Why oh Why do we have JULY???

So, July....I absolutely love that we have holidays and camping and bbqs, etc.  But seriously, 100 degree weather is about to push me over the proverbial edge.  We spent 5 hours yesterday driving home from McCall....yes I really did say 5 hours.  The weather in McCall was wonderful, a nice breezy, but sunny 78 degrees.  Optimal temperature for a girl like me.  I could enjoy the mountain air while also enjoying the sun as it warmed me.  No such luck on the drive home, it was nice for about the first hour, then it became unrelentless in the heat and balminess that is the Idaho desert.  The cars were lined up for miles, which we had expected.  We were at a stand-still for about 3 of the five hours....THANK GOD FOR PORTABLE DVD PLAYERS!  I think that probably saved my sanity and also the sanity of my children.  The fourth hour of the drive was when sleepiness and heat exhaustion began to hit us all, so we stopped and took a nice dunk in the freezing river...AHHHHH 

But honestly, all complaining aside, we had a wonderful 4th of July weekend.  I took the girls up on Thursday and Sal met us up there on Friday.  We had had a pretty crazy week to begin with, as Phillip had turned 13 on Wednesday and had a nice little bbq party at Eagle Island.  After that evening though I was ready to head to my favorite retreat in the woods, Grandma's house.  I began to feel my energy change the minute we hit banks and I could see the river and smell the wonderful pine trees.  It is absolute bliss to me.  Sydney is also very appreciative of the sites and smells, she began asking me about every smell and every sound.  She loved the ride up and took some pictures.  She began to journal about the drive when we arrived in McCall.  Oh how they grow.  The girls and I enjoyed a nice evening and great day on Friday,we went to lunch at the historical Shore Lodge, where they have just recently opened up the patio for dining again.  We also stopped to get ice cream at the famous Ice Cream Alley. 

Saturday was spent in McCall at the beach, in the shops and just walking around enjoying ourselves.  We returned to the beach after dinner and enjoyed a nice fireworks show over the lake with about 6000 of our closest friends....  It was a fun experience, the girls will never forget watching fireworks and boat parades in McCall in 2009.  It is a good thing, because it is doubtful we will go again unless we can stay and drive home mid-week.  :)  Sadly, I had taken so many pictures the night of the 4th, but in my haste to get them on the computer, I somehow deleted the entire card.... therefore no pictures of the night.  Sal did take some wonderful pictures during the day and they are included here.