Allan Butler Memorial Twilight Criterium

We had such a great weekend. Nate's parents came into town to watch Nate in the Allan Butler race downtown. We started the day by going over to the Museum to see the BODIES exhibit! So COOL!

The boys really enjoyed it as well. I thought they might be grossed out but they weren't at all.  It runs through the middle of September and is 1/3 the cost that it was in Salt Lake! That means....COME and see it...and stay with us! ☺

Later that afternoon the kids took to the streets for their races.

May I introduce you to the FIRST PLACE champion of the 4 and under division? Yep...Landon's little legs got the job done...and I don't think he even realized he won!

Then it was time for the older boys to race. Dallin finished right in the middle of the pack and Parker pretty much VANISHED during the race. I started to panic a little bit until he came around the corner dead last with 2 firefighters on bikes. His chain had come off 3 times during the race. He was absolutely heartbroken. Parker is SOOOOO competitive (wonder where he gets that?....Daddy, any ideas???) Poor guy...I told him we'd get him a new bigger bike so really, I think things turned out OK for him.

Luckily Grandma and Grandpa were there to soften the blow.

 Then it was time for Nate's first race. He raced in the Category 3 race first. Nate and his teamates were still warming up with the whistle blew for the race to start. Everyone was yelling..."GO GO GO...IT STARTED!" They had to HAUL to get caught up with everyone. Nate's coach still took first place from a break though!  Then Nate and a teammate set up another teammate for the final bunch sprint, which he won! It was so much fun to watch. And no one got hurt......honestly that is ALL I care about anymore. All I do is shake like a leaf the entire time Nate races because of what happened last year.

 I used to laugh at guys wearing spandex....now I look at my husband and think he is the hottest thing ever when he rocks his team kit! Teehee.

 Anyone else notice how incredibly SKINNY this husband of mine is? He is disappearing before my eyes!

Nate's SUPERFANS!!! I'm so glad so many people came out to cheer him on!

After the 40 minute race it was time for the PRO 1 2 race which is a 60 minute race. Poor Nate only lasted about 25 minutes before having to pull out. After already 40 minutes of racing previously his legs were toast. But hey.....he was racing with PROS! I'm so proud of him. He was disappointed but REALLY.....look at how far Nate has come over the past 3 years! He is my inspiration!

The Glorious 4th!

 We're home after an amazing long weekend in Boise! The 4th of July did not disappoint as usual. In typical Starnes style we crammed it all in over a few short days. Get ready....for picture overload time.

 I ♥♥♥ the 4th of July!!! And here is why!

Food:I made some delicious white chocolate strawberries and then dipped the tip in some blue sprinkles. I saw the idea in Family Fun and they turned out SUPER cute!

 We indulged in all sorts of delicious BBQ, yummy salads and delicious goodies over the holiday including 3 cakes! One for my brothers birthday, one for my birthday and of course we had the traditional flag cake!

 Here is everyone singing Happy Birthday to both James and I!  ☺

 Friends: We had such a blast getting together with our friends. We went over to the Haskells on Saturday night for a BBQ with the Langfords and the Koppings. Then we went swimming in the pool that WOULD have been right across the street from our old house. It was a little sad and a little surreal to be there but we still had lots of fun nonetheless.

Here is my (sniff sniff) house.....kind of felt a little stabbed in the heart when I would look over at it but hey....life goes on right? I like symbolism of the gate in the picture. Me on the other side of the fence looking in...haha. Hey, at least the people who bought it are taking care of it..as well they should since they bought it for a freaking STEAL of a deal! Nate just had to keep whispering in my ear..."It's ok hon...I'll buy you a better house...I promise."☺Ok...moving on.

Later on that night we met up with the Koppings again at around 11:00pm at a place that my brothers absolutely LOVE to go. It's a place I have heard a lot about but have never been. We were totally game for a little adventure so we headed out to State Street. We went to this DIVE called Merritts for some white trash 24 hour delicious SCONES! The place was so gross looking, some Hells Angels rolled in while we were there. Oh, we laughed. GREAT times. And REALLY great scones.

Another night we met up with the Haskells again after Nate's bike race for some Cheesecake Factory. We adore the Haskells. Once again...laughed so hard my cheeks ached! Nate and Chris were rocking the same hat that night. Biking brothers....that's what they are.

Family:My sweet baby nephew was blessed over the weekend. I couldn't get enough of that little guy. He is SO darling. I wanted to snatch him up and bring him home with me.  ☺

We also found some time to run over to the MK Nature center to see the huge 6 foot sturgeon (YIKES) and enjoy some wildlife.

Of course the only nature the boys really enjoyed was this:

Gotta love boys.

Fireworks:We enjoyed the fireworks including the almost $300 worth of illegal fireworks that my dad picked up over in Mt. Home. It was a very LOUD exciting night. Hehe.

Flat Water:Earlier on the 4th we headed over to our favorite (secret) lake. Lake Owyhee. Seriously....warm water, no crowds, no waves...it was INCREDIBLE. Shhhhh...don't tell all of the millions of people who when to Lucky Peak on the 4th. ☺

  Freedom/Fun: We decided to head back to Idaho Falls going a different way. I was getting so sick and tired of the same ol' drive so we decided to change things up a bit. We went through Fairfield and Arco. On the way we stopped at the National Monument Craters of the Moon. What a little boys dream! We had fun exploring a new part of Idaho that really isn't very far from our IF. The caves were incredible! We want to go back there ASAP!

Love the 4th, love the freedoms that I am blessed to enjoy, love my friends and family and I love making memories in a country that I am proud to be apart of.

"God Bless America....land that I love."

Perspective

We found out last night that some friends of ours during the law school days just suffered a horrible tragedy. Mark (the dad in this photo) passed away leaving behind a sweet wife and 5 beautiful children.

Usually I am bouncing off the walls excited as the 4th of July is just around the corner. Today though, I have been fervently counting my blessing...and constantly praying for this family. I'm so grateful for my testimony of the gospel and I that I know that family is forever. My heart breaks for Brooke and for her children. When things like this happen and they hit really close to home it puts life into perspective. I am rededicating myself to focus on the things that matter most...to not sweat the small stuff and to live each day to the fullest. You just never know...... 

I'm still looking forward to our long holiday weekend with family and friends but I know without a doubt  I will be holding them a little closer. I hope that all of my family and friends who enjoy reading my little old blog will do the same.

Happy 4th of July.