Idaho

After many long and painful weeks waiting to visit family, we finally left for Idaho early on the morning of the 4th of July.

Our first adventure was a hike with the Clayson family at the Kress Creek Trail outside of Kelly Canyon.  Before the hike, several of the cousins helped with some pest control issues by hauling baby "wats", otherwise known as rats, otherwise known as mice, out of the trail head bathroom by their stringy little tails.  I would be interested to know if Cam still sees those wats in her sleep.

After the hike, we met back at Cams for some 4th of July fun; parades, runs through the sprinklers, bar-b-ques, and fireworks.

Sitting in the Slim Shady at the parade.

More of the crew.

Sis and Grandpa found a good seat.

Trying to gather a rather measly amount of parade candy.

Sport and Andrew snuggling in the chair after a sprinkler run. And little Peyton peeking around the chair.

Impromptu cast removal.  Poor Peyton was pretty miserable in his cast and Brandan offered (rather quickly) to help remove it with his carving dremel.

After the Clayson family reunion, we joined the Madsens on Sunday in Ririe for Reecelyn's baby blessing.  The next day, we headed to Ririe Reservoir to enjoy the cool water.

Madsen cousins eating watermelon.  And soda for Sport.

Dash and Colt loved riding with Brandan on the wake surf board behind the boat.  So much so, that they got brave enough to try it on their own.  Normally, I would have kept my eyes closed while they attempted something like this, but I sucked it up and forced myself to take pictures (for insurance purposes).

Dash trying out the surf board.

Dash and Brandan riding behind the boat.

 After a few attempts on the surf board, Dash decided to try his luck with skis.  He wishes he had gone farther, but I was impressed with how well he did on his first try.

Brady and Dash getting ready to get in the water and try skiing.

Dash up and at it!

 And now a look at Mr. Not-To-Be-Out-Done.

Colt on the surf board.  Nothing makes a kid looking smaller than when you drag them behind a boat.

Check out the determined face!

Brandan and Colt riding the surf board.

 Sport was not as impressed with, well, any of the lake trip.  He thought the boat went too fast, the waves were too big and Daddy was going to lose his balance while surfing.  Towards the end of the day, he loosened up a bit and we finally talked him into going on the board with Brandan, but only after explaining to him how to signal Brady to drive slower using the thumbs down sign. Here's how his ride went...

The first part of his ride, Sport kept his eyes securely covered.

After a while, Brandan eased Sport down onto the board at which point Sport immediately began signally to go slower.  Like "throw an anchor overboard" slower.

After all else failed, Sport went to his go-to defense mechanism and fake slept through the rest of his ride.

Despite my children's lack of confidence in my athletic abilities, I actually took a couple of tows myself.  I'm smiling at the disbelief on their faces.

Water activities are exhausting, but safety comes first for Sport.

 Following our ski trip the kids and I joined the Clayson family at 40 Horse Cave for the annual picnic and hike (Brandan would want me to add that he was also with family...specifically Tyler Borg, carving something spectacular).

Grandpa said it best.  Shale-y hillsides are a kid magnet.  And a bum wrecker.

This picture started out as a cute group shot of some cousins, but last minute Sis lost her nerve and darted.

Dash, Colt, Hannah and Andrew explored the nearby creek...in scuba diver fashion.

After dinner, we headed up the hill towards the cave.  I took Sis in the backpack and nearly killed us both coming down hill.  Good thing I know a good masseuse (hint, hint-Jess).  And thanks to everyone who helped haul the rest of my kids up and down the mountain, particularly Jill who got stuck with Sport and his "tiwered legs".

A selfie of Sis and I after the hike.