Birthday Surprises

I was surprised several times on the weekend of my birthday.




















Will took the time to make Saturday a special, and secret, eventful day. He drove us up north about 2 hrs to Cascade lake. The drive there was beautiful. When we arrived Will pulled up to an Inn and told me just to follow him. We went around the building to the back and there sat my surprise. He had booked us on a wine tasting train ride on the Idaho Northern Pacific. The experience was great. We were able to taste 4 different wines, a variety of hors d'oeuvres, and listened to the music and enjoyed the views of the Payett river. He did such a great job getting our birthday date put together.




























Sunday, Rygh made sure that I knew that he got me something too. He presented me with a very beautiful card with a gift card. He knows how much I love to shop, even though I don't get to do it very often.





Of course Will and Rygh had to make sure that I had an ice cream cake (with all 28 candles), the birthday song, and a day of rest. It was good.





To make the weekend perfect I was able to hear from a lot of my family and friends. I haven't talked to a few of them in a LONG time. Thanks so much for the calls! I really enjoyed hearing from everyone, and learning what was going on in their lives.

17.1 miles

The length of the most grueling hike to date.

Top Elevation: over 5,300 feet.

Bottles of water consumed: 5.75

Duration of hike: 5 1/2 hrs.

State of energy at end: depleted


What does all of this mean - total bliss.

Rygh and I hiked 8.55 miles up the mountain, and then back down again. He did not complain once. (OK maybe just twice)
I picked the hardest hike just to see if I could do it. And we did.

Mission accomplished.

Secret Places...

We decided to check out the weekly market downtown this morning. I loved it. I don't know many cities that shut down the middle of downtown every Saturday morning to have a farmers market. There was the usual of course - fresh produce and bread, flowers, wine, and donuts. But the market had a lot of art as well. Pottery, stone, paintings and what Rygh found the most fascinating - wood carvings with Secret Places. He liked it so much, that he decided to spend the money that Will's mom sent him to buy one with a cross on the front. He already added some polished rocks (courtesy of the market as well) to all of the hidden drawers.

Mission accomplished - 1 hidden places wood art, 1 bag polished rocks = 1 happy 8 year old boy.

Summer recap

Hey, just thought I would share some of the pictures that did not make it to the blog.

Starting with our first ever (away from home) family Vacation.

Rygh had a chance to program our flight from Denver to Cancun.

Made his day.

View from our room at the hotel

No explanation needed

Tulum Ruins

The lobby.

Catastrophes of the move. (Along with a few other things). But the couch is fixed and looking like new now.

I think it is safe to say that I love to hike -

with my camera (I was trying out prolonged exposure times. Not too bad for it being night)

We went to the spray (water) park last weekend before the school started.

Rygh is back

Rygh is finally back with us. His plane came in late last Tuesday. It is great to have him home.

My days are a little more full, and my time is not my own anymore, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have missed having "mom" moments with Rygh. Shared hugs and kisses, falling asleep on the coach together, and countless other things.

Rygh's first day of 3rd grade was today. He was so nervous and anxious about it last night, that he (wich means me as well) was up almost all night, not able to fall asleep. He did great today though. And if you were to ask him the best part of the day - making a new friend.

He is growing up so fast, and I keep praying that God gives me the wisdom and courage to do the right things and to continue to grow as a parent.

Busy Bees

As most of you know, Will and I are trying to "discover" all of the activities and places in the area, and we are definitely keeping busy. Friday we went downtown to the Basque festival.



We will pause for a little history lesson: Apparently the Basque people are from a mountainous region of land located between Spain and France. They have a language of their own and do not appreciate being called anything other than Basque. Because the region is very small, there tended to be a lot of intermarriages, causing a very high rate of O negative blood type and high numbers of the RH factor. Their food tends to be a mix of many different groups. At some point in time there were a lot of immigrants that moved to the Boise area to be sheep herders. Therefore - the Basque festival every year.

Anyway, we enjoyed the food and the history lessons, but we didn't get to see any of the dancing.



On Saturday, we went to the horse races. The races are every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday during the summer. I couldn't quite understand all of the information on the program, but I think I did a decent job deciphering the "horse language". I was able to predict which horses would show or place in some of the races (even though I didn't place any bets on them). I will more than likely go back before the season is over.

Monday was just as busy. After work, we had a nice salad for dinner and then we decided to head for the hills.

This is a picture of Table Rock. One of the most popular hiking trails to the east of the city. The cross is lit up at night and you can see it from the city.

A view of the city half way up to our destination. We were able to time the hike for sunset. It was so beautiful, even with the haze caused by the stagnant air between the two mountain ranges.

Just another pretty view from the hike.

Scripture of the day:

2 Peter 1:3-4

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Baseball!

Well, this is a picture of Rygh (#1) at one of his last little league games in Englewood. I thought the picture fit the theme and added it because I forgot my camera last night. We went to a Boise Hawks game, and I didn't get to take any pictures. I told Will that I need to have the camera attached to my hip so that I remember to bring it places.

The church had the tickets available for $1 a ticket. We thought that was a pretty sweet deal, and decided to check out the team. The Hawks are Boise's minor league and they do pretty well. I enjoyed myself and plan on taking Rygh as soon as he gets back (even though the mascot looks like a chicken instead of a hawk) We are staying busy and we will keep you posted as we go along.

Thanks for the comments guys. I appreciate it and hope all is going well with you. I can't wait to hear what is going on with your families.

Scripture of the Day

1 Peter 3:8-9

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.