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.