Summer Trip to Northern Utah and Idaho
We had been anticipating this trip for many months. It was a chance to see all of my siblings, some of their spouses, and all 16 nieces and nephews (with two more on the way!). We started with a couple of days at Mom and Dad's house, then to Island Park, then to Idaho Falls for my dad's family reunion, then back to Mom and Dad's. The trip was so much fun. So many faces, so many pictures, so little time. I'm already excited for next summer. Until then, I decided that we seriously need to plan more get-togethers in-between. Thanks to everyone for making the effort to gather together and for adding to all the countless memories!
Rett and Cohen taking a bath the first night we were there. They are just one week apart.
This was the morning after our first night in Grandpa Ray's cabin. Ah, the memories of that place. Can't get enough of it, even though it is getting pretty old. Just Matt and me and our little family decided to head up early to Island Park for some special time together.
Abby eating her favorite cereal at the table I grew up with.
Could he be any happier? Just after fly fishing his first day on the Madison River. He got to fish five days total and loved every second of it!
On our second day, we drove to the West entrance of Yellowstone and went as far as Old Faithful. We waited for about 45 minutes for the geyser to erupt but it was worth it to see Abby's and Matt's excitement (it was her first trip through the park, his third, and my 20-something'th).
And of course the very first time for him.
Lots of people who all spoke a different language
And of course we had to get some ice cream at the Old Faithful Lodge to keep with tradition. I got huckleberry... mmm!
One of the beautiful falls at Firehole.
This was one of three bison that we saw from the road. Crazy to think that a lady got gored by one just days after we were visiting.
Elk
Family of Canadian Geese
After we got done with the park, we stopped and ate at another traditional eatery for dinner - The Gusher - for yummy pizza and salad.
Then we went to the Imax Theatre to see a show on Yellowstone.
Before bed that night, Matt took Abby on the dock for a bit of fishing at dusk.
Photograph by Abby: Mom and Dad talking about the next day's schedule.
Dad's shots of the early morning fishing excursion:
He even got to see a moose!
Back from another great morning on the river and happy as ever!
Later that day my whole family arrived and we checked in to "The Big Cabin". Matt and I made a big turkey dinner for everyone and we just enjoyed sitting and visiting in the new place.
Rett snuggling with Auntie Jen
Adam and Ryan got two-day fishing passes to go with Matt. Why you'd want to get up at 5:00 a.m. on vacation baffles my mind.
Cohen, Hillary, Me, Brielle, Michele, and Ashley on Dad's new boat! Thanks so much Dad for making the trip that much more memorable.
Best friends and cousins - Olivia and McKenna - are too cute. They make me laugh when they're together. Bieber and Peace Lovers - they're so much fun to be around.
The view from the top of the stairs in Grandpa's cabin.
Love the cabin decor... just one of many fun shots. ;)
The boys taking a break from the boat for a bit of lunch.
Matt and I took Abby, Mckay, Adelyn, and Izzy for a little paddle boat ride.
The second night we stayed at "The Big Cabin" Mom and Dad took us all to The Plamill Theatre - another favorite destination - to see "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". Adelyn and Cole got sang to because their birthdays were coming up soon.
Abby sat great through the whole show while enjoying her Sprite, popcorn, sucker, and homemade Playmill fudge. Matt watched Rett while Abby and I got to go with the group and then we swapped while he went with just the guys to the late show.
Grandpa Ray with Mom... we were fortunate to get to spend a few days with Grandpa in Island Park.
Rett with Cohen back at the cabin just before bedtime.
The sisters and nieces and nephews stayed up talking, laughing, and just being silly.
The view from the top at "The Big Cabin".
We played the "Cereal Box" game where you can only use your teeth to pick up a cereal box on the floor. You tear about one inch off the top when every player has cycled through. Little 20-month-old Brielle was awesome!
Izzy in her ballerina sheriff costume!
Go Livers!
22 week pregnant Heather! (She's having a boy!)
16-week pregnant Michele! (She's having a boy too! She and Heather both have girls that were born on the very same day, just two hours apart.)
And we all fell in love with Louie - the Anderson's new Chihuahua.
Abby playin' in the rafters!
Uncle Matt and buff Jaden doing some tricky moves.
"The Moose" awaiting Camille's beckon call the morning after she was flirting with him.
Abby and Adelyn riding the tube... all the little kids were so brave!
The oldest cousins chillin' on the boat just waiting their turn
Just two of the boat captains
All the girls cousins (minus Mckenna and Olivia)
All the boy cousins
The Garner Girls
Trying to get a sneak peak before Jen edits all the pictures. The waiting begins.
Rett and Dad chillin' by the campfire while listening to Grandpa Ray talk.
Grandma helping Abby roast S'mores
Matt's last day fishing on the river
Dad making a funny face with his siblings at the Garner Family Reunion
We had a testimony meeting the last morning of the reunion and all siblings and their spouses shared their thoughts and memories of Grandma Virginia. What a special moment together I won't forget. Thanks to Leslie and her girls for hosting a fabulous reunion. The food, the pinata, the crafts, the t-shirts, etc. were just like the way Grandma used to do it.
