Challenge 1...check!

For all of you Facebookers out there, you probably already know that Brad and I FINALLY gave in and let our babies go to Louisa for an extended visit...without us! Yes, it was a tough decision but Jake has been wanting to go all summer and we kept telling him he could if the opportunity came about. Well, as you read from last weeks posts, Brad's folks were here and...well...OPPORTUNITY! Jake knew from the time they got here that he wanted to go back with them and Brad and I were ok with that. They kept asking about Gray and we started off with a "NO", then each of us saying to the other "what do you think...should we just let him go", then finally, the night before they left...we caved! So, my babies are in Louisa with the Grandparents. They got there last night after 3 days of travel. Mimi went to see them when they got there and to her surprise, Gray tagged along. She knew Jake was coming, but we left out the Graybird part!
It's funny you know...I have gone on and on for a year about how I couldn't wait for a babysitter...now I have one and, at times, feel that gut wrenching separation that all parents feel at one time or another. You know they are in the best hands, you know they are sleeping and eating, you know they are having the time of their sweet lives...but you still have that ugly pit in your stomach that makes you miss them more than you think you can stand!
So, Brad and I are staying busy...we actually went out to eat by ourselves Monday night...TACO BUS in Driggs (I think the real name is LaPalma but we like the Taco Bus because it is an old school bus turned into a Mexican eatery!)...woohoo!!! I know, I know, most of you are probably thinking "Seriously, the Taco Bus is going out to eat?" It is by far the best Mexican food...EVER! Next time I am out I will try to grab a picture of it and share with everyone.
Yesterday we decided to get out of the house (and not work on the website for a little while) and enjoy our mountains. We headed up to Targhee. Brad had already hiked to the top before and kept telling me I HAD to do it. I had been reluctant 1....because we always have our babies with us and that is not a hike to do with kids in tow and 2...well...it's a HAUL up there! :-) But, I decided to go for it since the children were not with us. Now I will be honest, I was in a really grouchy, hateful mood and did not enjoy the first half of the hike. Because we have been trying to decide whether to head on back to KY or stay here another year, I have just been in a raw mood lately. Most of you know me...I'm a planner and most definitely TYPE A. I don't want to wait 2 weeks to decide...I want to decide NOW for crying out loud! So anyway, with that being said, I griped and frowned as I headed up the mountain...until we got to the spot where Brad found a fossil of a seashell. This spot use to be an ocean floor! How wonderful and miraculous is that! I was standing at least 9,000 feet above sea level at that particular point...which use to be the ocean floor. Did that ever open my eyes! We are such small creatures on this beautiful planet of ours and I felt so blessed to have been able to have seen that itty bitty seashell fossil yesterday. Who knows, maybe one day one of my boys will hike to the top of Targhee with his wife and see that same shell fossil that his Daddy and Mommy saw...pretty amazing stuff!
OK, OK...enough of the deep stuff. Once Brad and I reached the top we had our protein bars (another reason for my overall grouchiness...low blood sugar...I felt soooo much better after getting that in my stomach) and sat on the rock bed (as you can see in the picture) and just enjoyed the views. From the picture it is hard to tell, but we are at 10,000 feet here...that's about where the captain says "you may now roam about the cabin"...just to put that into perspective. In the background we had a gorgeous view of the Teton Mountain Range. Below us was a beautiful canyon.
We decided to hike down rather than take the lift. Let me just say, the hike down was hard on the legs. They were already shaky from the hike up! That was a steep grade all the way down!
I am so glad Brad talked me into this. This was one of those adventures on my list...now I can check it off! Thanks darlin...glad to have shared that with you!
Last night we grilled a bison burger here and headed to The Spud Drive-In to see Inception. Great movie...definitely worth it! On a side note, I never realized how much my brother-in law Brian looks like Leonardo DiCaprio!
Tonight is the Thursday night free concert at the Victor City Park. Tonight's headliner...BACKYARD TIRE FIRE...wooohooo! We saw them in Lexington a couple of years ago when they opened for JJ GREY AND MOFRO. Great Show! So I am sure tonight will be another exciting tonight for us "emptinesters". When babies are away...Mommy and Daddy will play!!!! :-)

Brad at the top of Targhee...10,000 feet above sea level

Fun with the Grandparents

We have certainly been having fun with Grandmother (GiGi) and PopPop the last few days. The boys have spent all of their waking moments with them...and Jake's sleeping moments (he loves sleeping with Grandmother). Friday,they took them to Idaho Falls looking for some "FUN" while Brad and I spent an hour and a half with Tony Horton (he's the P90X guy) doing our Yoga Vinyasas. :-) Yesterday we all headed to Jackson for brunch and some time at the Village. Of course a little shopping was done in town too! They bought the boys (and Brylee Holden) some new shoes. Jake was on a mission for new "skater shoes" but had no luck in Jackson...but to our surprise found some in Driggs on their way home! He was so excited!!! While at the Village, we picked up Falcon, Tess and Ranyon's corgy...we are dog sitting while they are on vacation (he is lounging here at my feet as I type :-)).

