2+2=12

10 years ago there were just two couples who enjoyed spending time together.  Now there are TWELVE people who enjoy spending time together!  (Actually, 13 if you want to be completely accurate.**)

The Stimac family drove up from California to spend a week with us in Idaho again this summer.  We spent a couple of days at the cabin doing this:

And then we came back down to the valley to do this:

(I got a kick out of this sign up at the snack bar at Barber Park.)

Besides playing in the rivers we also visited Bounce, the Discovery Center, Powell's Sweet Shoppe, Settler's Park, watched Despicable Me 2, played games, etc.  It was a fantastic way to spend a week with friends.  Thanks for making the long trip guys!  We'll see you next summer.

(** NO!  I am not pregnant!  It's Janella that's expecting baby #6 in December.  Gotcha.)

Sierra's p-ART-y!

Yesterday was Sierra's 9th birthday and we threw her a pARTy that she will never forget - it was just her style: arts and crafts with several of her closest friends.  I was telling one of the other moms that the rowdiest part of the whole afternoon was when we served up the food (crumbled brownies and vanilla ice-cream topped with sliced strawberries - Sierra's favorite!).  The rest of the time was spent listening to classical music while the girls painted, beaded and embroidered.  Lovely!

I borrowed several easels from friends at church and purchased a 16X20 canvas and a paint pallet for each of the girls.  They had a table full of various brushes and a whole rainbow of colorful acrylics to choose from.  The rain was gently falling outside and we kept the garage door up as they began to paint.  Here are the masterpieces that they created:

 

.

 (Sophie wins the "originality award" - she painted The Flying Cookie Angel.)

Then, we came inside for the embroidery and beading.  Each girl had a cross-stitch bookmark to decorate with colorful thread.  I was surprised at how popular this activity was and at how nimble their fingers were.  Since both Marc and I (and my wonderful Mother, who came over just in time!) were all busy rinsing brushes, threading needles and tying off bracelets, I was not able to get a lot of pictures of this part of the afternoon...but you get the idea.

The whole afternoon reflected Sierra's personality very well.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate her birthday.  We love her for her quiet, tenderhearted spirit.  Happy Birthday, Sweet Sierra!

Super-Soaker Birthday

We couldn't have ordered up a more perfect day for a water themed birthday party!  Ally was "super-dooper" excited to get to celebrate her 7th birthday with her cousins and so many of her good friends.

The party was at Settler's Park so that the kids could run around in the splash pad.  We had water guns instead of goody bags for everyone.  Marc also filled at least 200 water balloons for a water balloon toss...and for an all-out water war at the end.

 I kept my promise and Sophie had as much watermelon as her little tummy could handle.

We played a boys-against-girls sponge relay to fill a cup with water.  I love how I captured Carson's excitement in mid-jump.  And don't be fooled by Garrett's expression - the boys won every round!

Long straws and blue cupcakes made for quite a mess at the tables!

Two birthdays, one anniversary, Mother's Day and Father's Day down ... just one more birthday to go!  Next week we are having a pARTy for Sierra.  Get it?!  :)

Payette River: Open for Business

 "One"

"Two"

 "Three"

"Four"

 
Ally must have repeated that sequence about 50 times on Monday afternoon.  These girls don't know the meaning of cold water.  They played for hours, giving each other river tours in the kayak and swimming over to the rock.  They are little fish!

Valerie, on the other hand, didn't care for the cold water all that much and opted for a trip to the "candy store" (the lovely new Garden Valley Market) with Grandpa instead.  She brought back loot for the rest of us.

 

Grandma took the girls and me on a couple of bushwhacking adventures...and we have the scars to prove it.  Somehow the trail never seemed to stay where we left it!  I don't know if Ally will ever agree to "go for a little walk" with us again.

40 Years

My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this weekend.

 June 1, 1973

We had a little cake reception for them at church this morning.

I am so blessed to call these two godly people my parents.  I can't think of any greater treasure than the heritage that they have passed on to our family.  We praise God for the 40 years that He has granted them together.  We love you, Mom and Dad!