Swimming

Scott completed another successful year in swimming. We enjoyed going to his meets and watching him compete. He qualified in the 200 freestyle for the State meet in Boise. He also swam 3 relays at state.

This year he served as a co-captain. I think his favorite part was being with the other co-captains.

Austin, Devan, and Scott

We had a fun trip to Boise to be with the swim team. They are a wonderful bunch of kids.

Happy 60th Anniversary Mom and Dad

My parents, Harold and Mary Schwieder, are celebrating their 60th year of marriage today. I am so grateful for their example of love and commitment family. We had a dinner last week with all the siblings and dessert with all of the grandkids. Their posterity includes (so far) 4 children, 20 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren currently and 6 to be added in the upcoming months.

Doug's Merry Christmas...Happy New Year, Happy Birthday, Father's Day, 4th of July, etc., etc., etc.,

Last week Doug and I took a ride to Kellogg, Idaho. On Tuesday we drove as far as Missoula, Montana and then woke early and drove a couple more hours to Kellogg. We went to get Doug's early Christmas. Hope he likes it because he will have it for a while.

Homecoming Dance

It sometimes doesn't seem fair that our kids grow older while we don't. Our baby is already a senior in high school and although it is fun to share in all the activities, there is a little melancholy that his time at home is slipping away.

On Saturday he went to the Homecoming Dance. He asked Kelcie Christianson by decorating her room and leaving a "hot and ready" pizza box with a treat and message. She answered by writing all over the windows of his car. It was pretty cute.

Most of them are members of the high school swim team and they started the day with a swim team breakfast. Then they went to the farm for some shooting for a day date. The group had dinner at our house, dessert at Palmers before heading to the dance. They were so cute and we enjoyed having them here.

Summer Adventures

School begins next week and summer is coming to a close. I can't complain that I haven't been able to play because I have packed this summer full of activities. Here is a peek at a few of the things we have done.

Camping at Rockwood RV Park (June-August)

We have spent several nights at the farm camping in the trailer. Doug has kept the grass mowed and watered and this year we added a row of trees. We have enjoyed several visitors and cookouts as well. Paul's family had their reunion there, so it has gotten good use. Our parents have taken their trailers up as well and we have been able to spend time with them. It is fun to visit with them, play games, and of course eat.

We just spent three days there as our final summer get-away. We had a doe run past below the trailers and the same night a moose came into the yard and stood in the sprinkler. He pawed at the sprinkler and tried getting a drink as it went around. Finally he got down on his knees and then laid on the grass as the sprinkler hit him. He would place his mouth over the spray. The group had a fun time watching the program. Doug and I missed the show because we were on a 4-wheeler ride to where Tex Creek and Willow Creek meet. There was a pool of Kokanee Salmon climbing the creek to spawn. They were bright red and it was cool to watch them fight there way up the rocks and falling water. In places the water seemed almost red from so many fish. We enjoy the wildlife and peace and quiet at the farm as well as the great company.

Redfish Lake (July 21-27)

Our annual trip to Redfish Lake near Stanley, Idaho was a blast again this year. We had everyone except Daren there at one time or another. My sister, Janet, also came and spent 3 nights with us while her boys and Mike were hiking in the Sawtooth Mountains. We took our boat this year and the kids had fun skiing and swimming. We also took Janet on the lily pond/waterfall hike. We were with the Black family again and it is great to just sit, relax and soak in the sun.

Playing Card Games

(A deer wondered up almost to the table)

Our Boat Captain

Lily Pond and Waterfall

Rod, Scott, and Reed wakeboarding

Daren's Birthday (July 25)

It seems that every year we are camping on Daren's birthday. When he was younger we were usually at Green Canyon for swimming lessons for the week. Then he spent a couple years at scout camp on his birthday. The past few years we have been at Redfish. This was the first year he wasn't camping with us for his birthday. I sent him a package with a cake mix and frosting. He made the cake and took it to the home where they were invited for dinner. While we were at Redfish a picture text came from one of the family members in Virginia that put a big smile on everyone's face. We got to share in a small way and have him on our camping trip for his birthday for a moment.

4-Wheeler Riding

(July 5 to 4th of July Ridge)

We have enjoyed some fun and exciting 4 wheeler rides this summer. On July 5th we rode with Jeff and Debbie Wheeler and Scotty to 4th of July Ridge. We started up Skyline Ridge which is a easy ride and then we progressingly got worse. There were some pretty hairy spots of rocks and ridges to pass over. It was however a beautiful day and from the top of the ridges we could see across the valley. There was only one spot that I got off and said "I'm walking!" Doug had to drive my 4-wheeler through and then walk back and get his own. We ended up coming down Rash Canyon where we had gone earlier. There were a few times I jokingly said Doug had a different name. It was a great day until the end. I flipped my 4-wheeler on it's side and it landed on my leg right toward the end of the ride. After going over some pretty tough terrain I did this going maybe 1 mph and in an easy spot. My leg became swollen but nothing seemed broken and I made it back to the trailer. Pettingills were coming for a cookout and thanks to Doug, Debbie, and Jeff for taking care of the cooking.

(July 17 to Caribou Mountain)

On a beautiful summer day we went with Jeff and Debbie Wheeler and Jody and Donna Denning for a ride to Caribou Mountain. They both have Razors and the guys drive while the girls ride along side. Sometimes that is good because you don't have to navigate the rough spots, but it can also be scary when they go through bad spots and you have NO control. Doug and I ride our seperate machines and I think they were impressed that I made it through. There were a few tight places escpecially some switch backs where you had to back up to make the turns and go over some very rocky precarious trails. We stopped at an old mine shaft for lunch. Doug was the only one brave enough to wade inside, but the water was ice cold and he didn't last long

Then we proceeded to climb to the tip top of the mountain. We could see Gray's Lake in one direction, the Tetons in another and even a small corner of Palisades. It was like standing on top of the world. After exploring the other side of the mountain as well, we loaded the machines and drove out through McCoy Creek Road and stopped in Alpine, Wyoming for dinner at a burger place. We enjoy spending time with our wonderful friends.

Fishing

We have been able to spend a couple summer days on the lake. Early in the summer Scott, Doug, and I went to Palisades for a fishing excursion. It was a little chilly but in the boat with the sun shining on it was toasty. We only caught a few, but as they say "A bad day fishing is better than a good day of work." Later we traveled to Henry's for a day with Scott. I'm so glad he doesn't mind spending time with the parents. Fishing was slow again with Mom taking all of the prizes (first, biggest, and most). It's just a great time being together.