Anderson family with Grandpa Val. We all awaited his grand arrival from the assisted living center to the white van to Aunt Leslie's. It was so good to see him again and that beautiful white hair.
First time meeting Rett who (we've been told many times) has the Garner look
Lake family with Grandpa Val
Cousins Nicole and Janae with Heather
Back at Grandma's riding the Slip 'n Slide and jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath. Gotta love hot summers.
Grandma took a carload of kids one night to see Toy Story 3 after we ate dinner at Cafe Rio. Thanks Mom!
Some of us girls met up with cousins Amy and Allison and their sis-in-laws Angie and Kim for lunch at Jason's Deli. We then went shopping afterwards.
Hangin' at the Bountiful Recreation Center while the kiddos swam
All the girls went to the 10:20 pm showing of Eclipse... Ahhh. Loved it!
Ya, we were all ready to go home and sleep!... and dream ;)
All the little cousins taking a bath after eating ice cream. It was also the night before we said our goodbyes. Until next summer!
On my way home, I stopped in Hinckley to meet up with Matt. David was asked to be the keynote speaker at the 24th of July program just following the parade. He spoke on Mahonri Moriancumr who is Matt's 6th great grandfather and spent his final year (and died) in the home David grew up in.
Abby was excited to see Dad again after a week apart.
Rett found a lot of pleasure in playing with and holding Christian's first place (for his age group)trophy from the 24th of July race that morning. Way to go Christian!
Val doing karaoke... she rocked the stage! Go Val!
We had been anticipating this trip for many months. It was a chance to see all of my siblings, some of their spouses, and all 16 nieces and nephews (with two more on the way!). We started with a couple of days at Mom and Dad's house, then to Island Park, then to Idaho Falls for my dad's family reunion, then back to Mom and Dad's. The trip was so much fun. So many faces, so many pictures, so little time. I'm already excited for next summer. Until then, I decided that we seriously need to plan more get-togethers in-between. Thanks to everyone for making the effort to gather together and for adding to all the countless memories!
Rett and Cohen taking a bath the first night we were there. They are just one week apart.
This was the morning after our first night in Grandpa Ray's cabin. Ah, the memories of that place. Can't get enough of it, even though it is getting pretty old. Just Matt and me and our little family decided to head up early to Island Park for some special time together.
Abby eating her favorite cereal at the table I grew up with.
Could he be any happier? Just after fly fishing his first day on the Madison River. He got to fish five days total and loved every second of it!
On our second day, we drove to the West entrance of Yellowstone and went as far as Old Faithful. We waited for about 45 minutes for the geyser to erupt but it was worth it to see Abby's and Matt's excitement (it was her first trip through the park, his third, and my 20-something'th).
And of course the very first time for him.
Lots of people who all spoke a different language
And of course we had to get some ice cream at the Old Faithful Lodge to keep with tradition. I got huckleberry... mmm!
One of the beautiful falls at Firehole.
This was one of three bison that we saw from the road. Crazy to think that a lady got gored by one just days after we were visiting.
Elk
Family of Canadian Geese
After we got done with the park, we stopped and ate at another traditional eatery for dinner - The Gusher - for yummy pizza and salad.
Then we went to the Imax Theatre to see a show on Yellowstone.
Before bed that night, Matt took Abby on the dock for a bit of fishing at dusk.
Photograph by Abby: Mom and Dad talking about the next day's schedule.
Dad's shots of the early morning fishing excursion:
He even got to see a moose!
Back from another great morning on the river and happy as ever!
Later that day my whole family arrived and we checked in to "The Big Cabin". Matt and I made a big turkey dinner for everyone and we just enjoyed sitting and visiting in the new place.
Rett snuggling with Auntie Jen
Adam and Ryan got two-day fishing passes to go with Matt. Why you'd want to get up at 5:00 a.m. on vacation baffles my mind.
Cohen, Hillary, Me, Brielle, Michele, and Ashley on Dad's new boat! Thanks so much Dad for making the trip that much more memorable.
Best friends and cousins - Olivia and McKenna - are too cute. They make me laugh when they're together. Bieber and Peace Lovers - they're so much fun to be around.
The view from the top of the stairs in Grandpa's cabin.
Love the cabin decor... just one of many fun shots. ;)
The boys taking a break from the boat for a bit of lunch.
Matt and I took Abby, Mckay, Adelyn, and Izzy for a little paddle boat ride.
The second night we stayed at "The Big Cabin" Mom and Dad took us all to The Plamill Theatre - another favorite destination - to see "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". Adelyn and Cole got sang to because their birthdays were coming up soon.
Abby sat great through the whole show while enjoying her Sprite, popcorn, sucker, and homemade Playmill fudge. Matt watched Rett while Abby and I got to go with the group and then we swapped while he went with just the guys to the late show.
Grandpa Ray with Mom... we were fortunate to get to spend a few days with Grandpa in Island Park.
Rett with Cohen back at the cabin just before bedtime.
The sisters and nieces and nephews stayed up talking, laughing, and just being silly.
The view from the top at "The Big Cabin".
