The Finer Things Club

This weekend I had my own version of "The Finer Things Club" established by Pam, Toby and Oscar on "The Office."  First, and most importantly, I finished "Angela's Ashes," which has been on my book list since, oh, let's say 1997.  I've been busy.  For the past 15 years...

I made my Grandma's Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies.  Definitely one of the finer things in life.

I reached my summer goal (yay me!!!) of trying the ice cream at Mrs. Cavanaugh's.  I love that that they have this ginormous, totally 80's picture of Mrs. C. still prominently displayed in the store.  Almost as much as I love their mindy mint ice cream.  And I will be going back for caramel pralines and cream in the immediate future.

I saw "The Butler."  Because if Oprah is in a movie about a black man who worked as a butler at the White House from Eisenhowerer through the Reagan administration, you feel compelled to see it. 

Summer Catch Up Post

There are a couple of things I have neglected to blog about enough this summer. 

#1.  My nieces are unusually beautiful. 

#2:  Back in June, we had a Thomas Family Reunion in Utah. 

My Dad and his siblings (Clark, Richard and Lynette, Karen and Bob, Shirlyn, Garf, Renee and Mike).

Our fam, minus Biz, who had a big, fat, super lame kidney stone.

One day, we will have a family gathering that does not involve kidney stones.  One day.

The Group.

#3.  My nieces (NOT their aunt) are unusually beautiful.

I think that should do it.

Definitely Worth More Than a Thousand Words

Bear Lake

My family was able to spend a few days in Bear Lake at the beginning of this month.  Wow, it was fun.  We had enough time there to play at a couple of different beaches, see "Bandito Rides Again" at the Pickleville Playhouse, and sample raspberry shakes in original, raspberry lime, and chocolate raspberry.  All equally good and equally necessary.

Our drive up began with the only appropriate way for a trip to Bear Lake to begin - a stop at Maddox for fried chicken and rolls.  Maddox: for people who care about excellence.

Upon arrival, I found the view from our cabin's deck to be acceptable.  : )

The boys were pretty excited about the fire pit.  We made s'mores a couple of times and no one jumped head first into the fire.  So that's pretty good.

Morning hike.  The kids loved it and practically raced up the trail.  I had to stay behind from the hike (recovery from ruptured cysts and appendicitis is not a great time for hiking, I find) but luckily I got to watch Carly back at the cabin. 

 Grandpa & Co. enjoying The Reflection Point.

 Pretty classic shot there.

So in the cabin next to ours, a group of Young Women performed a great service by painting this shed.  This is the AFTER photo.  I strongly recommend their leaders plan a "paint mixing" lesson for the near future and certainly before any one of them tries any more painting.  We couldn't stop laughing at this.

 Beach Day on the North Beach!!!

 Yes, Jess really is that gorgeous on a day-to-day basis.

 Carly learning about mud.

 And loving it.

The boys in their boats with their squirt gun paddles.  Which were only to be used as paddles, and not sand squirters.  Do you want to guess how that turned out?

Boat Ride!!!  They were pretty excited to go in a fast, red boat.

Tyler and Bryce were excited about Carly's FIRST EVER BOAT RIDE.  Never mind that their first boat ride was about 10 minutes prior.  They were now experts and Carly was a first-timer.

 Does anyone else think those two look alike?

 Like, A LOT alike?

Lauren loved the boat.  It also put her right to sleep.  Tanner was the only one of the kids who didn't really appreciate the boat.  He sat still, for quite possibly the first time in his life, on Aunt Heather's lap and told her he was kind of scared. 

Outside the Bear Lake Pizza Company.

Love that smile.

We accomplished a long-time family goal of finishing off an Old Ephraim pizza.  We couldn't have done it without Tanner.  And if you think I'm joking, you've never seen the kid eat.

First Day

Bryce was pretty excited for his first day of Kindergarten. 

His first "real" day, not the 45 minute orientation meeting the day before with the parents.

He was mostly excited to follow in Tyler's footsteps (by the way, Tyler, WHO IS THAT GIRL???) and ride the bus.  Translation: he's officially big now.  Heaven help us.

Day Trip To Paris

My Grandma Thomas grew up in the small town of Paris, Idaho, which is near Bear Lake.  When I was a kid, I loved telling people I was going to Paris.  It's less funny to me now, probably because I'd really love to go to France.  (And a million other places.  Someday.)  But last week my Dad and I went up to see the Paris Tabernacle while we were waiting for Lauren and Carly - and their drivers, Tay and Heather - to arrive at Bear Lake.

We took an informal tour from a church service missionary.  I tried to make it very clear from the get-go that we had been to the Tabernacle many times before and my Dad added that his Grandma's funeral was held in the building and he said the closing prayer.  I think that helped with the length of the tour.  You can't be too careful with these church service missionaries!

The highlight was that the organ (an original to the building, circa 1928) was unlocked and our tour guide didn't stop me from opening it right up and sitting myself down.  I stumbled through "Redeemer of Israel" and "Sweet Hour of Prayer" before I decided to take pity on everyone and turn the organ off.  If I had known they would let me play the organ there, I would have practiced before my trip, I promise.  I also would have brought my organ shoes.

This picture is a throw-back to when we were little kids and felt the need to make up clever poses for photos.  We have several pictures of "the cousins" standing on the Tabernacle steps with our hands on our hips.  (Clever, like I said.)  Lucky for you, I didn't try to recreate the super short sunsuit I seem to be wearing in a lot of those photos.

This is my Great-Grandma and Grandpa Price's house in Paris.  (Note to future self: it's near First West and First North.)  When my Dad's family would drive up to visit his Grandparents there, his Grandma would always tell them to honk at Ovid so that she could have the ice cream and cookies out and ready.  I'm willing to bet they always honked.   

We also made a stop at the Cemetery.  I love small town cemeteries where two or three family names (Price and Grandy for example) make up most of the plots.  This is especially true in communities settled by polygamists.  I'm just saying...  It was a neat way to spend the morning.

Who Wore It Better?

You know those magazines you pick up to read on airplanes that have "Who Wore It Better" polls for celebrities who happen to be photographed wearing the same outfit?

I have no doubt that Carly would win any contest between she and I in pink fire hats.