Discovering Tradition: 4th of July

Tanner, Me, and Casi: taken in McCall, ID

I have a confession to make.

Within my adult life, I have had issues with the 4th of July as a holiday. I don't know when it happened, perhaps, as with most holidays, it just became less than it was. Or perhaps, as I feel it is, it was how we chose to celebrate the holiday. Never settling with a specific tradition.

Initially, Casi and I celebrated the holiday together (Nate having to work the holiday). It became ours. A mom and daughter day. Every year, we would go to the West Jordan fair; wander the booths, do a face painting, ride a few rides, sit with my parents, and then settle onto the grass, with blankets, to watch the fireworks.

Nate however hated the fair. I don't know why. Maybe it was too close to our first date. So when, he started getting the holiday off, we changed how it was celebrated. Over, the many years we tested different ways to celebrate. We held BBQ's at our home, tried buying our own fireworks, went to others peoples BBQ's, visited family, went to parks, and even had a year where we drove around; never quite settling on a location before the fireworks started. We then drove home; Casi and I tucked ourselves into blankets in the back of the truck. The exposed sky over heard. For Casi this year stands out due to the ride home. For Nate and I it was a struggle of finding a place to be.

This year we went to McCall, ID;  to see friends and to enjoy the fabulous fireworks show over Payette Lake. Our hosts,worked their tooters off to show us a great time. Filling three days with multiple bike rides, visits to the lake, shopping, and a hike to a waterfall.

Payette Lake.
Me, settled into a chair. Enjoying the view and everyones excitement over their chosen activity at the lake.

Tanner on the hike to waterfall

Group bike ride: Casi opted for 5 miles of technical downhill instead of the 20 miles of pedaling around the lake.
On the ride she realized she likes mountain biking. I was so happy over her excitement that it took all I had to contain the impulse to leap off my bike, in full tackle mode, so I could hug the crap out of her.

Right before she wrecked. Look at that grin!

This year we did what most do for the 4th;  an evening set in traditions. We loaded up the truck with chairs, coats and hats, coolers, and kids before heading down to the city center of McCall and Payette Lake. While we waited for the fireworks to start, we lit sparklers (adults too), drank beer, found Carmel apples for the kids, laughed and talked, played in the sand, and drank coffee. The fireworks started at about 11:00 pm and lasted 5 min. And they were spectacular.

At one point during the program,  I stopped watching fireworks. I looked around me. Taking in the smoke, lights, noise and excitement of the evening through those around me.  Seeings smiles, arms, hugs. People brought together to see the fireworks. Another 4th of July tradition.  I then looked to Nate with Tanner cuddled in his lap and Casi at his side and I realized, we have a tradition after all. We always did.

On the 4th: Casi, spent part of the evening, before the fireworks started, watching the sun make its way behind the mountains. Water licking her toes.

The finally.

You can almost see the barge where they lit the fireworks. Smoke roaring from its decks.

Bear Lake: By Tami

Nate, the kids, and I were at Bear lake for an extended family vacation. We spent a day at the lake, mtn biked a 1 mile single track trail, went ATVing, and spent many hours eating. The problem is, I dont know what happened to my camera after Lava Hot springs. I just did not take any pictures. Lucky for me Tami took a few pictures while we were there and that means, there are pictures of me too!

Tami's photo website is here. She started taking pictures about a year ago and hasn't stopped since. I have always felt that Tami is passionate about making people feel good about themselves through their appearance. I started to realize this when she was in Hair school (here is her hair blog) and how excited she was with changing up my look (or anyone else's). She has now has moved to photography.  

We spent a day at the Lake. I spent most of the day attempting to wind surf. 

Apparently, I sat more than I rode. Regardless of my inability to wind surf, I think I love it. Even after 3 hours of doing much of nothing and having to be dragged back in ...twice while a catamaran did circles around my attempts to catch the wind.. I still love it.  It was so much easier with my daddy there to tell me what to do.

We also had Great Grandpa Griffiths's pontoon boat. It makes for great tubing... but not much else. The was some excitement out on the boat but I can not write about it here since Nate's Mom reads my blog and I dont want to get him in trouble. Lets just say that Tanner thought it was "awesome" but the rest on the boat thought they were "going to die".

oh and, Isn't Casi Pretty!

The boys (minus Andrew) went ATV'ing

Casi and Avery.
Oh and that hat... never leaves her head. I started telling her that wearing a hat all the time will make her bald.

Uncle Aaron knows how to make Tanner fly!

 Nate, I think she captured him well and I love them both.

Smiths Trout "Haven" ponds: where we did some fish'in

Tanner waiting for a fish to hit the line.
If you look past the pond and the multiple barn like structures, you can see our truck, trailer,
and kayak. 

Smiths Trout Haven Campground has two small stocked ponds. No licence needed. Instead they charge $0.50 per inch. The fish were hungry bitting fast at a hooked worm.

 Tanner caught the first Rainbow Trout of the day. He was really excited about it. You should have seen all of us running around with excitement over his poor caught fish;  Nate and I trying to remember what our grandpas did when we caught fish with them 20 years ago.

Tanners expression in the next picture is what happens to a boy when he witnesses the fishes eye ball popping out. "That was awesome!" he states. He likes being grossed out. The rest of us... didn't. 

Then Abbey caught hers. Abbey did not want to hold or touch the fish. So Nate is trying to get her to stand by it so we can get her picture with it. "Hey, Abbey" 

"OK fine! But, I am NOT touching it."

"That IS a little bit closer but, how about the other side?"

(I love how Nate is cracking up here.)

"Just a little bit closer, Abbey"

 "Gotcha!"

Casi caught the third fish. 

"Hey were did she go?"

Sometimes what you think is a sand trap is really the putting green

Dempsy Ridge; Lava Hot Springs

"I am teeter and you're totter"

Smiths Trout Haven Campground, in Lava hot springs  ID,  has the coolest teeter totters ever. (I know! It shocked me too when I used "cool" to describe a teeter totter.) For my birthday, I want one!

Even Nate got on with the three kids on the other end:  Abby, Casi, and Tanner . The result, of which, was free time for me to bird, much laughter from the kids, and Tanner showing everyone how red his buttocks was when it was all over. Thats right, we all were witness to Tanners first full moon. I was quick to put out the fire but I am certain, we will see it again when he is probably old enough to know better.

Seriously. A teeter totter. Just like this one. For my birthday. Me very happy!