Idaho

 We spent our 4th of July in Idaho again this year.  It was a lot of fun!  Our friends from Denver, the Rowles, moved to Washington D.C. in March, but just happened to be driving through Malad.  We were lucky enough to meet them for dinner at a park.  It was wonderful to see them again.  I am really getting tired of my friends all moving away!

 The next morning was the biathlon that Clint was too sick to do last year.  This year, we both entered.  Clint biked and his friend was going to run for him, but his friend was sick, so he found a substitute.  My sister, Savannah, ran for me and I biked.  It was a 5k run and 15 mile bike ride.  Before the race started the organizer explained that the little town didn't get a lot of bikers and to be extra careful.  Such a difference between there and Colorado!  Clint was so sweet the night before.  He drove the route with me, pointing out loose gravel, and other things I needed to watch for.  Clint's nephew, Josh, took first place and set a new record on the course.  He ran and biked and still beat everyone!  Clint's team was third and Savannah and I came in as the 7th team, but I think the first or second all female team.  We finished in an hour and 18 minutes. 

 Clint's runner, James, Josh, Clint, me, and Savannah

 The race will have to be an annual tradition!  That afternoon we met several of my siblings in Pocatello at the water park.  Regan loves the lazy river!  Savannah and Dale went around and around with her.

 Lila loved playing on the stairs with the water fountains.  This is the only water park I have ever been to that requires swim diapers to be covered by plastic pants.  It didn't seem to phase Lila, though.  Haden had fun playing with all the levers, wheels, etc. that controlled the water.

 My kids love the freedom they have there.  As long as they told me where they were going, they could wander over to their cousins house a block away. 

 Their cousins have LOTS of baby animals!  Lila nearly strangled the baby miniature duck.  She was about the same size as the calves and wasn't so sure about getting licked!

 

Clint, Haden, Yoda, and the cousins slept out on the tramp.  Between the full moon, all the animals, and the roosters crowing at the crack of dawn, poor Clint didn't get much sleep.

 

 My kids helped with chores every chance they got! 

 

  

 We recently purchased a small piece of land a few blocks away from Clint's parents house so we can eventually build our own house up there.  It had been neglected for a long time!  We hired the kids to come help haul all the branches away.  We managed to get one corner cleaned out.

  It's the perfect place for a clubhouse.  Clint used to camp in that same corner with his buddies when he was growing up.  He showed the kids where he built his fire and where they would sleep.  It's neat that his kids will get to have all those same experiences that he did!

We paid all our helpers with admission to Downata Hot Springs.  It was perfect and nearly deserted!  The kids all had fun going down the slide and playing in the water.

 The next day was Independence day.  We went to the parade.

 Lila didn't appreciate the fire engine,

but loved the taffy!  She was such a sticky mess!

 The BLM firetruck cooled all the kids off.

 Regan refused to use the red plastic bags for her candy that everyone else was using.  Pink flower purses are much more her style!

 We watched the fireworks that night.  Haden made a lightsaber out of his glowsticks.  Somehow, everything is related to Star Wars with that kid!

 

 And no trip to Idaho is complete without a few visits to the Blue Goose.  When I would ask Lila if she wanted to go to Idaho she would say, "Grandpa, Blue Goose, candy, chocolate"  in that order every time.  She wasn't disappointed!

 We made many visits!  We walked one time.  Lila chased some chickens alongside the road. 

 

 The preferred method of transportation was Grandpa's new gator.  All three kids are pretty good at steering!  Lila would intentionally drive all over the road, laughing hysterically the entire time.  She would hit Clint's hands away every time he tried to help her.

 We visited Clint's grandparents' grave.  I love this picture!  Lila loves her Grandpa!

It was a fun trip!  All three kids were awesome travellers.  It will be fun when we can build our own house up there!