Grouse Creek Waterslides

Saturday we discovered that the falls on Grouse Creek (where we have hiked numerous times in other seasons) become a perfect water slide when the weather is warm and the water is low.  It comes complete with deep pools, high cliffs and natural rock slides.  Keith & Jenny - guess where we are taking you next time you visit?  You will love it... we did!

Fourth of July

We spent a rare 4th of July here at home.  Too much water (no rafting this year) and not enough wind (no kite boarding) kept us from our usual activities.  Instead Keith and Jenny (with their two adorable boys) visited us from Southern Idaho.  It was such a nice visit and we were able to enjoy all of the fun things about summer in Sandpoint.  Kirk and Keith spent some time figuring out the catamaran.

Izzy and Neil enjoyed ice cream and rope swings.

Although he little kids couldn't postpone bedtime till dark, we did get some fun fireworks going.  Neil gets the prize for being the most excited.

Sparklers were a hit.

In my opinion, the best part about the 4th in Sandpoint is the fireworks over the lake.  The second best part is our small town parade.  For some reason, they don't let the parade participants throw candy, so Kirk purchased a few bags of his own and had a great time throwing it out to the street for the kids to pick up.

Lost in the 50's

I love that we live in a small town. I love that we have community events like Lost in the 50's. I love that our kids look forward every spring to dressing up in poodle skirts and pony tails to go to the parade where classic cars rev their engines and show off their new paint jobs. I love that we can show up at the same corner every year, spread out our blanket and sit by friends from church, school, our neighborhood and community. I love that we didn't have to spread out that blanket 24 hours in advance just to get a good seat for the parade.

Pre-parade poodle skirt photos (thanks for the skirts Grandma!)...

Hannah and her classmates...

A little roller derby comes to Sandpoint...

Fun cars...

Good friends...

Loud noises...

Where are the falls?

This last weekend we packed up the car and headed off to Ione, Washington for a scenic train ride with the kids and my parents. It was a fun trip traveling from Ione to Metaline Falls and back in the fall colors. The kids had fun riding the train - especially when the conductor wasn't looking and they hung their heads out the window with the wind in their hair and the scenery whizzing by.

When we arrived in Metaline Falls and started back to Ione Paige (almost in tears) said, "But we didn't even get to see the falls. What was the point?' When we explained to her that there aren't any 'falls' in Metaline Falls and that we were on the train just to enjoy the ride, she was a little crestfallen. Without anything to anticipate for the rest of the ride she found just riding the train was fun. There were also some other highlights besides the ride...

We were able to spend lots of time with Grandma and Grandpa.

We did get to eat kettle corn and drink hot cocoa.

We also rode right over the Pend Oreille River as it funnels into the Box Canyon Dam.

And the scenery was beautiful.

The train rides are put on by the North Pend Oreille Valley Lions Club and are over for the season, but keep an eye out next year. They have rides starting in July. Check them out at http://www.lionstrainrides.com/.

Summer on the Lake

We have a wonderful neighborhood beach on Lake Pend'Orielle. It is perfect for an evening swim or an afternoon of playing in the water and sand. This summer we have been teaching the kids to water ski. Our good friends, the Corbridges, have a great ski boat and we have our little Livingston boat. Between the two, the kids have had plenty of time on skis, the tube and knee board. They are all doing great. I hope they look back and have great summer memories with their friends and sisters.

Ally, Paige, Kiley, Gabi & Hannah

A view of our beach from the picnic area. Sometimes I look at the lake and realize what a beautiful place this is.

Beach House

L-R back row: Ben Corbridge, Lauren Elliot, Gabi Campbell, Hannah, Andrew Webster

L-R front row: Ally Corbridge, Kiley Webster, Maren, Ashlee Webster, Paige

Hannah and Gabi

Hot dogs for dinner. Yummy!

Hannah skiing out from shore.

Maren swimming in after her first successful ski.

Paige skiing behind the big boat.

Spring

Now that the snow is gone, Spring fever is in the air. The grass is green. Tulips, daffodils and crocus are popping up and the trees are beginning to bud. But we still live in North Idaho and that means that anything can happen in the Spring. For example, last Tuesday the temperature was a balmy 70F! We had all the windows open and were wearing shorts. The girls came home from school begging to run through the sprinklers.

Then, two days later, we watched out the window as the weather alternated between rain, hail and snow.

You just never know what to expect in Sandpoint during Spring.