Bradshaw trip

While Sydney was at Girl's Camp, I took the rest of the kids up to Idaho...

 

... so that these cute girls could get together. 

It had been way too long since we'd seen the Bradshaws and we had never been to their new home in Idaho, so it was about time for a roadtrip.

We drove 3 short hours to their place in Declo and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon on the farm. My kids learned a lot about farm life. Like what happens to a chicken when its a meat chicken instead of a laying hen. Grandpa takes it out back and prepares it for dinner. Quite an eye-opening experience for my kids. Look at them all surrounding the truck where the deed was done.

After a lesson on life and death on the farm, we went to Tracy's sister-in-law's house to swim. We were separated from a herd of cows by a simple chain-link fence. That was a first. Parker and Tracy got in a water gun war.

And Parker tried his hand at doing a front flip off the diving board.



The next morning we took care of some major weeding in their big, beautiful garden. 

 

We drove by the Twin Falls temple, which was cool. Except the child taking the picture out the window didn't get Angel Moroni in the picture, darn it.

We had lunch on the banks of the Snake River. Behind the kids is the bridge where Evel Knievil jumped the canyon.

Next we went to see the Shoshone Falls. They were really spectacular, even flowing at half capacity. 

 

So much fun, and still there was more to do and see. Our next stop was the Shoshone Ice Cave. It was everyone's favorite stop. It was close to 100 degrees all day. But the moment we crossed into the shade, it was cold. By the time we descended to the door to the cave, it was cool enough for a sweater. A very welcome respite.

 

Because of the natural airflow through this collapsed lava tube, the air stays between 24-32 degrees year round. It was pretty amazing. The water comes in from the top and freezes, so there is no running water underneath. It is several feet thick. 

It felt very Indiana Jones-ish, to walk on the raised boardwalk by the light of hanging lighbulbs.

The next day we were set to come home, but before we left, we stopped off at the Gossner dairy store for some ice cream. 

We love the Bradshaw's so much and definitely won't wait this long to visit again.

Scout Camp

Parker went to Scout Camp at Camp Bartlett in Idaho this year. Because he was only 11, Sterling had to go with him. They had a great time. Wish they could do this blog post instead of me though. So mostly, I'll just post the pictures.

Awesome leaders. They deserve lots of blessings for what they do during camp week. Wow!

Hiking to an ice cave in Paris, ID.

Parker earned 6 merit badges during the week. It was a lot of work with a lot of fun mixed in as well.

Ballet Recital

All I can say about the girls' ballet recital is that I wish I had taken video. They both did such a good job and smiled so big. Camille was just beaming and Rachel's costume sparkled on stage to match her sparkly eyes.

Certainly a perk was being able to dance with cousin Emily.

And even though Grandma was out of town, she still arranged for the girls to receive flowers after their stellar performance. Thank you Grandma for being so thoughtful!

Look at that arabesque. Camille loves to dance. Even as a young child, she enjoyed watching ballet. She was just as happy to watch my DVD of Baryshnikov dance the Nutcracker as watching Sesame Street. She tells me she wants to keep dancing until she gets toe shoes and then for a few more years after that. She is a beautiful little dancer. 

Look at that face. So much personality. She says she's not dancing next year, but she is. Just ask mom. She is.

These two sisters are lucky to be able to have each other to play with, fight with and dance with. Bestest Frenemies! Ultimately they love each other, support each other and have fun together.