It seems I always find myself in mid-September with a pile of summer photos to go through, and this year is no different…therefore, ringing in Fall with Fourth of July fireworks! We spent a few days in Idaho in early July, summering our hearts out.
We rolled up to my mom and dad’s house on the afternoon of the Fourth, as they advised us that their neighborhood goes big for the holiday and the festivities were not to be missed.
Indeed, these folks don’t hold back!
While sky-high fireworks exploded around us in every direction, we opted to stick to fountains and sparklers, which are still pure magic for a seven year-old.
Our own grand finale:
While the show on the other side of the park was just getting started!
We were all up past our bedtimes on the Fourth and got a slower start the next morning – Juliette and Grandpa played games while I had a second cup of coffee.
And then Shane, Jules and I piled back into the car and headed to Sand Point for a day of lake play. These freckles! I love them so much.
Pend Oreille is a lake-lover’s dream, with sandy shores, crystal waters and plenty of space to float to your heart’s content.
This girl is such a water-bug and could have spent all day in the lake. Actually, she did spend all day in the lake. Shane and I each needed frequent shade-breaks, but Juliette always opted for another layer of sunscreen and another cool dip.
Ah, that belly…I love having Isaac in my arms, but he was much easier to tote around a couple of months ago.
We took a brief lake-break to grab burgers and non-alcoholic beers from MickDuff’s.
And then, after dinner, back at it…
Juliette asked me to jump off the dock with her, but there was no way I was hoisting myself up onto that thing at seven months pregnant, so she summoned the courage to make the leap by herself.
And then found a few friends to jump with her. Several times.
Several, several times.
The very best kinds of days are rounded out with ice cream and a lakefront stroll. Mission accomplished.
We stayed in Sand Point that night and then were up early to take a 7:00 am dip in the hotel pool (she’s insatiable!) before heading to Silverwood for a day at Coeur d’Alene’s famous water park (seriously insatiable). Juliette had a hard time containing her excitement as we waited for the gates to open.
We dropped our towels on a couple of beach chairs and were floating down the Lazy River within seconds of the park’s opening. This is THE LIFE, huh, Jules?
I wasn’t able to go on any of the big waterslides, but was just as content to hang out at the bottom so that I could see Juliette’s giddy face as she and Shane landed with a splash.
The Riptide Racer tested the limits of Juliette’s bravery, but she rocked it.
The Lazy River was very much my jam – I must have done 20 laps around it over the course of the day.
We ventured over to the next-door amusement park in the afternoon to take a train ride in search of the Bigfoot that’s rumored to live in the park.
(Found him!)
But the trains and roller coasters were no match for the water park. Back to business…
Shane ended the day on the park’s fastest slide, where riders clock in at over 50 miles per hour – Juliette thought this was a terrible idea, but he lived to give it two thumbs up.
We left the park in the evening totally exhausted but grinning from ear-to-ear. Juliette declared it one of the most-fun days ever.
The next couple of days in Post Falls were on the quieter side, but still so good for our souls.
This little stretch of the Spokane River at Corbin Park is a must-visit every time we’re in town. Perfect for lounging and rock-skipping.
Plus, you can squeeze in a few holes of disc golf when you’re done at the river.
Black Bay park is another go-to for waterside chilling. The bay is perfect for floating on an inner tube, or a paddle board, or, in Juliette’s case, just a life jacket.
We spent our final hours in Post Falls squeezing in a few more Bernie snuggles and piecing together one last puzzle.
And next time we visit Idaho, we’ll have Isaac in tow! Let’s hope that kid inherits his sister’s love of water – we’ve got some things to show him.