With how busy our summer has been we had a hard time finding a stretch of time to take a trip or go camping this summer. I didn't want to end our summer not going somewhere, so we picked a couple of days at the end of July and went camping in the Tetons. Kendal had a Driver's Ed drive on Monday the 29th after which we drove to stay the night at Nicole and Jordan's. We left early the next morning and made our first stop at Bear World. The kids didn't love the idea of being surrounded by bears right outside the car, but as we drove through the park they quickly turned excited to see all of the bears and animals roaming and lounging around. After the drive we went to the baby bear enclosure, petting zoo area, the dinosaur park, and a little amusement park area. The kids loved the baby bears, and had a blast going around to each of the rides.
After Bear World we drove to Jackson Hole to eat lunch at a park and then over to a wildlife museum where the kids did Nature Ranger packets. We went into the Tetons and drove to Mormon Row first where early Mormon setters built a community. I was a bit bummed that the area was so smokey so we couldn't see the mountains clearly in the distance. We drove to some more overlooks and stop before making our way to Jackson Lake where we were camping. We set up camp with the kids, had an early dinner, and then went down to play at the lake. Casey spent some time teaching the kids to skip rocks and Alice found a massive branch to haul around for a while. We stayed for a while and then went back to warm up the wet kids in front of a fire and to have some smores. It started to sprinkle and then rain so our fire got cut short. We went to bed listening to the sounds of rain off and on for a couple of hours.
Wednesday Morning we woke up to clear skies thanks to the rain the night before. We ate some breakfast and cleaned up camp (wished we could have camped more than one night). We made our way along the Tetons stopping at different lookouts before we reached Jenny Lake. It was crazy crowded and we had to park on the road. We decided to do the hike around part of the lake and then take the ferry back to the lodge. Alice was less than thrilled to be hiking along the long paths that went up and down. It took us an hour and 40 min. to make it 2.5 miles and we were happy to reach the waterfall and the ferry area at the end of the hike. We drove to another side area and had late lunch before we finishing driving back out of the park and made our way home. The Tetons were gorgeous and overall it was a great trip. The kids already want to go back and I know we'll have to make it happen in the next few years.
I helped with school registration on the 2nd and 5th at the middle school. Pete came the first day and helped give tours to new students with his buddy Austin.
Saturday the 3rd we went up to Boise and joined Nicole, Jordan, Hunter, Jaxson, and Ashley at Roaring Springs. We immediately went on all of the big rides first. After lunch we did the lazy river and wave pool. To end our day we let all of the kids pick their favorite rides and we went on them again! It was so fun to have "buddies / cousins" for the kids and our numbers were even so we took turns going on tubes with different combos of our group. We stayed till closing and had a late dinner at pizza place in Boise followed by an ice cream doughnut place the kids loved! It was a fun day and thankfully overcast and smoky so we didn't fry in the hot temps. (I didn't get any pictures at Roaring Springs, just on the roof of the restaurant we ate at. )
Alice took swim lessons the last two weeks. Kendal got to join the first week, but her drive and cross country meant Alice went on her own the second week. Kendal worked on improving strokes and distance when she swam and Alice worked on everything. She started with short lengths in the water and not trying much with floating or treading to ending up being able to go most of the way across the pool on her own as well as good floats, and treading on her own to end her lessons. She has loved swimming and also loved all of the Olympic swimming we've watched the past couple of weeks.
Casey spent the first full week of August in training's. From Monday the 5th to that Wednesday he was doing a leadership training called ISWIS. He's the leader of our behavior program for the middle school and has to do all of the background work for it with keeping records and such so he often adds trainings to his school year because of it. Wednesday night he headed up to Boise to stay with his Aunt and Uncle so He could go to another training there for the next couple of days. It was different workshops about increasing student engagement and learning.
Last weekend Kendal got to go help her friend Alycin and her Mom work a kettle corn booth at the Jerome county fair. She said it was long, but a cool experience. She got to enjoy sweets a plenty as well as time with her good buddy. The next day was Stake conference. Casey and I went to the leadership meetings and part of the adult session before we had to get back so Kendal and Pete could go to a multi-stake concert / party put on in Twin. They had a fun night, but it was also a very late night.
(cotton candy monster)We've been watching as much of the Olympics as we had time for when they were happening. We loved finding the random sports you don't see much like the pentathlon as well as the classic summer Olympic sports. It's the most our TV has been on since we've moved here, but it was fun cheering on and watching the Olympians reach towards their dreams.
Kendal finishing drivers Ed this past week. She's had drives every Monday for the past three weeks with her friend Becca. They drove all around Twin, and did a highway drive this last drive. She's proud of her permit and will show anyone and everyone. She wanted to drive home the second the permit was in her palm and we've had her drive to Raft River twice this past week. She's skiddish and hugs the lines, but it's just the beginning; we'll get there (probably with a higher blood pressure to show for it).
Casey and Pete went to Logan this last week for a couple of days so Casey could help David work, and Pete played with cousins.
I've spent a lot of time back at the school thing to get things in order, organized, as well as painting a mural on my wall. I had some issues in the reading program, so I spent a whole work day fixing the issues it created, so I'm behind on my to do list. We had meetings on Friday and will again tomorrow. Since Casey had training's, then went to Logan he's also trying to fit in all of his prep before Tuesday. We'll get there . . . ready or not.
Yesterday we were supposed to spend the day out in Raft River because Cody, Mia, and their kids were around. Kendal ended up at Netta's birthday party late Friday and Cross Country pictures Saturday morning so it delayed our trek out to RR. Because we were around we got to join part of the annual friends triathlon. All of the kids did the run. Kendal went off to water a friends yard and feed her cat while Pete and Alice did the biking portion. Kendal took pictures and then we jetted off to Raft River for the rest of the day. The cousin chaos was in full swing, but it was a great day and we love when we can see each other.
