Rake up Boise

Caulder jumping in the leaf pile

My office participated in Rake-up Boise again this year, which also included a Rake-up parks component. Our team raked up two large yards, and two parks. The park shown above is downtown and just happened to be along the Holiday Parade route. We had some nice entertainment as we raked up the leaves.

Halloween 2011

My what big mouths you have! ...the better to eat all the candy we're about to get.

Kessler taming the komodo dragon at Boo at the Zoo

Getting ready to trick-or-treat

Our pumpkins

Halloween was a success this year, despite our failed attempts to attend a Halloween party at our pre-school, a trunk-or-treat event, and the pumpkin patch/corn maze. Somehow we just couldn't get our schedule to work out right. We did go to Boo at the Zoo, and trick-or-treating (of course). My parents came into town for a visit, so we decided to try out Warm Springs Ave for trick-or-treating. Warm Springs is a pretty road with elaborately decorated mansions. It was perfect fall night. Caulder dressed as a knight and Kessler as Woody. The boys had fun gathering a lot of candy. Luckily, they are still at the age where they don't notice that their candy bowl gradually diminishes as mom and dad take candy in to work.

Fall trip to Coeur D'Alene

We took an extended weekend trip to Coeur D'Alene in mid-October. Mat and a couple of friends fished for the first two days we were there, so Caulder, Kessler, and I explored the lake and surrounding area. We also took a drive out in the country to a pumpkin patch. When Mat wasn't fishing we toured around town, swam in the swimming pool at our condo, and followed the Mudgy and Millie trail around town (moose and mouse statues). Coeur D'Alene is a beautiful area, and we had a nice relaxing mini-vacation.

The Cover of the Rolling Stone

School picture

This is a cute conversation I had with Kessler the other day that I just had to share. For some reason he loves the song "The Cover of the Rolling Stone", knows all the words (which are not all appropriate), and sings it often. The other day he said: "Mommy I'm going to be a rock star when I grow up". To which I replied: "That will be fun".

Kessler: "When I'm a rock star I'm going to marry you so you can be my mommy, and I can be your rock star".

Me: "You're already mommy's rock star".

Kessler: "Then I'm going to be on the cover of the rolling stone".

Cowboys

This is my cowgirl costume given to me when I was 4 by my late grandfather. It was hillarious to see Caulder and Kessler in it. I think the chaps were a little heavy, but otherwise they loved being 'Woody'.

Last Summer Gathering

Caulder, Owen, Collin, Asher, Kessler, Keaton, and Avery

Caulder, Owen, Asher, Kessler, Keaton, Avery

We took advantage of the very warm September we've been having, and had over the Dahlbergs, Gendlers, and Morrises for Thai food and Mai Thais. It was crazy at times, but so fun to watch the eight kids run around together (OK maybe Josie wasn't quite running around yet). The six boys were all about superheros and when Avery wasn't joining in the mahem, she was quietly reading a book. I can't even imagine what that would be like. It was great to see everyone! Thanks for a great evening. We'll have to plan on another dinner party soon!

Summer Trip to Bozeman

We took a five day trip to Bozeman in September to visit the Weaver Clan. Mat's cousins Terry and Lauren were also visiting along with his brother Chad, wife shawna and 1-1/2 year old daughter Audrey. It was so nice to meet Terry, Susan and their son Jackson, and visit with Lauren who we haven't seen for five or six years.
We visited our favorite park - the dinosaur park, which now has a bench dedicated to Caulder and Kessler from their great grandmother, soaked at Bozeman Hot Springs, and toured Virginia City (a ghost town). Mat also got in an all day hike up to Blackmoore peak.

Best buddies on a brief stop to Yellowstone

Chad and Richard on the way up to Blackmoore Peak

View of the Hialite mountains

Lauren, Martha, and Audrey

Terry, Jackson, and Susan with Tim in the background

Me and the boys in Virginia City

Virginia City

A historical re-enactment of a fugitive cpture and hanging in Virginia City.

