The Wives Club +1

Laura & Mihai tied the knot on 9/10/11 @ 12:13 
It was a beautiful day at the Treccani ranch where the happy couple said their vows under the grape arbor.  A delicious and decadent luncheon followed, and a little later on we all turned out our beach gear and headed for the river.  Most relaxing wedding I've ever been to.  Congrats you two!!

Take me out to the ballgame

OOOOhhhhh what a great time we had last night!! I haven't been to a Hawk's game in years, and its tons of fun when you can go with a big group of friends. It was a beautiful night in Boise. We enjoyed cold suds and sodas, pretty painted-on tattoos, ice cream and bouncy houses for the kids, and hot dogs for all!  Thanks to Jacob for the free tickets. 

That special something about ice cream at the ballpark

Giggling with Lilly, she's the sweetest little girl

A sweet ending for me, the designated driver ~ Shirley Temple

Fire at The Fetty's

http://www.fox12idaho.com/story/15119814/goody-fire-burns-2900-acres

This "Goody" fire came right up to Jen and Jeff's property out in Middleton.  The firefighters did an amazing job of protecting all the homes.  They evacuated for most of the evening, and returned afterwards to this mess.
I saw these facebook photos go up, and I knew Jen needed help as soon as possible.  I took that next day off of work, loaded my car with a hose and cleaning equipment and booked it out to Middleton.  From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. we hosed, we scrubbed, and tried to laugh rather than cry.  As if that weren't enough excitement, had to call the Fire Dept. again for a hot spot that started back up nearby.  Overall, we agreed we'd much rather be cleaning up fire retardant than ashes.  Removed quite a bit of the red stuff off, however the bill by way of professional cleaners is still going to be quite a big claim.  Crossing our fingers our hard work at least persuades the insurance company to waive the deductible. 

So very thankful our friends are OK, we love you Fetty Fam! 

All four sides of the house were drench by Fire Retardant. 

The siding, patio furniture, the cars, fencing, landscaping - you name it and its RED.

Smells like antifreeze

It looked like the movie Carrie with the prom scene.

It was our hope that if we got it off before the sun hit that side of the house, that it wouldn't stain.  Unfortunately the white vinyl window frames, as well as her beautiful water fountains, and anything else that was porous did just that.

The edge of the fire where it came right up to the neighbor's property.

They lost a shed filled with 30+ years of Christmas and Halloween decorations.

Happy Camp 2011

Happy times at Happy Camp

Driving through 2000+ sheep

Kickin' it up at Baumgartner Hotsprings

Happy 30th to Me!

I don't mind turning 30 at all, especially when I think back all that's happened this past decade.  A blessed marriage and home, amazing friendships I've gained, seeing the world, an awesome career, and so much more.  I can't wait to see what the next ten years brings to my world.
For the big celebration, I decided we'd start out at PizzalChik for dinner and drinks.  The owners were thrilled that we brought such a big group of 20+ people, to which they doted on the entire time.  We sat outside and enjoyed the nice weather, live band and always delicious food.  Key lime cheesecake with a candle accompanied a fun Bob Marley style birthday song. Afterwards we moved the party down to our place, which lasted early into the morning.  After all the preparations Phil and I worked so hard on, the house looked amazing and a good time was had by all.  Can't wait to do it again.
And of course we must mention as well, the world didn't end!  Ha!  Although I started to think it was going to when the cleaning company I had scheduled with never showed up or called (beware of Bubbling Express Cleaning), which essentially left me on my hands and knees scrubbing floors unexpectedly before go-time.  But oh well, all the work was done in time and nothing ruined my day, it was absolutely PERFECT! 


A funny gift for the Idaho girl

It's a PizzalChik Patio Partttaayyy!

Heather's gourmet salad

Spring Scenes

4/10/11 Phil and I were at Lucky Peak to test a client's boat and do a little fishing.  Thanks to the amazing snowpack this year, we're seeing an awesome water release below the dam. 

The spring moment I always look forward to, Tim and Di's pear trees in bloom.  I can't help but pick one or two and place them in my hair. 

