A very busy week in 1 short blog post

We are slightly more than 1/2 way through a much anticipated visit from some cousins.  It has been a week full of fun.

Waiting (im)patiently for their arrival at the gate.

Getting reacquainted in the back yard.

Getting reacquainted while trying to escape Mom's camera inside.

Home made Indian food at the home of friend's.

Playing X-box Kinect.

Visiting with Grandpa.

Photo composition was fabulous.  Execution was awful. Kids burned off lots of energy at a fun place called Jump Time.

Trying on clothes in search of something to wear for professional photos.  (And "modeling" the clothes.)

Not so comfortable modeling, she agree to peek around the corner for me.

On the way to the photo shoot and, as usual, trying to escape Mom's camera.

A little bribery got me a little cooperation.

One picture from the shoot.

Throw in a birthday.  I took Anna out for a birthday breakfast.  She ordered PLAIN crepes with whipping cream on the side.

And a chocolate malt.  Yes, for breakfast.  It was her birthday after all.

After a day at the waterpark we didn't eat dinner until 10:00 p.m. followed, of course, by birthday cake and ice cream at 10:30.  There were some tired, cranky kids that night!

Dinner with our Mandarin tutor and his parents, visiting from China.  SWEET old couple who had never left their hometown before.  Mr. Li wrote a poem for us which was very touching.

We took a short trip to Idaho City where we visited one of several ice cream parlors.  

Along the way we stopped to play in the river which was, honestly, the best part of the trip.

The kids found tadpoles which they told me were "stage 2".  It was too slimy looking for me to investigate closely.

I was in the river almost as much as the kids, but I had to snap a few pictures of flowers...

...and general scenery.

And I had to get some nice shots of all the kids. 

Hopefully more fun to come!

Fire Season

Here's the picture I promised last night: On my computer I can see the fire line well; I hope you can too. The fire is out today, although Boise is once again (like last summer) shrouded in smoke. I assume that means there are fires burning somewhere in the area. I truly hope the smoke doesn't get as thick as last summer. It caused problems for Ethan and I, as well as many people here in the valley.

Baby It's Hot Outside

I was dumbstruck when I looked at the thermometer in my car this afternoon:

Now THAT is hot! Also, about 5:00 p.m. a wildfire broke out somewhat near us. Now, at 10:45, we can stand in our back yard and see the fire line. It is quite a ways in the distance and I'm hoping it stays that way through the night. I took a picture but will have to upload it tomorrow.