Getting to Town

The next day, we finished driving to Idaho and got into town that afternoon. It was a whirlwind day! The first day was spent taking care of our family graves.  Where I grew up, people spend Memorial Day putting flowers on the graves of everyone they cared about in addition to honoring the service members who gave their life for their country.

At first, Katie didn't want to take part. She thought the whole thing sounded sad. In the end, she understood that it wasn't a sad thing. It was about remembering happy times with people we knew. She didn't have the chance to meet any of them, but she has heard stories of them.

 As you drive into town, you see the Snake River Canyon. Aunt Jennifer and Grandma dropped my mom and me off on the initial side. 

My mom made me get a picture by this sagebrush because she said that it was the perfect representation of the area. I told her I would stand by it, but I didn't want to touch it!  I wasn't thrilled.

Then I got a picture with part of the bridge. 

It was pretty, but it didn't look like home. 

While Aunt Jennifer and Grandma drove across the bridge and waited on the other side, my mom and I walked across. I was brave but I wouldn't walk right next to the river side. 

While we walked across, Aunt Jennifer and Grandma spotted a bobcat somewhere down there! 

When we made it across, we had to get pictures from that side too. 

I love spending time with Grandma! 

While we were at the bridge, I looked down and found a decorated rock! 

It was my lucky day! 

We had one last picture before. we started our work. 

When we went to the store, this nice lady gave me a poppy for Memorial Day! 

Our friend, Dennis, was a florist and loves fresh flowers. Before we saw him, we played a joke. on him. We bought two random silk flowers and stuck them in the ground of one of his family graves, so he would find it when he got there. I love jokes! 

Later we met Dennis to shop for real flowers. I hadn't seen him since I was one! 

I helped put flowers on my great-grandparents' grave, and... 

...my great uncle's grave. 

Later, Dennis walked towards the grave that we had put the fake flowers on. 

He laughed at it, but I wasn't able to keep it a secret. I told him all about it before he saw it! 

After a while, I was getting tired for the trip and all of our work. My mom took me for a break while the rest of the graves were decorated. 

This cemetery has a pretty pond that we went to look at for awhile. 

I love the ducks there!

I wonder if they are the same ducks who lived there when my mom grew up! 

Next to the pond is a swing set. 

It was a nice break for me! 

 The last thing we did was go to the mall, so I could see it. I found one of my favorite stores and became a unicorn!

On Our Way

We decided to go to Idaho for a very, very short trip over Memorial Day weekend. We hadn't been back for six years. Katie is always excited for any trip. On the first day, we left late, so we only made it part way.

Since we left late, we decided to just stop for our dinner of sandwiches at a rest stop. I thought it was funny to eat with the cows!

Grandma was enjoying our picnic table. 

I thought it was perfect until I saw a bug!

Getting Ready for a Trip

Whenever Katie is getting ready for a trip, Mr. Limpet decides that he should go with her.

This is what I saw when I turned around.

I wanted to take him with me too!

A Gift

One day Katie surprised me with a card she had made for me. She had taken the time to decorate the front with lots and lots and lots of glitter. We enjoy a sparkly house!

I worked hard to make a beautiful heart for my mom!

A Seamstress

Katie got her own sewing machine at Christmas, and she was recently motivated to learn how to use it.  Luckily for her, I actually had the batteries it needed this time.

I was pretty excited to learn how to sew. 

Slow and steady wins the race 

After I got done sewing my pillow, I got to stuff it. 

I loved it!

Playing in the Neighborhood

Katie loves the nights where she just gets to go out and explore the neighborhood.

I was pretty excited to find the rhododendrons in full bloom. I checked to see if they smelled good. 

After checking on the flowers, I rode my scooter up and down the blocked off road. 

I love riding it! 

 I was close to some of the wild blackberries, so I checked on those.

A lot of the flowers on the bushes were falling off, and I know what that means! Berries are next! 

On the way home, I found a huge leaf. I wanted to take it home, but my mom made me leave it on the tree. 

I loved it!

Enjoying Nature

Jennifer, Katie, and I decided to get out on a beautiful spring day and go on a small hike. You can't go on a hike around here without taking the time to realize how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful area.

We started off on one path that was next to a lake. 

Aunt Jennifer and I took some time to look for animals by the lily pads. 

I was so excited to find this flower because it was my favorite color! 

Our first path was really short, so we headed to a second path. On the way, I passed a playground so I had to take some time to play!

When we started our second path, Aunt Jennifer and I started racing down the path! She's so fun! 

I wasn't sure I wanted to be the first one because the first one has to break through any spider webs. 

I'm not always the most adventurous soul. Aunt Jennifer and my mom had to encourage me to walk across this fallen tree. I wasn't sure about it, but I made it! 

I also didn't love the steeper, downhill parts. Sometimes Aunt Jennifer had to give me a helping hand. 

Sometimes we would run into wooden paths. 

Oh no! There was a bee! 

It was nice to just be surrounded by quiet nature. 

One of the last things I saw was this fallen tree with all of its roots showing. 

What a fun way to spend our day!