On The Road Again

We made another trip to Idaho and had a great time visiting family and friends. We were happy to help celebrate the weddings of Jen King to Mark Rice and Kate Van Ravenhorst to Tom Henwood. Congratulations to both couples!! Jalen and Mommy took advantage of our week in Idaho to visit friends we hadn't seen for some time. One of my close college friends, Marni and her little Ella Jane drove down from Coeur d'Alene to meet us in McCall for a few days. We enjoyed hanging out on the beach, morning walks, trips to town, and just catching up! Back in Boise, Jalen and I had a great time meeting up with Stephanie and Elliot at Monkey Bizness, which is an indoor play gym. We were quite amused with the gigantic slide, which sends you flying down and barelling into the padded barrier. Needless to say you have to put all pride aside, as there is nothing graceful about it. Elliot kept saying "more," "more slide." We also got the chance to spend some extra time with Kaye and her boy, Will. He's such a happy boy!!! At a pre-wedding brunch it was fun to see other college friends and their little ones...it's amazing how quickly they all change!

What a great night! Despite a vicious storm taking out the electricity at Kate's reception...the party went on!! (Katie, Kaye, Kate, Adrienne, and Janai).

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Henwood! (Kappas doing our traditional "Oh Pat" song in the dark...that's a first).

Brunch with the Kappas (Me with Jalen, Adrienne, Kaye, Cami, Kate (the bride), Heather with her girls Grace and Lauren, Alissa, and Janai with her boy Cain).

Jalen helping Papa get packed for his week-long bike trip through northern Idaho.

Jalen LOVES playing with his big cousin Ayden, who always makes him smile. He kept insisting Ayden hold his "fuzzy" which is Jalen's most prized possession he never lets others have.

Playing in the pool with Bumpa at Hillcrest.

"This way Bumpa!"

Taking a minute to get use to the water.

Jalen and Elliot at Monkey Bizness. They took turns letting each other in and playing peek-a-boo through the window - too cute!

"Let's see how loud I can scream!"

Jalen and Elliot

Handsome little Will

Ella, Marni, Jalen, and Mommy on the McCall beach. Ella loved eating the sand, while Jalen enjoyed throwing and dumping it :-)

Marni and Ella

Ella and Jalen helping each other with the puzzle.

"I'm just going to sit right here and play with your toe." Funny how babies interact - I love it!

Annie and Katie

Jalen and Mommy

"Uhh...You're a little crazy Uncle DP...what's so funny?"

Daddy and Jalen (now he thinks Uncle Devin is funny).

Annie and Devin

Jalen and Ellie at Rafiki (indoor play area in Boise)


Hi Ellie!

More summer time fun

Jalen and I continue to enjoy our time just hanging out and enjoying the lazy summer. We've been going to story time at the library, more visits to the zoo, enjoying play dates with other kiddos, walks/runs, frequent visits to the park, watching daddy play softball, and riding around on his new favorite tricycle. Here are a few pictures from the past week.

He's ready and lovin' it!

Off we go.

He made it all around the block and didn't want to stop.

Test drive

Our little "rag-muffin"



Jalen gets a kick out of watching all the players.

Cheering the team on.

Jalen hanging with the big guys.






Making his way into the dug-out.



"Look what I found Mom!"

McCall

Every year we look forward to our week in McCall for the McCall Amateur Golf Tournament. We get to spend time relaxing, water skiing, cliff jumping (not us...but the Nelson's were brave), trail running, playing on the beach, lots of golfing for the boys, and of course great family time. The Pierces have met up in McCall with their close friends, The Nelsons, for years and the tradition still continues. It's always great to see them all! Papa came to visit for a day...he took Jalen for a bike ride up to Ponderosa Point, which Jalen loved! I just wish we had pictures of it. We were sad to leave and are already counting down the days until our next McCall trip!!

The fam at the Friday night tournament BBQ.

It was so fun to see Jalen and cousin Ellie interact with each other all weekend. Jalen couldn't get enough of Ellie and she started mimicking all of his mannerisms...including his bull-legged walk and "ya-ya" gibberish. Too cute!!!

They had a blast dancing together to the live band at the BBQ. Here are a few favorites of them dancing/playing together:


Family hike through Ponderosa.

Jalen quickly found his favorite spot on the boat...driving and being in charge of course.

Jalen being goofy, while we waited for Daddy to get the boat ready.

Relaxing on the dock before a booze cruise.

Daddy, Jalen, and Rio hanging out on the beach.

Jalen is very sensitive to new textures, so it took him awhile to enjoy the sand. Once he got used to it, he had a blast playing.

Goof-ball

Best spot on the beach.

"Ahh - life is good."

Last day with the Nelsons - this is the crew after our yummy breakfast at Shore Lodge.

(Annie, Dick, Joan, Katie, Jalen, Scott, Damien, Jill, Rachel, Jim, Abby, Devin, and Ellie)

Jalen playing with Dick's hat at Shore Lodge.

Scott strategizing during our game of washers...it got serious :-)

Watch out - Jalen is at the wheel again.

Ready for another boat ride.

After dinner at Lardo's.

(Jim, Rachel, Katie, Jalen, Scott, Jill, and Damien)

Dinner at Lardo's.

Ellie and Devin - while Jill, Rachel, Damien, and Jim went skiing/wake-boarding.

Jim, Rachel, and Damien debating the 35 foot drop-off...Jim was the brave one who went for it, while Rachel and Damien conquered the 20 footer. Cheers to all three of them for doing it!!

Jalen and Daddy out on the jet-ski.

On the road. Overall, Jalen was a trooper, considering he barely slept.

Oregon sunset - Cabbage Hill