Last night we headed to Teton Thai for dinner...YUM!!! Thanks for dinner PopPop! Jake, by no surprise...had a Tony's Pizza.

Who knows what today will bring...Gray decided to rise and shine a little before 6:00am so that gave me plenty of time to Facebook, check my email and get in a quick post. It's already been a busy morning!

****By the way...yesterday was Mimi and India's birthdays...HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! WE LOVE YOU!

GiGi and Gray at Teton Thai

Jake, PopPop and Grandmother shopping

PopPop and Gray

Jake and Grandmother at the candystore...yes those are candy cigs!

Our Blessing...and Surprise

Today is truly special day...we woke up this morning and the Grandparents (Brad's folks) were here!!! PopPop told us a week or so ago that he was coming out but Grandmother wasn't planning on coming...until Monday. She told us Monday she would be joining him. I cannot express how happy and excited I am to hear them come down the stairs this morning.

They drove here...so let me just say that is LOVE, LOVE,LOVE!!! Getting here is no easy feat...it's at least a 26 hour drive from Louisa. They left Tuesday evening and made it here last night (this morning) at 3:15am after being in the car for 20 HOURS yesterday!!! God love them! They tried to stay in Rock Springs last night which is about 3 hours from here but there was a big County Fair going on and there was "NO ROOM AT THE INN"...anywhere! So, they drove...and drove...and drove.

When PopPop came to the top of the stairs this morning and Gray peeked his head around the corner and saw him...well, my heart skipped a beat. He was so happy to see him (as was I). He started gathering up all his toys and showing PopPop everything. Then came Grandmother. She had crawled in bed with Jake and surprised him this morning with hugs and kisses which he growled at until he saw who it was...then he was soooo excited! He went to bed last night with the understanding that they would arrive today...what a surprise for him.

I cannot express my feeling of happiness and being truly blessed as I sat at my computer and my boys were out on the back porch with them. My emotions have been a little crazy lately from homesickness and Jake soon to start Kindergarten so I was holding back the tears as I listened to Gray call Grandmother GiGi and Jake talk their legs off! I am honestly in a happy place today!

So many people...too many people...do not have good relationships with their in-laws. Well, that is certainly not me. I have always had a special relationship with Pat and Jerry and love them more than I could ever express. I do not feel like they are parents in-law...they are just parents. I have been truly,truly blessed with my own Mom and Dad, my step-Dad (Papa Dano) and now Pat and Jerry. The love that we have is immeasurable and I thank God for that! So, to end this rather long post...I am off to a free concert in park with my husband while Grandmother (GiGi) and PopPop watch my babies. To all of you who don't know...I have not had a sitter since we moved so this is not something I get to do often...enjoy my husband without the constant eye on my babies. OFF TO THE PARK I GO!!!!

Teton County Fair...Day

The second day of the Teton County Fair for us consisted of heading over to Jackson for some good old fashioned carnival rides. It had just come a big thunderstorm and cooled everything off nicely and we had about an hour window before the next big storm hit...just enough time for Jake to get in the rides he wanted and grab some super sweet cotton candy. First ride...the Scrambler (at least that's what it is at Camden Park). You know the one...it slings you around and pushes you to the end of your seat while the person to the left of you is basically on your lap!!! This has and always will be one of my personal favorites. This was Jake's first time riding this...he's hooked! The laughs, giggles and screams from both of us were memories to keep in my mind forever. He is still a little short for a lot of rides (at least by himself) but Brad and I made sure to get him on most things age and size appropriate for him. Brad rode the Farris Wheel with him and I rode the one that looks like a bucket with a wheel in the middle...the one that you spin and spin and spin. I told Jake this was the one my Uncle Chuckie got really sick on at Camden Park...he thought that was really funny!

Gray decided he wasn't really into the rides so he just watched his brother enjoy himself. My guess is that next year...Gray will be ready to ride with his brother.

