4-WHEELING

Rick, Brett, Chad, Pam, Meg and Chase are here for their annual visit. For their first full day, we decided to go on a long 4-wheeler ride. The weather and scenery were beautiful and the "road" was challenging enough to keep it exciting.

Rick contemplating life?

A short rest.....

Brett chillin'

Rica, Meg and Chad.

Pam does an amazing job riding the trails!

What a beautiful little girl!!!

Chase is ready to take over.


One little mishap... Brett hit a rock that threw him off the trail.

Catch you later.... (Chase and Rick)

HOME IMPROVEMENT (continued....)

Loren put up the faux beams on the livingroom ceiling and enclosed the stovepipe at the ceiling. It looks soooooo good!

45TH PARALLEL

Thought I'd share a couple pictures of the 45th parallel we cross just outside of New Meadows. It is absolutely beautiful country!!

TRIP TO POCATELLO

Heidi and I went down to Pocatello to visit with relatives. We stayed at my parents' house and had a nice long visit with them. The next day we had lunch with my brother Jay, my sister-in-law Pat, and two of their daughters (Natalie and Sarah) before heading back to Boise. I stayed in Boise with Heidi and Guy on the trip down and on my trip back home. Heidi and I got a lot of errands done (and threw in a little shopping too). Thanks so much for the hospitality Heidi and Guy!!!

Heidi with her grandparents; Zola and Deryl Parris at their home in Virginia, Idaho.

Jay, Pat, Natalie, Sarah, Heidi and I met for lunch at Ruby Tuesdays in Pocatello. It was really nice visiting with them but we didn't have nearly enough time to catch up. My brother's oldest daughter is in Washington, DC, doing an internship at the State Department so, obviously, was not able to join us. Check out her DC blog at graciebingham.blogspot.com.

Damn Bears!!

Looks like a yearling bear was looking for grubs in the 335 seat! The 250 also has some teeth marks on the seat. I know, I know they were here first!

SPRINGTIME ON THE MOUNTAIN

A LONG TIME COMING.....

It took 35 years but we finally have a good start on a lawn! Loren swore he would never mow again but I think he actually enjoyed this. I love the grass and so do the dogs. Thanks Loren!!!!

BACK IN IDAHO

Chica and I made it back to Idaho on Friday, May 22, and it is good to be home!!

We stayed in Searchlight Wednesday night and Jackpot Thursday night. Our good friends, Ross and Flo McNurlin, from Twin Falls (and next-door-neighbors in Yuma) took me to dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Jackpot and then I stopped by their home Friday morning for a coffee fix before hitting the road. Thanks Ross and Flo!

I then had lunch with Heidi in Boise before heading to the mountain. Thanks for lunch Heidi!

Below are some examples of a new hobby I picked up on my way to Idaho -- photography at 80 mph.

The pictures above and below are at Havasu Springs outside of Lake Havasu City. It is beautiful (okay, I stopped for these two pictures)!

The desert landscape is constantly changing and beautiful.

I don't know what kind of tree this is but it was completely covered with pink flowers and was absolutely gorgeous against the brilliant blue sky in Jackpot, Nevada.

CHICA

Chica has started moving her entire toy "box" around the living room. I'm not sure what she is trying to tell me but it sure is cute!

LUNCH WITH FRIENDS

I had lunch today with some of the ladies I used to work with at the Department of Agriculture. Left to right: Rebecca Land, me, Yolanda Pereda, and Connie Morrill. They were all hired as Agriculture Inspectors for the emergency Med Fly Team and only Yolanda is still with the Department. Rebecca went back to school and is graduating with her associates degree next week. Connie moved to Boston to be near her daughter but returned to Yuma and now she and her parents are moving to New Mexico. We had a really good time and decided we would do lunch at least once a month when I return in the fall.

Is it Summer Yet???

Yesterday we, hopefully, had our last snow storm for the season.....

A funny looking elk showed up also. It is actually a displaced Bighorn Ewe hanging with the Elk. Her closest habitat is probably Hells Canyon or the Seven Devils. It's the first time I've ever seen one around the cabin!

SUMMER IN YUMA = RATTLESNAKES!

Chuck, our neighbor here in Yuma, has spotted four rattlesnakes in the last couple of days. This one was in the wrong place at the wrong time (or maybe the right time)!! He measures 53" and has 15 rattles.

HEADED FOR IDAHO

Just a note to let everyone know that Loren and Rica headed for Idaho this morning. He plans to stay in Ely tonight and then on to his son Rick's (Fruitland, Idaho) tomorrow.

SPRING BREAK - DAYS 4 THRU 7

Both David and I got sunburned so the next two days Loren and I took the kids to a great park across the river so they could burn off some energy. They also spent a lot of time on the computers playing games and giving the G's a little respite. Grandpa has taken each of them on numerous rides on the RAZR and our neighbor, Sandi, took them all for a long walk, back to the park and out for ice cream. David and I went to breakfast at the new casino and then gambled and visited for several hours. On Thursday night Celie stayed with her Grandma Sissy and the rest of us went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. It was a nice end to a really nice visit!

Miranda totally engrossed in one of the computer games.


Left to right: Cactus Miranda, Jackrabbit Jonathan, Camel Alyssa, and Turtle Celie.

Celie exiting the dragon slide on a very breezy afternoon.

What a handsome dude!

Alyssa and Miranda playing Hide and Seek.

SPRING BREAK - DAY 3

Today David joined the kids for an afternoon of swimming and hanging out while Crystal enjoyed some time with friends in Yuma.

David and Celie enjoying some up close and personal time.

Celie holding her breath under water.

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Jonathan practicing his backstroke.

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David keeping a close eye on Miranda.

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Finally a picture that includes Alyssa! She is just too busy being a little mermaid.