Stanley, Part 3

Friday, we went to Redfish lake.  Again, could have stayed all day...

Seriously, how do people not know how beautiful Idaho is?  We got a lot of weird looks when we told people where we were going for vacation and I bet their not laughing now!

The boys instantly started grabbing sticks and branches and began playing "survivor".  I have a feeling this is one event they won't forget about the trip and I loved watching them just pretend and play.

Back at the cabin, there was lots of coloring and playing going on.

I also loved hearing all about Nonny and Papa's adventures and seeing them love on Ben.  There's a certain look that only a grandparent can give a grandkid; a certain twinkle in their eye that is so precious.

It was also special that our kids got time with their great grandparents.  I would often hear Nonny  tell Colin that he just lights up a room. 

Well, that little light hasn't been wanting his picture taken lately, so THANK YOU uncle Jordan for snapping this for us!

We played Yatzee again that evening (Eli did not like it that he never actually got a Yatzee).

And when the kids were in bed, Ben and I finally got our turn in the hot tub.

Then we stayed us WAY too late to look at the milky way.  It was worth it, but boy are we tired from this trip!

*Pictures credited to Kent and Ben*

*I promise to work on my picture taking game next trip*

Saturday morning, we packed up the house and then drove up the "hill" one last time for some pictures.

It was super hard to leave.  We had an amazing week and were so thankful for the time we had.  Our flight didn't leave until the evening, so we went to Nampa and hung out at Nonny and Papa's house for awhile.

I am in love with the Boise airport.  It was so calm and easy to get through AND they have Smashburger...it definitely made for a rude awakening when we landed in LA.

Stanley part 2

Wednesday, the kids stayed with Nonny and Papa and we hiked Sawtooth Lake Trail.

I think this is my favorite picture: Elizabeth finished radiation treatment just DAYS before this trip and here she is, hiking up a mountain.  Plus I love the smile on Ben's face.  He had looked forward to this particular hike for weeks.

I think the theme of the trip was "Could sit in this place all day and soak up the beauty".  Every where we went was just breathtaking.

Had to document being in snow!

When we got back from the hike, we found that Nonny and Papa had taken the kids out for a hike as well!  I loved how they made them get outside too.  Then we all went to get some ice cream and walk around the little town.

When Ben was a kid, Nonny and Papa took him to several hot springs.  We couldn't get to the exact ones they went to, but found there was one just a short walk from our cabin.

Hot springs and sun burned shins do not go together, but it was basically a pool for Colin.

Thursday, we went to Custer, an old mining town.  The kids enjoyed this WAY more than we anticipated and still talk about some of the things they read while there.

Colin wanted to recreate the photo on the sign in front of the house.

We let the kids pick out some rocks and tried huckleberry soda at the little gift shop.

We had a big barbecue for the 4th of July that evening and celebrated Amy's 50th birthday and Elizabeth's completion of radiation.

Eli is a man set in his ways and put himself to bed at 8:30, but the rest of us stayed up late for the firework show.  I think we had the best seats in town...we just sat on our porch, under the heat lamps and had the best views.

Family trip to Stanley, Idaho

Nonny and Papa rented a big cabin in Stanley, Idaho for the whole family.  What a treat it was!

Sunday, we were up BRIGHT to catch our first flight out of LAX.  Navigating that place is an adventure, but I kept reminding myself that it was better than driving to Phoenix or driving all the way to Idaho.  The kids did great, as always, traveling and were even troopers through a very long grocery haul.  

Once everyone was at the Cabin and unpacked, we spent the evening just catching up and soaking up the beauty that surrounded us.

Monday morning, we went on a 4 mile hike at Fish Hook Creek.  If you are ever looking for refreshment, go for a walk among pine trees while listening to the river flowing.

Colin was all about hanging out with Uncle Jordan and Aunt Amanda.

And these two girls quickly became two peas in a pod.  Rayna was such a blessing to have on the trip and we all enjoyed watching them enjoy being together.

We learned this trip that rice crispy treats make for great hiking motivation.  Thank you Alison for requesting them and then buying a GIANT box of them.

What better way to recover from a hike than an afternoon in the hot tub.

We all took turns cooking dinner, which I think made for a great vacation (i.e. you only had to cook once and then the rest of the week you were free to just eat).

The cabin was amazing and the accommodations were comfortable, but we still lost a lot of sleep staying up too late talking and looking at the stars.  We could see Jupiter through the telescope at the house.

Tuesday, we went kayaking!

Colin went with Nonny and Papa and they stopped along the river to get pictures.  We missed him, but once we got on the river, we knew it was the best decision that he stayed on land.  AND we realized that we probably should have started on a lake, where the water isn't moving, to get a refresher on the whole kayaking thing. 

Alison and I started off together, but once I realized that I didn't know how to teach her how to paddle so we don't turn in circles, we switched things up.

Eli was with Ben and Ben thought it would make him feel more comfortable if he talked him through everything he was doing.  Eli took this is as "Daddy is teaching me how to be the navigator".

We switched kids and Eli was acting nervous about the whole adventure.  He would say, "Okay, paddle to the left.  Now a little to the right.  Ah, there's a big rock coming."  Nonstop chatter about what direction we should go and what to watch out for.  He eventually said to me, "It's okay momma, Daddy taught be all about being your navigator so I can help you."

The river was a little more intense than we anticipated and there was one point that Eli and I got stuck away from everyone.  I sat there for a moment, catching my breath before I pushed us off the rocks, and he said, "You can do it mommy!  You got this!".  I've never heard him be so encouraging and it just made my day.  Funny note about the day, pretty much all of us had burnt shins from having our legs straight out.  I will never forget to sunscreen my shins again.

I think we crashed after that.  We played Yatzee

snuggled by the hot tub

guessed how soon Alison will pass Nana

played outside

played LOTS of pool

and enjoyed another wonderful evening on the deck.