mi templo

So, on my way home from a photo session tonight, I meandered past the temple.

Upon passing it the first time, I immediately made an illegal U-turn (my first offense of the evening) in order to go back and get a shot.
Having no shoulder to stop in, I just decided since it was a slow traffic night that I'd just put on my hazards and snap away. (second offense - what a loser I am.)



I was doing splendidly until I saw the red and blue lights in my rearview.

Oops.

Thanks Mr. Twin Falls County Sheriffs deputy for honoring my need to capture an artistic view of this, my new favorite temple, and for letting me go on my merry way.

Whew!
It would have been worth it even if I HAD gotten a ticket, eh? WOW.

Stop by here later for more of this cute family...

got bobber?

On this, the eve of the day of the father, we are enjoying its bounties a little early.

This manly combo (fishing licenses and new poles) has been on our dad's wish list for months now, since having moved to prime fishing country.

We loaded up the tackle box and headed down to a nearby park.

Lines were cast, crossed, cut, etc...

I found the whole process very relaxing, actually.
We all waited patiently for tugging action, but alas, nothing.

Maybe better luck next time.

I DID "catch" a shot of some local squirrels. They were pretty agreeable to stay so still.

Kyle enjoyed throwing rocks into the creek, watching them splash, screaming "aghhh! Not again!" And doing his rendition of the happy dance.

It was, after all...
a happy afternoon.

just when I think...

Just when I think I might strangle my oldest child...

I agree to let him make dinner (his favorite thing. ever) and suddenly he's off.

I'm forbidden from nearing the vicinity of the kitchen and then...

I begin to smell chocolate, but assume it's just a side effect of my pending nervous breakdown.

Upon a quick meander into said vicinity to insure more direct supervision isn't required, I stumble upon these dainty lil' numbers.

He and Tate have been saving (hiding) some old (and I think it might be REALLY old) chocolate bark they found in the pantry. I guess the large flat of strawberries I brought home this morning, along with the leftover marshmallows from the pack meeting s'mores last night were finally enough to tempt them.

I guess that strangling is postponed, again. (for now)

And in case you don't have a BBQ (because you just moved and your moving truck(s) didn't have room for that last mop and vacuum, let alone a grilling device) but you still really want that "just grilled franks" taste...

You can simply borrow some briquets and a charcoal chimney from your loving neighbors, throw them (not the neighbors) in a stockpot, and slap down a cooling rack to achieve the same result.

Maybe for Father's Day a REAL grilling surface will find its way onto our patio.

But alas...for now:

1 PB & banana protein shake

14-ish loads of laundry

between 2-20 of those marshmallow-strawberry contraptions

60 minutes of SYTYCD results

and we'll have:

1 long (hard) day over.

slip slidin' on the Snake River

Last week we ventured out onto the Snake River for some tubing fun. With high temps only in the low 70's, it wasn't the most ideal weather, but it was great fun, regardless. And we're more than ready to go again, soon.

The boys have no fear! Although Tate isn't very convincing while he's riding. He kept sliding down and down on the tube, until he was practically laying flat on it.

We finally convinced Abby and Whitney to take a turn, and then Bret was promptly given a turn to drive the boat. !!?!?

It probably wasn't his fault, but that WAS the one time the tube ducked under the wake and all of us except Whitney ended up bobbing in the freezing water.

Abby may or may not be traumatized for life. :-)

Thankfully the Stangers brought an entire bag of Doritos, so Kyle recovered very quickly.

The kids enjoyed playing in the slimy water after we got out, even amdist the setting sun and falling temperature.

We're building a long-lasting relationship with this water, I'm certain.

going to school is SO last week...

yes, the backpacks have been hanging idle for a week now.
No contact has been made with them by anyone. Colonies of fungi are undoubtedly growing upon the remnants of half-eaten sandwiches, apples and oreos.

Doug and I enjoyed attending the celebrations of various kinds heralding the end of the year accomplishments of everyone.

Abby and friends partied at Joy School Graduation.
Somehow, amidst her bustling social calendar, she was able to survive a rigorous preschool schedule. She'd gladly start Kindergarten tomorrow if they'd let her.

Tate's class put on a jolly dramatic performance documenting various periods of American History.

He served well as the very entertaining storyteller of "The Tortoise and the Hare." I was pleased that after all our practice, he mustered enough volume to share the story with everyone.

Can you spot our fifth grade graduate in the picture below? Amidst a plethera of others, Bret tolerated this ceremony with such finesse. He's moving on to
middle school next year you see. (yikes!?!?)
It was fun watching him with his friends and accepting awards.

I ♥ my calling in scouts.
Last week we cooked sans utensils and there was great culinary (and almost-burn-the-church-down) fun to be had by all.

We made cinnamon biscuits on sticks from local trees

and yummy yellow cakes in zesty orange peel bowls.

I ended the week with a rained-out photo shoot with this lil' beauty.
The studio turned out to be just fine, wouldn't you agree?

The busy-ness hasn't changed much. The tennis and music camps, movie tickets, free lunches, photo sessions, and 10:00 pm sunsets are sufficiently keeping us hopping.

Love Love Love.... the Summer.

♥ my job

I'm doing some late-night editing tonight and will probably be here well into the morning to get caught up, but decided to take a break to post my new favorite. What a great job I have capturing these moments for people. Love it.

These cousins are the new poster children of "BFF" don't you think?

Coming Burch Attractions: All the end 'o year festivities. "graduations" (?) for Bret and Abbers, a play or two of Tate's, Whit's new hair, Kyle singing "Einsteins" and other basic "summer's here" joy. See ya then.