Weekend fun with Mom & Dad

This weekend was a blast..... My parents came up Thursday evening from St. George to spend time with us and to bring me up a horse of my dad's to ride. Friday I had to work but Chris and the parents went to lunch with me at Olive Garden. It made it somewhat bearable to work while they were up here. After I got home from work we decided on the evening activity. An activity I never thought my parents would agree too. We went down the Willow Creek behind our house in two inflatable rafts. The Willow Creek is a small river that has a couple of checks that divert water different directions, so it makes some white river rapids. We launched the rafts only about 1 1/2 miles from our house, but to due the winding path, it takes about 1 hour to get to our destination. Mom & Chris shared a raft and Dad & I were in the other. We had a great time just relaxing and staying cool from the heat of the Idaho sun. Dad and I were the first to go over the first check, and we made it over with out a hitch, well except Dad, he was wet from head to toe. He was such a good sport about it. We were able turn around and watch Mom and Chris come over the rapid. You could hear Mom let out a little scream when she saw the rapid and when she went over. When they were over, they both had a great big grin on their faces. This is when I wish I had a waterproof camera, their faces were priceless. After about 15 mins. we came to the second check. Mom and Chris went down it first and watch Dad and I come down. We thought we did better then the last time because as we came over the rapid, Dad hardly got wet, but once we were in the smaller rapids he got doused again. We had a great time and the best part of it, it didn't cost a cent. Saturday I met up with Mom and Dad at their hotel to have breakfast with them, Chris was back at the farm loading hay, so he didn't come with me. We spent the morning checking out houses and just bumbing around. That afternoon we headed out to pick up my father-in-laws horse that has been in training for over a year. Dad and I had a great time learning from the trainer and just b.s.ing. Mom and Coy were good sports about waiting for us. But it turned out to be a great afternoon. I know Dad loves that kind of stuff and I love doing things with horses when he is around. Brings back some great memories. After we dropped the horse off at the farm, we headed in for dinner and decided to play a mighty game of Super Scrabble (another cost free activity). Mom and Dad were a team and Chris and I each played our own tiles. It was a great game. The parents won and Chris kept accusing me of cheating. Sunday we went to church and they joined us up in primary. They were able to meet our cute sunbeams. We had a great dinner once again because of Mom and Dad. They bought steaks to bbq and mom made twiced baked potatoes. We played a couple more games of scrabble and then they decided it was time to leave. So we said our goodbyes. It is always much harder to say goodbye when you are not sure when the next time you will see them. I am so grateful for their sacrifice to come up and see me, especially to pull a horse and trailer when gas prices are where they are. I love them so much, and love spending time with them. Thanks for all you do for us and thanks for allowing me to have a horse up here to ride. Love you both so much.....

Dad, Me and Kathy Spalding.

(talking horses, of course)