An Open House

Marie had made friends with a widow in our ward.  We invited her over to our home and Marie was constantly drawing her pictures and writing her notes.


A wonderful thing happened this summer.  She got married.  They didn't want a big reception.  But I talked them in to an open house if we put a note on the invitation that said, "No gifts, please."

It was a great evening filled with family, friends, food, and fun.    I may have been the organizer.  But I was once again reminded of the amazing and dependable friends I am surrounded by.  The Fuhrmans let us use their back yard.  Amy Packer took pictures.

Jenn Gold let me borrow decorations.

 And countless people brought desserts. 

 

Trip to Texas

Todd and I flew to Texas for a few days.  Our niece, Jeana, was leaving on a mission.  We wanted to hear her speak and sing in church the Sunday before she headed into the MTC, Missionary Training Center.

Todd made our first stop be at the In-n-Out Burger only moments from getting off the plane.

The first morning we went to the Dallas Temple.  There were so many similarities between it and our Boise Temple.  They are called sister temples.

Here is our beautiful niece with her parents.

That afternoon and evening was spent with family visiting, eating, playing in Tracy and Virginia's swimming pool . . . 

 and playing games like Minute to Win It.

Here are my 2 beautiful sisters in-laws, Delsa and Angela, fixing some yummy food at Troy and Delsa's home the next day, Sunday.

One last pose of the siblings before we said our goodbyes . . . 

Fun in the Sun

Another year of swim lessons . . . 

Lunch

On our way home from pictures, we stopped at The Gyro Shack.  Delicious Gyros!  I don't think I have ever tasted a gyro I didn't like.

 Nice service too.  They didn't seem to be overwhelmed by our big group coming to their little shack.

Family Pictures

We spent our morning at the park taking family pictures with Christina Martin.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Visitors

Look who came to visit us for the weekend . . . 

Kim, Travis, and that cute little granddaughter of mine.

They came up for the weekend to take some family pictures with us.  Next post . . . 

A Summer Job

Thomas worked at Camp Morrison Boy Scout Camp this summer as a life guard.  Todd and I took Niko and Justin up to McCall to pick him up, along with a van load of his stuff.

We checked out the cabin where he called home.

 He said a few final goodbyes. 

 He showed us where he ate . . . 

 and where he spent most of his time . . . 

 by the docks at the lake.

It's so great to have him home.  Well, at least for a few weeks . . . until he heads off to college.

Pickled Eggs, Part 2

We let the pickled eggs sit in the fridge for almost a week.  They were beautiful on the inside when I cut them open. 

 I loved the taste, but then again I love hard boiled eggs and I love pickles.  The kids didn't like them.  I don't know know if they tasted the way they were suppose to because I have never had a pickled egg before.  I hope I can try one sometime, away from home, to know.

A Frog

A little green visitor was hanging out in the middle of the window right next to our front door. 

 I am still amazed that such a simple little thing will fill my children with awe for hours at a time.

Burger Express

Todd and I have been fans of In-N-Out Burger for many years.  But here in Idaho, there is not a single one to be found.

So when we heard there was some controversy around town about the new Burger Express being similar to In-n-Out Burger, we had to check it out.  The signs and color scheme were similar.  The menu was almost identical.  But all the employees were pretty adamant that Burger Express was nothing like In-n-Out.

Todd and I each ordered the double double, urrr, umm, I mean the Express Double, with grilled onions, fries, and a chocolate shake.

It has been a while, almost a year, since I have sunk my teeth into In-n-Out food so I will tread on this review very lightly.  The fries and shake were very similar . . . and very tasty.  The double cheeseburger, although I don't think it was close to In-n-Out's Double Double, was fresh and delicious.

If I were faced with a burger stop at McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, or the new Burger Express, I would pick Burger Express.  The food was good, really good.  And fresh.


Burger Express
6615 W. Fairview Ave.
Boise, Idaho

Swimming Fun

Thank you Karen for inviting us over for a swim this morning.  We had a great time.