Leo's Snake and a Competition

DeA let Leo out one night right before bed so that he could do his thing before turning in. He immediately made a weird growl, and ran back into the house before turning around and acting tough. Right by the front door was a three-foot rattlesnake all curled up and hissing.

I asked DeA to grab a flashlight, Rock to grab a box of shells, and Ryker to grab a shovel from Hampa's. All three essentially looked at me and asked why. Rock helped me bury what was left of the head before Leo could find it. He put the body in a ziploc and into the fridge so that he could skin it later. DeA and Jens just love opening the freezer and seeing a snake carcass. 

DeA and the kids met me after work on Thursday to drive to Spokane for my competition. We spent the first night getting out their wiggles at the trampoline park nearby. It was very trampoliney.

They definitely knew their market by supplying massage chairs.

After only watching my family eat delicious food at Doxie's and Cafe Rio on Thursday, I was able to eat after my weigh in Friday morning. A crappy hotel breakfast never tasted so good.

We spent most of the day chilling by the pool, shopping with Derek and waiting for Hampa and Nama and Papa Dave and Mama Zista to arrive.

Derek and I got to the competition around 8am on Saturday. It was fun and exhausting with some rookie mistakes mixed in.

Derek was a huge help, except when he kept trying to get me to YOLO more weight than I had ever lifted, but I guess even that didn't kill me.

Pro tip: New smelling salts are stronger than you think and you should not aggressively inhale them like you did with the old salts at Sam's garage gym.

I won my age and weight class, but pretty much only because I was the only competitor in my division. This is basically a participation medal!

We spent the afternoon showing the Judds around North Idaho. We went to Capone's (that was on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives) and tried to show Dave the floating green.

We walked around CDA for a bit and enjoyed the cookies and ice cream shops.

Derek the Viking finally found a helmet to complete his fierce viking look.

Mama Zista loves "wish flowers".

We all loved the mini vacation with both sets of grandparents and Derek.

A Dog's Birthday and a Wedding

Leo and I were hanging out during second hour at church and he was hungry. Lucky for him, I happened to have an MRE tortilla and peanut butter in the truck. He crushed them.

The kids love to celebrate Leo's birthday. He doesn't get it at all, but he does like the attention.

Javi continues to eat weird combinations, like bananas and jam with lasagna.

Saul got married on what felt like the hottest and most humid day of the year. The food was great, after DeA and the kids helped me fetch it from Chelan for Chayo

Did I mention how hot it was? Baby Luca was melting.

DeA and I snuck away a little early to have an anniversary date at the Manson Carnival. Very romantic to watch a little girl barf up elote chunks into the garbage can right next to the lemonade stand.

Joshelina's Reception

The reception was going to be "chill" and easy. I guess the reception itself was chill, but the day of was filled with ice cream machine nonsense, picture issues, decoration stuff, and a kid that asked what to do if the battery of the ebike died and had a hard time understanding that his legs would still work in that situation.

Mom built them a beautiful cake.

So happy, so cute.

Luca didn't care about all the lovey dovey crap, he wanted some of that cake.

The next day was much more chill, with a sunset walk with DeA, Ryker, and Leo puppy.

She used to like being in pictures with me, I guess those days are gone.

Jens seemed to feel the need for a vacation, so she created her own hotel in our house.

Her hotel room was the guest room.

Treat yo' self!

 

Jens' Softball Camp

Summer can definitely wear a kid out. Leo doesn't fight the tired, but Rock does.

Jens had a softball camp. She was a little nervous the first day, but every day after she was super excited to show off her skillz.

She got to pitch and hit and field and meet new girls.

Her last night of camp was a scrimmage that featured Spiderman.

She made solid contact every at bat and even hit a little-league home run!

We celebrated with a trip to La Brisa

A nice calming campfire at sunset was a nice way to end a busy week

 

Dioshua Wedding

I worked a full and busy Wednesday, then DeA met me and we started driving to Ogden, via Rexburg, to attend Dioci and Josh's wedding. DeA was a little emotional and started crying early and often.

We all met in Odgen the night before the wedding and had a fancy dinner with his parents and some of their friends.

There was a little drama the morning of, but it was nothing that some parking lot papusas and shady Mexican market pastries couldn't fix. Doc was the opposite of bridezilla, to the point that it made DeA a little nervous.

The sealing was special and it was a wonderful experience. 

Dioci was a little overwhelmed after the sealing and likely worn out emotionally. She chilled with DeA and I while Josh (who was also likely overwhelmed) tried to remember where the car was parked. Doc found more comfort with Mexican pastries.

We drove the almost three hours up to Rexburg for the reception. It was obviously planned by college students, which was exactly how I like my receptions. 

And just like they they were off to their new life and a very weird African themed honeymoon suite.

 

Summer Fun

Summer was late to arrive, but it finally got here by mid July. DeA loves it, because she can throw Leo in the water for a bath.

Luca doesn't always cuddle, but when he does...

It gets cute.