Brig's Photography of the Little Birdies...

Brig found a nest in our pear tree this year and found some sweet little eggs and since I am terrified a little nervous around birds, I asked him to take a picture for me. His pictures were beautiful and he would periodically go check on the nest and take some more pictures. One time when he checked on the birds the kids actually saw a bird jump out of the nest. It was a really neat experience.

A Spontaneous Camping Trip...

One afternoon, Cory called me on his way home from work- which is pretty normal- we actually call each other several times a day! He asked what we wanted to do that evening and casually threw out the idea of taking our camping trailer and going camping. We hemmed and hawed and eventually decided to give it a go. So I started to throw things together to camp. We rolled into Willow Creek and as forecasted...the clouds started to roll in too. We considered going home but only for a moment. We were going to stick it out.

We did and the kids had a great time. I say kids because once again we realized that camping is most certainly not a relaxing break for the parents but the memories and quality time is definitely a treasure.  

We did decide that it was worth selling our camping trailer. This was only the second time that we had used it since we purchased it and since we only could be away for one night at a time it didn't really seem worth the effort required to set up and clean up afterwards. Life is full of seasons and for us and the season that we are in just doesn't lend itself to extended adventures...but you better believe that we have mastered the day tripping adventures! We certainly squeeze plenty of fun into our summers.

Fall in the Mountains...

As much as we loved summer and were sad to say goodbye...there is something magical about Fall and all the excitement that surrounds this time of year. And no matter what time of year- we love to sneak in a few hours anywhere we can and escape to the mountains. I love how at home my kids are in the trees and dirt. I love how they play with sticks and climb trees and make up games using the world around them.

Our Only Camping Trip of the Year...

We bought a camping trailer this year...for a really, really good deal. We managed to take it camping one time. The weekend right before school started. But it was a fun time;)

We drove for 2 1/2 hours even though the camping spot we settled on was only about an hour away from us...we were rather indecisive in choosing a location which resulted in a longer drive and leaving our watermelon in the creek after we unpacked and parked the trailer and then decided to move to a different location. The kids absolutely loved it. And while fishing the next morning, Brig climbed up on a huge rock overhanging the creek and caught a fish- which Cory claims to be one of his favorite moments of the summer. Besides our location incident there were a few little mishaps...like our menu was completely thrown off since we found out that even though we were told we could have a campfire...we weren't allowed to...so we improvised a lot of our food- and it worked! It wasn't very warm and the water that the kids swam in was frigid but they loved it! And sleeping with a young baby while camping isn't really ideal...the older kids slept super well though!  It's amazing how much work camping over night can be but equally amazing is how magical it is to children!

Sweet Summertime...

Summertime has flown by so quickly this year- it has been a whirlwind. Busy, stressful at times, productive, emotional and jam packed with fun things! Here is just a brief overview...

The beginning of the summer almost did us in...Cory was working tirelessly (well, he was certainly tired but he worked his heart out for sure!) on setting up the irrigation on our property. It was a new "adventure" and one that we still have a bitter taste in our mouth from! I had a little, tiny glimpse into life as a single parent as I was primarily responsible for every aspect of these four busy little humans we love so much!

June was also packed with our last efforts to squeeze in any time with Cory's parents we could before they left for their mission. We went to McCall with them (just our family) and had the Walker Family Reunion and had many family dinners and playdates at Grandma's. As well as a cousin camp out and a visit to roaring springs. Then, with the rest of the Walker Clan, we headed down to Utah where they were set apart by Elder Rasband and had to say goodbye.

July was kicked off by moving into "our" new home. We get to live in Grandma and Grandpa's house for the next three years while they are on their mission. But amidst all the unpacking and settling in we sure packed a lot of fun in! Brig's birthday, Sagehen Reservoir, fireworks, playing outside, using the pack rafts, swimming at Sis. Adams, riding the little 4-wheeler, going to the Idaho Stampede Rodeo, hiking into Blue Lake, irrigating, fishing, swimming in the canal and jumping off bridges (Cory working on his backflips), swimming in the river and jumping off rocks and lots of late nights and fun!

I started to feel anxious as August flew by because that meant school was starting soon and summer would be ending- but we still managed to pack in lots of fun. The county fair, cooking on "wooden rockets", family drives in the mountains, picking GIANT peaches, visiting Sagehen Reservoir again (this time with Grandma and Grandpa Madsen), ice cream, swings, walks, more 4 wheeler rides, a mini camping trip to Tri-pod Meadows in our camping trailer, a back to school feast, becoming pig owners, visiting Great Grandma and Grandpa Jensen, and soaking up those last days of summer.

We really fit a lot into this summer and had so much fun...but it most certainly was not all play. Cory has never worked such long hours in our married life. So many nights he would come home for dinner (or more common was for him to pull in and for us to have everything ready to go and jump in the truck and head out ) and then we would do something as a family and he would turn around and finish his work for the day. Some nights he wouldn't even get home until 8 or 9 at night. But that is what made this summer so special...I was once again amazed at Cory's ability to put priorities in order and forget himself and how tired he might be and spend quality time with the family. He is a mover and a shaker...and that manifests itself in our family life as well...if it wasn't for him we would probably have a lot less adventures! We adore him and are so grateful for all that he does for our family.

We sure love summer!

Duck Hunting...

This fall Brig and Cory woke up bright and early to go duck hunting with some of Cory's friends. Cory is NOT an early riser...but he is a great dad and knew that Brig would be over the moon excited about this opportunity. And he was right. Brig had his warm camo clothes (aka: anything with a camo pattern that he owned) ready to go two days before they were even going. Brig even brought his BB Gun and when Cory ran out of shells he handed his little gun over and insisted that Cory use that so they could get some more ducks. Here are a few pictures of their early morning fun:

 

 

We hadn't gotten his coat out of our storage unit yet and so he was a little underdressed...even with all his camo. Luckily his dad helped him out.

 

 

Brig even got to cook the meat on his own. Cory helped  very little. And he (and Ellie) loved it...but I am starting to think that he loves any kind of wild food...just based on principle. He is our little hunter man for sure.

 

A Random Trip to Willow Creek...

We had to have at least one post about Willow Creek for this year! We snuck up to one of our favorite places one late summer evening. And as usual...it was simply magical.

And I'm going to try and keep my words to a minimum and let these pictures do the talking...

 

^^Ok except I just need to mention that Jase prefers the pink plasma car and has laid his claim to Pursey 2. {insert sigh}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is their happy place. And they are mine.