Family Family Summer Trip

Hanging in the shade at Bear Lake, ahhh.

This has taken me long enough! I have been home for 1 1/2 weeks now and need to document our Utah/Idaho trip. It was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful to see ALL our family! I loved that we got to see every single person from both my family and Taft's. We headed out early Friday morning so we could make it to Bear Lake to play for a few hours before heading back to Logan. I love love love Bear Lake. It is just beautiful and shallow so far out, so it is perfect for kids. What could be better than blue water, nice sand and cousins? One thing I could do without is the wind. But it wasn't too bad. My family was all there and had already been there for about 3 1/2 hours already so it was all set up with shade and fun. I was wishing we could stay in a cabin like we had the last 2 years, but it was too crazy this year for everyone.

Pretty in Pink- Ellie, Grandpa and Juliana


Cool Dudes- Brayden, Josh, Jace

We got to stay at Kristen and Phil's newly remodeled house. It is so nice! I got a little kitchen envy ;) but I think I didn't step over the coveting line. Karen and Doug are working hard to get their house built and it is looking so nice! I am excited for them to get done, they have had to work so much, but have done a great job. We celebrated Jace's and Nick's birthdays with a yummy steak BBQ. We got to go to church with the Hales and it was nice that Kristen is the nursery leader so Ellie would go. Later that night is when we went to Josh's Eagle Court of Honor with the whole family.

All 16 of the grandkids! 7 girls, 9 boys

I love my neices and nephews they are so great. They are so great with my kids. The older girls treat Kennedi so good! They will play with her and make her fit right in. They also are so cute with Ellie and keep up with her antics. I don't even have to worry about her.

Ellie made me laugh when she was around Baby Tyson. She wanted to help out so bad and would push Patrea's hands away so she could change his diaper and help him with his clothes. One day when he was fussy she said "He is a little bit creepy." Huh? I finally figured out that I think she meant he was a litte bit cranky.

Monday morning after my quick stop to Hair Product store (Kristen has a license and we can get product cheap, thanks!) and after Taft golfed his best game we headed out to Cascade Idaho. We were lucky enough to meet up with Todd and Kat so we could follow them up. Taft and Todd got to talk on their HAM radio's to each other so that made them happy. We had to go through quite the windy roads to get to the cabin we all rented by Cascade Lake, but it was spectacular scenery.

Grandma handing out her fun gifts to the kids

Crystal did an amazing job finding the cabin for all of us. It was perfect. So close to the lake and so big to fit us all. It was so fun to see all of Taft's family and to play and hang out together. We miss them all! We finally got to meet cutie pie Talmadge and see Mackenzie for the 2nd time only. Such cute kids. The cabin had a theater for fun movie viewing and a ping pong table and air hockey table. There was lots of grass in the back too. Perfect for kids playing all over. And the adults too! I think one of the funnest things we did at the cabin was to play the Newlywed game that Dianna set up for us. It was just wonderful for all of us to get away and spend time together.

We spent a little time at the lake and played around. Drew was the fun uncle and would toss the kids into the water. Kennedi was a fish and was swimming all over the place. She didn't want to get out. Ellie and Paige were cute and matchy matchy. (Gotta love Target!)

I need to steal some pictures from Todd and Kat. They have all the big family photos that turned out pretty good! Good to get a new pic with all the family again.

The time at the cabin went by so fast and we wished we could stay for longer. We will definately have to do something like that again. Taft's family was so nice and planned all the food for us traveling folks. Yum! I felt bad not helping out more though.

Ellie found the dress up earrings!

We went back to Boise and got to stay at Grandma's house. The kids had fun and love her dog, Baxter. The kids just played played played. The adults took shifts and got to see the new Batman movie. It was good, but I guess I am getting more sensitive, the violence almost got the best of me. But it was nice to go out to the movies since I don't think I have been to the theater for over a year!

Larry and Sherri invited us over to their pool and it was fantastico! It was so fun to have everyone in the pool and the kids had a blast. Ellie finally got a little more comfortable and actually would let me hold her and walk around the pool. She loves to swim ONLY if her feet can touch the ground. She HATES to float in the pool so it was nice that she got better about it.

Andra and Kennedi- The great 8's.

We went to Kimberly and Matt's house one night for dinner. They had a little blow up pool and Ellie dove right in, clothes and all. So we just stripped her down to her underwear and she had fun. It was funny to see Mackenzie and Ellie interact. Ellie loved her a little too much! Poor little girl. :) She was strong though.

Dianna and I stayed up until almost 3 one night! I miss our late night talks. And it made me miss family even more. She shared some plant starts for our yard and so far so good! Thanks! We had a wonderful time and loved spending time with all our family. We miss everyone even more now though. The Arnell's and Grandma were sweet enough to let Brayden stay for an extra whole week and Brayden and Austin bonded even more. That was so nice for Brayden. How lame is it that I don't have any pictures of them together? If I did, you would probable see Mario Kart or basketball playing in the back. (I thought I did have some pics of them playing basketball... I can't find them, I hope I didn't delete them!)

Well phew! I think that is about all I will write! It is plenty long! Just one more thing,

Our Whole Family Rocks!