Palisade's Reservoir

This August, the family took a trip to Palisade's Reservoir to kayak and swim. It was so fun and I hope we go again next summer.

The lake was beautiful and not too cold. When we got there, it was us and one other family. Then everyone and their dog showed up. I think there were 7 dogs running around and it's not that big of a beach. The sad thing is, 5 dogs were from Rob's family. It would have been OK if they weren't bothering the other families. Oh well.

Our nephews "posing"

Nicole trying out the kayak

Nephews

Tamera, Rob, and me (it was so pretty!)

Look what the kayak ropes did to Jimmy's van!

Just kidding! It was already like that.

On the way home, we stopped and got some "Square Ice Cream." They have a square scooper. It was a perfect summer day with the Potts family.

Summer Trips part 6: Menan Butte and Rigby Lake

This wasn't really a trip, but in July, our friends from Hawaii, Katie and Ian, were visiting family in Idaho. We got to spend a few days with them and our friends Katelyn and Brandon, who came up from UT. It was so good seeing friends from Hawaii for the first time.

We hiked the butte, aka "R" mountain, an old volcano. It was a short hike but pretty and fun.
We saw a dead, headless rattlesnake in the parking lot.
We ate at Big Jud's which is famous for their 1 lb hamburgers. I seriously could barely eat 1/8 of it. I am starting to really hate beef. It makes me feel sick. Lunch ended with Ian opening the window in the restaurant and yelling out, "I'm so full!" The guy getting in his truck looked a little confused.
We next went to a nearby lake and took out the kayak and blow up raft. The raft would not go anywhere because of the wind. It took us forever to get back to shore. We tried to fit 4 people in it. Yeah, it didn't work.
I'm glad we're able to make Idaho a little more fun than it was when we lived here before.

Fourth of July

Yeah, this is way late, but if I don't do my old posts, I won't want to do my new ones. I've been slacking at blogging. My job has become my life! Well, here we go.

Willie boy came up from Utah to celebrate with us. We started with patriotic pancakes. I made homemade whipped cream and butter.
Next, we found ourselves at the parade which was fun but took way too long. They had huge breaks in between the floats. Rob was a good sport to let me stay the whole time; probably because he was doing this for most of it.
Then we went down to Rob's brother Tony's house for a barbecue.
We had great seats by the Snake River, after we walked a mile with all our stuff!
We were so close that ashes and cardboard were falling on us. It was a fun fourth except when the guy in the house behind us started dancing on his balcony in his boxers.

Waiting and eating cotton candy

Jonathan got burned by a sparkler.

Poor kid was traumatized,

but he soon gave in and tried again

Life Got Crazy Fast!

Jana was doing so good with catching up on her blog. That was until she was hired to teach 7th Grade at the local school here in Rexburg.
While she was in Tennessee, with her brother Will, helping their Mom with some home improvements she received a phone call from a school principal Thursday night, then was hired on a Friday via phone interview, and had to be back in Idaho by Monday for her meetings. This cut time with her family short by 3 days. Ever since the day she flew in, life has not slowed down.
She is a Language Arts teacher and teaches three writing classes and two reading classes. She is at work everyday from 8am-5pm, comes home for dinner, then heads back to the classroom till about 11 or midnight. She even works on Saturdays and holidays. Now, you guys are all aware of why she is unable to update the blog.
I would do it, but I am not as creative as her, and she said that I write too much and give too many details.
I am working as an insurance examiner here in Rexburg. We have a nice two bedroom apartment, an awesome ward, and don't get out much to meet new friends due to our crazy schedules.
Since I am posting this blog, I wanted to let our friends see what kind of a teacher Jana really is. You all know her as the kind, happy, friendly person who would not hurt a fly, but wait till you enter her classroom where who she really is comes out. :)In case you were wondering, those flowers were not from me. They were a congratulations from her sister Louisa, who beat me to the punch. I love Jana and appreciate all of the time and effort she is putting into being a teacher. I am there with her in the evenings, grading papers, entering the grades into the grade book, and doing whatever else I can, to lighten the stress. She is extremely dedicated and works herself to exhaustion because she wants to make sure her students are getting the best education she can provide.

Summer Trips part 5: Bear Lake, Utah

One good thing about being unemployed and back on the mainland is we've gotten to do a lot of fun things this summer! At the end of June we had our family reunion on my mom's side. There were 90 something people there. We stayed in 2 houses in Bear Lake.

The Inn at the Lake

and the Valhalla House

We went on a hike and tried Geo Caching for the first time.
The box was filled with just some old trinkets and junky stuff.

We hiked up a deer trail to find it too!

We spent one day at the lake which wasn't as cold as I remember. I had fun riding the wave runner.
Rob, Will, my cousin Jordyn, and I built a sandcastle.
We had a night remembering those who have passed away.
We played games together and had delicious meals! Rob couldn't believe no one in the family is overweight with the way we eat. Haha!
And of course we had the Bischoff Blowout (a tradition to eat a ton of junk food one night). We watched a video of past reunions which was hilarious.
We had a Guitar Hero tournament and I won (on the beginner level) :P Here Will and Jordyn are battling.
We ended the reunion by doing landscaping and cleaning at my grandma's house. It looked great after all the hard work.
It was great for Rob to meet most of my family for the first time. We are definitely glad we went.