Coming out with guns blazing

Fishing in the Weaver pond

20 Year HS Reunion....Yiiikees!

Last weekend was my 20 year High School reunion in Portland (Grant High School). So crazy. I had a great time reconnecting with old friends. Everyone really just looked the same, just older. Friday night was for Grant High School students only, and Saturday night students and spouses. Both events were at Mcminemans establishments, which was fun as always. We stayed downtown at the Crystal Ballroom on Saturday night (sans kiddos) and had a fun night out on the town.

Our First Bakcpakcing Trip!

Hiking down to the lake

Bridger guarding the campsite

Blue Lake

The family on a hike around the lake

The boys

The lake

Heading back out

Caulder, Collin, Owen, Kessler

The whole group... Bridger, Mat, Kessler, Owen, Caulder, Danielle, Robyn, Ryan, and Collin

We took the boys on their first backpacking trip this July. Our good friends the Morris's joined us with their two young sons. We started the boys out with an easy backpack, and hiked just one mile down to a beautiful little Alpine lake near Cascade, Idaho called Blue Lake. All of the boys had their own packs, and really enjoyed themselves. We hiked through the snow around the lake, and fished for trout. Although it was 100 degrees in Boise, the lake was at about 7500' so it was still pretty cool up there. We stayed just one night, and had a huge full moon to enjoy.

Redfish Lake

The lake from the canoe

Kessler chilling in the hammock

Hiking

Canoeing to an island on Little Redfish Lake

The view from Little Redfish Lake

Hiking

We lucked out and secured a campsite at Redfish lake in July. So we drug out our huge tent and canoe, and spent three nights in the Glacier View Campground. The weekend started out a little shaky. Caulder had a stomach bug and was not feeling well the first day, but once that passed we were able to get in some beautiful hikes and canoe rides. Our campsite was huge, and had a lot of rocks, logs, and bushes for the boys to explore. We were also across the street from a little playground, so there was a lot of activities to keep us busy around our campsite.

4th of July

Century Drive

Hiking through the lava tube

Rock window

Climbers on the rock Pinnacles at Smith Rocks

Goofy Boys

 We did our second annual 4th of July trip to Bend again this year to meet up with Grandpa Dick and Grandma Dee Dee. It was finally warm so we took advantage of the pool across from our condo and got in a little swimming. We also checked out Century Drive and stopped at some of the pretty lakes along the way and hiked through a big lava tube. On our way back to Boise, we stopped at Smith Rocks state park. We hiked the loop around the park, and watched climbers repel down some of the huge rock pinnacles.

Arches and Canyonlands

The Windows

Looking through arch to Delicate Arch

Hiking to Delicate Arch

The family under Delicate Arch

Kessler hiking to Sandstone Arch

Stairs on Park Ave.

Caulder rock climbing

Arches

Mat and Kessler taking shelter from the sun on Park Ave.

We made it to Canyonlands!

The Needles

Stop for lunch

Hiking the Potholes trail in Canyonlands

Caulder and Kessler in the narrow canyons

Climbing up ladders along the trail

Mat and the boys amongst the stunning scenery of Canyonlands

Caulder

Caulder and Kessler hiking through an old Native American cave shelter.

Large boulders

Hiking up to Timpanogos caves

Inside the caves

 We decided last minute to take a road trip down to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks (near Moab) over Labor Day weekend. Once we finally found a campsite, which turned out to be much more difficult than we anticipated, we headed into Arches. We explored the Park Avenue trail, and the Window's arches. Since our campsite was near the Southern entrance of Canyonlands, we decided to explore the Needles area of the park. Canyonlands was a great surprise. Easily as stunning as Arches. We took Caulder and Kessler on many beautiful hikes through the park. Sunday we toured the upper region of Arches, and hiked to the famous Delicate Arch, which was a surprisingly grueling hike up slick rock and along ledges of sheer cliffs. We also checked out Sandstone Arch, and the cool campground (which we hope to camp at next time we go to Arches). Monday we made a detour to Timpanogos National Monument and Caves just South of Salt Lake City. After 85 degree weather in Southern Utah, we were greeted with snow in Northern Utah. Despite the cold weather, the park is beautiful. It is situated up a narrow canyon in the Wasatch Mountains. The hike up to the caves is a three mile round trip hike with a 1000 feet elevation gain. The caves are interesting, and the park was well worth the detour.