Idaho and Utah vacation

The last week of June, the kids and I headed down to Idaho to see my side of the family.  Brent and his family were already there--all the way from Egypt--along with Natalie and her girls--all the way from Philadelphia.  We were the next to get there and then Mike and his family came the next day--all the way from Chicago.  We definitely have an International family right now.  :-)  It was the first time mom and dad had all the family together in about 3 years...minus Jim and Taylor who had to work and Paul who passed away 2 1/2 years ago.  

Mom rented a Clubhouse in Soda Springs that we stayed at for three nights and it was a great family reunion.  We went swimming every day, played kickball, tennis, volleyball, rode on the 4-wheeler, ate lots of good food and just had fun being together.  We also had a great talent show where all the families had something to perform...complete with a push-up contest with Mike, Brent, Jarrett and Dad.  The kids, especially, had a lot of fun just being together and being goofy.  We all live so far away from one another and they didn't waste a minute of their time together.  It was so great to see them get along so well.  They are all such amazing kids.

Mike and his family headed off to another family reunion with Debi's family directly from Soda.  Then, the rest of us headed back to Idaho Falls.  The next day, Natalie had to fly back to Philly with her girls and Jim came to join us for the rest of our vacation.  We spent the 4th of July in Idaho Falls, were able to watch their incredible fireworks show on the river, then headed down to Utah to spend a few days with Jim's sisters and mother.

On our way to Utah, we dropped Kenedy and Hallie off to spend some time with the Gillettes at Bear Lake.  Then proceeded to Salt Lake to Jan and Craig's house.  We were able to go to Lagoon with Tyler, Kim and Sully which proved to be a very fun day.  It was Cooper and Lexie's first time at an amusement park and they had a great time.  I couldn't believe how many rides they were willing to go on...of course, it helps that we didn't really tell them what kind of ride was coming up when we knew it would probably be a little scary.  :-)  There were definitely some they didn't want to ride again, but for the most part, they loved it.  We spent part of the next day in Orem/Provo area and the kids got to go swimming at the community pool by Kim's house and mom and I went to the BYU bookstore.  This was on Kenedy's birthday, so that night, they returned from Bear Lake and we had a BBQ to celebrate her birthday.  The poor girl had strep throat at the time, but I didn't get her to the Dr until we got home.  We had a great time in Utah.

Swimming in the pool in Soda Springs

4-Wheelin' fun

Okay, all of these pictures are pretty much the same, but I've learned that you just can't leave anyone out.  Lots of fun on the 4-Wheeler!

We have lots of summer birthdays in our family, so mom and the Brent House kids made a bunch of cupcakes and we had a big birthday celebration.

Cousin fun

Hallie was a very good sport and let Rebekah put makeup on her. ;-)

These kids logged a lot of miles on the bikes while we were there.

All 15 grandkids...love these kids!

The Dean and Gloria House family...we miss you, Paul.  By the way, who's that blond girl on the left? Let's just say, some people in my family weren't diggin' my blond hair. ;-)

We just barely got this taken before the rain and wind started.  It turned out pretty good considering all the little kids involved.  I love my family!

LAGOON!!!

Sully on the airplanes.

Cooper looks thrilled to be on the airplanes.

Sully and Lexie on the Ferris Wheel.

Cooper on the Ferris Wheel.

Tyler was so great to hang out with his cousins much younger than him.  I think they all had a great time together.  

The last ride of the day.