Tegan’s Permit and A Trip to Boise, ID

As soon as we got back from Idaho I needed to go up to Boise for work.  We went Monday morning and got Tegan’s permit and then headed up to Boise.  I was trying to get Tegan to drive on the freeway up there but he wouldn’t.  He is such an amazing young man and it’s been fun watching him start to become a young adult.  We had the best time in Boise.  After my meetings at the hospital I took the boys to a fun center.  They had a blast driving the go-karts, playing arcades, riding rides, mini golfing and laser tag.  I love every chance I get to be with my boys and am so grateful for the memories we can make even when I am “working” ha ha 

 

Air Force Air Show 2022

 We came back from Idaho a day earlier than we planned on because we decided we wanted to go see the air show up on hill Air Force base.  It was such a HOT day, but it was so cool to see all the planes do tricks.  Crazy story though, the guy that drove this semi with jet engines on it (picture below) was driving in another air show a couple of weeks later and he rolled his truck and died.  I feel so sad for his family. . . This life is too short and precious!!!  

Idaho-Dirt Bike Ride to Germania

 One day while we were in Idaho we decided to take a family adventure and go on a big dirt bike ride to see if we could make it up to Germania.  We went up there earlier during our trip, but there was a lot of snow.  Since we stayed up there almost two weeks and it was getting warmer we were hopeful the snow was melted more and we could take the boys to see the log cabin up there and let them explore.  We got about half way up the trail and we came to a stop due to a large tree being over the road.  There were three other guys also on a dirt bike ride using their chainsaw to cut the tree.  We helped them remove the tree and we continued on until the next tree was on the trail and then they would cut the tree and we would move it. . . This continued on for quite sometime.  After we got through the fallen trees there was a pretty big flow of water we had to cross.  We sent Boden across first and the water just swallowed up his bike.  The three guys jumped in the water, picked up Boden and grabbed his bike.  Then the next boy went, it was the same story, Zac and those guys had to help save every boy and bike to make it across the water.  Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse there were massive snow drifts that we had to go through.  Keep in mind, I have only rode my bike less than 3 months (maybe a handful of days) so I was getting so tired and frustrated.  We got through the snow and then there was a huge rocky trail. . . It took us sometime to get up that and I crashed and hurt my leg pretty bad, but Zac just kept saying, we are so close we can’t give up now.  With a lot of patience and persistence we finally made it up to the cabins.  We are so grateful for the three guys that helped us all along the way.  On the way back to camp Boden ran out of gas.  The guys took some gas out of their bike to give to Boden.  We were so grateful they were with us.  The boys wanted to stop and get shakes after all that so we made a stop at the lodge for some shakes and fries.  We offered to buy those guys shakes but they refused.  Once we were done eating we headed back to camp.  Kyson got to camp first and Brandje was SO MAD at him.  Apparently they sent papa to come look for us because we were gone so long.  Once Kyson got back to camp Shawn went out to try to get papa.  Diana and Brandje were so nervous for all of us.  We told them we were going to be fine and not to worry but they didn’t listen ha ha Needless to say, papa and Shawn finally ended back up at camp and we were exhausted from our day long ride.  It was a fun family day though!!  

More Pictures of Idaho 2022

Boden had his first dirt bike crash.  He was so brave though and handled it like a champ.  Nothing stops this little dude!!  

 

Angels at the Dredge Ponds??

Fishing was good, the swimming was a little chilly :) 

I had a really cool experience while we were at the dredge ponds.  Diana let me borrow a book called “Angels In My Hair”.  The whole book is all about how the author can see angels and what she does with that talent throughout her life.  I have been feeling depressed lately and while I have been reading the book I have been reflecting back on when I used to go to lunch with my Grandpa.  The times I was with him brought me pure joy and what I would give to have that time with him.  

As I was sitting in a chair reading my book, I saw this old truck come up the dirt road.  The truck stopped just before I could see the drivers face, but he was an older gentleman and he was talking to the boys.  I could see he had on a thin flannel shirt just like the one my grandpa used to always wear.  He then proceeded to drive further up the road and he waved to me as he went by.  He had a bald head and glasses just like the ones my grandpa used to always wear.  I only saw his face for a split second because the truck was in the way of me seeing him.  After he drove by I asked the boys what he said.  They told me he said “hey you look more like swimmers than fisherman” (grandpa LOVED to tease my boys).  I got such a strong feeling and looked at Zac and said, what if that was grandpa because for the split second I saw him it looked just like him.  Even the boys said how much he looked just like grandpa Thomas.  I then got up from my chair to walk up the road because the truck had just gone by not too much longer and it wasn’t driving fast.  I walked away up the road and there was no truck to be found.  I am not sure if it was my grandpa or not, but I would like to think it was.  I miss him so much and I can’t really put into words the feelings I felt that day, but something told me that was him coming back to say hello.  I am so grateful for the friendship him and I shared.  I can’t wait to see him again one day, but until then I will cherish every minute I got to be with him on this Earth.  I love you grandpa. . . Love your heartbreaker

 

Tegan’s 15th Birthday

Tegan, I can’t believe you are already 15.  It’s been so fun watching you learn and grow.  We had a great day celebrating your birthday.  It wouldn’t be your birthday if it didn’t snow in Idaho. Ha ha Even though it was cold and wet outside you still wanted to go get shakes at the lodge so that is what we did.  We love you so much and are so grateful you are part of our family!!  

 

Idaho Trip 2022

 We finally made it up to Idaho.  On the way in to our campsite we saw our neighbors, the Venables, trailer.  We were wondering if we would get a chance to see them since they were up there on dirt bike rides.  Later that night they found us and came to hang out with us for awhile.  It was fun to see them and then the next day we all went on a dirt bike ride together before Cash and Josh had to leave to go meet up with Jill and the girls.  

The boys built an axe throwing target and when Cash and Kyson were playing, somehow Cash managed to stick in the handle instead of the blade.  That’s what I call talent ha ha 

Good old family airsoft wars 

Cornhole fun 

Izzy learned how to ride Beckems dirt bike and loved every minute of it 

Liz and Scott

We played a lot of whiffle ball 

Wore the puppy right out 

Spent a lot of time building forts. . . This one had an actual chimney and they started a fire in their hut to stay warm.  Can you tell we love to watch the TV show Alone and learn all about survival ha ha 

Red Fish Lake 

The whole Mason family was finally together 

All the Mason grandkids 

Treasure hunt with Aunt Brandje 

Defiantly worn out and pampered