We played the "Cereal Box" game where you can only use your teeth to pick up a cereal box on the floor. You tear about one inch off the top when every player has cycled through. Little 20-month-old Brielle was awesome!
Izzy in her ballerina sheriff costume!
Go Livers!
22 week pregnant Heather! (She's having a boy!)
16-week pregnant Michele! (She's having a boy too! She and Heather both have girls that were born on the very same day, just two hours apart.)
And we all fell in love with Louie - the Anderson's new Chihuahua.
Abby playin' in the rafters!
Uncle Matt and buff Jaden doing some tricky moves.
"The Moose" awaiting Camille's beckon call the morning after she was flirting with him.
Abby and Adelyn riding the tube... all the little kids were so brave!
The oldest cousins chillin' on the boat just waiting their turn
Just two of the boat captains
All the girls cousins (minus Mckenna and Olivia)
All the boy cousins
The Garner Girls
Trying to get a sneak peak before Jen edits all the pictures. The waiting begins.
Rett and Dad chillin' by the campfire while listening to Grandpa Ray talk.
Grandma helping Abby roast S'mores
Matt's last day fishing on the river
Dad making a funny face with his siblings at the Garner Family Reunion
We had a testimony meeting the last morning of the reunion and all siblings and their spouses shared their thoughts and memories of Grandma Virginia. What a special moment together I won't forget. Thanks to Leslie and her girls for hosting a fabulous reunion. The food, the pinata, the crafts, the t-shirts, etc. were just like the way Grandma used to do it.
Anderson family with Grandpa Val. We all awaited his grand arrival from the assisted living center to the white van to Aunt Leslie's. It was so good to see him again and that beautiful white hair.
First time meeting Rett who (we've been told many times) has the Garner look
Lake family with Grandpa Val
Cousins Nicole and Janae with Heather
Back at Grandma's riding the Slip 'n Slide and jumping on the trampoline with the sprinkler underneath. Gotta love hot summers.
Grandma took a carload of kids one night to see Toy Story 3 after we ate dinner at Cafe Rio. Thanks Mom!
Some of us girls met up with cousins Amy and Allison and their sis-in-laws Angie and Kim for lunch at Jason's Deli. We then went shopping afterwards.
Hangin' at the Bountiful Recreation Center while the kiddos swam
All the girls went to the 10:20 pm showing of Eclipse... Ahhh. Loved it!
Ya, we were all ready to go home and sleep!... and dream ;)
All the little cousins taking a bath after eating ice cream. It was also the night before we said our goodbyes. Until next summer!
On my way home, I stopped in Hinckley to meet up with Matt. David was asked to be the keynote speaker at the 24th of July program just following the parade. He spoke on Mahonri Moriancumr who is Matt's 6th great grandfather and spent his final year (and died) in the home David grew up in.
Abby was excited to see Dad again after a week apart.
Rett found a lot of pleasure in playing with and holding Christian's first place (for his age group)trophy from the 24th of July race that morning. Way to go Christian!
Val doing karaoke... she rocked the stage! Go Val!
Rett hanging around Aunt Val while she performed her version of another hymn. Beautiful!
9 comments:
Wow, Andrea! You have had quite the great past two weeks and did such a wonderful job recording it! You are so organized and get things done so efficiently! Thanks for all of your help with the reunion.
Ang, that was awesome. It made me literally want to hop back in our tiny car and go back! I'm trying to work on my long post now. I hope you don't mind me borrowing some pics from your blog post...you took some great shots!
heath
P.S. but i'm a little disappointed, where is the pic of you and the velvet cat??
That was awesome, Ang!! Thank you for documenting our trip so well! Girl, you are ORGANIZED and I love it! Come to my house and stay for about a month?? Thanks for sending all the pics! Can I have one more? The one of us with the Copelands? I'm a pain in the butt, I know. But I love you!
Andrea, I loved it, this post reminds me so much of my family-who I miss incredibly. all those little contemporary cousins... it's amazing! -And you're all so good looking! :)
Wow! looks like such a fun reunion and that you found a great spot. For the record....totally makes me miss my family! I love seeing pictures of you with all your sisters. So fun!
How fun Ang...I bet you guys relish that time together since it only happens once a year. Such a cute fam you have. I didn't know Michele was pregnant! Awesome! So sorry I didn't get to see you when you were here :(
Wow Andrea...what a great post! I didn't realize your little family went through yellowstone...that time with just your family looked like a lot of fun! Thanks for all the concern and planning you did for our trip...i'm realizing more and more that you genuinely like to help people out when things need to be done... whether that is getting the boat ready, some late night couseling, or helping someone find and get a minivan:) Love you Ang!
P.S. Can you say high school dance pose with Ashley and I in the canoe:)
What a fun vacation!!! I miss you!! You look awesome by the way as always.
Izzy looks so sexy in her outfit she has a gorgeous body on her. her on my lap my hand in her panties feeling hercunt, get her wet then my fingers go in her , gently fuckher until I feel her tight cuntdripping wet, yank her panties down and make her feel so good in both holes, no way I would want adultsex if kiddy was available
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