Family Vacation '09

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

The Wilson's spent Labor Day weekend in Island Park, Idaho and Yellowstone National Park!!! We had an absolute ball together. Because so much time was spent in the car we had lots of "togetherness" that could have been awful, but was actually quite wonderful. We had both Brad's and Todd's Ipods so we traded music back and forth introducing each other to our favorites and singing and laughing a lot. We played "I Spy a license plate" and managed to find plates from 47 of the 50 states plus for Canadian provinces. The only states we failed to see were North Carolina, South Carolina, and Maine. Darn!!! And yes, we DID see a Hawaii license plate while we were at Old Faithful. Crazy, huh?!! Anyway, that was a fun way to review all the states and kept us all occupied.

We picnicked in some beautiful places and hiked all over. The kids were amazing -- they did that energizer bunny thing that kept us all going and going and going! Kate's favorite part was when we visited the lower falls and walked down the long switchback trail. She counted her steps all the way back up. Todd's favorite part Old Faithful. He timed the eruption and tried to figure out some way get close enough to collect a water sample. Didn't happen (darn)! Jack loved everything except the really stinky, steamy hot pots. Those were pretty scary. Luckily, Dad carried him on his shoulders!

All in all we had an incredible time and can't wait to do it again. :)

Great Summer Readers - Principal's Walk

Todd and Kate both participated in their school's summer reading program. They went to the school library twice a week and read and tested on AR books. They really enjoyed it and it was a nice way to keep them fresh for the new school year. As a reward they were each invited to participate in the Principal's Walk. Brad worked from home on each of the mornings they were being honored so he could be there for them. What a great dad!!! :)

Rock Climbing at the Fair

I wasn't feeling well so Brad took the kids to the Cassia County Fair in Burley so they could climb the rock wall. They had the best time! Todd was pretty fearful... he inherited his mother's fear of heights -- but he overcame his trepidations and successfully made it to the top 3 times. Kate was the one who really wanted to go (she wore a skirt when we were there the night before so she couldn't do it then). She scurried up and down that wall several times with no problems. She apparently inherited her Dad's climbing abilities! All the kids were impressed with their Dad as he scaled the wall. He really hasn't climbed much since they've been born. Too much to live for, I suppose!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Rupert West Stake 10k

Our Stake President is an avid runner, so he challenged our stake to get in shape and run a 10k with him. We started training at the beginning of the year. The kids and I ran/walked the 5k, but Brad ran the 10k. He's been training really hard and he beat his best time. He was AWESOME!!!! We were all so proud of him. Way to go Daddy!!!!!

Lake Cleveland FHE

Last night we took the Jeep up the mountain past Pomerelle ski resort to Lake Cleveland. We had a picnic and then hiked around the lake. It was gorgeous! We all had a great time. I had to laugh at our little safety kids, as we were preparing to leave Todd was packing his own bag with flashlights, bandaids, neosporin, pocket knife, leatherman, slingshot w/rocks, sunscreen, and bug spray. Kate insisted upon bringing the GIANT first aid kit. :) She did scrape her leg, which Todd then doctored up for her, so all the preparation was not in vain. It's nice to know they're looking out for us.

My Favorite Thing Lately

Lately I've walked in on the kids several times laying in one another's beds (sometimes all three kids!) reading stories together. It's a really sweet scene. Jack loves it so much when the big kids take the time to read to him. It's strange that he allows them to do it since he's in a really independent phase right now. Periodically we hear quite a bit of yelling and screaming when things don't go his way ... these little moments of respite are heaven sent.

Pack Meeting

Thanks to some hard work on Todd's part and an especially wonderful den leader (and his wife) Todd has earned quite a few segments and pins this year in Webelos. It's hard to believe he won't be a cub scout anymore in just a few short months. When did that happen?

Kate manned the camera at Pack Meeting. I thought she did a great job. :)