Neighborhood Block Party

Catching up...

This summer, our block hosted the Annual Neighborhood Block Party; which includes several streets & more than several blocks! We planned for somewhere around 400 people to attend. The theme: "Come on down to Chinatown"... these cute invitations were delivered to everyone's front porches... left in flower pots, on the edge of the lawn, etc.

I was on the "decorations" committee & acquired several chinese paper lanterns...

Which were strewn across the entire street at several intervals along our block...

A few days before the party, these banners were hung on the lamp posts lining our street...

We had a great, food tent - to house all the delicious chinese food... some catered, some homemade...

These cute hand-made, extra large chinese take out containers held fortune cookies & chop sticks on all the dining tables...

We had this fabulous flatbed trailer delivered by a generous neighbor to use as a karaoke stage... Emily & cousin Callie are just testing the sound system...

It is a neighborhood tradition (as far as I know - for the last 7 years anyway) to have a dunking booth @ the party for the kids... Ben was more than happy to participate!

As was Eliza...

more photos to come... when I find 'em! But for now - know that the Block Party was a total success & enjoyed by all!

The First Lost Tooth...Literally!

Eliza lost her first tooth!

See?:

It was so momentous that we took that tooth, saved it in a ziploc bag, of all things, labeled it appropriately (see below) and carried it around all day. Unfortunately, the pocket in which said tooth was being carried, was quite shallow. So we lost the tooth. But on the bright side, the tooth fairy showed up anyway. Eliza got "2 bucks" :)

Summer Vacation, Part I

On our way to Idaho, for the annual Family Reunion, we made a stop for gas. Eliza did not like the look of all those dead bugs on the grill. She is her Father's daughter.

At the Galena Summit overlook:

Say "cheese":

Oh my! That's a beautiful valley:

"Calendar Shot" (every year Brian's sister makes a photo calendar for their mom, so every family photo we take is a potential "calendar shot"!)

Once we got to the lake, there was lots of sittin' around to be done:

by Ben:

by Squncle Squeric:

by the girls:

by Nana:

The Nephews

Cole:

Max:

Drewby:

Preston:

& Parker to the rescue!

Some of the gang @ the Tire Swing:

Wheee! Uncle Randy, get off that thing & give the kids a turn!

We had so much fun on the "water couch"... Not exactly like sitting in your living room...

Brody, Cassidy & Ben were up...

up...

& AWAY!!!

Not all of us opted for the full-speed-ahead ride. Eliza, Addie & I were perfectly content to ride at a much slower pace!

as were Chris, Jack & Fran. 'Cuz Jack wouldn't want to get his socks wet. Or his shoes. Or his jeans. Or his button-down shirt. Oh yeah, he's ready to Par-tay!

The trip wouldn't be complete without a day spent @ Red Fish Lake. It is BEAUTY-FULL! We always motor right out to this awesome cliff - which doesn't look that high... until you're on top looking down!

Go Lizie!

so brave...

Will you just look at this clear, green water? I did not edit these photos people. It's that clear. It's that green. Really.

And will you just look at Lizie's daddy waiting for her in the water? I can't believe I didn't get any other photos of this man on this vacation. This man who made it all possible. This man who sacrifices his time relaxing on the beach to drive countless children around in the boat. This man who's praises were sung by Uncle Dick, Aunt Karen & my parents. Who know what a good man this is. Thank you dear.

And Emie took a turn on the rope swing...

So fun!

After the kids had their fun on the cliff - the adults took a turn... Dariell braved the cold, cold water & jumped right in. Susan & Chris are surveying & getting up the guts to do it. I was told that Chris has feared this jump for years.

Let 2009 be known as the year Chris conquered his fear. Way to go!

I love this place.

Can't wait to get back next year. Until then, a parting shot:

Alturas Lake 2009

Summer Vacation, Part II

The latter half of our summer vacation week was spent in Sun Valley. We were lucky enough to be invited to stay with some friends there & I totally regret not photographing their great condo & the whole gang together! What I did happen to catch with my camera were these:

Along the Wood River trail - a rope swing off a bridge - very welcome break in the heat!

Brian, Ben & Ben:

Bri:

One of the highlights of Sun Valley is outdoor ice skating in the summer!

Emily showing off her graceful moves:

And Ben, aka, Apollo Ono:

Eliza never misses an opportunity to pose! And Isabelle, in perfect ice skating attire!

There were new baby ducks at the hotel - we had to stop & check them out... too bad you can't see them!

Swimming was fun! Ben, Ben & Matthew show off their super-hero stance:

Emily & Emma had a great time together:

We LOVED the weekend we spent in Sun Valley. What a beautiful place! Thanks to our friends for the hospitality. Hope we can do it again!