7/2-5 Coeur d'Alene, ID

These next two posts are a little disorganized.  I wasn't sure how to order the pictures I took on my phone and my other camera, so I decided to split them into two posts rather than chronologically.  I'll proceed with the camera pics.  We left Flathead Lake in an RV (literally, Rod and Valene....LOL....) caravan.  We were all headed west to Coeur d'Alene to spend the 4th of July holiday with Thad and Kelly.  It reminded me of almost two years ago when we had just arrived home from China with Emalie and we were headed to Thad and Kelly's wedding.  We did a caravan that trip, too, the difference being we had stopped in Missoula along the way to do some shopping.  You know a little of this, a little of that, a new trailer.  Yeah, you know the deal!  Thankfully, we're all a little older and wiser this trip (did I just say I was thankful for being older?!).  We had a great few days on the river with Thad and Kelly.  They hosted a very fun party on the 4th.  See for yourself.....

I love these 'on the go' pics.  See mom and dad behind us coming around the corner?

Entering our 4th state of the vacation.

I'd never correlated a summer holiday party with a puzzle, but I love the idea. 

Selfie's gone wild.... looking one way.....

.....then the other way.  LOL......

Is she not the cutest, little Betty Crocker?!  Whatever Kelly fixes up is always such a treat!

Look at that lawn chair symmetry.  Oh yeah, and the beautiful river in the background.  HA!

I think the puppies enjoyed having the kids around.

I know the kids enjoyed the puppies!

Soon she'll be out there swimming around, too, I'm sure.

The BBQ on the 4th was so tasty!!

Kelly's friend has an adopted daughter from China.  Can you believe these two special girls are from the same area in China and that we all stayed in Wuhan during the adoption process?  It's a small, small world!

We have complete driveway envy.  Thad and Kelly's driveway can accommodate  TWO RV's and half a dozen more cars.  It's insanely wonderful, long AND flat.  ENVY, I tell you!  And I'm not even going to get into the envy for the beautiful, flowing river they have running through their backyard!  I'm so glad they let us turn their property into a campground every so often!!

Emalie loved playing football with the boys.  They were so good with her, too!

Fun family photo. 

As darkness came, Thad started up the fire.  So cozy and relaxing to sit around and watch the boats go up and down the river. 

Emalie (hmm...mmm.... I mean Spiderman) and Grandma.

Spending the 4th of July on the river was amazing.  I won't bore you with my incredibly bad attempts at fireworks phone photography, but let me tell you the experience was phenomenal.  We all stood out on the dock and watch the sky light up around us.  We were like bobble-heads turning first one way then the next trying to take them all in.  Pretty awesome.  The only one who didn't completely love it was Emalie.  She was a little scared and VERY cuddly throughout it all.  I'm not complaining-- she won't want to cuddle like that too much longer!

Thanks, Thad and Kelly, for a fantastic stay at your place.  It's always a "Food, Folks and Fun" experience when we visit.  Thank you for everything!!