Atkin Reunions

We made the long drive out to Eastern Idaho for the Atkin reunions.  Although the drive was painful at times, it was well worth it to get some relaxing and fun days with our family in beautiful surroundings.

We drove through the night so we could spend a day in Twin Falls on our way up.  Joe wanted to see his Grandma Atkin and Grandpa Hall who he hadn't seen in awhile.  First, we had a wonderful visit with Grandma Atkin.  She got to meet Elijah for the first time:

He was all smiles until the group picture:

It's always nice to soak up some of Grandma Atkin's strength and love for us. She is such an amazing woman and it's a privilege to know her.  

Next, I dropped off Joe to visit with his Grandpa one on one for a little bit while the kids and I grabbed some lunch.  Grandpa Hall is 93 and although he has struggled more of late, Joe was able to have a great conversation with him in which he was completely lucid.  Joe really loved having that chance and I'm glad we made the time for it.  Grandpa Hall is an amazingly optimistic man, even when facing the difficulties of old age, and never stops talking of his love for his wife who passed away a few years after I joined the family.  I've loved the time I've been able to spend with him.  I'm so grateful for the people who helped to make Joe the person that he is.  

Elijah getting to know Great Grandpa Hall

After the visits, we drove the four more hours to Jaime's family's cabin where our Atkin reuninons were held this year.  First we had a few days with Tom and Lorna, then a few with Marsha.  It was a lot of fun.  As usual, my pictures are pretty sparse but we did get some.

The kids had a blast running around the woods getting dirty.  I made the mistake at one point of telling them I'd take a picture of how dirty they were.  They proceeded to roll around in the dirt to make it even worse.  Here's a few of the dirty kids that were willing to be in a picture:

(I love TJ's thrilled expression)

Nate wouldn't be in the picture but I snuck one anyway:

We decided to try and hose them off first by turning the sprinklers on:

Jace was one of the brave few who rinsed off in the water:

It made Natalie look even dirtier:

I don't know what possessed me to let her wear that white shirt.

On Tuesday, Joe, Jon, Tom, Christine, Hallie & TJ had quite the hiking adventure.  They went on a 14 mile hike up to Table Mountain at the base of the Tetons and back.  They weren't sure they would make it but they did and it sounded like an amazing experience for all of them.

I thought the pictures Joe took were incredible.  I want to do that hike sometime, too.

Check out this ray of sunlight:

And you can't beat the views:

  There's Table mountain with the Tetons behind:

 The intrepid explorers:

 I got to have some fun times hanging out with these two cuties:

Next year they'll be running around.

I couldn't resist a picture of my sleeping baby:

Joe saw this tiny little bunny by the cabin and managed to catch it:

The cuteness of that bunny managed to reveal the deeply hidden animal lover within Joe and he was trying to find a way to keep it.  He came to his senses though and let it go.

 I love the aspen trees.  I love the sound of them when the wind blows the leaves:

We had a campfire one night and roasted some marshmallows.

Here's some of the group waiting to start:

 All too soon, we piled back in the car for the long drive home. There was a lot of this...

 ...way too many bathroom breaks, too much junk food (and as a result--some sickness), a book on CD, and after almnost 17 hours we made it home!  Now it's almost time for school to start up.

Chris & Regina Visit

We left the mountains Friday morning and by the time we got home, Chris & Regina and kids were there.  They made the long trek to California to come see us for a few days.  We had so much fun together!  Even though it had been a year since we'd seen them, the kids played like they'd never been apart.  

We spent the first day at home and the kids went swimming all day.  

Lilly and Nate were adorable together and feel asleep like this the first night:

The second day we went to San Francisco.  We're not the best at showing people around the city since we don't go there often and we had some hiccups but we still had a good day.  We walked around the farmer's market by the Ferry Building, grabbed some lunch, then took a ferry out across the bay and back.

Finally found parking and the kids were enjoying the truck:

We met a nice balloon man:

Natalie & Sam playing before lunch:

 

Chris, Regina & cute Maddie:

 Once we got going on the ferry the wind was out of control.  

We didn't last too long on the deck, but we got some good pictures before it was too bad.

 

Cute Lilly was loving it:

 So was Eli:

 Goofy kids hanging out inside the ferry:

 We stopped at a park for a little bit and the kids loved this jungle gym:

 We also discovered this fun fountain:

 Nate & Maddie

 That little girl was so much fun.  It was fun to get a glimpse of what Elijah will be doing in a few months.  I don't know if I'm ready to chase him around everywhere, though!

She and Joe bonded one night:

On Monday we had the best beach day.  Elijah was sure happy to be there:

 The adults worked hard to bury all 6 of these cute kids:

Nate refused to smile in the pictures.  What a stinker. 

Even Maddie liked being buried!  She enjoyed sampling the sand as well.

 Joe took a turn, too:

Lizzy & James

 Some more beach fun:

Buried again:

We had a blast playing some wiffle ball.  Nate could have played for hours and Grandma was patient enough to keep pitching to him.  It was cute to watch. 

 Chris and Joe had a grand time catching clams:

 They (along with Marsha) got it into their heads that they had to take them home and make chowder out of them.  And...with no consent or help from Regina or I, they managed to pull it off.  It was pretty good!

Here's Nate and Lilly playing with a hermit crab in the clam bucket:

One huge highlight of the day for me was watching the dolphins.  There were tons that were so close so I decided to swim out there.  I went farther out than I ever have and it was awesome.  I was only about 15-20 feet away from actual wild dolphins!  They were jumping and rolling around.  I loved every minute and didn't want to come in.  Joe finally came out to get me since they were a little worried.  He got to see them close, too.  Man I love the ocean.  It really was a perfect day.

 Back home and swimming some more...

I just can't get over the cuteness of those two.

Of course these two are right on the same cuteness level:

We were all so sad to see them go.  Thanks so much guys for driving the 15 hours out here!  We love you!