Peace, Love and Sara Bareilles

Saturday July 16th was a whole new experience for Anson and I.  It started with a 5k run with my best buddy Dawn and with her encouragement, we jogged the whole thing.  I may have had to fight the urge to vomit, but I finished and it felt GREAT!

Then it was on to Targheefest!  It's an annual concert that the local ski resort puts on for the entire weekend.  The headliners that we were most excited about were Sara Bareilles and Michael Franti.

Sara rocked the house!  She even sang her own version of Mumford and Sons "Little Lion Man," and it was so good! I may have dorked out and got her autograph, I thought why not?  I'll never get to be this close a star at a normal concert, especially one who has talent!  So I went for it!

 I had never heard Michael Franti's music before and I'm officially a fan! It's peace and love meets reggae and it's AMAZING! I love the messages in his songs, they were all super uplifting.  Should he make an appearance in the valley again, I will be there for sure!

 

It was a fantastic Saturday!

Loves!

Cousins Bailey, Claire and Hazel, Aunt Lauren, Natalie, Papa and Grandma Barlow came to visit for two whole weeks, it was kind of awesome!  Here's why:

We ate every carb imaginable, namely cinnamon rolls, calzones, artisan bread, whole wheat waffles, crepes and who knows what else.  Either way it was delish and we ate like kings and queens!  We played in the mud, the cousins took baths together (Anson was a little freaked at first), had picnics in the backyard, fed horses, played at Grandpa Larry and Grandma Pam's, which included a sleigh ride pulled by pony's and  a ride on Grandpa Larry's lawn mower!  We went to Cousin Melanie's wedding, went for walks, ate A LOT OF SUGAR and gave each other kisses.  Basically, a fantastic two weeks!  Thanks everyone for coming to play!

4th of July and then some

Our 4th pf July weekend was great fun, one that I'm sure none who participated will soon forget.  We got to go to a carnival which included pig and dog races, bounce houses, a hilarious hypnotist and a comedian (who wasn't funny at all). Glenn Beck was the guest of honor and he gave a speech about patriotism that made everyone (accept hippies) proud to be Americans.  His speech was concluded with a firework show that put all others that I've seen to shame.  On Independence Day, we celebrated with the annual Victor 4th of July parade, the craft fair, a smattering of delicious food and of course, more fireworks.  It was a faboo weekend.

The wall of people protecting our babies from the sun.

 Fun at the Parade!

Dinner time!!

Anson's first sparkler!
 
P.S This marked the start of a super fun two weeks with Auntie Lauren, Natalie, Grandma and Papa Barlow and cousins, Bailey, Claire and Hazel.  We haven't seen Aunt Lauren since Anson was born, so that was extra special to have her come!

Goodbye ocean, hello mountains!

Well, I've gotten real bad about this whole blog thing lately... So here's a story in pics for ya.

Basically, we're really glad to be home.  We love the space in our house (Anson is obsessed with playing in his room), we love the mountains, bike rides, the smell after it rains, the horses in our pasture, hikes, long walks, the AMAZING gas station that we live only 2 blocks from (hello fountain sodas), camping, swimming, trips to the zoo and playing in the park!  The list could go on forever.  Oh Idaho, we sure have missed you!

The best of the best

As far as Dad's go, I'm pretty sure that I have the best there is...

Amazing Dad + carpenter + mechanic + race car driver + super Grandpa = Shear Awesomeness

Thanks Daddy for your love, support,  friendship and for helping me become who I am today!  I love your face off!

Incredible Dad + Entrepreneur +  Mr. fix-it sprinkler man + Sweet Papa = Radical

Dad, Thank you for being great as both a Dad and Friend and for teaching us not be afraid to chase our dreams. Love you lots!

Best Daddy on the planet + Entrepreneur + Expert fly fisherman + Sweet Hubby = LOVE

Honey, Thanks for being awesome!  Thank you for being such a hard worker and for loving Anson and I so much!  We like you a lot!

Happy Father's Day!

I'm not that spoiled

Rest assured that Anson and I didn't get to have all the fun on our two week trip to the Zona and P-town.  Taylor got to have a bit of a party himself...  Two of his good friends met him in FL for some fishing in the Keys, a fishing competition and some touring in South Beach. 

I don't know if you can tell, but they died and went to heaven.

The men in action.

Soakin up some rays!

They didn't just fish during the day, they also fished late into the night.  Crazy boys are in love with fish or something.

A little hang out session in Miami to end their week of bliss.  

No wives, no schedules, just a boat, fishes and the Ocean.  Pretty rad if you ask me. 

Love me some OREGON!

The last 7 days of Anson's and my trip were spent with my family in Portland! It was a busy week, that's for sure.  How did this trip of awesomeness begin?  With me getting my hair done, which isn't very exciting but it meant that I got visit with my friend Rachelley.  The next day is when the fun began!

 Hello Oceanside!!!

Aren't we pretty? 

"The digs".  Lisa's Dad was awesome enough to let us stay in one of his beach houses right in the heart of Oceanside!  Of course in only takes about 15 minutes  to walk around the whole town, but it was lovely.  I learned a lot about my Sisser's childhood--she spent a ton of time here as a kid and I can see why she loves it so much!

NO KIDS ALLOWED!  That's right people, 2 1/2 days and 2 nights of girl time!  Sadly Joannie and Moni weren't able to make it, but the show had to go on!  We took walks on the beach both nights walking through a cave at low tide the last night.  There was Wii Dance, movies, junk food, dance parties, a hike to a waterfall, a tour of an old lighthouse, a tour of the Tillamook Cheese Factory and 1 delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner out!  It was a blast!

Here is Anson's lovely babysitter (my Cousin Lindsay in my Mom's dress from the 80's), she did such a good job and Anson loves her!

Anson loves hanging with his Grandpa.

7 days is not nearly long enough.  The week was jam packed.  We got to spend lots of time with my Brothers, my Sissies and their kiddos, which Anson loved being surrounded by so much action.  I got to see one of my Girlfriends that I haven't seen in ages and go to my favorite restaurant in the world: Changs Mongolian Grill.  Thanks for a fabulous week!

Lots of love!  Until next time!