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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RED PICNIC TABLE

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We inherited an old picnic table (shout-out to the Grimmers!) earlier in the summer, and had big plans for its makeover.
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We spent several afternoons sanding it, priming it, and painting it red.
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Then we laid down on this blanket to watch it dry...
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...And make eyes at each other.

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We do that sometimes.

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Anyway, for 2-3 weeks out of the summer in Rexburg, it gets to be unbearably hot. I know that my Arizona relatives are laughing at me right now, as they sit in their 120 degree temperatures.

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But THEY have air conditioning.

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By about 4:oo in the afternoon, when the western sun is pouring through the largest window in the house, and I have to start thinking about firing up the oven for dinner, I get to feeling that we live in a literal oven. Our only escape is the shady patio and our happy, red picnic table.
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.It is so heavenly out there. I've gotten to where I just automatically set that red picnic table for dinner every night.
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. And we invite friends over for foil dinners...
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...or barbecued hamburgers.

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Our standard of living since this red picnic table entered our life has improved significantly.
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You guys should all go out and get one.Just be sure to paint it red. The color will make it or break it, I'm tellin' you.

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Happy Summer,

Rachel

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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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SHMORES

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Andrew and I were frantically trying to get out of the house on time for our Tuesday night meetings, when I walked in on him making himself some dinner.
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Marshmallow...on a fork...over the stove...ha! =)
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And I just love that look he's giving me: "Don't you dare judge me."
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TAG YOU'RE IT!

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Nicole and I at good 'ol Mesquite High School my sophomore year.

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I had a friend in high school named Nicole. High school was not a happy era of my life, but all the memories including Nicole were bright spots. She was one of those friends I regretted losing contact with, so I was very pleased to reconnect with her recently. If you're looking for a light, happy, uplifting blog, go check hers out.
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You'll like her too. I promise.
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She recently, posted the following:
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Consider yourself tagged. Yep all of you. :)

questions for you...

1. Name 5 songs on your mixed cd from high school.

2. What is your favorite board game of all time?

&

3. What is the strangest thing you have ever done with your hair?

Comment me if you play so I can check out your answers

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I haven't done many of these tag posts, but with the extra bit of time I've had lately, I figured why not? I'll play!
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ONE. Name 5 songs on your mixed CD from high school.
Well, it's hard to pick, but here are a few that I remember jammin' to back in the day (click to listen):

• Because I am a Queen by India Arie
• Cleveland by Jewel
• I'm Like a Bird by Nelly Furtado
• I Knew I Loved You by Savage Garden
• No Such Thing by John Mayer

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TWO. What is your favorite board game of all time?
It is way too hard to pick one. But here is my latest fave. Heard of Ticket to Ride?
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THREE. What is the strangest thing you have ever done with your hair?
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I went back through old picture trying to find some "strange" examples. It was kinda hard. I suppose I haven't been very adventurous with my hair.
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Here I am at age four when my parents apparently hated me. I looked like a flippin' boy.

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My cousins and I used to do our hair up all crazy and march around the neighborhood singing silly songs (Ah, to be young again!). Luckily...I mean, unfortunately, I'm not in this picture, but I remember my hairdo was pretty strange.

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This isn't my hair, but it is on my head. In high school, I went to an opera. Backstage, my mom's friend (a very nice but very persistent lady), insisted I model this costume for the camera. This is my, "I am humiliated and want to melt into the floor" smile.

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Here are Becca and I as teenagers, modeling poofy wigs at the mall.

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And, because it seemed appropriate for this time of year, here I am modeling flags in my hair the summer before my senior year.

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Now I am tagging all of you who might be interested in my silly game. And because I am a fan of pictures, here are my assignments:

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1. Photograph the front door of your home.

2. Photograph your favorite piece of furniture. Why do you like it?

3. Photograph the inside of your fridge as is. Don't hide that moldy cheese!

4. Photograph the shoes in your closet. How many pairs do you own? Be honest now!

5. Photograph the view from any window of your home.

6. Photograph your view from where you lay on your bed.

7. And photograph yourself--right now! No primping beforehand!

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If you accept these challenges, leave a comment so I can see! Have fun. =)

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