Adventures in Idaho!

I have explored Eastern Idaho this weekend! Friday, Gary took me to South Butte for the first time ever. It was absolutely beautiful. We saw a snake, lots of butterflies, flowers, seagulls that looked like penguins, and the first dragonflies of the season! Plus, we had a little fan club of bugs that followed us over our heads (I think they wanted some of his tootsie rolls), and a pretty dog that followed us back to the car. Then of course there was the view of the entire valley that we had from the top! It was so much fun, we ended up staying for about four hours without even realizing it. Hooray! Oh, and I played about two bars from Come Come Ye Saints on the harmonica. I think I've found my newest hobby!

On Saturday, my roommate Jenny, her sister Kayla, her cousin Josslin, and I went on a family history road trip! We drove over to Aberdeen and took pictures of her ancestor's gravesites. I also happened to find some graves that I think fit into my family somewhere! (A whole little family section with the last name Savage. Coincidence? I think not! Only PAF will tell. lol)

By Monday, only two of my roommates were still in town. Rather than going camping, we decided to go on a hike! Megan's from around here, and took us to one of her favorite trails, in Driggs, Idaho. It was be-awesome! Here are some amazing pics for you: (Megan gave me batteries, so my camera finally worked again! Tragically, they died before we got home. lol.)


Jenny, Megan, and me at the trailhead.


Halfway there!


I love these girls!

We got to the top of the trail, and decided we wanted a better view. So we climbed UP the side of a mountain. It was pretty steep though, so after lunch we had to slide down it!! It was X-treme Sledding, minus the sled! lol


Here's me trying to slow down before going over a rock... Yeah, that didn't work. I went right over it, and Jenny's convinced I even got some air. Go me! haha. Luckily I was numb.


After sliding the first half, and bracing ourselves for the longer stretch (Jenny wisely decided to navigate the rock patch on foot, rather than... posterior).


The victors! (And their dirty pants...)


On the way back, we were pumped full of energy (adrenaline?) and decided to make a little snowman while we were already numb from all of our "Butt Slaloming," as Jenny called it. Ta-da!


It was a beautiful day, our feet were muddy, and the creek looked falsely alluring. It was FREEZING, but we got clean! (Jenny and I called it quits on our who-can-stay-in-the-longest contest after about 40 seconds.)

Now we're getting ready to make popcorn and watch an old movie, so we can rest our tired bones. =]

But the most amazing news of all: I have not been sunburned ONCE this weekend, even though I've spent quite a bit of time outdoors. Ohhhhh snap. Tomorrow's agenda: hit the books. Homework time!

Fort!

Last summer, Sam and I dubbed ourselves "The Weekenders." So we were eager to start the party again this summer!

This weekend, The Weekenders built a fort! Then we made homemade pizza, Reese's cookies, and watched the Scarlet Pimpernel.

Hoooooorayyyy! It's okay to be jealous.


Sam, Jenny, Stacy, & Bethany

A Thousand Words

Okay, here's a quick peek at what I've been up to, via lots of pictures. =]

Babysitting!
My cousins love to be photographed, so we got out the dress-up box.

The two youngest, Isaac and Lily:


Isaac and me:


Aaron and me:


The oldest, Andrew:


I also got to watch my nephew Kenny the other night, and he did very well! He sure loves his Papa and Aunt Jill.





Last night, my little sisters and I had a party while my parents were on their date. Feast your eyes on THIS!

[If you can't tell, it's Batman, Spiderman, Robin, and Wonder Woman.]

Today we had a hot dog roast, despite the heat, because my grandma had a bunch of old papers she wanted burned. Then we just hung out in the shade playing games and eating gummy bears. Yay for family fun!

Stephanie and her roasting skills:


Mom and Dad hard at work in more sunshine than should naturally be seen in January:


Jilly's s'more face.