and he had a hard time seeing his little bike go. but after a few days of riding his new one he forgot about the old one)

here Bry is on his new Mongoose Bike

. . . . . and here is Koda on his new Mongoose Bike. He just love it!!!

the house across the street from us is vacant so the kids make an obstacle course in the drive way and through the yard for their bikes. they spent hours and hours over there.

So these bikes are a huge hit.

ReCoVeRiNg. . . . .

So I am finally home and I am slowly recovering from my surgery. Each day is getting easier and I am starting to feel better.

I would like to say Thank-You for the family that came and visited me in the hospital. I really appreciated seeing them.

I would like to Thank Peggy for letting Shawn and I stay with her through the week. We really appreciate her opening her house to us. We Love You!!

I would like to Thank Jack and Judy for sending me the beautiful flowers. I enjoy smelling them throughout the house. Its so refreshing!

I would also like to say a HUGE THANK-YOU to Grumpy and Mimaw for taking on our boys for a week. Keeping them entertained each and every day and putting up with their sniffling because they miss their dad and mom. (sorry its the 1st time they have ever been away from us) Also I would like to thank them for taking the boys shopping for pj's, bringing me a rose, and some chocolates in the hospital. That really made my day. We appreciate all that you do for us. We Love You!!

And I would like to send another HUGE THANK-YOU to Grams and Grandpa Roger. They also took our boys for a week so that I could have enough time to heal and get myself back to normal again. We appreciate you taking the time off of work and keeping the boys entertained each day. Hopefully the boys were not to upset each night cause they miss us. I appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers through this hole process. Thanks again for all you have done for us. We Love You!!