idaho trip / part 2

After part 1 of our trip spent in bear lake we headed up to swan valley for the Shaum family reunion. This reunion was so much fun! The kind where everyone cries when we have to say goodbye.
The highlights:
• Taking Alden to the secret waterfall
• Staying in a HUGE lodge (all 50ish? of us)
• The long slide down the front of the lodge (see above) that my grandma went down! That thing was scary. She may have said the s word and it may be on video. Just sayin.
• Playing "steam roller" at night and laughing till we couldn't breathe.
• Alden playing with my cousins triplet 5 year old boys. I'm mad I never got a picture because they seriously thought he was the coolest (who doesn't??)
• Going white water rafting down the snake river (no pictures, sorry!)
• Eating LOTS of food (its what us Shaum's do best)
• Taking a hike and learning all about the plants/flowers
• Doing a couples relay, including a giant slip and slide. Alden and I lost, big time. But to be fair we were the first ones to go. Someone had to test the ropes!
• Playing softball and watching all the boys make a dam in the river.
• Seeing all my extended family, especially my sweet grandparents. They mean the world to me and I am so blessed to have grandparents that arrange events like this so we can all be together.
• Getting home that night, getting sno cones and going to a double feature at the drive in. We had only planned to go to one movie but when my dad ordered hot french fries after the first movie while we were loading up, we just had to stay.

Part 3 next week..... Island Park and Yellowstone!

  ps. October??? Whaaa? When did that happen?

Idaho Trip / Part 1

We had so much fun on our trip back home to Idaho. My love for that state has quadrupled since moving to California... even Alden was ALMOST convinced that he could live there.

We didn't have a moment to loose so we were picked up from the airport and went straight to my sisters house in Pocatello. We had a little bbq in the backyard and picked out some antlers from their collection (which arrived in the mail yesterday! - Can't wait to put them up). We then went on a drive in the jeep for ice-cream and got hit by a sudden rain storm.

We then headed to Paris... Idaho. It is right outside of Bear Lake and my sister in law Chelse was nice enough to let us stay at her house. We got up the next morning and headed into the hills to Bloomington Lake (see above). It was beautiful! And we had fun jumping off the cliffs and swinging on the rope swing. Confession: I did neither, I am a wimp these days and prefer to opt out of jumping off of anything remotely high. However my dad jumped (see above)! Shocked us all. Go pops!

After Bloomington lake we headed to Bear Lake for the day where we rented jet skies and paddle boards. It was so nice to just be in the sun ALL day. I didn't get any pictures of the lake (google it if you've never been, its gorgeous!) The day ended with burgers and fresh raspberry shakes at La Beau's. I've been dreaming about that food ever since. Raspberry shakes are a MUST for any Bear Lake trip.

A highlight for Alden this trip was driving my dad's motorcycle. He is now convinced more than ever that he wants/needs one. I'm still on the fence.... but mostly because I want my own car first :) The last picture on the left is of Alden and I preparing for phase two of our trip! We loaded my moms small SUV with 2 twelve man boats, 24 paddles, 24 life jackets and whatever else we could fit. Stay tuned for part 2!

weekly review

My mom and sister came to visit for the week and you better believe we did it all. Shopping in the city, eating, farmers market, swimming, garage sales, Alcatraz, fruit ninja on the kinect, movies, and more. I am so grateful that they were able to come and I could spend mothers day with my mom. It's been at least three years since that has happened. I am one lucky lady to have such an amazing, strong, hard working mom. I love you Mom and Nae! Come back soon :)

Easter

Holidays are fun when you get married because you get to share and start your own traditions. Growing up my mom would fill our baskets with goodies and hide them. They weren't your typical hiding places either. It took us HOURS to find them. I didn't really give Alden a choice of what tradition we were going to do this year. We were hiding baskets! Poor Alden doesn't have the years of experience like I do. I found my basket the VERY first place I looked. He probably would have looked all day for his if I wouldn't have given him a big fat clue too. (Do you want to know my secret?... Tie the basket to a hanger and pick a big heavy coat to hang around it. Then just hang the coat back in the closet!)

We spent Easter with Alden's family. It was a nice day full of strawberry rhubarb pie and blueberry tarts. My mom bought my sister and I Easter dresses while I was home (thanks mom) so naturally we had to get an Easter picture in our pastels.

We went to Church and pondered on the real reason for the season. I am grateful for the knowledge that I have of a loving Savior who knows me personally and died for me. What a beautiful time of year to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the rebirth all around.

What are some of your fun Easter traditions?

ps. Alden and I became hooked on Hello Panda cookies when we lived in Hawaii so when I saw them at Target I had to get them for his basket. If you come across some BUY THEM RIGHT AWAY and then EAT THEM RIGHT AWAY. And buy an extra box too.... because you might not want to share.

A Trip Home

Last week I flew home to go to one of my best friends wedding. It was a special day and I was glad I went home to be apart of it.

The rest of the trip included a quick trip down to Salt Lake City for General Conference and visiting with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

It wouldn't be a trip to Idaho without an evening by the river roasting hotdogs and making homemade ice-cream in a tin can, no matter what time of year. I love being in the outdoors and now that I live in California I appreciate the peace and quite of Idaho so much more.

Then of course there was shopping, watching movies, crafting, and delicious food. I wasn't surprised to wake up to snow on my last day there. In Idaho you learn to expect unexpected weather. I am pretty sure it snowed in June once.

It was strange to go back to California. As we were flying in over the rolling green hills there was a little twinge in my heart and I realized that California is taking a piece of me. Especially when that's where my boy is. Love him.