Idaho Trip: Part I

To give Rhett a break from us while he studied for the bar (and took it), the girls and I headed to Idaho. It was quite the drive--supposed to last only 8 hours but ended up being 12 hours with all the car trouble we had. But we got there safely. And the girls did such a great job. Most of the time, they were singing their guts out to our kids' songs cd, reading and trading books, and looking out the window. There were a few melt downs and screams, but on the most part, I'm proud of how well they did--especially amidst the car malfunctioning.

Our first stop was to Grandma and Grandpa Searle's. Aunt Jill and cousins Noah and Brigham were there, along with Aunt Ang and cousin Graham. We hadn't seen everyone for such a long time, and we had such a good time playing together.

We also got to spend time at the Searle Cabin. Here's Claire experiencing her first S'more:

And Summer getting a ride with Grandpa:

We also got to meet up with our dear Spokane friends who moved to Utah. It was so great to see Jen, Brookie, Kaley, Rachel, and Lyla! I couldn't believe how much everyone had grown in such a short time.

I don't know where Summer and Brookie found these, but I turned around and they both had them on their heads like this. So funny!

Kaley, Lyla, and Claire on the swing together. So big!

Then we got to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Kartchner. We went to the 24th of July parade (which the girls loved!) and played at the Sandbar in St. Anthony.

Summer--scoping out the area:

Claire, lounging in Grandpa's lap:
This was the first time we've been to G&G K's house with their tire swing up. The girls LOVED it! Grandpa probably built some mega muscles after pushing them for so long!

This is a clip from the Searle get-together at the cabin. Grandma Searle taught us this new song, and all the grandkids got props to wave around. From left to right: Anniston, Claire, Graham, Brecken, Summer, and Mabree. The lone wanderer: Noah. Too little to sing or hold a prop: Brigham. And in case you're wondering who's singing the "solos" when we're supposed to skip the word: that's my singing Summer. :)

Even now, every time we see a flag, Summer busts into this song. But for some reason, she's changed one of the lines. Now she sings:
"There are no bananas in the flag, in the flag! There are no bananas in the flag, in the flag! There are stars and there's stripes, and a merry go-around! There are no bananas in the flag, in the flag!"