We got to go to Alan's family reunion in Idaho over the 4th of July this year. We were really excited to see everyone since it had been four years since our last reunion and we hadn't seen some of them at all during that time. So sad! Each of the six kids in Alan's family lives in a different state and are scattered all across the country so it's a big deal when we're able to get together.
Alan's parents live about two miles from Geoff in Middleton so the reunion was mostly split between their two houses. It was really nice that there were enough places for all of us to stay and no one had to pay for a hotel. This was also the first time we got to see Darwin and Debbie's new house all finished. It's big and gorgeous!
We did some fun things and had lots of time to catch up with each other. Every member of the family except for the two missionaries and Caralee's married daughter who had just moved to North Carolina was there. Plus, Jeremiah's wife Janice came (that was the first time we got to meet her) and Cora and Evan brought their significant others. All of the grandkids except for the youngest two (Mason and Kaylee) are teens or young adults now so it's a very different dynamic than it used to be when they were all little. It was really fun to talk to and get to know some of them on a deeper level than we could before. They are all great kids and I'm so grateful for the good examples they are setting for our boys. Plus, cousin friends are just the best!
We got to Middleton on Saturday afternoon. Everyone except for Dani, Kaylee, Mason, and I went to the Meridian Temple for a baptism trip after dinner.
After church on Sunday, Alicia organized a fun game of family feud then we spent the rest of the day playing games and eating. So much eating.
Debbie asked me to take the family pictures this year. I was happy to do it for the experience and learned some new things from Pinterest and Lindsey and Jordan to prepare. We took them in a park in Eagle on Monday morning. Jordan did the editing of the whole group shot for me and I think it turned out great!
I still struggle with my focus in groups shots and it's super frustrating to me. At least my own family's was the worst.
A little bit of playground time after the pictures were over:
Debbie and Caralee helped the kids sew stuffed owls that afternoon. Mason needed a lot of help so here's proof that I can sew if absolutely necessary. Haha!
Both Darwin and Debbie are turning 70 years old this year so Alicia planned a fancy surprise party for them on Monday evening. Alicia made everything look beautiful, we ate an Olive Garden style dinner, and presented Darwin and Debbie with a cute sign with all of the things we love about them. They were touched and it was a fun and special evening. I have amazing in-laws and they have blessed my life in so many ways.
I didn't get a picture but after dinner, Geoff organized a family history activity where all of the grandkids took a turn asking Darwin and Debbie questions about their childhoods. Geoff recorded the whole thing and I'm sure that video will be a treasure forever. To me, this was the most special part of the reunion.
My amazing sisters in law! Each of them is so different and has such different life circumstances and trials, but I learn so much from them each time we get together. These are strong women of faith who are doing good in their own corners of the country!
Beautiful Idaho sunrise on an early 4th of July morning run:
The whole gang in front of Darwin and Debbie's home:
Middleton is a fun place for the 4th of July. They put on a great parade and fireworks show. Some of us walked to a park to play while waiting for the parade. It was hot and most of the kids have outgrown playgrounds now. ;)
The parade always ends in a giant water fight. Those don't want to get wet hide behind umbrellas or trees. Haha!
We spent the afternoon playing on the giant inflatable water slide Geoff rented and playing lawn games. Mason went down that slide over and over and over for at least two hours. Not pictured: Alan's terrible losing streak at all the games. Hahaha! He tends to win most games around our house so I think he was humbled to lose so much. He was a good sport though!
The fireworks display that night was impressive. Thankfully, I didn't get a terrible migraine and Mason didn't cry the whole time like four years ago. Mason still had a hard time with the late night, but it was a big improvement. And I discovered that I have no idea how to take good pictures of fireworks. Haha!
Surprisingly, neither Alan or Darwin had anything to do with the family track meet the following morning. Carter planned the whole thing and did a great job! This isn't the favorite family tradition, but almost everyone participated and had a good time.
Mason stubbed his toe really hard on the leg of one of Debbie's stools. Ouch!
Darwin was excited for everyone to try out his new sauna. He has wanted one since serving his mission in Finland 50ish years ago and I'm happy that dream has finally come true for him. It sounds totally miserable to me though so I didn't go in but my boys all used it a few times.
Most of the families needed to start their long drives back home on Wednesday afternoon so we said goodbye for awhile. Caralee's family was staying for a couple more days though so we decided to stay too.
We made another trip to the Meridian temple so Caralee's boys could go since they hadn't arrived when we went the first time. Alan stayed back with Mason that time so I could go. What a beautiful temple! It was neat that both Carter and Braden were able to baptize their younger siblings/cousins.
Since Alan and I hadn't been able to do much for our 20th anniversary in May, we asked Debbie if she would keep Spencer and Mason for a night so Alan and I could have a small anniversary trip. She was awesome to agree when she was probably exhausted from the reunion. Hopefully having a few cousins around made it easier.
Alan and I just got a hotel in downtown Boise and spent an evening and morning exploring the city a little. We had a picnic dinner next to the Boise River and had fun watching all of the crazy river floaters pass by. Then we checked out a mural alley in the city and tried goat's milk ice cream. We were super impressed with the family-friendly atmosphere and cleanliness of the city. It's very different from Portland! Plus, they have this amazing 25-mile long trail that runs along both sides of the Boise River right through the city. Not having access to a trail system like that is one of the few things we don't like about Sherwood. We ran 6-7 miles on the trail the next morning and it was gorgeous. It was a short trip, but so good for our marriage and I wish we could do it more often.
Grandpa took the kids to a "cowboy store" while we were gone and Mason fell in love with some pricey boots that he "really" wanted. He did not get them. ;) They also played pickleball and went bowling while we were gone. I'm pretty sure they didn't miss Alan and I at all!
We met the group for lunch at Panda Express (Spencer's first time since we've always been nervous about peanut oil. Tanya assured us that some of their dishes were safe though so we tried it with no problems!). Then we took the kids too a trampoline park for a couple of hours. They jumped like crazy and were ready to rest at the movie theater afterward. Debbie, Mason, and I saw Disney's Elemental and the rest watched the new Indiana Jones movie. We never do that many expensive, fun things in one day! The boys loved it and were exhausted by the end.
We ended the evening by lighting off the few small fireworks that Grant bought. Hooray for family, reunions, and the 4th of July!
