Idaho Visit Vol. II

We were blessed to be there for the year-end piano recital, as well as Emma's eighth birthday. We were also treated to mountain biking (Wes's treat), and a visit to Idaho City, a pioneer mining town.

 I kept finding my happy place over and over!

This time in the back yard.

 Morgan and Emma with their piano teacher after the recital. They have both made great progress in their playing.

 Celebration Park on the Snake River; Indian pictographs, an old bridge, and a bike ride down the river.

 The bikers.

 Papa Wes tells a bed-time story about when Pawpaw and Kiss Carton met up with Pecos Bill.

 A climb up the hill north of Boise for a pic with the spuds.

 Papa Wes explaining to the kids about the mining process using high pressure water hoses.

(He takes his teaching moments seriously.)

 Exploring the graveyard of Idaho City.

 Happy spuds.

 Birthday girl Emma with the Key Lime pie and candles.

 Hard to say goodbye to these kids.

 Sweet Viola with the Snake River in the background.

Birthday girl Emma with a special treat at the Boise Fry Co. The food was ALL good.

And the visit was ALL good. We can't wait to go back.

Idaho Visit Vol. 1

Too many pics for one sitting, so we'll spread it out over our week long stay with our Idaho spuds in May, our first visit to their home in Caldwell, Idaho. Saturday was a fun day at the Boise Farmer's Market, then the final soccer games for all the kids.

 Venders with lots of plants, crafts, foods and handmade products.

 I am in a very happy place!

 Wes treated himself to a special waffle, covered with a fried egg, bacon, fruit and syrup. He was in a happy place.

 Viola sprinting for the ball.

 She helped her team get the ball down the field a number of times.

 And Emma can run like the wind as well.

 No, she did not just trip that kid!

 GG offering moral support during a breather.

 Morgan's team had a good day.

 Congratulating his teammate on a long goal.

 Guarding the goal.

The champions finished their season well.

And a Little More Catchup with Emmaline Jolyn Parker

Whew, that's a lot of pics to catch up on!

Emmaline had a rough start, into Dell Childrens' at 2 weeks old for respiratory problems. She got the best care, and came out on top!

 We like to think of Emmaline as our 7th grand!

She was a fighter from the start.

I'm pretty sure Wes thinks she's smiling at him.

So very thankful for Matt, Heather, and a healthy Emmaline.

More 2014 Catchup

Digital photos of the family, the gift that keeps on giving, and giving, and giving.

 We love having our Kansas girls visiting, and try to get yard pics when they are here.

It keeps the images fresh in our frames around the house.

 These girls carry on a dress-up tradition that dates way back. But our girl didn't have dress-up duds like these girls.

Evie and big sis Mercedes.

 We try to get up to Waco as often as possible to visit my 93-yr-young Aunt Mildred, here at cousin Mary and David Carpenter's, with my brother Jim and SIL Aggie.

Yes, we were ready for Christmas!

2014 Catchup

My assistant is soooooo delinquent! But I love him anyway, especially when he helps me catch up on my blog right before I head on a special trip that I know will send me home with bunches of pics to post! Enjoy our end of 2014 photo-journal.

 Thanksgiving 2014 at Roadrunner's Roost, Canyon Lake. Cousins Thomas Baughman and Thomas Adams.

 My sweet MIL, Mawmaw Sylvia. She taught me how to be a good MIL!

 SIL Becky, always taking on the nastiest chore at the family gathering!

 Amber Adams and her mom and dad, Loraine and Jay Davis.

 Mawmaw Sylvia with BIL David and SIL Bridgette Griffin.

Mike, Rachel and Sylvia Baughman

And the whole fam damily! Well, most of 'em anyways.

 And the next week, we get to revive a family tradition, decorating the tree. Only this time, with the grands down from Kansas, Mercedes, Evangeline and Heidi.

Trip to Kansas

We made a mad long weekend run to Hays, Kansas to visit Ryan, Kate and the girls. What a blessing to spend some time with them!

 Visiting with the grands always includes the max amount of time at the local park that is possible.

 This one provides a brisk two block walk to get the blood flowing, and lots

of play equipment and space.

 Aunt Bridgette's custom made quilt that she provides for each of Mawmaw's

great grands. Can you tell Evie is proud?

 The true test; how does it snuggle?

 The girls love playing in the back yard with their neighbor Grayson.

And he handles the overwhelming odds very well.

Memories that last a life-time.