Idaho 2019

We had another wonderful time in Idaho with my family! Getting there was a nightmare, but once we were there it was a great trip! We were supposed to fly into Idaho Falls late Saturday night, but there was something wrong at the Denver airport and we couldn't get a straight answer with what the issue was.

Flying past the Circuit of the Americas!

We ended up in a ridiculously long line waited to figure out what could be done because we had zero desire to be stuck in Denver. We changed to a flight that would get us to Jackson Hole because we would get there earlier even adding in the drive than if we waited to go to Idaho Falls. I made sure multiple times that our luggage would be changed to our new flight and I was assured that it would be tagged and moved over.

We had nowhere to go along with a lot of other passengers, so we explored for awhile and then found a secluded, cold place to pretend to sleep for the night. 

This was our spot for the night.

While we struggled to get to Idaho Falls, Chris blessed sweet baby Eli.

I forgot how much snow can still be in the mountains in the summer.

Thankfully, the drive was gorgeous and it finally started feeling like a good trip even though our luggage did not make it to Jackson Hole like we were promised. It was still on the later flight to Idaho Falls...

We had to head back to the airport to get our luggage before we could get up to Island Park with the rest of the family.

The boys got out Apples to Apples and were cracking up as they played.

We finally got to meet sweet little Eli! All the girls wanted to be near him. It was so sweet!

We made everyone watch the Canadian GP.

I finally got my turn with a sleepy Eli!

The first night at the cabin was also my parents 40th wedding anniversary. It was the perfect place to celebrate as a huge family! We got everyone caught up with our plans with our new doctor and everyone was so excited for us.

The next day was a lake day. The water was freezing and for me, the weather was cold so I opted out of the swimming.

Warming up after the icy water.

You can always find Chris in the thick of whatever the activity is. He was the only adult to get into the water and he naturally had to jump in.

Spencer picked all of the "bouwers" he could find and gave them all to Amy. 

Later, he gave one to each of the girls and Aunts.

When the kids and Chris were done swimming, it was time to pull out the old canoe that we used when we were growing up. Once again it was Chris and the kids out on the water.

Eventually, I made my way back into the cabin because I needed more time with Eli.

At every cabin we go to, we have a puzzle going on.

Jonathan and I went out while the kids were getting ready for bed and enjoyed the last of the sunset.

The next day, we rented a real boat and had a great time. Jonathan was in his element out on the water.

Ryan is so photogenic!

Just because it's summer does not mean it's warm!

I'm convinced that Chris is the biggest kid of all!

I have hardly spent time with Spencer compared with the other kids, so I was thrilled any time he wanted to play with me.

Jonathan found this huge book about various military aircraft and he knew he wanted to look through it with Seth in particular. Seth loved drawing pictures of ships and tanks and even designed a double decker tank. The other boys enjoyed looking through it with Jonathan and Seth.

The girls did lots of crafts. Each trip, my mom wants to do crafts and gets all the supplies but it almost never happens. This time the girls did lots of crafts and they loved it!

Jonathan and I took a turn on the ATV around the neighborhood. It was so great! We went through a few puddles and my shoes were so dirty!

More artwork! This time Amy Rosella got in on it.

It was time to pack up and head back to Idaho Falls. This was our first time on the lake in Island Park and it was so nice not having to load up in the cars to go to the water.

The girls ended up dancing on the rain when we got back.

We went up to Heise Hot Springs and it was so much more fun to swim in! I only took a picture of the parking lot as we left because we were having such a a good time.

On the way back, we stopped off at Big Jud's. We split the hamburger between the four of us and it was so good!

Our final big adventure was at the Idaho Falls Zoo. We are a huge crowd wherever we go. This was my first time there and it is a cute zoo. Not to big and not too small.

Grandma and Grandpa wanted a picture with all the kids and they were done! Except for Ry.

Everyone loves Eli!

Chris took us out to a delicious dinner along with Annie's parents and brother and his family. It was an even bigger crowd and it was so fun.

We had to go to Reed's for ice cream and to see all the farm animals.

On the morning before we left Idaho, we met up with Thomas and Morghan. Hannah and Tammy were visiting them while we were in Idaho so we got to see them too!

One more time hanging out with the kids before heading to the airport. It was such a a good time being with (nearly) everyone.

We had another layover in Denver and it tried to butter us up with a rainbow. I still don't like that airport, but we made it home without any delays.