OUCH!

Oral Surgery day for this brave girl! She was nervous about waking up during the surgery but the doc has reassured her that he will keep her comfortable and sleepy during the whole procedure. She had had two canines exposed and then the doctor attached a chain to those teeth which will then be attached to her braces band to slowly pull up the two canines that are flopped over. Good times ahead!
 

 This procedure was actually done on her lower jaw but this is the main idea.  The oral surgeon cut open her gums all along her bottom jaw and then glued a bracket and gold chain on the canine and then stitched her up.  Over the next several months the chain will be shortened and by applying the pressure on the impacted canine it will help it erupt.

Alysee has been in a lot of pain but has been really brave! 

While the boys are camping at Sheep Lake we plan on spending the whole weekend watching the five disk series of "Anne of Green Gables" and eating ice cream, mashed potatoes, and pudding!

Daddy's Gone...let's go camping

I'm positive that I have never thought, "Hum...I think while Birch is at ABH with his brothers it would be fun to take the kids camping by myself."  BUT...this year our ward campout fell on the same weekend that Birch was going to be gone.  It's been seven years or so since we have actually been in town for the church campout and so I was determined to make it happen.  If it wasn't for the option of renting a cabin I wouldn't have even considered it. 

I'm still going to plead SUPERHERO MOM for the weekend just because I still think I am cool that I loaded up the kids in the pouring rain and headed to the dark forest without our Daddy.  We dined on microwave Hawaiian Rice Bowls from Costco.  We all had a fabulous time and the rain let up for most of the time.  The cabin was warm and cozy and we all slept fabulously.  We had a great "fireside" around the fireless firepit (due to the burn ban) and the kids loved running around with their friends.  It sure was awesome to have the young men prepare a delicious breakfast for us all in the morning.

Daddy had the good camera on his ABH trip so we resorted to documenting our campout with Alex's iTouch. 

ABH 2013 - Seven Devils

Special Guest Post from Birch

September 5-7.  Another great ABH this year...near Riggins, ID.  Vaughn planned a sweet trip in the Seven Devils Wilderness near Hells Canyon.  24 miles over three days with spectacular views.

Brent, Logan, Kelly and I met in Lewiston, ID, then drove to Riggins early Thursday morning. 

The first day was wet!  We had expected rain, so were prepared.  I wasn't prepared for this, however.  My boots bit the dust.  The entire sole came off of both boots!  They served me well for 17 years over many miles and mountains.  We gave them a proper burial.  Gratefully, Kelly gave me his Keene sandals for the rest of the trip.  Thanks Kel!

Four of the Seven Devils in the background

A sweet night at the lake...after a big rain.

Gettin' creative with the flashlights!

Friday morning we summited He Devil, the highest peak of the Seven Devils (elev 9,400').

Kelly on the way to He Devil summit.

Sweet views from the top of He Devil.  The lake between my legs is Gem Lake, where we camped the night before.

He Devil behind us.  We can't resist the acrobatics!

Logan and Julia made these hankies for all of us.  A useful and appreciated accoutrement.

On Friday afternoon we hooked up with Vaughn and Andrew, who drove up from Boise.  It was great to have them join us!

A little meditation at high altitude is good for the soul.

Saturday morning we watched the sun rise from a lookout at Dry Diggins, overlooking Hells Canyon and the Snake River.  Pretty spectacular.

He Devil (on right) from the Dry Diggins lookout.

Sunset over a mountain lake.  These quiet and spectacular moments cause me to feel gratitude for our Creator.

Nothing like instant oatmeal in the morning.  Peaches and Cream, baby!

Hells Canyon in the background.

As is our custom, we sang a few hymns at the top of the lookout.

We had a hot fire going before we jumped into the lake.

That was some cold water!

Kelly and I had these shirts made to remember the great event.

On the way home!  A long and arduous climb back to the car (down the valley and then up the other side of the peak behind me).

Celebrating the end of the trail!

I feel so much love and admiration for my brothers.  They are all successful, faithful, fun and committed men.  I love spending time with them.  Ryan, you better not miss another ABH!

No wilderness adventure is complete without a hearty and greasy burger at the end!  Summervilles Cafe in Riggins did not disappoint!  Long Live ABH!!

Climbing High

With all the craziness of the summer we never made it rock climbing as a family.  Although, it is a little trek from our house we all love climbing at The Feathers.  The Feathers has several routes that are more family friendly (a.k.a. easy) and also have some area around to play when it is not your turn.  Everyone really did awesome!  We had two ropes going at all times and the kids would have certainly loved a third route to lessen the wait.

 Tyler

Nate reminds me of a gecko -- he just scampers up the wall face with no fears.

Birch did the lead climbing on one route.

Alex didn't get to climb as much as he would have liked because of his needed help in belaying.

Coop

Chloe was incredible this year!

Chloe climbed the rock like it was nobody's business.

Then she got to the top and looked down.  Uh-oh, Chloe looks down and it is all over.  She freezes and we couldn't talk her back down for anything.

Birch ended up coming up over the top face of the route and hooked into the rope with her while I belayed them both down.  That was the end of Chloe's climbing for the day.

Nate coming down.

A cool shot of both Birch and I belaying the kids.

Alysee is on the left and Alex is climbing on the right face.

Alysee was awesome as well!

Coop

 

I'm not sure what it is about rock climbing that seems to bring on the need to poop with several of the kids.  We got smart and bought one of these...

 

Little sagebrush for your privacy is all one needs.

Tyler was super close to finishing his climbing merit badge.  He's had a fear of rappelling which has prohibited him from getting the merit badge.  Birch set up a route for him and really talked him through his mental issues.

BAM!  He did awesome and now loves rappelling.

I was super daring (or dumb) and let Tyler belay me.  This was also a requirement that he needed to complete to get the merit badge.

Go Alysee!

So thankful for the safety and fun we experienced as a family!