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Judah West:  My little explorer.
Hunter Elias: My little adventurer.

dear sandpoint, idaho ... i'll be back.

Originally, this post had a total of 50 pictures!  After paring down, there's still a whopping 17 photos to give you a taste of our family vacation 2014.

Sandpoint, Idaho was good to us.  Daily multiple dips in the lake, bike rides galore, sunsets that never disappointed, banana splits (with caramel & salt - yum!), beach time, nature-journaling, reading ... a true summer rest.  Our family had lots of quality time together and I felt like I relaxed more than I have for, well, years!

We are still in love with our trailer (it's a second home now!) and if we go back (which I am pretty sure is in the cards for next year one day), I hope to have a repeat of what these 2 weeks of camping were.

pic pix: Arsenault Family Vacation 2014, late July - early August 2014, Sandpoint, ID

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Judah West:  Did some modelling to show off Auntie Candaci's crocheting skills.  You definitely make that cute hat even cuter.

Hunter Elias:  Out at Auntie Shelley's land, you were caught between being so excited to be outside and being so frustrated that there was grass everywhere!  Either way, those cheeks and that face are too cute to handle (pouting and all).

family pics.

Last month before our vacation, my ever so talented friend, Sherah, took some photos of us down at the river.  It was a super hot day (for up here in Canada, at least!) and to dip our feet in the water was more than a refreshment.  For what she was able to capture of us in one hour, I cannot wait to frame.  Here are only a few of the treasured memories:

Sherah, you are simply amazing and have spoiled us with sharing your perspective.  Hoping to make this a yearly tradition.

pic pix: photos courtesy of Sherah, Jul.2014, Bebo Grove, FC Park AB

this tuesday / 04

As far as I was concerned, today was not a "Tuesday".  The boys slept until 8am, and we got out the door after breakfast for a walk down in Fish Creek Park.  When I say walk, I mean to say, "intentional crawl down the pathway"!  Judah and Hunter got to hang with their 4 buddies and 1 little lass, while, I got some Sarah-time with two of my faves.  After lunch, we headed home and I got to visit with another dear friend while the boys slept.  

I'm pretty sure I was over-the-topped blessed today ... especially for a tuesday!

pic pix: today, Aug.2014, Fish Creek Provincial Park, AB

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Judah West:  Already, at this age, we can see you have the potential for some life-long friendships.  You are a loyal friend.
Hunter Elias:  To see this bond with your brother already beginning makes my mama heart leap for joy!  You are such a source of joy.

back.

Oh, it feels so good to be home!  You know you've had a good vacation when you return home and are so happy to be there.  Idaho was more than spectacular for us (in so many different ways), but, like Dorothy once said, there's no place quite like home.

We came back to our house undergoing some serious landscaping ... which, I might add, is ALMOST done!  Yay(!) for a back yard again.  Once we are complete, I'll be posting some before pictures of this whole garage/backyard project.  But until then, I'll still be washing my floors every night to get rid of the mud and will still be looking through my dusty, dirty windows (as I have boycotted doing them until construction is done).  The end results of renovating are amazing and so satisfying, but during it...maybe not so much!

Coming back after an extended period away from "normal" life helps you realize how normal your life really isn't and how busy stuff tends to creep in until you make a drastic cut/break.  Weeks leading up to our departure, there were what-seemed-important-things and events that filled our days and thoughts.  Getting away with just Matt and the boys showed me how much more important spending time as a family and JUST as a family is.  Don't get me wrong, we aren't cutting out the socializing ... we are setting out to prioritize the family time we get to have over anything else.  Behaviours and little issues seem to fade when you are investing time into each others' days.

Time spent just reading about God's love for me, as I'm His child, was pretty mind blowing and was  exactly what my thirsty spirit required to be quenched with.  More thoughts on that to come, but overall, I feel "back" on track taking time to spend with Father daily.  Which was more than refreshing ... it was needed and I'm so thankful.

We set quite a few goals while we were away.  Some lofty, some needed, some practical and some to try.  All for the sake of improvement in our lives as we're hoping to get traction to get life goals back on track.  Exciting stuff to come(!!).

Glad to be here again - sharing about life and it's simple intricacies.  As for now ...  I'm going to go back to relaxing while these boys are napping!


pic pix: the beautiful forest floor, Aug.2014, Farragut State Park, Idaho

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Judah West:  We love watching you explore new things.  By the end of our camping trip, you were not afraid of the water one bit.  Here you are, "walking on the water".
Hunter Elias:  If you see something once, you know you can do it (just like your Papa in that way!).  It thrills us to see you 1) finding pleasure in the small things 2) having the confidence to just do it.

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Judah West: Always looking for a way to help ... you like being a big boy.
Hunter Elias: This week, you were my extra early riser.  This view made it all worth it.