Car Races

Last weekend we had Tyler and Katie over for dinner and then we headed out to the car races at Meridian Speedway. As a young child I remember coming down to Boise and going to the car races. The earplugs would drive me crazy because they felt so funny and one always stayed in my ear well, while the other one always fell out. Maybe one ear had more earwax in it than the other. Who knows. Two summers ago we decided to go the races for something to do. We always hear the cars from our house anyway...so we thought we better try it out. That race track has given us lots of good memories to smile about. We've been there with Zac's buddy Chris. We have gone a time or two with Zac's family and we've gone numerous times by ourselves. I'm not sure if I like the people watching more or the cars...but both provides pretty good entertainment. And where else can you get a "bucket of beer." It's classic. We all had a great time...Katie was very kind to drive. We look forward to the next time we go...maybe next weekend for Motorcycle Demolition Derby.


Tyler and Zac having a great time!

This is what I mean by good people watching. Not your everyday folk at the races. That is one great mullet...and the look on his face couldn't be any better! Thanks for getting this photo Ty! Makes me laugh every time I see it!

The winged sprints are my favorite...oh yeah and the annoucer who wears a cuttoff short sleeve shirt!

We were all bundled up...the weather was a little chillier than we expected. Hopefully next time it's a little warmer.
We're already looking forward to our next visit to the "quarter mile oval track." If anyone wants to go with us...let us know...we're always up for races!

Last Weekend of Fishing

April 16, 2010
Zac and I took a Friday afternoon off and headed up to Challis for our last weekend of steelhead fishing...if you could really call it a fishing weekend. We took our time driving up and enjoyed the beautiful scenery...the Sawtooth Mountains were amazing as they stood so tall in a bright blue sky.
We arrived at the cabin early evening and decided to go say hi to Cam...he was staying at the Hot Springs for a weekend of dog training. Of course Remmy and Rio loved seeing Rockee and Cam. We met many different kinds of dogs, ranging from German Sheperds and Golden Retrievers to Giant Schnauzers. And we even met another Airedale. It was dog craziness. After enjoying a glass or two of wine over conversation with Cam, Zac and I headed back to the cabin.


Zac's parents arrived right before we got back to the cabin. Grandma Kathy had cooked up a delicious meal and we sat around the table and visited. Before long we were off to bed, in hopes of having some fishing luck Saturday. However, Saturday morning we all enjoyed sleeping in and drinking our coffee slowly. Finally, around 11:00 we headed out the door to find a fishing hole. We lucked out and got a great spot on the river where the dogs could run free. But with the sun shining, the wind calm and temperatures around 70 degrees we caught nothing but a sunburn. Needless to say it was a beautiful day to be on the river. The dogs were in heaven and were great fishing buddies for Zac. Remmy even did some swimming.
Zac checking out the end of his tip...hoping he had a fish on...I think this was just a snag on.


Remmy Dog completely pooped out laying at my feet.


The boys all playing at the river!


Like Grandpa...like Grandson!


Remmy wading around before he went for a swim.

Saturday evening we headed back to the Hot Springs to see Cam and go for a soak. Normally, we last about an hour, but this time the pool was too hot for 60 minutes. It sure was relaxing though.


Sunday morning Zac, Sherry and I took the dogs out for a 4 mile walk. It was great to be walking in the fresh mountain air. However, we arrived back to the cabin to a plume of smoke. Grandpa decided to do some burning. It was all under control, but for someone who doesn't like fire...it was a little nerve wracking.

Then just like that...it was already time to say goodbye. The weekend flew by! Of course we look forward to our next trip up there! It was a good time as always.

Saying Goodbye....With Great Pride!

April 7, 2002...The day Zac joined the United States Marine Corps. He started down in San Diego and went through boot camp at MCRD (Marine Corps Recruit Depot). After 13 indescribable weeks of boot camp, he went onto to do 4 months of extensive combat and MOS training in Fort Leonerd, Missisouri. In Novemeber of 2002 he joined the "fleet" and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. In February of 2003 he deployed for his first tour to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His first deployment was "a test of manhood and every emotion possible." He returned home in October (2003) to a surprise motorcade, welcome home signs and an outpour of love from family, friends and relatives. His visit home was shortlived and his stay in the United States was brief before returning back to Iraq in February of 2004. This deployment originally only 6 months quickly turned into a year deployment after Zac volunteered to stay longer, in hopes of not going back. (If we only knew....and we all thought his tour was just "extended.") He finally returned home in March of 2005. He was home for good! For his final year, Zac lived and worked at Camp Pendleton. He finished his active duty obligations as Sergent Broadie. April 7, 2006 he left Camp Pendleton and began his 4 years of inactive service. While in the military, Zac met some great friends. He has some amazing memories to look back on and others he may choose to forget. He learned more about himself, his country and life in general, than one could imagine. Simply put, he endured incredible experiences while in the Marine Corps.

