Easter, Conference and Ritter Island

 A couple of birthday pictures.

 

 

Easter was a bust this year  ...

Ha! 'nuff said.

LDS Conference weekend was beautiful. The sun FINALLY decided to grace us with it's presence.
Barry and James woke up early and went to the store for a breakfast doughnut run. I think they must have been hungry, because they got a ton. Barry defends himself, and says the doughnuts were hot when they brought them out. Who can resist hot doughnuts?? :)
We drove out to Ritter Island on Saturday, listening to Conference on the radio. On the way to the island, we stopped at an ancient clay deposit. The kids filled their buckets to the brim. They are excited to see what they can make.






 

 

 

 

Emma and I sat in the car and ate lemon cookies. She was content, and I was content not to scramble up the hill. It was good. :)

 Ritter Island is a small island in the middle of the Snake River. It is surrounded by crystal clear water and several waterfalls.  We have tried to visit in the past, but it is hard to find (yes, we got lost, again!) and has very limited visiting hours. In the summer there is a dock and you can swim in the river and fish. James spotted some HUGE trout in the water. He is excited to go back and see if he can catch some.

 The Ritter's of Ritter Island use to run a Guernsey Dairy. It was interesting to go in and tour the very old milking parlor inside an old barn.

 There are paths all along the island for hikers and bird watchers.

I walked off by myself down the path a bit to find a bathroom, and I found some pretty falls. The water beneath very clear.

 Em spotting me, walking back from afar. She ran all the way to me. :D

 

 Lauren requested her picture taken beside this tree.

Lauren on the steps of the old Ritter Homestead.

Chucking rocks in the water.

 We packed a picnic lunch and stopped at our land on the way home to eat and play. I stepped in stinging nettle and got seriously sun-burnt ....but it was fun. We spotted several rabbits, and quail.
I caught a huge frog(bigger than my hand) and small one for the kids. Our creek was strangely very clear, I have never seen it like that. It also was low. James was able to catch six fish in our creek and the girls and I took off our shoes and rolled up our pants and waded in. The ice cold water felt nice on my sore feet. Emma splattered mud all over me, which she thought was pretty funny.

 

Conference weekend was a delight. I really enjoyed the talks, and was glad to hear from our Prophet, Apostles and church leaders.   I am so thankful for my knowledge of the gospel and that I can have my little family forever.