The last reunion of the 2009 summer season was this weekend. It was Grandma Karen's family reunion planned by Aunt Sonya. As usual I had to represent my dad's family (always happy to oblige!) But was even happier that Elaine was back in the west so they were able to come, too!
We picked up Austin early from school on Thursday (at noon) and got on the road. Just after we passed Boise I was
done. I had finally reached my summer road trip limit. The kids have been amazing travelers all summer (which is why I keep going on trips) but it just takes a long time.
Daddy's Divas ride is style!
Rooster helps dad drive
Spencer is
hilarious! Everyone was sleeping (or so we thought) except Austin (which is quite common because he is constantly reading - he was deeply engrossed in "Holes" this trip.) When Austin said, "I didn't know that Emma snores." And suddenly there is a LOUD zzzzzzzz. I turned around to look because the "snoring" had been very quiet and nonchalant up until this point. Everything appeared normal so I faced the front. As soon as I did another loud zzzzzzz erupted. Austin and I both looked at each other and started laughing. Apparently not everyone was sleeping! The sleeper was determined to be very good and very tricky. Every time we said the word "snore" a loud sound would burst out but his face was still and eyes always closed. He was good! Kurt was convinced that he really was sleeping. I couldn't be fooled! Finally we cracked him with a little bit of gentle tickling. It provided lots of laughs though!
The reunion was in Soda Springs, Idaho. We all rented out a large house (called the Bailey Creek Clubhouse.) It was nice to have all the necessities and space to visit. Outside they had a volley ball net, softball field, tennis court and roasting pit. Unfortunately the pool was closed due to cold weather (or so they said.)
The weather was great and we enjoyed lots of out door games.
Elaine and I sure are glad that we married men that will join in and play sports. It sure takes the pressure off us since we don't want to play!
Thursday night it was Sonya, Grandma Karen and Kay and our family. By Friday afternoon more people started to trickle in. After breakfast our family went exploring in Soda Springs. First we found the man-made geyser. Back in the 1800's they were digging for a swimming hole and found some carbonated water. Some pipes and valves later they have their own geyser. We didn't know it at the time but it is on a timer and goes off every hour. We were very lucky that it was going off when we arrived.
"Soda Springs is where you eat lots of sugar and pop." ~ Emma Lynn
We found a fun park and surprisingly the kids loved the dinosaurs the most.
The last place we checked out was called Formation Springs. It was a natural spring and cave. It was so neat! We had an awesome time exploring. It was the first cave that I had been in where you had to crawl down under the ground to get in. It was a pretty narrow entrance. I had Rooster in the backpack and I got stuck! Unfortunately we didn't have our lantern with us so we couldn't explore all the way through the cave. We're pretty awesome cave explorers!
After we were driving back Austin said, "I heard once that a police man is the best job but I don't think that's right. I think a dinosaur explorer would be the best job!" (paleontologist)
That afternoon we drove to Lava Hot Springs to go swimming since our pool was closed. We had to paid $37 to get in but by the time we left Kurt thought it was well worth every penny! The slides were a huge hit with everyone except our daughters (and if Rooster would have been tall enough she would have loved them too.) We spent most of the time climbing back up the stairs to go down again. Spencer was about an inch too short but we still let him go down (shhhhhhhhh don't tell!) He is pretty fearless and loved every second.
Austin and Spencer coming down the red slide.
They have 2 speed slides that were pretty intense. I went down the yellow one and that was enough for me! Kurt did it quite a few times.
Saturday was Lorna's 4th birthday. It was pretty special that we could be with her to celebrate her big day. She is such a sweetheart, so loving and affectionate. Our family is so blessed to have her in it. We love you Lorna Lou!
Elaine had lots of cute games planned (they made crowns, pinned the lips on Sleeping Beauty and bowled away the Villians.) Then Sonya had a treasure hunt for all the cousins followed by cake and ice cream. Everyone headed to town to play a game of softball. Kurt had fun (and is a bit sore), its been a long time since he's played. From there we got back on the road for home.
It was a great weekend and wonderful to see everyone again. We are blessed with wonderful family.
