Ice cream!

What is better in the summer then ice cold ice cream? ...riding your bike to the ice cream shop with your sweetie's, and sitting on the grass under the shade while you eat that ice cold ice cream...that is the best! I'll tell you what else, my boys can make some crazy faces!

Especially the biggest boy.










What do you love to do with your sweeties in the summer?

p.s. today is my 9th anniversary, and the kids are sleeping over with cousins tonight:) Yay for me and my Lover boy, looks like we will be getting to bed early;)

4th Of July

My family has a cabin in Island Park, and every year for the 4th of July we have a BIG reunion up there that lasts the whole weekend. It's with my the 6 children in my Dads family, and all their children, and all their children....so it's lots of people, and lots of fun. Craig had to work this year over the weekend, but I thought I would be super woman, and take the kids up anyway.
My Dad rented a beautiful cabin near the family cabin for my siblings and I to stay in. It was so fun to go back to our cabin at the end of the day and sit in the hot tub, and play games till the weeeee hours of the morning. During the day we got to do all the fun camping stuff that kids love most.
At one point the ladies decided to take a ladies only boat ride, cranked up ABBA, and surfed behind the boat. It was my first time surfing, and I totally loved it. Even though Layla tripped while we were out, and her front tooth went through her lip; and Carter through the BIGGEST tantrum of his life because I was going on the boat without him...I'm still glad I went.

Ditch Day

We are lucky enough to live in one of the few neighborhoods that still has irrigation water rights. Once a week the little ditch behind our yard fills up with water, and the kids get wet. Grandpa Hall (Craig's Dad) and Carter made this cool little boat together, so now on "ditch day" the kids take it out and float it down...so much fun! Happy Ditch Day.

Stream

A while back My sister Joanne came to town (to take care of me after Benson was born), and we decided to go let the kids play in a cute little stream that is nearby. Nickole and her kids, Judy and her kids, Joanne and two of her kids, and me with my kids.

It was the perfect arrangement. The kids had the stream to play in, and the water was only 3-5 inches deep, so we didn't have to worry about the younger ones much. The Moms got to sit on the blankets in the shade and catch up on talk while passing around the new baby for everyone to get a turn. It was blissful.

Here are a few pictures of the kids playing in the mud, building a damn, splashing, and such funness.

four wheeling & the park

Craig and I took the kids on the most fun four wheel ride last week. It's the funniest thing, because all four of us ride on the same four wheeler. Someday I'll have one of my own (insert dreamy sigh).
One or our favorite family activities in the summer, other then four wheeling, is going to the Symphony. At Ross Part we have a band shelter, and every Sunday afternoon, the Symphony puts on a free concert. These pictures of the kids are at the last concert of the summer, a sure sign summer is over. I appreciate fall in full swing as much as the next girl, but I always feel a little sad to say goodbye to my dear friend Summer.
Dear Summer,
I know you had to go, but you will be missed. Don't go too far, and We'll see you after the spring.
Love, your friend Susan

Dear Summer....

Please don't go! Oh how I have loved you, and your beautiful afternoons. I Cherish the time we have spent together, and will always have a special place for you in my heart.
Love, Susan