July - Sun Valley

Summer in Sun Valley for the second year in a row! We love Sun Valley and it was so fun to experience it with Briggen being a little older. Last year, he was just 5 months old. It was a little tricky working around all of his feedings and naps, while still keeping up with the rest of the family. This year, he was walking, swimming, and joining in on the fun with everyone else! 

Just like last year, we were in town during the 4th of July. Last year we attended the rodeo on the fourth, and this year we planned to hit up the town's firework show. But then we learned that the show didn't start until 10pm!! With so many little ones, it wasn't realistic timing. So celebrated during the day instead, with a trip to the pool, shopping at Gold Mine, and dinner out. The kids went to bed and the adults stayed up to play games. 

our darling 4th of July baby

hanging with dad 

hanging with mom (asleep, of course)

cleaned up and ready for dinner

Other activities included lots of parks, hikes, bike rides, playtime with cousins, naps, movies, and games! 

Briggen was VERY reluctant at the splash pad . . . it took awhile before he was willing to jump in!

beautiful sunset hike in the backyard of the Sun Valley house

Briggen's first time riding on a bike!

unsupervised playtime with cousins . . . 

. . . supervised/contained playtime with cousins

lots of naps 

and chill time watching movies!

The crowning event was ATVs in the mountains! This was the best, but craziest, part of the trip! We rented an ATV that holds four people and towed it behind the Shovel & Thumb truck up into the mountains. Initially we parked in a beautiful spot right by the river. However, we immediately realized that was a big mistake. As soon as we opened the car door, SWARMS of mosquitoes surrounded us. I have never seen so many mosquitoes in my life!! So we parked farther from the river, which was a little better, but there was still no escape! The sun was beating down, we had a 1 year old and 3 month old (Lucy), and we were trying to ward of the bugs. Oh, and we had 4 dogs in tow :) Luckily, we had bug spray and we were able to set up a tarp for some shade. Waiting for a turn on the ATV was misery, but it was worth it for the time spent racing through the mountains! I have never ridden in one, and it was so much fun (and a little scary!) At the time, the mosquitoes were really no fun . . . but looking back, it's something that we all laugh about. 

Emily and I trying to hold down the fort and keep children happy. You can see Luna was invited to hang with us under the tarp because she was actually snatching the mosquitoes out of the air!

The men were ready to rock it!

Even Briggen took a little spin at the end! 

 Until next year, Sun Valley! We will miss you!