WHY YOU WANT TO LEEAVE ME??

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We took a Relief Society of single college girls on a canoe trip yesterday. Of course, it was accompanied by an insane amount of squealing and shrieking and laughter (maybe I am getting old), but it was still a lot of fun.

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We put in at Big Spring and floated down Henry's Fork until we came to Max Inn. It took several hours, and I even pulled my feet out of the water a few times to help with the rowing.

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We were privileged with some of the most beautiful Idaho views. Crystal clear water, lush green grasses, bull moose on the river bank, towering pines, baby ducklings...

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We had raindrops hitting the windshield the whole drive up to the springs, but by the time we were launching boats in the water it was warm and sunny.

Then, just as we were strapping the canoes back onto the trailer at the end, black clouds rolled in, lightning flashed, thunder roared, and rain fell in sheets...as if the storm had been holding out for our benefit.

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It was like a miracle. Or just another day of crazy Idaho weather.

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.In other news:

Lane moved out.
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We stood on the driveway, Andrew's arm around my shoulders, as we watched him load up to leave. "This is kind of sad," Andrew sighed.
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"Yep," was my response. "Our son is all grown up and leaving home for college."
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Lane got in his jeep and buckled his seat belt. "I forgot to check his oil," Andrew told me worriedly.
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As Lane drove past and waved, we decided that he looked MUCH happier than the situation merited. We walked back into our empty house, and mourned what was left of our sad, little family.
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An hour later, Andrew called him from his cell phone:
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Where are you?
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So you're not very far yet?
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Good, then you can still turn back! We voted and you are coming back now.
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Lane just laughed heartily and hung up. Like I said before: WAY too happy.
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We feel like a couple of empty-nesters now. I really must be getting old.
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P.S. Can anyone guess the origin of the movie quote in this post's title? The winner gets to buy our Miata convertible!!!
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(Checks payable to: Andrew and Rachel Ashmore)
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Just kidding...sort of. But really: our car's for sale! Any takers??
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FOURTH

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I don't know what the rest of the country did, but here in southeast Idaho, the Fourth of July was a Third of July event. Too many darn Mormon Sabbath Day observers.

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It was okay with us though. We're a couple of darn Mormons ourselves.

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Keeping with tradition, we watched community members parade down our small-town main street. Here, little ones anxiously await the candy tossin' floats.

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Sweet Land of Liberty
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.We all showed up in our shorts and flip flops, but were taunted by unexpectedly chilly temperatures and overcast skies.
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I took this picture in honor of my first-ever red toenails. I had never been brave enough before.
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.Here we are on our claimed curb.
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I was a fan of this group's solution for parade comfort.
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Entire outfits made from newsprint. Check out those adorable dresses and tuxes!

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We saw some fun things...

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But nothing compared to this display of patriotism.

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Anybody got any tots?

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An annual highlight is the free milk. The adults swarm that truck worse than the kids do.
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The extent of our holiday home decor

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Celebrating the freedom of a day off.

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Flag-lined fence.

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Country pride.

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Lemonade Stand.

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Peaceful afternoon.

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I love old barns and American Flags.
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For the firework show, we drive half an hour to Idaho Falls. We're always shocked at how much we forget about city life.

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The show draws as many as 100,000 spectators every year.

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We all sit along the river near the Idaho Falls Temple.

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Here's our especially reserved grassy knoll. And there's the rest of the bishopric all bundled up. I couldn't believe how COLD it was!

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I had to laugh at this couple's perfect set-up for the show.
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I guess it's the "thing to do" to bring a couch into the great outdoors in celebration of the 4th.

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Or the 3rd. Whatever.

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And as always, the show was AMAZING. I love the star-like sparkles in this shot.

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I hope everyone had a happy Independence Day! Hooray for America. We live in a great land.

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SHEEP FALLS 2010

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We're off for another weekend of camping!
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We passed the Tetons and were half-way to Yellowstone...
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...before we turned off the highway, followed a dirt road, and arrived at Sheep Falls. Justin and Beth took us here a few summers back, but we wanted to share it with the brother and sister.
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Here's our camp with the foil dinners already sizzling on the fire. Go team Ashmore...er...and Jolley! Team Ashmore-Jolley with a hyphen!
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Lane set out right away carving marshmallow roasting sticks. Very, very important job.
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Smores, here we come!
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Waiting for dinner to cook.
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What can I say? We're crazy. And in love.
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My new favoritestest picture of Becca.
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After it got dark, the temperature plummeted, and we stayed very close to the fire.
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Hanging by the fire.
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Roasting marshmallows and having a grand 'ol time.
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The next morning, I dragged Andrew out of his tent, bright and early, for a hike down to the falls.
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From our campsite...

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...we hiked down this pretty, little trail...

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....down, down....
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...for about 15 minutes, until...
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...we arrived at the river...

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...and Sheep Falls.

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Me on the cliff above the Falls...

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And Andrew, who was apparently, still a wittle bit tired.

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But the early morning was sure breathtaking!

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Happy wildflowers.
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. And happy Becca, who just moments before, I had watched skip to the edge of the cliff and trip. I just about passed out into the river. Luckily, she caught herself, and I didn't have to watch my sister die in front of me.

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This is what she would have fallen into.

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Being the oldest, I then felt the need to get after her for being a doofus brain and almost killing herself. Of course, she got upset with me for being over-protective and refused to move, after which, I hiked out to my own lookout cliff and pouted. Did I mention that she is a doofus brain?

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Mostly, I just love her a lot, okay?

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My beautiful view on the hike back up for breakfast.

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But as usual, we were friends again soon enough. We discovered a tree that had fallen over the path and while sitting on it, it had the springiness of a trampoline. We were pretty pleased with ourselves.

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After a delicious meal of eggs and sausage and bacon (thanks Becca!), Lane enjoyed some early morning smores, we packed up our camp, and our little troupe headed out to the Island Park Reservoir...

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We had to try out our new boat!

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