Wild Summer

This summer is turning out to be an adventurous one!  Willy was sent to Hiroshima, Japan for two weeks for his job.  He had a great time and I hope I'll be able to upload his amazing pictures here soon.



While he was gone, instead of sulking around, Cole and I went to visit my mom and Grandpa Bud where they work camp at the Grand National Teton Park.  We spent about a week there spending time with them.  Cole and I hiked a bear laden trail.  We were scared but when we relaxed it was an amazing time.  Mom took us to the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone and we thoroughly explored every mud pot, geyser and any other geothermal feature the park had to offer.  Cole was a happy boy!
Link to picture album.

I also couldn't resist reposting this link when we visited Yellowstone when Cole was still in a stroller.  Grandparents and Moms like this sort of thing...

The next day we flew to Florida to visit Grandma Leigh, my dad and Grandma Kitty.  I met Jenna and Don's new little family, too.  We were lucky enough to spend the night at a beach motel in Sarasota.  It was a great vacation, the only one we missed was Willy!

Lido Beach, Sarasota

Cole and I checked out Dad and Kitty's favorite beach motel in Sarasota.  Leigh and Jenna's beautiful family joined us.  It was so nice.  Cole found all kinds of shells with snails and conchs in them.  The water was lovely.  Sea turtles made nests in the fine sand.  The moon rose so fast and huge.  This will be a new family tradition for sure.  Here are some of Leigh's pictures.

It's About Time! (Return of the blog)

Cole working on his uphill skills in the foothills.  He made it!

Oregon Trip Part II

Japanese Gardens

 Washington's Capitol Building

Oregon Coast

Magness Family Tree Farm

OMSI, Portland, OR

For even more pictures.... Click here..... 

Oregon Trip Part I

Oregon Zoo

Oregon Coast

The rest of the album....  Click HERE!

Foraging, Shredding and Fencing

We've been learning about wild mushrooms.  These are shaggy manes and Willy sauteed them up for his steak.  I highly recommend buying a quarter beef from a local farmer after it's processed by a butcher.  Amazing! 

Cole was Shredder from The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  We pooled our efforts to make this costume happen.  Our amazing neighbor, Cheryl, sewed it and Willy and Cole melted records to make the armor and helmet.  It was a good Halloween night trick or treating with Iron Man and Shredder. 

Cole had his first homeschool fencing lesson today.  This video is awesome!  Cole really got into it.  He has one lesson per week until mid January.  Gotta love community centers!

For more gems like these click this link!

I'm learning how to be super horse savvy working at the barn and with Sioux.  Cole is also learning a lot there as well.  More at the horse world later, I have to enforce bed time.

Camping Pictures

July 2014 Album: Camping and Grandma and Uncle visit Boise

Busy Summer!  Leigh and John are staying nearby.  Lots of nice family dinners, nonsense and camping trips happening.  We traveled north to Cour d'Alene with John and then we went to Joseph, Oregon for a Possum Livin show.  Lot's of camping to come:  A tour of the NW.  Gardening, horses, home school and family really do not allow leisure for blogging cohesive sentences!

Camping with John, Willy and Cole

 My favorite time on this camping trip in OR.  Ally and Cole were running through the muddy grass.