Wild Wild West

AH!  I love Idaho!  I miss Dominica too, but I love Idaho.  Here are a few more things we've done since we've been home.

We went with my sister Whitney and her husband Tobin up to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to hang out for a little bit and go to the Bar J Wranglers.  We had an amazing meal of ribs, baked beans, applesauce, a biscuit, baked potato, and spice cake.  (Still one of my favorites!)  After wards, the Wranglers came out and sang and performed, and they did a pretty good job too!

One of the antler arches in Jackson

Whitney and Tobin-aren't they pretty?

Everyone had a different reaction to the bear..... even Whitney who wouldn't touch it.

The Bar J Wranglers

A sweet old lady in line told me that she didn't think my hat would hold up on the trail.  I wanted to tell her probably not, but the ones that would, didn't come in pink.  :)

Over Labor Day weekend, we went camping with Keith's parents to Island Park.  They weather was beautiful and we had such a great time.   

Bill and Katherine, enjoying the beautiful weather.

We took bikes and went on a fun little ride.  

Our campsite was right by Island Park Reservoir, it was beautiful!

Keith reread (for the ump-teenth time) the abridged version of The Count of Monte Cristo in one weekend, it's only 500+ pages in the smallest font you've ever seen.  

It's amazing how 2 places can be so different but both so beautiful!

Home Sweet Home!

Wow, I have a lot to catch up on but here is some stuff that we did our first week home.  My oldest brother Brandon was home for a week when we first got back (we missed you Becky!) and Keith's younger brother Jason was home for 2 weeks from Iraq.  It was great to spend some time with our brothers (and of course, the rest of our family).

My sister Whitney and I (and stitch) at a BBQ/lawn party they had the night we got home.

Our new sweet niece Mackenzie.

My youngest cousin Morgann and I in the sunflower patch. We went and spent one morning working with my Grandma and Grandpa Cornwall in their orchard and nice big garden, Morgann provided much entertainment.

Me, Grandma, and Brandon

Whitney and Morgann--Bruce had to get in on the action too.

I can't get over the sunflower covered  mountains!  Idaho, I've missed you!!!!

Brandon, under a tree in the orchard, taking a break.

Keith at my Grandma and Grandpa Cornwall's house, by the corner of the garden.

After a hard morning of work, we went and played at Lava Swimming Pool.  We played water basketball and although it was fun, it was also a free-for-all.  About anything went, so it was tiring!

Tobin, Whitney, and Keith

This picture took A LOT of tries to get.

Tobin

Tobin and Whitney's "lover's leap" off the diving boards

Brandon jumping off of the 3rd platform!!!

Brandon

Us, about as goofy as we could possibly look.  I was trying to make a fish face and I'm not sure about Keith.

BBQ at Mom and Dad Mennears after a full day of working and then playing.  

We love being HOME!!!!!

One Last One

One last Dominica post..... I think.  Here are a ton of pictures from out last weekend on the island.  It was such a fun weekend, thank you everyone!  On Friday night the Ross Spouses Organization had a farewell dinner for the spouses that are leaving.  There was yummy food and great company, thanks RSO!  Saturday, Keith and I rented a car and drove down to Roseau and Champagne Bay one last time.  The snorkeling was awesome!  And Sunday was spent with our dear friends who really have become our Dominican Family.

Lillian and I at the RSO dinner.  She's a lot of fun and her daughters are some of the cutest girls ever.

Me, Natalynn, Liz, and sleeping Emmy.

Some of the girls from the branch.  This group was SO fun this semester!

Meet one of my favorite people in Dominica. I don't even know the people who run the "Mr. Whippy" truck, but I love them.  We lived above a grocery store for a semester and Mr. Whippy would always park outside it with his music playing.  I would go down and stand in line with the children and pay my $2.50 EC and enjoy an ice cream cone.   We ran into him in Roseau when we were headed home.

"SLOW  Mind that child!"  --Classic Dominica.

Us at Champagne Bay, my favorite spot for snorkeling.  Bubbles come up from the bottom and it looks like you are swimming in a glass of champagne, hence the name.

Keith with his Mr. Whippy.  It was delicious!

Owen and Keith outside Owens house.  We were able to give him a ride home and check out his house after church.  Owen is a local member of our church who is ROCK solid and preparing to go to the temple.  We are very excited for him!

The Portsmouth Dominica Branch Primary (minus a few kids).  

Natalynn, Sister & Elder Bruner and myself.  The Bruners have done so much good in Dominica and we will miss them very much!

Us with our good friends Paul and Natalynn Hepworth.

We had one last dinner at the Roys with all of our friends the night before we left.  Thank you everyone for coming, it meant a lot to us!  All of girls except for Liz, Kristi, and Jessie coincidentally wore pink.  

Me and the Roy kids.  LOVE these kids to pieces!

Marissa, Keith, Ben and our friend David.

Thank you everyone for making out last weekend so enjoyable!  We miss you like crazy and think of you often!  :)

Toucari Bay

Since I took an on-line class this summer (3 credits in 3 weeks=intense)  and then I started work, I wasn't able to go on the Thursday activities that Jacquelle always plans, for almost the whole semester.  FINALLY, I was able to go, my last Thursday on the island.  We went to Toucari Bay and it was such a fun trip.  Relaxing and really enjoyable.  We hung out, snorkeled, saw an octopus, played with a starfish, and ate lunch on the beach.  

Star Fish--it was so cool to hold and to feel it move across your hand!

Here's a little video clip of some of our fun with the star fish.  Our friend Liz is holding him and then then passes him off to Marissa, who is Jacquelle oldest daughter. 

Little Hermit Crab--provided a bit of entertainment as well

Little Emily Roy wanted to take a picture, so I let her use my camera.  This is the picture she took, I was impressed.  I'm centered and everything.

Picture of the Bay.

Thanks Jacquelle for always planning activities every Thursday, I'll miss all of the fun "play dates!"

A bite or two...

The past 2 days have been brutal. I am always so good about wearing bug spray but I was at someone's house last night and we were inside so I wasn't worried about bug spray-but I got EATEN alive. There was a swarm of mosquitoes buzzing around me.... and they had a nice feast

I really don't want scares from these nasty things, so I'll do about anything to not itch them.

Even if I have to have pink-poka-dot legs with calamine lotion!!

Quite the fashion statement, huh?