Marcos hiking the M--like the Y in Provo, but a ton easier.
Grandma and Grandpa were so fun. They were excited to show their new house which was simple and beautiful. Grandma had a fun day planned for us at Bear World. It was well worth the money when big brown and black bears started walking right outside the car window plus we had a bonus show of wrestling/mating bears. The kids especially liked the petting zoo and the tiny new fawns, goats, and bears.
Grandma and Grandpa watched the kids for us while we enjoyed a session at the Idaho Falls temple. It was beautiful, especially thining about it being the place where my parents were married. The next day we had the distinct pleasure of meeting Aunt LaRue and Uncle Ted. They live in a veritable museum; tool collections, doll collection, jewelry collections etc etc. There was something to look at in every corner and on every surface. LaRue and Ted hosted a cousins BBQ where we busted out the jumprope and stuffed ourselves with Texas sheetcake and Grandma's best shrimp salad (pronounced "srimp" salad). After the BBQ it was off to the roller skating rink Starlite Skating owned by Ted and LaRue, where we skated for hours under the neon lights and disco ball. Debbie and Rand surprised us by coming up from Utah and the cousins made great memories in the rink, just like their parents had. 
I am fascinated with Betty, LaRue, and Erma. These three sisters grew up in a polygamist home in Salt Lake City where they learned to lie as a survival skill and were taught a warped view of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They married and lived hard during their twenties, thirties and forties. Now in their fifties and sixties they have firm testimonies, are honest and are sealed to their spouses with whom they attend the temple regularly. Besides a obsessive attachment to poodles, they are a ton of fun, have many talents and skills and incredible work ethics. They love and support each other. Their children are well adjusted and normal. There is a lesson in agency here that I haven't quite figured out, but it makes me intolerant of people, including myself, who use their upbringing as an excuse for pathetic behavior. I really love my parents in law and am more impressed with their strength every time I am with them.
It's been a busy week of robot camp and horse lessons for Wilson. Cooper spent a day golfing and all the kids have ventured into the pool despite the cool temperatures.
Thursday was super rainy so we threw the little kids in the rig and drove down to Orofino to Dworshak dam. It was a beauiful drive along the Salmon river and the kids had a great time at the vistors center. On the way home Max started screaming and writhing with a very swollen eardrum. He was unconsolable and we drove straight to the clinic where Daddy both amplified and alleviated the problem by giving him a shot in the butt. It was awful to watch him suffer and a good reminder of what a blessing it is to have a Daddy doctor.
Eliza had her ears pierced yesterday. Neither her mother, grandmother, or great grandmother ever did. I hope that Eliza will do many courageous things that her mom and grandmothers never did. She is awfully proud of the little blue flowers in her ears. She was especially happy to have her hero Callie along.
Friday night we had a BBQ for Father's day. Tony was on call, so he missed all the fun. The best part was the house full of babies: Kolby, Charlie and now Emelia J. The cousins had a great time riding bikes, roller blading, jumping on the trampoline and playing soccer. Uncle Cam, Dustin and Jeff summerized our boat so we are all ready for the summer--we want all boats ready for cousin ski camp.
Summer is feeling good.
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