Pioneer Day in Bancroft

Whenever I describe the town where I live now, I find myself using the word "sleepy." The once thriving little town turned into nearly nothing when the new highway was built back in the 80's that made it possible to bypass the town. When we first moved here, someone told us how Bancroft "comes alive" on July 24th, with thousands of people coming from all over. I yawned and said, 'Yeah, right." Well, it is true. It starts at 6:00 a.m. when a truck with a loudspeaker rides all through town announcing the events of the day and playing old-time western music. If you weren't awake by then, you are now! There's a breakfast, a 5-K run, a parade, crafts and food on the school lawn, talent show, dutch oven dinner, bingo, and a rodeo....supposedly the longest running rodeo in the state of Idaho. It's nothing compared to the Pioneer Day celebration in St Anthony, the town where we moved from, but it's what works here...and the natives love it. Guess I will, too.

Jack is fast learning the "pick-up-the-candy" trick at the parade

Val pulled the DUP float, after the nice lady first asked if he had a clawfoot bath tub she could borrow for the float...then asked if she could use our trailer to decorate for the float...then asked if he would pull it!

Faren Turns 30

Let's talk a little bit about Faren. Picture all four of my boys lined up. Then I start singing the old Sesame Street song, "One of these things is not like the others. Three of these things are kinda the same...." You would pick Faren. Case in point: Faren has a full head of hair, the others don't. Faren wears glasses, the others don't. The others are all in the boat business, Faren is an attorney. Faren did college, the others....... Well, you get my point. When Faren got home from his mission, I felt like that was the time that he and I bonded the most. I would be working at the boat shop and he would come and help me with whatever I was doing and we would talk and visit. He is always full of questions, and I love to answer them. I saw him become a rock star when we were in Poland and even though his Polish was a little rusty, he made sure we were safe and where we were supposed to be at all times. And I felt the love he had for those people and the country. He and I share a love of music. I love it when he plays the guitar and lets me try to harmonize with him. He has always been a hard worker, loving to go with his dad to work from the time he was little. When he got married, I told Avery, "I always thought that whoever married Faren was going to be so lucky!" It tickled my heart to see him become a dad. And a good one he is. He doesn't think he is, but believe me when I say so. He may not be the biggest in stature, but he's a giant in spirit. There's a special bond a mother feels with her sons. I'm so glad I have four of them. I can feel Faren's unconditional love and concern for me, and that means a lot. Happy Birthday, Faren. I love you!

Hurray for the Red, White, and Blue

I cried today in church during the closing song, "The Star Spangled Banner." A man had stood up in the meeting and mentioned how different things might be if we sang the third verse for awhile as the main verse instead of the first. The verse that says, "In God is our trust." It seems this country is forgetting that part of the song and that part of our beginning.

On a lighter note, we had a fun boating day on Alexander Reservoir on the 3rd. Max and his girls were here, Gary and Angie came down with their boat and brought 3 girls and Karen. Trevor and Alesha came over from American Falls. We took the pontoon boat out and used it for a dock, and had a barbecue right on the water. Fun day!

Max is just chillin'.


Val brought out an old water bed mattress to play on. Turned out that the thought was a little better than the action!

Val, Gary, me, and Jack. Whoa....I look like my mom in this picture!

Roy managed to catch a few perch. Jack, I'm sure this is just the first of many fishing "watch and learn" sessions with your grandpa!