Playing Basketball

This last week we've spent a lot of time hanging out at the playground playing basketball.
Here comes Lauren and Aidan with their game faces on. It looks like they are ready to take MeDynn and me to the cleaners. They don't stand a chance...with MeDynn's nothing-but-net shots and my dunks (which about killed me-being old and all)...



But, because they are poor losers (joke), they have to go play their own game...

Way to protect the ball Aidan!! Lauren, great defense!

We've been playing "horse" and 1-on-1, while Aidan and Lauren do their own thing. I don't play that often anymore, so it has been fun picking up a ball again. In these pictures, we're playing on a 8 ft. rim...thought I'd clarify-10 ft. rim is regulation.

All right, MeDynn, don't you think it's about time you bought me that ice cream??? (That's trash talk by the way. I don't like trash talking because I always lose when I do.) We made a deal that the person who got beat in "horse" owed the other one ice cream...I'm up 3, but, at this rate we could be doing the best out of 20!! So, I better stop the trash talking now since we have a ways to go.

The music that goes a long with this post is a song that I remember my brothers and sisters listening to when I was really young. Besides the women singing, the only lyrics I knew were: "Basketball is my favorite sport. I like the way they dribble up and down the court." I've never forgotten those lyrics. Have any of you ever heard this song? (It gets rather annoying after a short time.)

Trapper Creek

Third trip to Oakley in a month and a half...why not? Jason has had business meetings in Twin Falls this week, so Lauren and I came along to Oakley.

We've been hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa H. all week. Today we (including Lauren's stuffed animal named Doggie) went up Trapper Creek to see if the choke cherries were ready to be picked, but we didn't quite make it because of a flat tire. It is always fun to make a trip up to the hills around Oakley. Before heading back home, we sat in the shade and had a picnic.

I don't think we'll make it to Oakley again for a while, so it has been a treat to come so often.

What a Thrill

We made another trip down to Oakley last week. It was the Pioneer Days Celebration. We go each year, but this year was different than most. We didn't have much of an opportunity to participate in the "festivities" like always. Strangely, I felt like I missed out because I didn't get to see friends that I had seen a year before, and I didn't get to watch the parade that lasts only ten minutes. However, we had our own exciting weekend! First, we had a firework show in the driveway. Spectacular, as always! Yes, there is some sarcasm in that statement.

And, we got to watch Oakley's one and only firework show! Each year we gather our chairs and walk down to the end of our road to watch the grand finale of the celebration...

Then, all Saturday we were over at the Air Magic Valley Air Show because my brother Todd was in it. He was there to participate in the showcase of the Air Force's aircraft, the F-16.

I had the chance to sit inside the F-16. It offers little space and millions of switches to choose from. It was really neat.

Lauren got her chance to sit in it too! She doesn't seem fazed at all.

It was a long, hot day over at the show, but we had plenty of food, water, and shade. We sat under the left wing of the F-16. We were really only there to see Todd and the Blue Angels.

Finally, the best part of the whole weekend was watching Todd fly over Oakley, hands down. He was able to fly over the Friday and Monday that we were there. He let us know beforehand, so we were able to get to our positions at the end of Oakley's airstrip and wait. Both days he came down acting like he was going to land and then would take off with the after burner on. One time he was just 20 feet above the ground and my head. It was so loud, and the most thrilling thing I have ever experienced in my life! I am always amazed and proud of Todd.

Yes, that is the Oakley airstrip. It consists of weeds and rocks. Would you want to land here?

A side note: Just recently, I read in a book that it was a big deal when the Oakley airstrip was constructed. Paul Harvey even talked about it on his radio show. So, it makes me wonder what it once looked like and how much it was actually used???

Good Times

We had a nice relaxing time in Oakley. My entire family was there for the week, except for one of my brothers. We spent much of the time out in the backyard where there were plenty of things to keep the children entertained.

There was the hammock... (Lauren and Addison)

(Lauren, Mitchell, Payton, and Addison)

The Skipbo games...

(Grandma and Mitchell)

And, the trampoline...
(Addison, Olivia, Larissa, Jared, Payton, and Dallin)

(Lauren)

The following pictures are of the day we left. It is always hard to leave Oakley after having a good time with family. Oakley is a quiet, peaceful place. I love going home. (Jason, Lauren, and Grandpa)
(Jason, Lauren, and I)

Twin Falls, Idaho Temple

My family and I got to go to the open house for the Twin Falls, Idaho Temple. By open house, I mean that everyone, whether a member or not, can go through the temple to see what it looks like inside. Then after the temple is dedicated, only members with a recommend are permitted inside. It was a great experience. The temple is beautiful. This is the closest temple to my hometown, so there was a special feeling.

We had Brother Robbins as our tour guide, who was accompanied by his wife. When they were introduced to us as the Robbins, I couldn't help but stare. I thought to myself, "I think he is related to the Robbins up in Pasco. In fact, if it's who I'm thinking of, we were introduced when he was up there visiting." Sure enough! The Robbins are amazing people. I think the world of them, and so, here we were in Twin Falls, Idaho, with Brother Robbins as my family's tour guide. It's funny how small the world really is.