Our Anniversary.

Sam and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary on the 17th. I can't believe that it has been 9 years already! This year I wanted to celebrate a little differently than the dinner and movie that we usually do. Sam has been doing some computer work for our brother-in-law, James. James suggested a fishing trip as a trade. I can't tell you how happy I was when I heard that. I LOVE to fish and getting Sam to go is not always easy. So for our anniversary we had a fishing trip. Sam's co-workers kept on teasing him about how much trouble he was going to be in for taking me fishing on our anniversary, but they don't know me too well. In fact, for me, it has been the best anniversary to date.We got up about 5:00 that morning to get things together and take the kids to Grandma's. It was cooler than I had expected and I grabbed the first jacket I could find. Boy, was my husband not happy when he saw that I was wearing his BSU jacket. I assured him I wouldn't wear it in the boat. Well, this is proof that I totally lied! He must really love me. This was the first fish I caught that day. I was so excited!This is James, our brother-in-law. He is married to Sam's sister, Michele. James is the manager of Heise Expeditions and has been a river guide for over 13 years. Sam and I have only fly fished once before and James is such a great teacher. It was easy to learn with his instructions not to mention that he is fun to be around. He is a great fisherman. I was impressed how he could place the fly in just the right position and make it look so easy.This was Sam's first catch of the day. We are all just laughing because it was just a little thing.The scenery was beautiful while we floated the river and the river was freezing cold. Sam and James both waded in, but I could barely put my feet in for 30 seconds.
Sam and I had such a great time. We caught a lot of fish and only kept one for me (so sorry James about your no fish cooler). I managed to keep the same lucky fly throughout the float and Sam, well if you know Sam, he managed to lose more than a few. HEE HEE!
It was a great anniversary and one memory that is sure to last. Thank you so much James for taking the time and energy to make this happen for us.

Sam-thanks for making the last 9 years so wonderful for me and I look forward to the many years we have ahead of us. I love you (even if you don't like to eat fish)!

Celebrations

I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July celebrations. Our family celebrated in Driggs, ID at my in-laws "cabin". We have spent our 4th up here for the last three years and seem to always enjoy it. I really like not having to deal with crowds and crowds of people just to see a parade or fireworks show and the scenery just can't be beat.

When we arrived the place had been flooded from irrigation, so the kids spent the day playing in the water and even some grown ups played water badminton (I won't post those humiliating pictures). The next morning the early risers (not me) enjoyed watching the hot air balloons go by. Usually, they fly right over us, but this year the wind was blowing them away from us, but my husband did manage to get some pictures.

Later we all went on a hike. I believe I like this the best. It is an easy, but beautiful hike to go on. The kids enjoyed breaking rocks with Grandpa and putting them into their backpacks. Caden's backpack ended up being too heavy for him, so his cousin carried it for him. Thanks Jaser!



That evening we drove in town for the fireworks show and watched the neighborhood come alive with fireworks and realized later that the BIG fireworks were in Victor. Oh well, at least we weren't the only idiots who thought they were in Driggs. We went back to the "cabin" and started our own fireworks show. We all went to bed late that night :) It was a fun 4th of July weekend, but I was exhausted and glad to come home when it was over even though I have piles of laundry to do now. Who am I kidding? I always have piles of laundry....