July in Idaho, part 1

We always spend 4th of July in Idaho.  It's just what we do.  This year we ended up spending ALL of July in Idaho due to my niece getting married at the end of the month.  You see, I have a thing about making 2 trips...I refuse to do it.  This is the precise reason why I pile all 43 sacks of groceries onto my arms at once before taking them into the house - I'm a 1 trip pony.

When my niece set her wedding date for July 26th in Idaho, I knew I'd be staying well past our normal travel window rather than make 2 trips.  And that was alright by me.  I was excited to spend an entire month in Idaho with my family.  

It turned out to be a pretty nice time.  The only downside was that Mykey returned to TN after only a week, and the ensuing 3 weeks apart were lonely.  That's a long time to be without the guy I love.  But we made it and we also made a lot of memories along the way.

Starting with our flight.  Kitty traveled in style and wasn't the least bit interested in conversation during our layover.  Nothing but a screen for that girl!

Once we safely arrived in Idaho, we did all of the things that we go to Idaho to do.  

Like watching a Chukars baseball game. They had to arrive early to score free t-shirts but it was worth it. Kitty conned my dad into buying her some cotton candy AND ice cream in a little plastic batting helmet.  Talk about a generous grandpa.

We also went to the Menan parade and fireworks.  Big disappointment this year with the parade.  Usually it begins near my mother-in-law's house but this year it ended near her house.  We sat in the hot sun for half an hour waiting for the parade and by the time it arrived, there was no candy for us.  You can bet I won't be attending THAT parade again next year.  

But the fireworks were great and Kitty and I made the world's longest licorice chain.  We also set off our own fireworks the next night.    

We also had a mandatory BBQ in my parent's backyard but it started to rain!  We were forced to make S'mores over the grill's leftover coals.  

And then, perhaps the most important event of all, Lava Day!  I wait all year for Lava day.  I love it!

Lava was extra-exciting this year because they wouldn't let anyone stake down their sun-shades and umbrellas.  A big gust of wind sent a plethora of shades sailing through the sky.  One of my mama's umbrellas was destroyed.  We were mostly lucky that no one was injured.  It was craziness!

And then it was time for Mykey to depart.  What he doesn't know is that's when the real fun began.

I'll tell you all about it next time!