Idaho

We headed to Idaho to see my Grandma and celebrate her 85th birthday. As soon as we arrived Carter found a broom just his size. He was immediately taken with Grandma's house and spent the evening sweeping up for her. The girls love throwing rocks in the canal and wandering around the farm. Emily found wildflowers by the potato cellar and picked a bunch for Grandma. I love it here. It's one of my favorite places in the world. It's quiet and relaxed and everyone moves a little slower. John and I decided we want to retire here, or somewhere like it. It will probably never happen, but we can dream. It was the first time back since my Grandpa's funeral and it was sad and strange to not have him there telling his stories and asking us trivia about the world. I was feeling a little reminiscent and took a lot of pictures. There is something magical about Grandma's house to me. I'm sure it's because I spent 2 weeks every summer on vacation here. I enjoyed being with my grandparents and experiencing all that country life has to offer, before heading back to the crowded city life we knew. It's even more magical to me now as I watch my kids skipping rocks, picking flowers, and walking down the dirt road with Grandma. They are enjoying the same little moments I did as a kid. Twenty five years have passed, but in this one place nothing has really changed.

On Saturday we went to the air show. Grandpa loved to fly and never missed this yearly show and we couldn't bear to be in town and not experience it for ourselves. It was really amazing!

That afternoon we went to visit my Grandpa's grave and got a picture with Grandma. I miss my Grandpa so much. He was one of the neatest people I have ever known and always made me feel so loved. I am grateful for the knowledge I have that he is in a better place, surrounded by his parents and brothers, and that I will see him again one day.

Then we headed to the elementary school for my grandma's 85th birthday party. My uncle opened the PE closet and let the kids at the scooters, balls, and jump ropes. What fun! We did a big tug of war with families against one another. John got a little too into the tug of war, not that any of us were surprised by that at all. He can't stand to lose any type of competition. He took everyone down, but ended up pretty grass stained and scraped up from it! The highlight was when the giant parachute came out. Everyone joined in that fun and Grandma was out running under the parachute with all the kids. She has a lot of energy for 85! And Carter thought the parachute was the greatest thing ever. That may be the happiest I had ever seen him in his life. He was giggling uncontrollably and running in and out. He got pulled under during "shark attack" by an older cousin and he couldn't have been more thrilled. It was a fun time! Happy Birthday Grandma!