They're Huge!

My few sunflowers that actually did grow are now as tall as the fence. Unfortunately, they are only half way done growing.

Trinity Lake

We decided to take the weekend and spend some time relaxing in the woods. The three of us packed up Friday by noon and headed out for Trinity Lake. If none of you have been there what you must know is that you have to travel quite a long way on windy gravel roads. Another thing you may remember is that Lucy hates gravel roads. We probably went about 15 miles on these roads and were only about 5 miles from the lake when we ran into a big truck in the road and the driver telling us the road was closed and we couldn't go any further. Back down the road we went and up the other side to get to the lake. Needless to say, we were a bit frustrated and exhausted by the time we got there. Luckily Lucy did great and didn't vomit once. We were also happy to see that there was still a camp site left for us when we got there.

We set up camp and Hazen hit the lake for fishing. There were some decent sized rainbow trout but we didn't keep any. Made some yummy freeze dried beef stew (it actually was aweful) and went to bed pretty early. We froze to death in our little sleeping bags and Lucy wasn't happy sleeping in such a small space with us. We were up early Saturday and on the trail for some good hiking. We went to a couple different lakes and tried to take a sun rock nap. It didn't really work since Lucy didn't want to take a nap. We headed back to camp mid afternoon to try to take a nap there since we didn't get much sleep the night before. Turns out tents really hold the heat and we sweated to death. Dinner that night was freeze dried chicken and rice and it wasn't too bad. Hazen did some more fishing and Lucy enjoyed watching. Pulled out some extra blankets and slept a little better but not much. Had our oatmeal for breakfast and were out of there by 9:00. Getting ready now for another week of work and then Teri and Mason will be here this weekend.

First thing Hazen did after setting up camp.

Big Trinity Lake

Home Sweet Home. Pretty cozy with all 3 of us in it. (Yes that is an air mattress in there)

Looking down at Green Island Lake

Fiddle Lake

There were really pretty wild flowers all over the hills

She was pretty exhausted after the days hike

Good Times

So somebody really dropped the ball on taking photos last weekend. Barry and Teri were in town from Thursday evening until Sunday late morning and we didn't even get one picture. How lame, I know. However, we had a great time. Hazen had to work for a couple hours Friday morning but then we all met up with him for a really good breakfast at Raedeans. They have awesome country fried steak. Afterwards we drove around town a bit while digesting the huge meal. Teri and Aubree tried unsuccessfully to find some garage sales while Hazen taught Barry a few lessons in ping pong. In the evening we went to the horse races which was a first for us and Barry and Teri have only been once. We all managed to come out fairly unscathed. One race Hazen and Aubree each won $20 so only came out a few dollars less than we went in with at the end. Barry won almost $100 on one race and Teri finally cashed in on the very last race.
Saturday morning started with bagels and a tour of the farmers market downtown. We then went for a tour of garage sales looking in particular for one that claimed to be a "ginormous sale" but never did find it. Barry says he was duped because that was the only reason he said he would go and we never got there. He managed to find some good stuff though at the others. Hazen found some "awesome" pants at an old dead guys garage sale but unfortunately the dead guy was 6'4". Saturday evening consisted of going to the Shakespeare festival with a picnic dinner and watching "The Crucible". Not the best play I've ever seen but was still pretty good.
Cooked breakfast at home Sunday morning then got them off to the airport. It was quite the fun-filled weekend.

WA WA

Well I finally made it back to WA last week. It's only been about 7 months since I was in LC. I had to go to Seattle for a dental conference. The other hygienists, assistants, and doctor and his wife all went. The courses on Thursday were kind of boring but the one we went to on Friday wasn't bad. We had a couple good dinners and I enjoyed walking around Seattle. It's nice to visit, but too busy to live in. Heather picked me up Friday afternoon and went back to her place. Got a little swimming in then went to Pho for dinner so Ryan could carbo load for the STP bike race over the weekend. Mallory met us for dinner which was nice. I was glad she was able to make it. We were up early Saturday so we could drop Ryan off by 5:30 for the race. In LC by 8:00am. Did a lot of shopping with Heather and Mom. Then home for a big dinner of lasagna. Sunday I went to visit my friend Stef since I wont be back for her baby shower. Got called away early since Grandma and Wayne showed up at mom and dad's early. Dad BBQ's some excellent teriyaki chicken (and BBQ chicken that I didn't try, sorry dad). Left for the airport in barely enough time to make it there. Well, normally it would have been enough time but we didn't drive the speed limit the whole time between Napavine and Fife. Needless to say I didn't have to hang out at the airport for long before we started boarding. Finally home after 5 days to see my wonderful husband and Lucy.

Ready to Go!

Joshua is SO cute

Who doesn't love Frosty's?

BBQ with Grandma and Wayne

I miss the water

Me, Monica, Brenda, Betty and Amy

Posers

Yep

There were really peacocks in our front yard. Saw the neighbor come over to take a pic and I asked her through the window (because they were out the front door and I didn't want to go by them) why they were there. She said she had never seen them before. I called the humane society and was told that they couldn't pick them up unless they were contained. Definitely not going to try that. Nobody seemed to be missing any birds. I was told that there were peacock sightings for about the last month and they were basically just "pretty to look at".

Just needed a drink of water.

They were digging holes in the flower bed as nests to lay in.

The Party

We had a great time with our guests this past weekend. Travis and Mason arrived Wednesday, Andrew got here Thursday, and Katie and Mallory came on Friday. The weather was very nice while everyone was here except for 6pm on Saturday which was exactly when the party started. It had been about 98 degrees all day and as soon as 6:00 rolled around, so did the clouds; along with high winds, slight rain, thunder and lightening. All of that except the clouds went by so people were still able to hang out outside. It actually cooled things off a bit, it just wasn't pretty out. Several of our co-workers and our bosses showed up as well as a couple neighbors. Good times were had by all. Now is all the clean-up before another go-round this weekend. Hazen has invited all of his co-workers and their families over for a BBQ before heading downtown for the Boise Burn arena football game. YEAH!!!

The weather was so nice that we got Mason a swimming pool that she absolutely loved.

Just a cute pic of Mason in the water feature

Aubree's co-worker Brenda and Dr. Northness' wife Gail

Left to Right: Neighbors Salem and Robin with Shana (Realtor's wife) and Darrin (Realtor)

Dr. Northness and Andrew

Hazen working hard at the grill

Just a couple of dogs

The after party

More fun

In Need of a Break

With the last weekend before the housewarming part coming to an end, we are ready for a break. For the next several weekends we are not doing any "house stuff". This weekend was mostly spent working on the water feature in the back yard and staining the fence. It was a great weekend to be outside. Perfect weather. We are so excited to be having people visiting next week. Hopefully everyone will like our home.

You've already seen this photo (or one similar) but needed to do a before and after

After being pressure washed and stained. Looks pretty good.

This was the mess of a water feature that was existing in our back yard.

Not quite finished but we're getting there. Still need to add some bark and flowers.