My boys at the fair
Brad and Jake on the Farris Wheel

Jake and me on the Scrambler...a true candid moment

Gray watches Bubby and Daddy on the Farris Wheel

Jake races on the Speedway...sorry Big B...no Baby Dale cars


The only thing that would have made the Teton County Fair any better...a CORN DOG!!!! Thanks to P90X...we did not have a corn dog...major bummer.

The Teton County Fair...Day 1

This was such a fun day for us. Tess invited us to the petting zoo at the Teton County Fair in Jackson. Brad went fishing so the boys and I packed up for the day and headed to Jackson. The petting zoo was great. We bought some food pellets to feed the animals and the kids loved looking at all the precious animals. It really took us back to sweet times of being young. Gray loved all the animals...right up until the Mama pig decided to sneeze all over him after he fed her a handful of food...scared that poor baby to death!!!! From that point on, he stayed in my arms and said "Choo-Choo...bye bye" which in Gray language means "Get the car and let's get the heck outta here". :-) After the petting zoo, we grabbed the kiddos some Hawaiian Ice and took the train ride around the fair grounds. Finally, after all that fun...the ponies were ready to ride. Jake, Arielle and Alena hopped up on the ponies while Gray watched from a safe distance ...in my arms of course(I think the pig really startled him!). To top off a great morning...Tess had us back to the Village for a swim. Perfect morning...Perfect afternoon. Boys were pooped!!!

Jake and Sam

Jake pets the pony

Gray feeds the Mama pig...then she sneezed all over him

Tess, Alena, Gray and Jake...Arielle was close by

String Lake, Jackson WY

I know I have probably talked about String Lake before, but it deserves another entry. It is seriously that beautiful! It quickly became one our favorite spots in Jackson. The water is just perfect for the kids to splash and play in, the private little spots for family picnics are wonderful and the landscape (as you can see from the pictures) are breathtaking. We have had so much fun there are many occasions, this time just happened to be with our favorite people in Jackson...the d'Arge family. We invited them out to join us last Sunday afternoon. We rented a 2 person kayak (which was worth every penny...so much fun) and took turns touring the lake. Jake even learned to paddle by himself. It certainly was a beautiful, spectacular day!

Alena and me kayaking

The d'Arge Family (Ranyon,Tess,Alena and Arielle)

Sites of Yellowstone

Yellowstone always has such glorious sites to behold. Here are just a few we saw last Sunday. We were hoping to see a grizzly (from the car of course) and a wolf but still no luck with that. But we did see some beautiful animals, waterfalls, hot springs, geysers, and landscape. We did not plan to see Old Faithful this time as we have seen it 3 times before, but we ended up heading in that direction so we got to see it again. I am so glad we did because it was the best one yet for all of us!

This was a beautiful waterfall we found on our way home.

This is Emerald Spring...beautiful but really stinky!

This guy was enjoying an afternoon snack as we snapped a few photos.

This graceful pelican was my favorite animal for the day...isn't she just lovely? She had such a calm about her. I bet if she could talk she would have said "Namaste".

Our Beach Trip...Sort Of

Last Sunday we decided to take a day trip to Yellowstone. We had not been this year and it was time. So we planned ahead of time, got the cooler ready, and headed out early that morning. My favorite place in Yellowstone is Yellowstone Lake...which is where all of these pictures were taken. As we were driving to the lake for our picnic, I could just feel the ocean...ok, I know it isn't the ocean, but it is the closest thing to the ocean for me right now! Anyway, the waves were crashing, the driftwood was beautiful, the rocks were gorgeous and the sand felt wonderful between my toes. The water was quite cold but that did not stop my Jake Allen from getting drenched and having a blast. Gray couldn't have been happier running in the sand and throwing rocks in the "big bath". The smell was intoxicating and I enjoyed every last moment!

This nice family took a family shot of us...rare to have all of us in one picture.

Here my Jake is splashing in the really cold water...loving it of course. You can see the smoke from the fire in the background. We found out later that the fire spread thru hundreds of acres in Yellowstone that day.

My sweet Gray smiles for me just before launching a rock into the "big bath".

Jake wasn't so brave when we first arrived...he decided to try it with his hoody...that didn't last long. He decided flip flops and no hoody was more fun!

Jake shows his brother the true art of throwing rocks. I think Gray mastered it!

Boys love summer fun!

The boys have been enjoying their summer out here. We haven't done too much hiking yet this year (the bears are out and about in full force right now!) so we have been doing a lot of things at home for fun. Brad built an awesome fire ring in the back yard and we have had many a marshmallow roast. Jake says I have perfected the art of smore making!!! That boy does love his smores! I enjoy sitting out there watching the sun go down and the stars brighten the Western sky.

