Wednesday morning, after packing up in Oregon, we drove onto Meridian. Fred's family was going too, so we traded Charles for Reese so the older girls and older boys could ride together. Because all the family was coming (Pepa's family, Fred's family and granny all stayed at their house. Blake's family stayed in hotels/air bnb) we decided to stay at a hotel in Meridian that was about a ten minute drive from Becca's. Most nights, have our kids slept at Becca's still because they wanted to be with their cousins, but I think in the future, we'll have them stay with us because not only do they stay up later, but we also found that doing scriptures as a family was nearly impossible when they were always away. We had so much fun with all the family around, and we really only went to the hotel to sleep, and once we'd eaten breakfast, we were back to Becca's.
The Romney's did a great job of planning an activity each day so that there was always something to do. Thursday(the fourth of July) we went to Quinn's Pond and rented paddle boards and kayaks. We were there for a few hours.
I had Elisabeth's phone in my purse, and she wasn't with us, so on the way home from Quinn's Pond, we took some selfies with it. Only to find out when we got home, that we actually took them on Scott's phone, which was also in my purse and looks almost identical to Elisabeths.
We came back and had a short water balloon fight and then dinner. Becca also planned out dinners for every day and gave food assignments which she emailed to everyone, then printed out and had on her fridge so everyone could refer back to it and remember their assignment. I thought this was brilliant! That first night we had a 4th of July BBQ. After dinner and cleanup, and once it was dark, we lit off fireworks in the front.
After everyone left to head to bed, the teenagers did a chubby bunny contest with marshmallows. My mom sent me this picture.
Granny and Jane visiting after Jane got upset about not being able to go with some of the kids/uncle to get fireworks...Granny was teaching her how to make angry and upset faces which cheered her right up!
Friday morning we drove out to the Boise River where we rented several 6 man rafts (we had 7 in ours since we had a couple of littles), and we floated the Boise River. Apparently it usually is a nearly 3 hour float, but the river had just opened up to the public (because it was too high), and it was still a bit high and fast, so it only took us about an hour and a half! It was fun, but also a little scary at one point when one of our family rafts hit the side of a tree/rock fast and 2 of our older adults fell out, and Blake's dad had a foot caught in the raft, while his body hung out. Blake's raft was just behind so he jumped out and swam over to help and they soon remedied the situation, but it was a bit scary for a few minutes.
There are three small rapids, but nothing big so they were fun for everyone.
Elisabeth tried to do a yoga pose (tree) on the front of the raft. She got it for a second.
Friday night we did an outdoor movie in the back yard, and the Romney's made popcorn and bought a box of candy for everyone. While the kids and some adults watched, several of us (women) prepared enchiladas for the luncheon the following day, after Rain's sealing.
Scott and I also helped out with the fire pit and smores.
Saturday was the sealing and luncheon. It was a beautiful service and cute Rain didn't want to leave his mom's side and didn't want anyone, including his sister to try to hold him or hold his hand.
Me, mom and Fred as we waited for them to come out of the temple.
Saturday we also celebrated Rain's birthday.
Scott playing horseshoes with Danny. We played several rounds of horseshoes over the weekend...I think we should build one in our backyard.
The cousins did a lot of this. Piling on top of each other, just wanting to be close, and hanging out all the time. Sunday was Rain's baby blessing at church, then we had lunch at Becca's and then we hit the road and headed for home. Overall, a lovely 10 day trip, spent with family!
