Summer Lovin'

July has been a fantastic whirlwind of a month. We have been really busy, but together we have still had time to relax and enjoy our summer! Chad got home from Africa at the end of June and the following weekend was the 4th of July so we definitely had to hit up the Vale 4th of July Rodeo! Rachel went with us and we ended up seeing a lot of my friends from high school - mini Class of 2004 reunion! It is always so great to catch up with old friends - Annie is going to school to be a Physician's Assistant, Joy is an RN and engaged to be married early next year (in Hawaii), and Katy just had baby #2 (she looks damn good) and is moving to Thailand. Who would have thought we would all be where we are today?! Per usual, Chad and I didn't make it out of the beer garden... good thing we found a driver to get us home!
The next weekend we took our Friday and went for an impromptu Jeep ride in Red Betty to Twin Springs. Twin Springs is a campground in the Owyhees - basically in the middle of nowhere. It is beautiful though, and they have a natural spring with a pump - and a bathroom! Always a plus! We ended up taking the dutch oven and making a late lunch at the campgrounds. The weather was warm, sunny, and gorgeous.
The next week, we went to dinner with some Adrian friends - Jim & Trina to Stagecoach and they were right, the prawns are amazing. Apparently it is the oldest family owned and operated restaurant in Boise and it definitely has that old west vibe... steaks, whiskey, and prawns! Sorry, no photos - so unlike me!

When Chad returned from Africa, he gave me a Date Card for a special "I got to go to Africa so I am going to take you to a nice dinner" dinner. I decided we should try out Barbacoa in Boise and I am so glad we did. I swear I gained 10 pounds at dinner - it was so good I couldn't even think about dessert. They made fresh guacamole tableside (which was amazing), our drinks were fantastic (mine came in an ice glass), and our main dishes were to-die-for. My "hot rock" filet was served on a hot lava rock - you can see the sauce sizzling in the photo... the presentation was super fun!

As divine as the food was, the atmosphere was even better. The art and decor is so over-the-top and unique - not to mention, we sat on the patio and had a beautiful view of the sunset over the water. We'll be back! AND - Chad brought me a strand of pearls from South Africa - something I have been wanting for a long time and I love!
It's been hot, right? Pretty sure yesterday was triple digits! We have been staying cool by going to Owyhee Reservoir with friends the last three weekends. There is not much that beats jumping in the water on a hot summer day! Between the Cheatham, Hernandez, and Shartner families, we have been having too much fun! Chance and AJ joined us one afternoon and other friends drop by during the day to boat, tube, ski, and wakeboard. Too much fun and I am even learning to waterski!
August will be here before we know it and with that month comes more responsibility: fair, school, and onion harvest!