Broken Tree

A few weeks ago we had a short but loud thunder storm. One of the lightning strikes was really loud and felt close. Well it possibly was very very close. We noticed about a week later that a part of a tree in our yard was split and dead. Not fully sure if it was the storm, but it if was, its kind of crazy. 

Grandma Grandpa Camp 2-26

I love that there is still a camp for the grandkids. The numbers this year were small, I still love that all those who can make it go. One bad part about having some of the younger kids (mainly Jacks) is he doesn't remember some of the other family things as well as the other kids do. Our kids don't remember the Barnes New Years Parties much. Jacks doesn't remember the Easter Parties or the few Arrington Reunions we had. I love that they are keeping it going for the younger kids to have those memories. 

This year they were in Twin, they did a cook out, played games like reverse charades, got ice cream from a truck. 

They split into teams and did an escape room. My kids all love them, so it was fun for them to do. 

Grandpa's team was the winning team. 

Saturday was a day of service. They helped at the Soup Kitchen. Then they were supposed to go the animal shelter to help out, however whoever took their reservation did not write it down. So they were unable to do that. 

Mini golf and Pizza Pie instead. 

They were tired when they got home, but they all had a lot of fun!

Bachelorette Party

 

I have kind of loved being apart of a bridal party like this. It's such a new world that I've never been apart of. I am a little too shy, nervous, weird, introverted and didn't know how it would go. Thankfully the rest of the bridal party is so welcoming. They all know each other for a bit but we've gotten along so well. 
This weekend we had the bachelorette party at Tamarack resort in Donnelly. Katelyn, the bride, tends to be late. It's known and always happens. We left Boise about 10pm and got to our destination (ish) about 1 am. The GPS took us to a literal dirt lot. Then Vrbo couldn't find the reservation (they did O not 0). After a call to the host, we could the cabin. It was super cute and perfect for our group. We all didn't go to bed until about 2 am. 

Woke up to some cute gifts from the bride and maid of honor. 

Katelyn's hat was amazing. 

The scenery was amazing. I would love to see it in the winter. 

We walked around the resort, then went to McCall and walked around there, got some food, then went to Cascade lake. We went into the water a little bit then sat in the sun. It was a beautiful day. 

That night we watched a chick flick and made bracelets. Then we played a game that was a lot of fun and ended up being a way to get to know them all so much better. We laughed so much. 

We got up, drove home and had brunch. We were all tired but all had a good time. Now about 20 days until the big day! It's been such a different experience but one I am so blessed to be apart of. I am beyond excited for Katelyn and her new journey. 

What did Brad do while I was gone you ask....?

All the boys were the only ones home for dinner Saturday, so they did a burger eating competition. They told Brad how many McChickens and Cheeseburgers they could eat. Only one succeeded, if that's what you want to say, They are all over McDonald's for a while.

Beck did 8/8, Cam did 4.5/5, Jacks did 3.5/4 and Brad did 3.5/4

Second Drive

 

It took a bit but Jacks has driven to church a few times. I feel bad, with training I've been working about 100 hours every 2 weeks and each weekend I have something, so any downtime, I don't want to go anywhere. He's doing well, taking turns a little fast, but he's learning still. I do feel more nervous with him, but it's been about 10 years since the first, so maybe I'm just old. 

Some News

The other night Cam and Cailey came to us and told us they just found out their tuition and housing went up each by $1800 a semester. They also lost a scholarship that was only for their first two years, so paying for college seemed to be out of reach. They went through a lot of ideas and choices, from taking out loans, taking a gap year, going online. In the end they decided to stay here, get more work time jobs and do online. They have to stay full time, so a few of the classes may not be super helpful but they will take the year to save up more. This will add a semester to graduation (so 2 years left vs 1.5) but it will be worth it to not take loans out when they don't need to. 

They spent the weekend making the loft more long term livable for them. 

AJR Take 3

 Friday Cam, Cailey and I went to see AJR in Nampa. It was outside so it was super hot, but it was still a lot of fun. Cam loves to dance around; Camden and I are a little more stiff, but we all had fun. 

Wedding Season

Typically I don't do much in wedding season but this year I have two. Cam and Cailey got married, and that was the best. In August my friend and coworker is getting married too and I'm a bridesmaid. It's been fun getting together with the other girls and seeing all the things as Katelyn prepares for the wedding. I went to one bridal shower a few weekends ago. 

I really shouldn't have stood so far forward. 

This weekend we did a shower at my house with our team. It was book themed and it was for Katelyn and Cami, another coworker who is getting married too. It was fun to have all those who could make it. 

Next is the Bachelorette party weekend, were going to  Donelly next weekend for a couple days. 

The Last to Drive

 

  Just before we left for Twin Jackson went and picked up his permit. He now can drive with almost everyone in the family. When Emery is 18 in September, he can drive with her too. He has only driven once, maybe twice. I am at work training and when I get home I'm beat, so we really haven't gone many places for him to drive. Soon enough he'll really be off. 

The 4th Weekend

 We had a good but busy 4th of July weekend. We went to Twin Friday night. The 4th is Grandma Barnes' birthday and this year was her 80th. A lot of the family got together to celebrate. Each of the kids had a table and a decade and decorated their table to match. Everyone did a good job and it was fun to see all the things. 

This was ours and we had the 90's. It was a fun way to decorate. 

After lunch we drove home. Cam, Cailey, Jackson and Jarom walked to the park and watched fireworks. I really am not a fan of them, so I was good sitting at home keeping the dogs safe. 

They are not fans either. They were more than happy to run into our room and be with us. They had stages of being scared vs finally being okay. 

All in all it was a good holiday weekend.