at Grandma & Grandpa's

We just got back from spending a few days with my parents in Idaho. It would be impossible to tell you everything we did and experienced while we were there. Well, perhaps not impossible, but not necessarily interesting for you. In view of that, here are a few highlights...

...a ride with Grandpa on the "mule."

...a ride on Daddy's shoulders.

...walking hand in hand with Grandma.

...discovering a snake. Evidently a pretty scary one.

...my first experience shooting a gun. I didn't do half bad!

snapshots of our trip to Idaho

In explanation of my absence, I thought my loyal readers might enjoy a few photos from our recent visit to my parents' house in Idaho.

I continually find it impossible to get these three to look at the camera and smile, simultaneously!

Here I am at 18 weeks & 5 days pregnant.

My dad took Jeff and the two older boys for a ride on the "mule." Benjamin even got to steer for part of the ride. It was a definite highlight!

Ben and Kyle examining some deer tracks while on a hike.

Owen rode in style.

We had a great time, took lots of hikes, a trip to city beach in town, a visit to the best pizza joint on Earth, enjoyed fresh air, the scent of pine needles, saw plenty of wildlife, and ate wonderful food (they've even started buying raw milk!). But the best thing of all was the company. Thanks for the wonderful time, gracious hospitality, and unconditional love, Mom and Dad. You're terrific!

to grandmother's house we go

Whew! We arrived home late yesterday evening, following a 12+ hour drive. And of course here I am in the midst of the chaos that is my home, blogging! But I'm sure that inquiring minds want a taste of what our visit was like...right?

Here is the lovely Christmas tree

We brought our gingerbread house stuff with us, so that Jeff and the boys could enjoy their annual construction & decoration. Benjamin got bored and wandered off, but Kyle had so much fun decorating it with his dad. They worked hard. I love this tradition of ours; this is the third year.

Owen's first visit to Grandma & Grandpa's house had to include the quintessential bath-in-the-kitchen-sink. Excuse the weird lighting...I must've had the flash on or something...

My mom and Ben making Christmas cookies. Ben is holding his neck because after he hurt it, he truly walked around like that for 3 days. But thankfully it didn't mean he couldn't help make these sweet treats.

Jeff, my dad, Ben & Kyle got out to play on the last morning we were there. They built a snow fort and had a great snowball fight. I'm not sure which team I was rooting for...so I'm glad they ALL had fun!

grandma lovin'

My parents came to visit for Labor Day weekend. They live about 8 hours away (if you're driving without children!) so we don't get to see each other as often as we would like. We do alright, though. And Jeff & I have been major slackers because we have not been up to visit them since well before Owen was born. In fact, it's been nearly a year, now that I think about it...oops. We'll have to screw up our courage sometime soon.

Anyway, all the boys have grown since the last time Grandma and Grandpa saw them, but especially Owen. He was still pretty much a bump on a log when they visited us last. Smiling, but still pretty much a bump. These days, he's rolling, getting himself up on all fours, and going after toys when the mood strikes him. He's getting active, we'd better look out!

My mom, especially, seizes just about every chance she has to hold & cuddle with Owen. They were so sweet together. And of course, Owen loved all that attention!