Happy birthday!

Today is Harry Potter's birthday. 

I haven't read the series yet this year. 

I'll have to start it soon. 

It's an annual thing I've done since 

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" came out in 1997.  

I love getting lost in the magical world of wizards and muggles. 

"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

- Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledor 

Packsaddle Lake

Mikey and I are trying to pack as many outdoor adventures as we can into our 7 week break from school. He is done with his classes and doing his internship (which means no homework!) and I'll be starting my last semester of classes in the fall. 

Which means it's our last chance, since it's probably our last summer in beautiful Idaho, to do all the fun things here.

At least in this area of Idaho anyways. 

Our adventure this weekend was Packsaddle Lake. 

It's outside of Driggs, Idaho. 

It was the perfect day. 

Packsaddle Lake

It was a little rainy, with some thunder and lightening but we didn't let that dampen our spirits. 

Bad Mom moment: 

I forgot to pack a jacket for Mabes so he got to wear one of our hoodies. 

Looked pretty stinkin' cute. 

It only rained for a few minutes, it was actually very refreshing because it was a HOT day.

And I love the smell of rain in the mountains. 

MMMMM.

Mabes looks a little grumpy in this shot but he was loving the rain and he loves looking at trees. 

It's a little, ity bity hike to the lake.

 Mikey enjoyed swimming in the "cold" water but I had to hold Mabes. 

Darn. 

(It's so nice using him as an excuse when I don't wanna do things ;)

After our time at the lake we drove up to Badger Creek, Mikey had never been there before. 

It's so beautiful. 

Being in nature is such a testimony strengthener to me. 

Heavenly Father really does love us. 

phone III

Mikey realized that Mabes looks like the baby, Oscar, from Ghostbusters II when he wears his yellow ducky PJs. 

More water-playing photos.

He's just so cute, we can't help ourselves. 

Love taking photos of him. 

Half a year old!

I'm 6 months old!

Mom and Dad took me to Kiwi Loco to celebrate my 6 month birthday and Daddy's last day of undergraduate classes. 

I definitely like frozen yogurt!

6 months
16.7 lbs
26.8 in

I just figured out how to roll from my back to my stomach. 

It takes me a minute to get my arms unstuck and then I'm rolling from stomach to back and really getting places.
It's nice to finally be mobile. 

I LOVE playing in water! 

Bath time is my favorite part of the day. 

I smile at everyone I see and I never feel the need to fuss or cry. 

(My parents are pretty darn lucky.)

I had my first taste of rice cereal a few days ago.

It's pretty yummy and I eat lots of it now.

What I'm really excited for are sweet fruits! 

I'm still waking up lots in the night but Mom and I have had a chat and she convinced me that it's unnecessary. 

We are working on eliminating those late night feedings, even though I do love that special time I get to spend with my Momma. 

Dad's been around more ever since classes ended and we play and play and play.

My hands are always in my mouth, unless there's something more exciting to gnaw on. 

100 years young

Grandma Hanson

Mikey's grandma (on his mom's side) turned 100. 

Mabin and I were lucky enough to go to her celebration in Minnesota. 

2 days of driving to get there.

2 days spent with family.

2 days driving back. 

Lots. of. driving.

I was worried Mabin would have a breakdown but he was a champ. 

Not one outburst.

Unless you count from Sandy to Orem because he was starving. 

I don't count that.

It was before we started the official trip. 

It was a surprise that we were going to the birthday party. 

My sister-in-law realized they had two extra seats and invited Mabin and I to ride with them. 

Sadly Mikey couldn't go because he had finals and work. 

Bleh. 

Two little babies that are glad to be out of their car seats and on a comfy hotel bed after a loooong drive.

It was fun to surprise everyone. 

I'm glad I feel comfortable around Mikey's family. 

But we sure did miss him.

The girls were so good with Mabin. 

Jersey

Cousin Lauren

Kirty makes the most scrumptious cakes.

MMMMMMMM.

This was the first time I got to meet Erin. 

It felt like we already knew each other. 

Aunt Erin

Aunt Heidi and Rylee

Aunt Jodie

Aunt Heidi

Waking up from naps. 

Anika and Mabes

Papaw

Uncle Tim

Dave, Kirty and Anika

Lots of kids! 

My parents have 21 grandkids.

(with a couple on the way)

Mikey's parents have 18. 

Our little boy is blessed with many cousins!

Mabin's great Grandma Hanson.

They are 100 years apart. 

Jodie and Erin

Kirty and Missy

The daughter-in-laws

Grammy

Cousin Rachel

Lauren was so loving with Mabin.

She loved kissin' on him.

The kids were fascinated with the gun Mitch had. 

Especially the little boys, they kept saying, "How cool would it be if we got to shoot it a hundred times?!"

Cousin Jordan

Also the first time I got to meet Missy. 

She reminds me of my older sister, Springe. 

Missy and Tim

Mabin got to meet his Papaw for the first time. 

Papaw

Papaw

Love Mabin's face. 

He's not sure what's going on...

Grammy

I could watch him sleep alllll day. 

He is so precious. 

The birthday party!

Grandma and Grandpa Kemp

Cousin Paul

chillaxin: chillin' and relaxin' at the same time

The Brunsons were kind enough to let us hangout with them for two days in a row!

And boy did we love it. 

It's nice to take a break from school and work and just be with friends.

No agenda, no nothin'. 

We went "hot tubbin" in the Jacuzzi tub.

Love Mabin's face.