More summer adventure

The girls, my mom and I drove to one of our favorite spots- Hailey, Idaho

to see some of my favorite peeps- my sister, her hubby and my niece and nephews

My kids always LOVE hanging out with their Buchanan cousins but that doubled when the visit is in Idaho where there is a trampoline in the backyard, a creek running through their neighborhood (and the lot of their soon to be new home) and the temps are in the 80s.

 Notice the pjs they're wearing- a straight shot from their beds to the trampoline! 

 Bella and Elise with their matching shirts

 

Cutest cousins +2 dogs + a bonus friend

 What can be better? Popsicles on the trampoline in the summer and

 arts in crafts in your swimsuits. My kids were in heaven!

 Braden showing us his tricks!

 Love this shot of my mom with 2 of the grandkids walking to get coffee/hot cocoa. 

 What a pretty place to get coffee!

 LOVE this CRAZY bunch!

 Living the good life at their fancy schmancy athletic club! 

 Braden is a usually a non stop kid and must have been worn out!! 

 Everyone's favorite lap!

Camille and Braden trying to avoid my pictures! 

 Despite doing and seeing a lot of fun stuff, these kids had even more fun just hanging out at home.

 

Will and Camille- our budding artists

Playing with Elise's doll stuff. As the only girl in her family, I have never seen someone so happy to share and have her room trashed in the process!

 Letting the garden ladybugs go

So lucky to have you as my family- see you next summer!!

Bella, the flexible

 Who knew??

Bella's tumbling coach approached me and mentioned that Bella was super flexible (which we knew but thought "aren't all gymnasts?") and that she knows a contortionist who wanted to meet Bella. Seriously? We were intrigued and amused at the same time- anyone who knows Bella knows that she belongs in a circus most days but never thought we would use the words "contortionist" in a sentence describing our kids! :)

Bella and Elia stretching during their first meeting

 Bella's tumbling coach (red shorts) and Elia seeing what Bella could do.

  

  

Inverted splits!

Such a happy smile!!

The contortionist has become Bella's friend, practice partner and mentor over the last few months. She invited Bella to her weekly practice and treats Bella like a partner in the sport. Its been an amazing opportunity! Bella has always found herself doing these contortion and acro moves on her own- now that she has someone who has guided her to the actual official sport, Bella has finally found her niche and passion and is dedicated to contortion and acro dance. She has come home after hours in the gym and goes straight to her mat for more acro moves! We have to push her to just relax and take a break.

We have since put away the tumbling leotards and dug out (once again) her dance wear. She's in the studio or gym (with her mentor) 4-6 hours a week and loving it so far!

Get away

Every summer, the Lamis clan heads up north for a family get away and this summer it was that much more special and needed. Chet's mom is still battling her neuro disease (effect of her cancer) which has painfully robbed her of her "normal" life. We are happy to be by her side and grateful of any time we can spend with her, surrounded by family.

As the cousins get older, they play so well together. With a fishing lake steps from the back door, ALL they did was fish. I was happy to watch them thoroughly enjoy something so much even though fishing is not my thing and quite boring to watch. :) The kids sat by the lake with a pole in hand from sun up to sun down.

 

 

Brennan and Bella in their fishin' spot- in an anchored boat! 

 

Someone (Bella) needs to work on her fishing stance! 

 Somehow she still caught a bunch!

Madison and Julia's spot

Taylor and Madison showing off their catch!

Madison helping Camille fish. Love the cousin love!

Chet, Brennan and Angie fishing 

 

Our rule with our girls is that they must respect and learn the sport if they want to fish. We believe that they should get their hands dirty AND learn how to humanely treat the fish if tossed back into the lake. They weren't happy that Daddy didn't do all the hard work but learned the sport and came to appreciate it. 

BUT nobody (including the men) enjoyed removing these tough, spiny catfish from the hook! Chet unsuccessfully tried to convince his Dad to do the hard work too!

I might not enjoy the sport but LOVE this view!

And these views...

 

Our little fashionista rocking it in the woods! Oh dear! :) 

 

Brave Aunt Beth for taking the kids on a boat ride!

 

 Our turn next! Our girls were scared of falling in and it didn't help that Chet liked to rock the boat and act like we got stuck in the reeds. 

 

Can you see the fear?!

We took a break from fishing to play in the sprinklers and ride in the back of the truck (fun for these city kids!).

Next stop- the local go karts!
 

 
Papa and Isaac

 BJ and Bella

 Angie and Keeley

Love this smiling face!

and this family! 

and these cute kids!

Brennan, Bella, Camille, Keeley, Taylor, Madison, Isaac, and Julia

Oh, and to join our cool club, you must own a silver truck or SUV! ;)