For the 6th year in a row we packed up and flew to Spokane to spend the 4th of July with my entire family in the historic town of Wallace, Idaho!
Gi DeMello made me this flag sequin tote last year for my 4th of July scrapbook event and it was the perfect purse to use for all my essentials on the airplane. Festive AF!
Spokane or bust!
After flying to Orlando the last couple trips, a less than two hour flight seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye hallelujah! | Flying over Coeur d'Alene is always beautiful to see out the window with the shimmery blue lakes and greenery.
We rented a car and made a pit stop at my parent's home in Green Acres to pick up a couple packages then we drove to our first annual errand: the Walmart in Smelterville. I found these super fun patriotic Monster energy drinks but I didn't get one, sugar makes me break out so badly instantaneously. I do love and appreciate the red, white & blue though!
I brought a handy dandy lightweight and compact phone tripod so we could take all kinds of photos TOGETHER instead of one of us missing out. Our first test was a success, yay!
Decisions decisions, choices choices. The "collector syndrome" part of me wants one of each but I also don't really like how loud fireworks are because it makes me feel bad for animals who don't know what's going on.
$300 later lol... thanks Chris! You da best!
One more family photo just for kicks and giggles.
Then we drove the last 20 minutes to Wallace. My sister's daughters/my cute nieces Zula and Daisy were so happy to see me! Such a great feeling to be loved :)
No time to waste, I've been waiting for this moment for literally 365 days... THE FAINTING GOAT!!!
Last year Chris brought me the Cowboy Mac'n'Cheese and Sweet Potato Tater Tots for dinner after I finished teaching and it was THE MOST delicious meal I'd ever had, I honestly and truly haven't stopped thinking about it since.
Happy people!
Small world story: last year Chris was chatting with his patient who said she visits northern Idaho often, her brother lives there and owns a restaurant... in Wallace... called... The Fainting Goat!!! What are the chances?! In present time, we asked if the owner was in, told them Chris is his sister's dentist in Littleton, and we got to meet him. Nice guy, amazing restaurant.
Another small world story: while waiting for rope drop at Disneyland this past April along with 1000s of other people, I turned around and saw an older gentleman wearing a Fainting Goat, Wallace Idaho hat and of course I HAD to go talk to him about it because who in the world has been to the Fainting Goat in Wallace, Idaho and wears a hat about it?! Life is so funny sometimes.
By the way - the food was just as good as I remembered. We came back a couple days later for another meal.
Time to visit the Wallace pool! I went shopping on Amazon a couple weeks before our trip and got all kinds of festive attire.
See, the tripod came in so clutch!
We didn't try moving the chairs or umbrellas this time, lesson learned last year, but there were a lot more chairs this time so all's well that ends well.
Allie and her family had already been in Wallace a couple weeks and the weather was abysmal for them - cold, rainy, dreary. The day we showed up and all weekend we were there it was sunny, warm, and perfect.
Allie and I dipped our toes in the water and chit chatted.
Jane doesn't get in water so she vegged in the shade and waited not-so-patiently for us to be done.
I tried using my tripod to get a selfie of me in front of my parent's cute house but couldn't get the timer right. At least my hair is fire LOL! Allie grabbed my phone and took a few the traditional way. Sometimes technology is our best friend, other times it's a bust.
As always, each family had a turn preparing a meal for everyone. My sister's family was in charge of dinner the first night and they made yummy lettuce wraps. We always make lots of extras because it's not just the Tom Taylor family that comes to Wallace, it's also the John Taylor and David Taylor families and some additional friends! The more the merrier!
We definitely need more tables and chairs next year.
Family is everything!
Then we made our first trek of many to the gas station so Grandma could buy everyone an ice cream cone.
I didn't bring my tripod on this outing so Chris volunteered as tribute to snap the family photo.
Flowers & Ice Cream.
Naomi is my cousin but is actually younger than Jane and they have an absolute blast together. I'm so glad they could make it this year!
Fox loves cats and cats love Fox.
Last year we thought this black cat was named Grey which is silly because she's black, but it turns out her name is Juniper.
Juniper got lots of loves from Fox every single day because she lives next door to the Airbnb we rented across the street from my parents.
My parent's cute house in Wallace. Well, one of their two... the haunted house on the corner is still derelict. They fired their contractor after literally no work was done for over 3 years and have found someone hopefully more reliable, knock on wood.
Early the next morning Chris and I got up to exercise.
We raced up and down these eternal flights of stairs.
It was quite the workout, just what the doctor ordered!
Patriotic display in an antique shop window.
This is an annual photo: Fox with his boy cousins practically sitting in his lap watching him play games.
I always request that my family members wear only red, white & blue for the duration of the vacation and Zula understood the assignment.
Tate with Zula and Isabel.
I can't get enough of my darling niece Isabel!
I lost track of how many times we went to the 1910 for specialty drinks. My sister's kids said, "Mommy needs her drink so she can function" LOL. Truer words have not been spoken - caffeine is essential for us moms to function.
Smiles because we've got our energy back!
Wallace is such a cute and walkable town.
My sister ordered a special bouquet for Malm so we went and picked it up. Isn't it pretty?!
Chilling on the porch, playing with 4th of July glitter, sequins, and jewels.
Girl talk.
Eric's family was in charge of lunch so he ordered a bunch of Domino's pizzas.
