Happy Campers

Camping. I like it. These little ones, though, they love it, and seem born to a life in the wilderness.  The dirt, the sunshine, the grub, the sleeping bags, the trees, the critters, the sounds.  It's only natural they love it at this point: they need only show up and have a grand time in great outdoors whilst all the prepping and planning duties rest on the shoulders of the grow ups.  Nevertheless, we bid a happy adieu to summertime with a quick family camp out in Swan Valley.

Tin foil dinners, check.

Tent, check.

S'mores, check.

Big stick, check.

Dirty little boys, check.

Midnight visit from a moose, check.

Happiness, check.

Jenny Lake

it's a favorite spot of ours in Grand Teton, and a yearly jaunt. We took the wee ones on a little hike. I'm only pretending that Nanuk doesn't feel like a gazillion pounds on my back. A morning hike at the lake, an afternoon in Jackson, ice cream cones and sunshine made for a perfect start to our holiday weekend.

I love that on a road trip through these parts one is bound to encounter livestock, like thisgroup of mama cows and their calves, herded by a little family on horseback..

today I

....was serenaded by a devilishly handsome little guy
...and later by three lovely little ladies
...became an official Idahoan (i know, I know)
...was hugged
...was surprised. four times.
...did not fix breakfast, lunch, or dinner
...felt cold, and then warm
...talked to extra special friends
...ate guacamole
...was wished well by wonderful peeps near and far
...am grateful and fortunate
...snuggled with my little ones
...felt loved

happy mail day

it's always a happy day when my Real Simple comes in the mail. Even though it started out with a minor, brief crisis, which was followed by a toddler tantrum, which was followed by a sick baby, which was followed by a grumpy toddler, which was followed by leftovers for dinner. Between the sick baby and the grumpy toddler, Mr. J came home from work via the mailbox and presented my with my happy mail. I have a little ritual each month: he hands it over to me and attempts to entertain unravelling children while I attempt to enjoy the magazine but really only get a teensy taste as I quickly thumb through it. It's obvious and inevitable that my family needs my undivided for the next few hours. When bedtime finally rolls around, I crawl under the covers with my happy mail and devour it from cover to cover, folding down the corners on my favorite pages. For when I read it again a few days later.

oh give me a home...

Took a little day trip to Yellowstone National Park. Because we can do that when it's practically in our backyard. Fresh air, sunshine and rain, animals and baby animals, road-trip snacks. Those baby bison are just so cute. 

Quote of the day from Piglet, as Old Faithful erupted:  "Oooooh wow! It's like a rocket ship! To infinity and beyond!"

Zero to Newborn in under 6 hours.

Though B nearly became a midwife Thursday evening, our little Nanuk arrived safe and sound. 5 hours of hard and fast contractions, arrangements for M, and we made it to the hospital. The doctor--who was so fortunately there--promptly announced:  "9 cm!" 

What?!!!

I thought he was joking. He wasn't. 

1 hour later, Nanuk was in our arms. And there he will stay. We like him. 

minutes old...

stretching...

with his proud daddy, who was amazing in L & D

mommy and her little ones

"Super Big Brother" and Nanuk, also known as "Baby C" 

Mesa Falls

the revered Snake River

Another reason to like living where I live. We ventured out to Mesa Falls last week--about an hour and a half from town. One word: Wow. 

A stunning bright autumn day, a brisk edge to the air, first sight of changing leaves, and the falls themselves. Plus a happy little rainbow. I'm told it's been the site of a marriage proposal or two, understandably so.  M was awestruck with the "big wadderfall!" 

We topped off our outing with lunch at Big Juds. You'd never guess that in the rear of a gas station/mini mart/video rental would be non-descript little joint serving some of the best burgers ever.  I'd have posted a photo of the goods (mine: mushrooms and swiss, no mayo, and a side of fresh cut fries) but my hands were too busy, and messy, to bother with the camera. Next time I'll know better. 

Meet the neighbors...

(that little black speck is actually a big black bear) 

Ok, so it's not like they live right next door, but the bison (different from buffalo, by the way), moose, bears and elk, dear, coyote, eagles and more are just up the road a ways. Among my favorite things about Yellowstone? The smell of the air--fresh, clean, and evergreen. An elixir. 

Also check out Miss Marta's shots of the local charm here and here and here. 

internet dating...but not really

in case you were wondering, this gal is every bit as delightful, radiant and genuine as you might expect. lucky me---I met her for lunch today since we both now call the same little town home. Lunch was fine, but the company was quite sparkling. Marta kept making me talk to myself! I loved it! ;)I instantly felt like hugging her (which I did...I hope that's not scary) and calling her a dear friend. if you haven't already, pay her a visit here or sample her creative genius here.

Marta: thanks so much for the scrumptious b-day gift, all packaged so cute and fun! 

image from marta herself. 

The Basement Chronicles

Framing check

Plumbing check

Electrical check

Sheet rock check

Trim check

Primer check

*nothing like a fluffy white ninja armed with a paint sprayer to make a woman swoon.

Trim painted check

Which brings us to the final stages of the taking-way-too-long basement completion.

Tues: paint ceiling

Weds: paint walls

Weekend: tile & vanity

Next Tues: carpet

Next Weds: pull-it-all-together marathon

I can't believe there is an end in sight. An end scheduled in ink on my calendar. It's real. Practically giddy with anticipation. Next Wednesday will be a very very good day indeed.

could it be?

And so it is, a crocus shoot popping up through the dirt! So either I planted them too shallow last fall, or Spring is nearer than I thought. Or Mother Nature mocks me. 

Mocking aside, today was a great day: Sunshine (as you can see from the shadow of my wee little crocus shoot), the promise of Spring, good mail (this new book for me and new clothes for M thanks to some of these bargains), a good diet coke, an angelic child, and an evening free of obligations!