Summer in Motion

I finished summer courses last Friday! What a relief. With evenings free (at last)  we made a pact to make the most out of what little summer we have left!  

Every now and then, I am just awe-struck by how wonderful life can be. I am constantly in awe of just why God has chosen to bless me the way he has.  I want to document every little detail of my "start to summer", but to save my readers from boredom, I thought I would just highlight some of my favorite parts of the last few days.

There's a big festival in Sandpoint that happens every year, and it's really awesome because they bring in all sorts of big names to a town with less than 7,000 people.  People like Kenny Loggins and Counting Crows were performers this year. How lucky are we?  To kick off summer, Nicholas and I, along with 2 of our friends, headed to the festival to sing along with the Bear Naked Ladies...a 90's favorite.  That morning, Nicholas stopped in to my work with one of those boquets I always "ooo and ah" at whenever we walk around Farmer's Market.  He came in with our pups, wearing a big, proud, smile on his face, saying "Happy last Saturday at work...can't wait til we can spend our weekends together". That night we met after I got off work, both of us secretively packing delicious treats for festival in hopes of surprising each other.  Needless to say, our dual efforts at packing dinner led to a huge dinner to accompany the concert, even WE (the biggest foodies to ever live) could not finish it all.  It was such a fun evening spent with friends, and the band skillfully entertained the crowd.

The next day, Sunday, we floated the river with family.  A big clan of us met at our Ranch in the small town of Priest River, to float the Priest River! The float was awesome, and it reminded me of my days back home in Boise, floating the river there with family and friends.  Afterwards we had a pizza party back at the ranch, sat around and chatted, while the kids played down in the watering hole with the horses (now that's something I never tried as a kid!) That night my mother-in-law and I picked pea pods from the garden as Nicholas helped his father load the horses in to the trailer. 

Monday we got home from work, and headed straight to the mountain to pick HUCKLEBERRIES.  I had never done this before, so I was eager to play outside in the woods and pick berries for free. Berries for free?  I'm sold!  We picked until it got too dark to see the fruit on the ends of the bushes, ending with about 3/4 of a gallon.  Huckleberry pancakes have filled my tummy many days since.  No breakfast will ever be able to compare to that delicious Idaho treat.

The highlight of the week was our CAMP TRIP!  ...Well, actually, it was waking up on Friday morning, nervously calling Praxis company, and finding out that I, passed my Social Studies Praxis and can continue to go forth in earning my endorsement in that field.  I can't tell you what a relief it was to hear the word "Congratulations" from the stranger on the phone, who later told me, "Your voice says it all, I can tell how excited you are to be a teacher".  Nicholas squeezed my hand as I patiently gave my personal information not once, not twice, but 3 times over the phone to the company, who annoyingly asks the same question over and over for security purposes.  I burst in to tears of relief as I hung up the phone..."we can stay here! I get to teach!" I shouted as I jumped out of the half slumber I was in at 5:30 am when I made the phone call.   

There was no better way to celebrate than by being surrounded by amazing friends in the great outdoors on a camping trip.  Friday through Sunday was spent in the best way: outdoors...playing games, sitting around a campfire, cooking over coals, and chatting about life.  I love camping!  But then again, who doesn't? We've done a lot of camping trips, but I have to say, this one was the best of the best.  Enjoy the pictures! 

Good morning Yankee!

Swimming at Sunnyside

First time swimming, and feeling as though he deserves a throne...?  What a little prince :) 

Hanging at the beach

Playing games

Hanging out

The grill master of the evening

Campfire Bacon...YUM!

Put another log on the fire

French toast for breakfast!

After packing up camp on Sunday, we spent the entire afternoon hanging out on the lake.  I earned my first sunburn on the season (and I'm not even mad about it).  I also got to try water skiing for the very first time!  We played on the lake all day, swimming, boating, and skipping rocks.  That night, Nicholas and I had a date to the final Festival show, where the symphony played.  

The firework show to conclude the symphony!

This has been one of the best weeks of my life! We are so blessed to have made so many lasting memories.  Tomorrow is my last day of work at the restaurant, and I am looking forward to the next Chapter in life, and whatever God has planned for us next.