4/16/11 Timothy & Uncle Phil

The little guy dwarfed under my large umbrella



Our first Yurt Experience

Banner Ridge Yurt

Well if spring is taking its sweet time getting here, we might as well go find some powder to play in!  There was plenty of that north of Idaho City this past weekend.  We joined the Stenquist crew for some fun at Banner Ridge Yurt for a three day trip.
The hike in was over two miles with about 750 feet climb in elevation. I yelled out a big WOOHOO once I saw the yurt, I was so relieved! 
We had a great time hanging inside eating delicious food, playing cards and listening to good tunes.  Outside we enjoyed the awesome fire pit the guys dug out for us, as well as sledding and of course, a TON of snowshoeing. 

The 2.5 to 3 mile hike in via snowshoes.  Complete with 20-50 lbs. packs per person and one sled full of delicious home brew and other goodies.

A very cold, but very cute outhouse

Love what Phil wrote on facebook,

and still amazed I was able to lure him away from the snowmobiles for once!  :)

Happy Birthday Heather!

Fun & crazy shenanigans in downtown Boise for Heather's birthday.  Started out at the Bardenay with our private Boiler room....next was Tom Grainey's with its awesome underground dance floor..... and last but not least The Lobby with the most entertaining bartender of the night.  Ooh whatta night! 
                                 

Birthday Girl!!

Adria, Heather S, Heather C, Amber

Rachel's big 4.0

Happy 40th Birthday Rachel!  Shannon hosted a wonderful party in her honor by putting on a spread of food and cheer that was out of this world.  Even in the heavy fog that night, well over 20 of us were able to make it, with of course hilarious stories of getting lost along the way.  Thank goodness Toby thought to stand in the driveway waving us in with a flashlight. 
A great time was had by all, and I must say...catching up with good friends was just the thing to chase away those wintertime blues!

The whole gang!

A few of the ladies...

Heather, Heather, Amber, Rachel, Adria, and Shannon

Sweet Lilypants with her Mamma

New Year's 2011 - Donnelly, Idaho

Happy New Year!!! 

We were invited up to the cabin with the Strykowski family for New Years this year - had the best time.  The drive up North was absolutely beautiful, the region had received over three feet of snow in the previous 36 hours.  We saw one doe, a bald eagle soaring over the Payette at eye level, and also a few red fox's playing in the powder. 

Got to the cabin, Phil and Tim spent about three hours plowing snow while Di and I unpacked and warmed up the cabin.  Before we knew it, it was time for the others to arrive and fun to kick in.  Enjoyed good movies, the wii, cute kiddos Tim and Bradley, the warm fire and lots of delicious food.  All in all there were twelve of us toasting to the New Year.

The temperature was below zero for much of the time, but we still got in a few rides on the snowmobiles. Tim took us six ladies out for a few hours, across the lake even! Fun, and thrilling, especially when hitting those slush puddles halfway across. Kicking myself I didn't take the camera along for the ride, but here's some of what I did capture...

Highway 55, a winter wonderland indeed

Phil Plowing three feet off the deck. 

He loved every minute of it, reminds him of home.

The Christmas basket I got for Di a few years back, perfect for a cabin

KC and his 'touch' of frostbite - seriously

Grandpa TIm with Grandson Tim, doing what they do best

Bradley 

Yes folks, that sucker reads -17

Cirque du Soleil's Alegria in Boise

We went to see Alegria with our friends Jason & Courtney last night, and it was absolutely one of the most enchanting shows I've ever seen. 
Next year they are doing a Michael Jackson tribute tour, and I am most definitely going to try to round up a group of friends to go see it in Portland.

Precinct 70 Poll Girls

And a new tradition is born!  I was invited this year to join my girlfriends for Election Day as Ada County Poll Workers.  We had so much fun and thankfully the day stayed busy and pretty much flew by. Voter turnout for our precinct was over 56% - very impressive!

Precinct 70 Poll Girls: 

Sarah, Brandy, Amy, Tena, Amber & Laura

Laura, our delightful and well prepared Chief Judge keeping us in line

Our Potluck:  Potato/sausage breakfast casserole, fruits and veggies, sandwiches, white lightning chicken chili, and an amazing homemade apple dessert.  

Laura, Am and Amy checking ID's and taking signatures

Tena and Sarah distributing and receiving ballots

Halloween

The Stenquist's did it again with they're amazing, over-the-top halloween party.  Some photos I borrowed from Facebook...