Idaho

 I was so excited to be in Idaho for the 4th of July.  I love the 4th!  I was only a little sad that I was gonna be gone from my own home cuz I had lots of cute decoration crap that I wanted to make (from pinterest)and put out, but I'd take Idaho over making my own craft crap any day.  I was a lot sad though that Had couldn't be there with us.  He didn't even watch fireworks this year, just went to bed.  He said what's the point in watching them if you're watching them by yourself. 

 We started the day off right by getting to the parade at approximately 9:57, when it started at 10.  I'm sure Leslie was a little panicked that I wasn't gonna show up at all.  They were saving seats for us!  We made it though, just in time for the flag to pass, I think.  Maybe we were still trying to find them.  Anyhow, we found them, and it was fun to see all the little kids supporting their country by wearing the clothes us parents picked out for them.  :)

My old basketball coach, Gary Gardner, from BYU-Idaho happened to be sitting there at the parade, right next to us.  I was so happy to see him, and he was happy to see me.  He told me to take a picture of him for Had. So here he is waving to Had.  :)  Funny guy!  I miss him, and playin for him.  He moved to Utah, so I rarely get to see him.  But his son lives across the street from Had's parents, so every once in awhile, we get to see him.  He's funny.  He told me and Had when we got engaged that we are the greatest basketball couple ever.  He's the one that convinced me that I was good enough to play for a college, when I didn't believe it myself. Because of him, I ventured off to Virginia and played basketball there (and ran cross country).  I have a special place in my heart for this man.

Here's "Scary Spice" as my sister called her, showing her patriotism.

And my little Jeter boy, rockin the red white and blue.

Gettin sprayed was awesome!

Jeter, Lexie, Ashton, Deegan, and Jerzi... some dang cute kids! 

Ok, so really I just liked the fact that I figured out how to make only these colors stand out on a black and white picture, but the kids are pretty dang cute too. 

Linds had no idea how fitting "Scary Spice" was for Jerzi this day. Only Bird... and sadly Todd and Suzy Holman got to see a little taste of it (oh and the people all along the streets that were walking to their cars after the parade was over).

This was the calm before the storm.  

Look at her all cute and happy....

Seconds after this picture was taken, she totally freaked out.  I think it was because she wanted to take the lid off the waterbottle and couldn't get it, and I being engrossed in a conversation didn't fully listen to her, but took the bottle from her and unscrewed the lid to quiet her whining, and gave it back to her.  This apparently was not what she wanted, but instead wanted to do it herself.  (Keep in mind I hadn't been giving her naps and we had been staying out till 11 or 12 each night, due to all the fun we were having.)

Anyway, she threw a major fit, and wouldn't walk to the car.  Just sat in the street.  I picked her up and carried her (the car was about 5 or so blocks away) she was kicking, hitting, and trying to buck out of my arms, and screaming,"Let me go!!!" the entire 5 blocks.  If I wasn't in front of all those peeps, I'm sure I would have spanked her, or dragged her to the car.  Lucky for me, Bird was with me.  So we just laughed the whole way, when in reality I wanted to cry.  This fit went on as we got in the car and drove up to Grandma and Grandpa's.  They were going to watch her and Jete, while I went and played in a softball tournament.  I felt so bad leaving her with them in this kind of state, but also so happy that I could have a break from her nonstop screaming.  She didn't really stop crying for them either.  I told Les to just put her to bed.  I think she cried herself to sleep.  I'm gettin all hot and sweaty just thinkin about this story again.  Geesh! 

So like I said, I got to go play in a coed softball tournament up in Ashton, thanks to Kenzie.  It was so fun!  I miss softball so much!  I needed a break from the kids too.  (When I say kids, I mean Jerz.  She's hard for me somedays.  Jete, well he's mainly good.)

The kids got to stay up and play at Grandma's all day.  They ran across the field to go see Grammy Whyte, they played in the park, and drank out of a garden hose.  What more could a kid want?  They loved it.  We were all happy! 

Reunited.

  Me and Jerz became friends again.  I liked her again. It's amazing what naps do for kids, and what a little sports does for me.  :)

Blayne and a couple of his neighbors put on a firework show for their whole neighborhood that night.  It was so fun and relaxing.  We threw a frisby around, ate, and talked until it was time for the show.  The kids played and played, even during the show. 

They all loved being together.  And I love that!

Look at that beautiful sunset!

We went to Bear World one day with Blayne and Les.  As much as I'm not an animal person, it is actually a pretty cool place.  The kids loved it, and I was intrigued by the bear that would sit up on his back legs and wave to the tour bus throwing out food, eat the food, then wave again at them.  It was pretty amuzing to watch.

They come right up to your car.  It's awesome!

They have a petting zoo there at Bear World.

For some reason, Jerzi is afraid of dogs and cats, but not goats and deer. 

How disgusting, look at him lick Jete!  Vomit.  Good thing Jete's all chill about it.  I wouldn't have been.  That's usually when I kick animals in their mouths, if they lick me. 

They also had little rides there for little kids.  They all went on each ride a billion times and didn't want to leave.  It was super hot outside.  Lucky for these kids, they have a nice grandma and grandpa. 

How cute is this?

Two peas in a pod!  Coolin down with their root beers.

Broc is always so nice and volunteers to take the kids out riding every time we come.  It's so awesome and makes them so happy.  Jeter never wants to get off. 

While the kids were riding, I snuck up to the college to watch Bird play in her semifinals flag football game.  It was fun to watch her and made me miss football so much.  I wanted to run out on the field and help them so bad!  Here's Audrey, Bird, and me after her game. 

After Bird's game, when I got back to the track, Broc and Blayne had to race.  HAHA It was funny to see these grown men on those tiny dirt bikes, on a tiny track. 

Brayden and Diana had their sweet baby Madilyn while we were there.  I'm so glad she was born before we left.  I was getting nervous she wouldn't come before we had to go back to Texas. She's so sweet and tiny.  I can't wait to see her again and see how much she's changed!

What a cute little family!

The night before we left we had to have one last hurrah, so we watched a movie out on the big screen up to Blayne and Les's.  The weather cooperated for the most part and we got to see everyone one last time to say our goodbye's for a month.  We can't wait to go back!!!