Maple Grove Hot Springs in the fall...

A bunch of us got away a few weeks ago 

on Friday night and Saturday

to Maple Grove Hot Springs

along the shore of Oneida Reservoir

 in southern Idaho.

Autumn's colors were breathtaking! 

The campsites were complete with picnic tables

and a resident flock of turkeys 

that wandered and clucked. 

This is one of Scott and April's favorite places. 

They found it when looking up all the different hot springs in Idaho. 

A few years ago, 

when Zac was on his mission, 

they invited our family to meet them there 

and we had such a great time together!

First Visit to Maple Grove

And then THIS happened!!!

Paul was one seriously hurting man! 

It's been 4 years since that experience 

and Paul said he was up for going to Maple Grave again 

but would opt out of the hot springs soak this time 

(the wound care Dr. 

suspected he had a break in his skin 

and some bacteria from the hot pots 

wreaked havoc on him.) 

Yes, you noticed that?
Paul affectionately refers to Maple Grove 

as "Maple Grave". 

He sat in a comfy camp chair on the edge of the pool

while the rest of us soaked in the hot springs,

sharing stories and looking 

 at constellations.

We brought kayaks to enjoy the reservoir.

Friday night's sunset was one for the ages. 

Thanks, Paul, for the beautiful picture below!

Saturday more of us went kayaking. 

We all loved having Anna

join us for our get-away.

My favorite spot 

was where the hot springs run-off 

entered the reservoir 

Rascal is not a fan of getting splashed, however,  

so this was NOT his favorite spot. 

Sorry pup. 

Thanks, everyone for the fun time! 

I've thought of our little get-away 

a dozen times since then. 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

-L.M. Montgomery

Easter tradition...

A few days ago we got this facebook message 

from our missionary and his companion.

We've loved this Easter tradition in our family

but we can't remember who we got it from.

Was it Darla or Stephanie?

Thanks, whoever you are!

<3

Like Hunter often says,

we all need Jesus. 

Happy Easter

"He is not here: for he is risen"

Love that wet-dog smell!

A few months ago, 

I saw the cutest picture of our friend Caitlin 

kayaking with her dog Roo. 

It made me wonder if our Rascal would like kayaking. 

We'd never really had him swimming before 

so we decided to give it a try and headed for the lake. 

Rascal was a little skittish 

(spell check tells me it's "skittish" not "skiddish" - who knew!) 

at first 

but in about 10 minutes 

he was hanging out on the front of the kayak

looking around and licking the lake.

He fell overboard 6 times that day.

Five of those times he climbed right back in 

but one time it took a few minutes and for just a split second

I thought I might need to go in after him!! 

It gave me flashbacks of an experience 18 years ago

right after this picture was taken.

Little Hunter (on the left)

stooped down and leaned over the boardwalk

stretching to touch the water below.

The Mr. was cautioning him to stay back and watch out. 

I remember my 8 months pregnant self saying 

I'd jump in after him if he fell in

so no worries. 

Yup, you guessed it. 

It wasn't 60 seconds later that

Hunter went head first into the water.

I jumped right in after him but the poor little guy had met 

an unseen rock with his forehead - ouch!!!

***

Fortunately, 

Rascal got a toe hold and climbed back on board. 

That night I had nightmares of Rascal drowning

so before we went kayaking again

we headed to the pet store for 

a dog PFD.

It works great!

We love that smiley dog!

Thanks for the fun idea, Caitlin!

=D

The kindest people...

I'm tremendously blessed to know so many people 

who are kind and loving, 

helpful and thoughtful, 

people who go out of their way on a daily basis to bless others. 

Kind friends who share their yummy baking skills, 

friends who'll play pickleball, 

friends who leave their very busy lives 

to go walking, 

friends who love and care about our twigs,

(Stake Girls Camp) 

(Girls State) 

(Mission Homecoming) 

(Mission meetings) 

  

and send us fun pictures! 

(Fort Knox)

We love and appreciate you, kind friends!

<3

It was a Green Pond kind of spring...

This spring, we all had a few free hours one evening 

so we headed to Green Pond.

Rascal joined us for his first time.

This was only Zac's second time to the pond 

as we heard about it and hiked it lots with Hunter 

when Zac was on his mission in the Carolinas.

Zac says he loves this beautiful little hike too!

Vickie and her family were wanting to go hiking 

so a few weeks later we got to visit 

Green Pond with them.

It was exciting to see the difference 

a few weeks made in the plants.

The trees had all leafed out. 

We saw critters in all shapes and sizes...

(Robin eggs)

(little snake)

(someone's dog)

and picked up pebbles along the hike 

to try and skip across the pond. 

We also found lots of mud!     

;)

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength 

that will endure as long as life lasts. 

There is something infinitely healing 

in the repeated refrains of nature -- 

the assurance that dawn comes after night, 

and spring after winter.” 

-Rachel Carson