Ericksons in Idaho

We had a wonderful visit from my sister and the rest of the Erickson crew this summer.   We live way too far apart and just don't see each other enough so I was so happy that we got some good catch up time in and my heart swelled with joy seeing our boys together.  My boys idolize their older cousins and pick up their mannerisms quickly so even when they left they left a little piece of themselves behind without even knowing it.  The highlight of the trip may have been our float down the Payette. You had to be at least five years old so our boys were not able to join this time, but it was so fun watching my other favorite boys.  Tyler is a little dare devil and could not get enough of "riding in the bull" through the rapids.  I love each of these guys so much and cannot wait for their official return to Idaho in a few years (fingers crossed!). 

Grass is Greener!

There is little that I enjoy more than getting some fresh mountain air with the boys.  Grass looks greener and skies look bluer when in the mountains.  We are lucky that the boys are outside boys, but I am not sure that they really had a choice in the matter.  We love visiting grandma and grandpa at the cabin too even if we are terrible about getting pictures with them! 

This boys loves to be outside and loves to explore.  I just hoped that his exploring didn't involve picking up the cowpies!

The boy has got hops.

This may just be my favorite pictures of my boys.

We are getting pretty good at our selfie game if I don't say so myself.

Grandpa is so good at pleasing Grady.  If Grady wants to "swim" and we are all too lazy to get in with him, he knows Grandpa will appease him.  Lucky boy to have such a willing grandpa.

Little boy living it up in a lake town. 

Beaching it, Idaho style.

Summer Kick Off (In November!)

Memorial weekend was the perfect summer kickoff for us.  Not only did we have the opportunity to teach Grady about the real reason for the holiday, the weather was absolutely perfect to partake in some of our favorite summer activities.

Summer = evening family walks!

Summer = back yard fires, roasted little weenies, and a sticky marshmallow mess.  I swear the boys pretty much ate only marshmallows for dinner, parent of the year right here folks!

Summer = waking up to hot air balloons at least a couple times a week and going on the chase through our neighborhood in our PJs.

 While Graham napped, I took Grady to see the flag memorial set up at our local park and use it is an opportunity to talk about what Memorial Day really means.  I love that our park gives us an opportunity to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.  

Summer =  playtime at the park and the first snowcone of the year.  

Summer = swimming.  

We were so happy that it  was hot enough to get our first swim in - hooray for summer swimming!

Summer = Summer shoes!  We were obsessed with Natives this year.  If you have kids, you should probably have these shoes.  

(lots more summer adventures to come, even though it is officially November!)