Ben, Becky, Kara, Kiersten,and Evie

Island Park Weekend

We made it to Island Park, and the kids immediately wanted to play on the water after they'd eaten their lunch.

They rode the jet skis for hours.

The kids all wanted to be in the hot tub after all the lake fun. They are non-stop fun lovers.

On Saturday, we held the kids olympics. I stood at the half mile mark, so the kids had to run to me, and then turn and run back.

They were a little confused when they got to me, they thought they were finished, and didn't want to turn around and run back, haha.

Evie was crying, but didn't stop running. She kept right on truckin.

When they all made it back to the cabin, we got set up for the rest of the land games.

They competed in a long jump.

It was pretty hard to handicap Kara and Kiersten, they had such an advantage height-wise, and they were super annoyed to have to start farther back.

But Kara's legs are probably as tall as little Tucker.

They also had a throwing contest. We didn't have to handicap the big girls too much on that, so they complained less.

The last land event was the short run. We had to redo it a couple times starting Kara back further each time. After coming in last in the mile run, we may have underestimated how quickly she'd sprint.

After lunch we headed back to the lake for the kayak races. My kids were totally at a disadvantage on that one, and it was funny to see Evie running into the floating trampoline, and trying to get around.

A couple of the kids opted not to participate. I think Kiersten was one. It was mostly because it took a while for each race, and they were all wandering off and playing.

The floating blob was tons of fun. I'm surprised I don't have more pictures of it. We all had a grand time trying to launch each other off of it. It was hard to stay on long enough for someone to be able to launch you. We had some fun fails. I guess we have more videos than pictures of that.

The final event was swimming. Kara killed everyone at that. She even swam a butterfly stroke just to show off. They started on the floating ring (which was also tons of fun to try to run all the way around that without falling in the water), and they swam over to the blob.

Enjoying some time in the lake after being forced into competition with each other by us adults, ha.

We decided to have an adults kayak race. I made Kara go with Ben so I could hang out on the beach with the kids. It was a pretty funny race.

One of our many epic fails.

When we were done playing, we headed back to the cabin for dinner and a campfire.

The kids just had so much fun the whole time. I don't think they really squabbled at all, they kept so busy.

They always want to roast the marshmallows. No one ever wants to eat the smores.

We finished the night with a rousing game of bingo. It got pretty silly, and they all won super awesome prizes.

In the morning, they were not too keen on saying goodbye.

They are a fun and loving group of lil cousins. I just love them all together.

Kara tries hard to be a good "elder" cousin.

On our way back to Idaho Falls, we drove through Driggs so Ben could show the girls where his side of the family is from.

Another gorgeous day in Idaho.

Mesa Falls

On our way to Island Park to see Grandma Van Sickle, we like to take the scenic route so we can stop by Mesa Falls. Ben likes to get a picture with the Tetons if they are visible that day. We were in luck, and could see them really well. He told the girls about climbing up there when he was a scout.

The kids have a great time wandering around at the falls. It's nice to get out of the car for a bit.

Cutie Kiersten is not exactly a nature lover, but she's always a good sport. (Until she sees a bug.)

I was super mad about this. I told Ben not to take the girls out on the rocks, and he did anyway. An accident waiting to happen in my opinion.

I almost refused to take the picture, but they were already out there, after all. I was thinking about what I would say on the news, "I told him not to take the kids out on those rocks! He just wouldn't listen! I'm the worst mother in the whole world..."

Kara is definitely a nature loving girl. She really had a great time with Papa trail riding and fishing. It was good to get her away from her video games and anime for a few weeks.

Little love bug has a great time no matter where we are. She's always smiling, laughing, and enjoying her life.

It was a nice short walk, we did cut through on the trail instead of staying on the paved path so we could call it a hike.

There is always some nice person offering to take a family photo. Isn't that cool?

I will never be satisfied with my pictures of this place. It is awe inspiring in person, and that just can't be captured, I suppose.

We always sign the book so someone will know we came all the way from St. Louis to visit.

I always feel a sense of relief almost to be back home in the mountains.

It's nice that there are stairs, to get between the upper and lower falls, but I can see how some people don't like having them there.

What I live for!

They always comment on how loud it is. Evie didn't spot a unicorn this time. :(

But I thought I might have seen a hoof or horn poking out, hard to tell.

I was glad to be up here, and not down there. It's hard not to imagine one of the kids careening down the side of a cliff. So I try really hard to just be cool, don't freak out. Then I warn them to stay back off the railings.

We also like to read all of the signs that we pass.

8th Birthday For Evie-Pie

After we sent Kara and Papa off to Idaho, we packed up the girls about a week later and headed to the Gem State ourselves for a visit. Nancy was nice enough to come get us from the airport, and after a quick stop at Papa and Grams' to check on them and Kara, we spent a few days at Nancy's house with the younger girls. Evie quite enjoyed being the birthday girl with her cousins. They were so sweet to her.

The kids put on a play for the parents, and it was cute and funny. I still couldn't tell you what it was about, or what happened, though.

Bestie cousins! They wanted to both have the same hairdo. They are so funny. I wish they could see each other more.

Birthday cupcake, lol.

She got to open a few gifts from us, and a gift from her cousins.

She wanted cowgirl boots for her birthday, and since Kiersten just outgrew hers, that was her gift to Evie. She also bought her a Minnie Mouse outfit while out in Idaho so she'd have a gift to giver on her birthday.

We also found a couple snazzy new cat ear headbands, which were right up her alley.

We took the kids to go swimming at the lake. I was not a fan of this spot. There was no beach, so we had our stuff sitting around on rocks, and the rest on the dock with us. It didn't bother the kids at all.

They had fun wading around by the dock.

I'm glad there is no picture of me floating around on this lobster! Evie looks cute though, and it was lots of fun.

Ben raced the kids out the the buoy and back.

Ben wanted to take the kids cliff jumping. They had so much fun doing that. I was sorry for Kara to miss out, and I think she was too, when she heard about it.