Camping!! Who Knew?!

Who knew camping could be so much fun?!

For Dave's graduation gift and celebration we decided to buy a tent and some sleeping bags. I am so glad we did. Living in Idaho we are just a hop, skip, and a jump away from some beautiful mountains and camping spots. We have just touched the surface this year and hope to continue our adventures next year.

We recently camped for our second time at the Lower Mesa Falls campsite. It was perfect for me since I ran a race the next morning that simply required me to get out of the tent and run down the road a mile to the start of the race. Dave and the kids met me down at the finish line.

We love the time together as a family and Dad's yummy campfire cooking. I enjoy watching the kids explore nature. It is so beautiful and peaceful (at least until we try getting the kids in the tent and to bed)!

Groovy Girl!

Eliza turned 7 years old and started first grade. She is our little fashion diva and loves to dress up and accessorize. She is enjoying school and is always very sad when Saturday rolls around. (Boy! Will that change!) We sure love her!!

Pirate Birthday!

Our little Benjamin turned 4 yesterday. We celebrated the day "pirate style." We decorated a pirate cake, colored parrots and ship pictures, and even discovered our very own treasure map! It was lots of fun looking for the "buried loot" in the backyard!

Ben had a "super, awesome" day. He is so excited to be four because that means he can run even faster!

He is a definitely our secret treasure. He is very sweet and happy. He loves to learn and discover new things. He plays well with others and is quick to laugh!

Happy Birthday big guy!!

Summer Lovin'

"Summer lovin' happens so fast..."

The Stowell family has had such a fun, exciting, and busy summer. We have visited six different states and lived in three of those. Leaving Texas was very tearful and our hearts were heavy to leave such wonderful friends. We stopped at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado on our road trip back to Utah. Dave's kind parent's took us in to their home in Salt Lake for six weeks and let us climatize back to the West. We enjoyed time with cousins and especially Aunt Maren's beautiful wedding.

Dave and I enjoyed our first trip away together in 7 years! We went to Boston for a math conference, but oh! we had so much fun seeing the sites and being together. We loved walking the Freedom Trail, reliving history, and eating some great food.

We moved back to Rexburg, Idaho the second week of July. The kids love their own rooms and the big backyard. I absolutely love the garden vegetables and watching Ben and Eliza run around with the neighborhood kids!

We also spent a "cousins week" in Montana. My sister with her three kids and me with mine drove up to Cascade to visit Grammie and Poppa on Sugarloaf Mountain. We enjoyed time at the little community pool, hikes up Grammie's mountain, picking wildflowers, spotting snakes and Poppy (the turtle) in the pond, and lots of sweet treats and yummy dinners! (We even showed the kids "Grease" for the first time-- a movie classic for my sister and I.)

Our family also tried camping for the first time this summer. We love it, especially Dad's cooking, the s'mores, and the stars.

We plan to finish off the summer with a couple of birthdays, hopefully one more camping trip, and most important time together!