So...here we are April 7, 2010....Let Freedom Ring. Zac is offically out of the Marine Corps,

however, ONCE A MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE. SemperFi.

Zac proudly holding his Honorable Discharge Certificate from the Marine Corps.

What a wonderful feeling this simple piece of paper creates!

Easter Weekend

Zac and I packed up our ski and snowboard stuff, the dogs and warm winter clothing for a weekend with my family up in McCall. Everyone arrived Friday afternoon to Jonathan and Anna's cabin. Despite the blizzard conditions, we got all of the dogs out for a dog walk. Cam had Rockee, Jonathan and Anna had Chief, Barney and Tucker, and we had Remmy and Rio. It looked liked the local animal shelter had their dogs out for a walk.

Zac and Rio


It was a cold blizzard...but our new North Face jackets were nice.

Cam and Anna

Friday night we played a round a "Things," which provided great conversations, lots of laughter, and even brought back some childhood memories and stories. I think Anna pulled out and won with the highest score, while Mom was in a close second. Monica's childhood memories were the highlight, reminiscing on the time she went to a "birthday party" without any parents at the party...and she got caught!...Busted! She was quite the rebel. Ha ha! That quickly led into how times changed between her years of growing up and mine. Jonathan seems to think he "paved" the way for me. True or not, we all have wonderful memories of growing up.

Saturday

Heading up to Brundage

Cam, Mom, Anna, Jonathan, Zac and I all headed up to the mountain Saturday for some "spring" skiing. Except Brundage had accumulated 20 plus inches in the last week, so it was more like January skiing with fresh powder. The conditions were amazing! I decided to dust off my skiing skills and rented gear to ski. It had been about 16 years since I had really skied. I was a bit nervous, so I brought all of my snowboard gear, just in case. But, just like everyone insisted, it was like riding a bike. It all came back to me....and now I'm hooked! North, Stairsteps, Main (in the trees) to Lower are still my favorite runs! We skied about 8 "this is our last run..." that's how good it was. And when we finally were actually done, we enjoyed a "red beer" and pitcher of Shocktop in the lodge. This time I remembered to order a "red beer," instead of a Bloody Mary...what a big difference. We all had a great time on the mountain and now Mom, Anna and I are all currently looking to buy ski gear.

Emily, Anna, Jonathan and Mom...Zac was taking the picture and who knows where Cam was...

Zac snowboarding

Zac, Emily, Anna and Jonathan riding up the chair

Saturday was Crazy Daze up at Brundage...Despite not taking part in the scavenger hunt, or costume contest...which we did as kids....we did get to see some "pond skimming."

Monica, Rob, Brylee and Zayden enjoyed a good day of family time at the cabin. They made a trip into town to get a book at the Drug Store, lunch at Toll Station (another childhood favorite), a visit to Hometown, and picked up some groceries at Paul's. (They hit up all of the local favorites!)

Saturday night we enjoyed our Easter dinner...Heavenly Ham, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls and wild rice. It was yummy and tasted even better after a long day of skiing. We played a game of Yatzee and dug into the Easter candy. This year's big hit was Nerds jelly beans. (I was able to find the last few bags at Fred Meyer on Federal Way, after we got home....so we're stocked up for awhile!) Saturday was a tiring day, so it wasn't long before we all hit the sack!

Easter Sunday

Sunday morning we all enjoyed Mom's homemade cinnamon rolls, while Brylee looked for eggs hidden by the Easter bunny and Zayden played with eggs in his basket. We went to church and came home to enjoy a nice brunch of ham, hashbrowns, eggs and toast. It was delicious. It wasn't long before Brylee had Anna and I playing with her...she's really hard to say no to! Anna was Grandma, I was just Emily and Bry was the doctor. Then she recruited in Zac and Jon Jon! Eventually we made our way to the couch (Jonathan somehow managed to escape...surprise...surprise!) The couch quickly became our "car" and Zac was the driver. We went around sharp corners, went really fast and had to stop quickly. All I can say is the imagination of a child is amazing....if only adults could problem solve with such creative imaginations our world would be a better place. As always, we had fun with Bry and when we're around her, the inner child in us all comes out to play!

Bry finding Easter eggs left by the Easter bunny...she was all smiles.

Z playing with his eggs

Monica, Zayden and Brylee going through Easter eggs

Our weekend stay flew by...but we had a wonderful time playing games, having great conversations, reminiscing on old times, enjoying good food, good wine and fresh powder on the mountain...can't ask for much more! We look forward to our next visit.

5 Year Anniversary

Last Friday, April 2, Zac and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary. Time flies when you're in love and having fun! We got each other North Face coats and some new shirts for hiking to go along with our Nike Plus shoes. Here's to many more great years of happiness together!