How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck...

I know it's fall when it's time to gather wood for the inevitable winter season.  With kid and dog in tow we headed up to the Sawtooth mountains for some annual wood cutting.  Yes of course we brought our PERMIT!  It was a successfull mission and all were exhausted from our efforts after a long day.

Sleepy Lumberjack

too many sticks, not enough time

Indian Creek Fire

Lighting struck a mountain behind Zach's parents house this past weekend and fire ensued.  Within moments the fire was quickly rolling up and down a sagebrush covered hillside too close for my comfort.  Zach's dad, Nick, seemed oddly familiar with this event.  While watching a helicopter rush back and forth to the nearby pond for water, he took to his parked boat with dogs, Ocho & Gus, to watch.  He didn't seem nervous about the event when Zach, Dax, and I showed up to the house amongst fire trucks.  Instead, he calmly greeted us as if this event only seemed slightly threatening.  If it were my house I would have packed the car at this point with anything not bolted to the floor!

But as Nick was quoted in the local paper the fire & rescue services "...were right on it."Within hours we spotted an airplane bomber overhead that pummeled the fire with retardant as it was rushing over the ridge.  Eventually the fire began to calm.  Fire fighters continued to battle the blaze for the next day and a half on foot, putting out any embers that may be lurking.  All in all, it was an exciting event and happily the home owners in Indian Creek had no need to run for cover.  Zach's mom, Jean, was luckily out of town otherwise it may have been difficult for Nick to decide between rescuing his John Deer tractor or his wife :)

Photos by Zach.

Kickin Back

A boy and his dog :)

Buddies

Zach, Dax, Lucy, and Briggs.

Twins, Lucy & Briggs Stevenson, are 17 months old and nothing but F-U-N.  Dax is learning from the best how to eat gravel, roll in the grass, and toddle like a toddler.  Thank goodness for buddies!

Backyard Visitor

We had a visitor this morning at our back door.  I'm not sure who was more excited, Lucy or Zach!  My husband is on a mission to evacuate the little critter, quickly, and I can't help but sit back and chuckle as he goes into action.  Of course this is NO laughing matter!

Message from Zach to his Uncle Tony this morning:

Title: porcupine in my backyard...

Message: 

Up my pine tree, how am i going to get him out:

1. shoot him
2. trap him
3. wait for him to leave
4. take a broom and shoo him into a trash can as Idaho Fish and Game suggested
5. other
Which do you think is the best pick, 1 through 5?

zach.

My letter to the porcupine.

Message:

Mr. Porcupine,

Take it easy on my husband.  He get's a little excited when critters enter our backyard.  Keep in mind, one too many skunks have sprayed our dog.  I'm sure you were lost this morning and disappointed you ended up in a fenced yard with no food.  I can imagine you were waiting for a quiet moment when a flashlight wasn't shining or an angry voice wasn't shouting at you to make your exit.  You are admittedly a prickly creature to encounter.

I will let my husband seem relieved (even though disappointed) that you are gone and he won't be able to shoot you out of our tree.

Sincerely,

Entertained House Wife and Baby

Family Swim

We took the extra day off work to head to the pool and start some swim lessons.
Here are some highlights.

Practicing our surfers paddle.

First time under water.

Ta Da!

East Fork Annual Bike Trip

A crew of friends headed out for the annual bike trip at the East Fork of the Salmon River.  Zach did most of the riding while I pioneered camp with Dax and some other good buddies.  We were lucky to camp out where a perfect kid friendly "hot tub" from the hot springs was formed to relax and float in.

Bike Crew.

Ian headed down.

The bike shuttle. A.K.A. Travis's trailer.

"Hot Tub" with daddy.

Sleepy camper

Ian's trophy finds.

The kid crew.  From left Finn, Sadie, Dax, Charlie, Tucker, and Axle.  Missing Simon & Sawyer Morgan.

Good times with good friends :)

Yes, The Stanley Cup

...as in the National Hockey League's symbol of excellence, was visiting Ketchum over the weekend.  Long story...We managed to make sure someone had a front row seat.

4

4 Months Old... I can't believe it!  It is amazing how my love for Dax grows more and more everyday with every knew discovery he makes.

Some recent 4 month milestones:
Rolling over
Finding his feet- they are amazing!
Sleeping in his crib in his own room
Petting Lucy
He's been to Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California and Wyoming.  Yes, we drag him everywhere.
His new cousin, Liam, is 4 months younger, exactly
Possibly teething
Going to day care so mommy can go to work
Laughing uncontrollably (my favorite)!

4 Generations- Recently Dax's great-grandfather, Zach's grandfather, and Nick's dad, Ken, came to Hailey to visit.  We managed to get a photo of the 4 generations of Latham men.

Nick, Ken, Dax, and Zach

Zach was lucky enough to have the same photo opportunity when he was a baby with his great-grandfather when the Latham's house in Indian Creek was being built in 1979.

Nick, Ken, Zach, and Fred

Looking forward to 5 but I sure have loved the 4's :)

Liam Robert LaDuke

Welcome to the world!

We are so excited to meet you and know that you will be surrounded with love always.  

Congratulations LaDukes!

Avery, Gigi, Calli, and Liam

Hope you like to ski because your cousin, Dax, is going to make sure you come visit Idaho :)