Dad's 20th Class Reunion

Dad celebrated his 20th class reunion in McCall.  We had a family activity during the day at a cabin on the lake with swimming and a BBQ.  After that we took our kids, and Ryan & Laura's kids, back to our cabin in Council where Ryan's mom watched them while we went to dinner back in McCall.  The kids had fun at the activity and Dad enjoyed catching up with old classmates.  Weiser sure was a good place for Dad to finished his high school years (11th & 12th grade).  He moved around a lot but the good friends in Weiser took him right in and made him feel welcome. (It probably helped that he was a handsome amazing athlete 😊)

Hanging out in the water with Ephraim and Zerin (and Porter not in the picture).  Always a good dad to play with his kiddos and any others that want to join, which there always are.

The classmates that were at dinner.

Still best buds, or cousins as they call themselves. Their grandmas are cousins.

Glad I was the lucky one to end up with this handsome hunk!

After dinner several of us went on a sunset cruise around the lake.

Trip to WA

After Alaska Lydia stayed in Washington for a week with her cousins so the next weekend the little boys and I went to pick her up.  It's so hot where we live and there's nothing to do outdoors so we get cabin fever in the summer.  At least, in Tri-Cities they have several water parks (splash pads) where we can spend time outside.

Of course, the kids love cousin time.  Aunt Tasha and her kids joined us twice at the splash pad.

Water is the BEST when it's 90+ degrees outside!

Clearly Ephraim did not think this haircut from Grandpa was the best.  The clippers scared him a bit.  Thankfully, Grandpa was patient with him and they both made it through.

He was trying so hard to be brave but those clippers sure were scary

Time in Council

During this trip, Lydia was up in WA with cousins and after the first night Dad took the three older boys to the Council father/son camp out.  Ephraim and I had some fun time just the two of us.  Minus the grasshoppers that have been HORRIBLE this year. 

About to go ride the 4-wheeler, Ephraim's favorite activity.

Another favorite activity of Ephraim's is towing/hauling anything.  Such a boy!

The water in this pool was straight from the well and extremely cold.  Didn't take away from the fun this kiddo had!

Alaska July 10th-17th, 2016

Ephraim's face shows the excitement we all had about the opportunity to visit the Peterson family in Alaska.  They're the best and we always enjoy our time with them!

We spent several days out at their island.  It's perfect and so much fun for everyone. The kids love playing in and on the water.  This is Remme with Lydia.

Zerin and Porter out in the paddle boat doing some fishing all on their own.

Dad relaxing on the floating island all by himself.  The weather was nice and warm.

Matt and his kids had to leave a couple days after we got there to go to a basketball tournament in Las Vegas so we borrow his RV and traveled around.

Jet Blue flight to Alaska from Seattle.  We were already at David and Jeanne's for the reunion so it worked out just right to be able to fly from there.

Matt picking us up at the airport.  With seven of us this is the only vehicle that fits us all.

Rhett's 9th birthday party.

Gloria is amazing at having all sorts of fun toys for the kids.  They love it there!

Porter sneaking the left-over frosting, silly kid!

We stopped at this place for the day and the little ones enjoyed playing in the mud puddles while Hyrum and dad tried their hand at fishing.  Not much luck with the fish because we went during the off season to spend time with Matt.

Hyrum begged to stop at every potential fishing hole. Poor kiddo needs to go up there during peak fishing season.

Family photo at the amazing reindeer farm.  Definitely the highlight of the trip.

He's not trying to pretend those are heavy; they really are!

This was a spectacular experience!  It was so awesome to feed these amazing animals from the palm of your hand!

Hyrum was in heaven!  He saved a lot of his food until the end so he could have them all to himself.

Feeding the elk. Even Porter was brave enough to do this.

Hyrum dreaming of what it would be like to run into one that large during hunting season... or any season for that matter!

Super fun reindeer train being pulled by a 4-wheeler

Zerin on a horseback ride.

Wahoo, Porter!!

Sydia's turn. (Eph calls Lydia Sydia. Sissy + Lydia)

Howard driving us to the airport in his motor home.  We were all sad to leave and can't wait to come back and visit.

Flying home is not near as exciting as flying there.  It's always so hard to end a fun vacation.

Sitting in traffic due to an accident on our way home from Seattle, just outside of Tri-Cities.

Zerin sleeping while sitting up and leaning forward.  That's exhaustion!  Our flight from Alaska was during the night.  We arrived in Seattle at 5am

Home at last after being gone for almost two weeks.  It sure was fun!