One of our favorite things to do is to go to the Spud Drive In! When we found out Toy Story 3 was coming to the Spud...Jake and I were on it!!! Brad and Gray stayed home for that one but Jake and I certainly enjoyed ourselves. He loves it because we wear our pjs and take lots of pillows and blankets. I usually pop my own popcorn but he wanted movie popcorn with butter so I caved for him. That smile on his face says it all!

This is one of my all time favorite summer pictures this year. Both of my boys over the fire pit their Daddy made. They don't have their marshmallows on their sticks yet but they weren't far behind me snapping this picture. Jake loves to help his Daddy gather the kindling for the fire and place the logs on.

Ahhh, my Graybird. This picture is classic...he is wearing one of his Daddy's old outfits and enjoying a popsicle. How much better does it get? I know Grandmother loves this because he not only is wearing Brad's clothes, but he looks exactly like him!!!

Summer at a glance...Part 3

Part 3 brings us to July...and of course I am starting off with the 4th of July! We had one of our favorite days here this 4th of July. We started off by going to the Victor parade...which was awesome! Seriously, best parade of my life! It was simple, fun and like stepping back in time. The kids were all lined on the street catching candy, the firetrucks were sounding their sirens, plenty of old cars and trucks...and of course, horse poop! What is a parade without horse poop? Jake loved catching the candy and even got a popsicle for he and his brother. I think that was Gray's favorite part of the parade. If anyone could see behind my dark shades, they would have seen a misty eyed Mom watching as her boys enjoyed that parade. I log that one in my memory of things to hold on to!

After the parade we were ready for lunch and Brad knew just what he wanted...PORK! The Knotty Pine was having an all day concert and he wanted to try the BBQ Pork Sandwich. I was in the mood for a hot dog (oh yeah...we still had not started P90X...that didn't happen until the following Monday) so I grabbed a North Carolina Dog and joined Brad and Jake. Gray was snoozing in the stroller...quite a busy morning for him. After lunch, we cruised around the park a bit and then headed over the Jackson to meet up with the d'Arge family for a little cookout and playtime....

Jake and Tess running thru the pop jets at the village!

Jake awaits more candy from the parade (that's him in the jean jacket)!

Gray enjoys the popsicle from the parade!

Who's that high flying artist??? That would be my big boy Jake enjoying the trampoline at the village. Arielle, Alena and Jake were all flying high...Gray liked his feet on the ground, for once.

After our big play time at the village, we headed back to the d'Arge home for a cook out and fireworks. What a spectacular show!!!! Thank you to Tess, Ranyon and the girls for sharing their 4th with us. Good friends and Good times.

Summer at a glance...Part 2

The month of June feels like a blur to me. We have been so busy getting the business set up that I feel like it just passed me by and I didn't enjoy it...thank goodness for pictures to remind us, right? Two very important events happened in June...Father's Day and Brad's Birthday.

For Brad's Birthday we ended up enjoying a nice supper at Snake River Brewery. It is one of his favorites. And to top it off, Gray was EXCELLENT! Any parent with children (especially under the age of 3) can appreciate a well behaved child at a restaurant. We don't eat out very often...we cook almost every single meal at home...but this was a special occasion and Gray rewarded us!

On Father's Day, we all headed to the pond and Jake and Brad caught dinner. Delicious Idaho trout...yumm! It was such joy to me to watch the boys in action. This was quite a tribute to my Dad. I know he was smiling down from his cloud saying, "Atta Boy Jake...reel it in...not too fast...nice catch little man". Poppa Chuck would have loved that moment...as did I.

Summer at a glance...

I decided to go through our pictures and pick out some of our favorite moments thus far this summer....

For us Southern folk, we are use to a Memorial Weekend filled with cookouts, warm weather, shorts and flip flops. Well, this was our first Memorial Weekend where my husband actually skied!!! Yes, you heard me correctly. He and Ranyon skied on Memorial Day. What a rush for him! The boys and I rode the Tram up with Tess's family and the men skied down and met us at the base. We had a great day.

With Spring brings fishing...and we all know Brad certainly loves to fish. So one Sunday afternoon, I was in the mood for a drive so we all loaded up and headed to Henry's Fork where Brad loves to fish. The drive was beautiful of course, but what I loved most about this trip...FROSTOP! This place served the absolute BEST corndogs EVER!!! This was prior to starting P90X but boy what I wouldn't give for one right now. And the fries...oh the fries...dear Heaven those things were cooked to perfection. I promise, once we have completed P90X, we will be rewarded with a corndog and fries.