As per tradition, Grandma passes out a $20 bill to everyone! She's so generous!!
My 'fit for the Idaho Statehood Day Parade.
It's tradition to line the kids up from oldest to youngest in front of this blue wall on the way to our spot at the parade.
My boo!
Allie, me, Tanya.
Allie made herself and me a super cute necklace. | Malm is so patient haha.
Naomi made her shirt!! No way! Love it!
Ready for the candy.
Let's goooooo!
Love birds.
The parade is the perfect length of time, just about a half hour, and somehow the kids get as much candy as on Halloween!
There seemed to a be a lot more people this year which is fun - spread the Wallace love!
At first Isabel was a little scared of the loud sirens, but once she realized candy was being thrown at her, she perked right up and got in on the action.
My dad, Naomi, Fox, Jane, Jude, and Wes rode in the blue Jeep and tossed out candy. Until it broke down just a few yards away lol.
Family selfie at the parade.
Then most of us headed to the Kellogg Pool - we'd never been before.
There was a kiddie pool for the littles to splash around in.
And a big pool with a diving board for the bigger kids to jump off of.
And then there's Jane who refuses to touch water.
My boys.
We headed back a little early to start cooking dinner. Chris made everyone spaghetti. I don't cook.
Love this photo attached to the fridge. | Dr. Chris never gets a break (I jest) - Jude's tooth was loose so Chris pulled it out in one easy pluck.
Summer evenings in Wallace consist of ATV rides, little bike rides, and mini motorcycle rides.
LOL Eric.
There's a brand new pickleball and basketball court around the corner so we spent quite a bit of time there letting out excess energy and getting mildly competitive.
I hope it's still here next year - you never know with Wallace!
Cute little chipmunks scurried all around.
Fox had bought a big bag of Reese's Pieces at Walmart and I convinced my dad to put them in his famous chocolate chip cookies. They were a smashing success. I ate 6.
The next morning was the 4th of July!
My dad treated everyone to breakfast at the Brooks Hotel.
Have to laugh to keep from crying at our waitress's photography skills or lack thereof LOL.
Admiring the patriotic decor as we made our annual walk to the ginormous flag.
My favorite photo we always take!
And then we took turns as families getting our pics in front of the flag.
Proud to be an American!
Our noobs.
1-2-3 JUMP! Nailed it!
Yee-haw!
Adorable Isabel.
Then all of the adults and teenagers went on a hike, leaving Grandma with all of the littles. I hope she survives...
I'd never been on this hike before, it was soooo beautiful!
We thought it was 2 miles round trip, turned out to be 2 miles up, 2 miles back. Oh well, we got our steps! The river and tunnel at the end were totally worth it.
We made it!
WOOHOO!
Allie & Tate jumped in the freezing water, the daredevils.
We took our time walking back, enjoying each other's company. I just love spending time with him :)
Did Grandma survive??? I'll let you be the judge!
Another walk to the gas station.
This photo op is a must!
Lots of chilling on the porch. Mom got me this shirt that says "Born free but now I'm expensive" HA!
Cuddling with Jude, Zula, and Isabel.
Told you, I can't get enough of Isabel!
Allie & I took Daisy, Zoe, Jude & Wes all around town so they could spend their $20. It was EXHAUSTING HAHAHA! We went into about 8 shops and at each one they touched a zillion things but miraculously didn't break anything. When we got home I took Chris back to an antique shop so he could buy me 5 sets of different Halloween salt and pepper shaker tchotchkes.
Allie brought 3 unopened dumplings for the three Taylor kids (me, Eric, Allie) to open - she was hoping for a pregnant one or something, I don't even know, I can't get on board with these micro trends lol. She and I both got a pink one and Eric got a green one. Not the ones she wanted whomp whomp.
Then it was time for the 4th of July BBQ!
Tate grilled up the burgers and hot dogs and everyone contributed to the feast.
Patriotic pies from Mae's Bakery.
A few hours earlier, my dad went and literally rescued a young family from their ward after a scary incident on the river where many of them almost drowned. I've had my own near-death experience when our raft was purposefully tipped over (thanks Jay) and I couldn't resurface so I know the trama. We walked back to the flag after the BBQ to get more photos.
Why not?!
Then we busted out the sparklers and smoke bombs and poppers!
The OG Taylor kids (and Isabel).
Jane so rarely lets loose, I am so glad I captured these pics of her dancing freely. She's so beautiful.
Time for a Botox party before fireworks! Per Allie's request, Chris brought a vial.
He shot up Allie, Tanya, and my Aunt Natalie. Next year my cousin Cat needs to come so she can partake :)
Little Miss Thang!
We considered blasting off our myriad of fireworks in an empty parking lot but it was still so bright so we walked back to the corner where we always light them off.
Short and sweet - perfect!!
The next morning, Allie's family headed out at like 4am and the rest of us had a chill day in Wallace.
We went to church in Pinehurst, watched a World Cup game while I stitched, then we packed up and drove to Green Acres.
It was such a beautiful night at my parent's house - we walked around the property, got Chipotle for dinner, and watched the Bad Blood episode of X-Files together - I'll forever remember this evening. We grew up watching X-Files together.
The next morning we packed up and flew home to be reunited with our cats and bunny! I'm not sure if we'll be back for a 7th year in a row but it seems pretty likely so I'm already counting down the days!
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