LAKESIDE

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It was free of charge to get into Yellowstone a few weekends ago, and we were all over it. The night before we could get in to the park, Andrew and I decided to get our first camping of the year in. See how excited we were? Andrew was delirious with joy.

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We invited Crazy #1...

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...And Crazy #2. .
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In that order.

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And, despite the weather forecast, we were off in Lane's new Jeep.

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In case you were wondering(because I always do): the name of the new Jeep is Injun.

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But the naming of our vehicles will have to wait for another post.
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In our search for a place to camp, our fears of rain materialized in the form of cats and dogs. Giant, ferocious cats and dogs. Mixed with hail stones.

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But then, as if God had compassion for our camping plight, the rain slowed, the sun shown, and the most incredible rainbow I have ever seen came into view.
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It seemed to end in the middle of a nearby field. It looked so close! As a result, I was determined to chase it.
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We'll just ignore the fact that we were headed in that direction anyway.
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But as far as we could tell, there was no sign of gold or magical men anywhere...and I have to say...it was kind of a let down.

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I did, however, get a few really nice pictures.
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It soon turned into a full double rainbow! Can you see the faint color above the bright one?
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I couldn't get far enough away to fit the entire thing in my viewfinder!
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We finally found the most beautiful, secluded site, directly on a lake. We hurried to get camp set up before the darkening clouds let loose on us again. We were able to enjoy our hot dogs and company potatoes, clean up, and get to our tents just before we heard the raindrops begin to fall.
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The countless posted warnings of frequent grizzly bears in the area made for a restless, uneasy sleep for me. Apparently, I'm a wuss. And I was a sharing a tent with Becca. I like Becca and all, I just have serious doubts at her abilities to protect me in the face of an attack.

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As such, I was up before the sun.

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But I was glad to be up when I was. I would not have wanted to miss this view from our tent! I love this picture!

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After a night of consistent rainfall, everything around us was soggy and drippy, but we had remained cozy and dry in our sleeping bags.

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I spent at least an hour sitting in the doorway, watching these birds float below the lightening sky. Some kind of pelican maybe??

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I, on my early morning perch.
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Andrew! My love! My protector from grizzlies and mice alike! How did you sleep without me?

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In case you're wondering, I was sitting in the outhouse, when a mouse crawled under the door to join me. I had a small conniption...and do not wish to discuss it further.

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Hello, Becca. You are looking exceptionally happy this morning. Enjoying your hot chocolate?

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Why must I take so many pictures, you ask? Silence, infidel! You would never understand my compulsion!

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And besides, I bought you cinnamon rolls for breakfast.
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Yes, Master. Whatever you say, Master.
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That's more like it.

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Despite the scenery, we were anxious to be moving on. With impending rain urging us on even faster, we ate our breakfast, loaded up Injun, and hit the road.
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Our next stop...Yellowstone National Park!

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WE'RE GOING CAMPING ANYWAY...

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Tonight's Forecast:
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Tomorrow's Forecast:
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The men set up the tents last night to waterproof them for our trip. Today, the wind keeps blowing them away.
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Yellowstone, here we come. Wish us luck.
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SPRING BREAK DAY 2

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Snow covered wreath.
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Magical, snow-covered trees.
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I spy with my little eye...
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That bird sure looks majestic in the stark, white world.
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Can't get enough of this barn.
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Frosty country grasses.

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Why is it so funny to me to see the ducks in the snow?
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They just look so lost and confused like: what the heck happened to spring?
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Don't worry little fellas.

I feel exactly the same way.

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LAST SNOWBOARD OF THE SEASON

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The Ashmores were in town from Arizona last weekend. We took Andrew's dad and little bros snowboarding. Somehow, between a lack of money and time, Andrew and I hadn't made it to Kelly Canyon this year. We were happy for the excuse.

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Andrew. Striking a pose.
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In Rexburg, the snow has almost melted away, so I was worried about the slope conditions. When we got up there though, it was picture perfect.

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The hero shot: Andrew, Lane, Ryan, and Dad

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A few minutes later, however:

the result of Lane and Ryan trying to exit the lift.

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I may have looked slightly similar in my own attempts,

but it's really not necessary to share those pictures. .
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I'd say it was a pretty successful trip. We had fun, and this time, I didn't have to be rescued, hanging from my fingertips, seven feet from the ground. Sounds like success in my book. And Joel (Dad-in-Law), even proclaimed he was now going to,

"take up snowboarding."

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Afterward, we joined the girls back at our place for a game of Cranium. {I love that I they're looking in every possible direction except for at the camera}

Andrew's parents attempting to act out a card.

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More to come of the Ashmore Reunion...

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SNOWMOBILE

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We had never been on one before this weekend. It's an experience all Idahoans need to have to truly experience the extent of an Idaho winter. Quite honestly, it felt exactly like riding four-wheelers or wave runners (sports we Arizonians, are a bit more familiar with)--just a whole heck of a lot colder. And from the other side of my goggles, our red, sporty snow machine, and my new red coat, were spoiled by a horrible orange tint from my perspective for the extent of the afternoon.

{What? I really hate orange, okay?}

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Also, we were on a double date with my little sister. Weird is the only word to describe it. Last I looked, she was 12-years old. How did she get to be twenty-two?And why do we feel the inexplicable urge to set everyone up on blind dates? From past dating experience, I am very much aware of how horrible they tend to be.

Luckily, it wasn't nearly as awkward as I expected. And our friend Jesse, showed us all a good time.

{That's Becca and him below}

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And that's Andrew and me looking like we

just escaped from a science fiction film.

{...Luke, I am your father!...}

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But I have to say, the setting was sure incredible. As we climbed higher in elevation, it began to snow softly. It was simply magical...

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Some of the magic must have rubbed off on Andrew,

because he was flying over all sorts of crazy jumps.

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{Jesse, Becca, and I}

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Check out those beautiful mountains behind me!

{and the windburn on my cheeks! brrr...}

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Hooray for outdoor adventures!

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ODE TO TREE

When we first moved into this house, there was a beautiful, leafy tree in our front yard {See picture of our house on sidebar -->} . I liked having the shade, a pretty view, and a place to hang my bird feeder where I could watch it from the window. But strangely, that next summer, leaves on half of it decided not to grow. And another summer later: not a single leaf. Our tree was dead.

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It got to the point that every time a heavy windstorm ripped through this valley (not an uncommon occurrence around here), we had to move our vehicles from the driveway so falling branches wouldn't crush them. We finally saw that it was time to say farewell to our tree.

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Ironically, the same day it was cut down, we were dragging a Christmas tree into the living room. It was surprisingly sad to look out that window, to see...nothing. And we had big plans for that tree! Christmas lights were eventually going to be wrapped around the trunk. I was going to read in its shade over the summer. And I have no idea where to put this bird feeder now.

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But do you wanna hear the really sad part? We'll still have to rake leaves in the fall. Our neighbors across the street, have what I believe to be, the largest tree in the state of Idaho. And for some unknown reason, the leaves don't ever land in their yard. Every single blasted one, after dancing in the autumn breeze, lands softly on our lawn. Does anyone have a GIANT fan we can borrow?

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