Floating the Boise River

 We were probably crazy with the number of people who thought to do the same thing as us but we decided to float the Boise River on 4th of July weekend ... something we've had on our summer bucket list! We invited my mom to join us for the kid's first time and we all had a blast! I'm so glad we got there when we did (20 minutes before they opened for the day because the line was already a 45 minute wait to rent a raft). My mom and I did the car dance of dropping one off at the end so we had transportation back to the beginning while Nic waited in line with the kids. Once we were on the water it was smooth sailing. ;) 

If there is any real evidence to prove how much these two have grown in the last year it is their life jackets. haha I think Liam's was above his belly button. We definitely need to invest in new ones next year. 

Nic played the captain and steered us along most of the way. I was in charge of the important part, keeping Lyla and our bag of food from going overboard. ;) My mom and Liam manned the front together and got the best view and splashes during the rapids. 

This girl was completely obsessed with the paddles. She had a difficult time taking turns whether it was with her brother or when my mom and I needed to lend Nic a helping hand. She certainly hung on to it until we made her give it up. haha

She's pretty cute though!!

The water was freezing but the kids still wanted to swim really badly. Nic tossed them overboard a few times (holding on to their life jackets of course) and they would burst into a fit of giggles and screams from how cold it was! I'm sure the boats around us didn't appreciate the screaming but it was sure entertaining for us to witness. haha

We spotted a momma duck and her babies. Lyla even tried feeding them some of her veggie straws! We also saw quite a few adorable hummingbirds flitting above the water.

Feeling pretty proud of himself that he got to be in front! ;)

Most of the beaches were packed but we found a rocky spot to stop along the way. We got out to stretch our legs (it was good for me because this baby belly sure felt scrunched under that life jacket), ate lunch, and watched the kids make rock towers ... 

The whole float took about 2 hours and by the time we made it to the end, we were reminded how grateful we were to rent a raft instead of having to go through the hassle of deflating our own like many people were doing in the 100 degree heat. We were also so thankful to have a car at the end too and not have to ride on the hot smelly bus back to the beginning. It was such a fun summer adventure!

Our Washington Trip | Memorials

 The reason for our trip ... it wasn't an easy one but man was I so glad our family got to be there. I was glad I was there for both of my parents too. 

Each of my grandpas' memorials were special in their own way. Memories were shared that made us laugh and cry. It was evident how much they are loved! I could feel the spirit and smiled because I knew they were there with all of us. In fact, I felt that movie moment where the person who has passed on is walking calmly beside their own service and stops to smile, looking at all of the people who loved them so much all together again. I could definitely feel that.

I'm grateful for my Grandpa Dell's life. For the love he left behind in his kids, especially in my dad.

On our last day, we packed all of our things, checked out of the hotel, and got all dressed up again to attend my Grandpa Reidar's memorial service. 

I had the privilege to read some of the words that my Grandpa Reidar's daughters (including my mom) wrote about his life and smiled because many of the things they said they loved about him, I did too. It was a beautiful moment hearing his favorite hymn sung, How Great Thou Art. 

We left in the middle of the afternoon to make the long trek back home. About halfway, we thought Siri took us on a wild goose chase as we were guided through endless fields before finally connecting back to the interstate. It turned out to just be a different route home than we had originally taken there so it was unnerving for a minute but was beautiful too. 

We made it home just after midnight and these two didn't sleep a wink the whole car ride. haha Instead, they watched many movies and snuggled their new convenient store stuffed animal souvenirs ... a kitty and a sloth. 

It truly took us all a week to recover. So much catching up on sleeping and relaxing on the couch in the AC. I got a prenatal massage for a Mother's Day gift that I scheduled the day after we got back. It may have helped my swelling legs and feet but boy did my whole body hurt for a couple days after. My hips and tail bone are still recovering. haha

Happy to be home! Happy to know my grandpas are free from pain and watching over me. Happy to have gotten the memories in a place I love with my kids and to have hugged so many family members! It was a special trip.

Our Washington Trip | Family Reunions

As I mentioned before, the reason for this trip was a hard one but the family it brought together was so special. We ended up having family reunions on both sides of my family and I saw so many people I hadn't seen in a really long time. It was fun to be able to introduce my growing family to many who haven't met Nic or our kids yet and for others, to see how much our kids have changed since the last time we visited. 

Best of all, spending time with my grandmas that I love. I made sure to take a picture with all three of them! Even as I sit here writing this, Lyla is peeking over my shoulder and saying, "Momma, I miss Great Grandma Sue and her puppy, Sadie." How sweet is that?! So grandma, if you're reading this, know you are so loved! 

(The trip was really rough on my body, so much swelling!)

All the cousins on my dad's side of the family together for the first time since we were all kids. We didn't realize that there were only two of us girls and someone piped up and said, "No wonder I had all boys!" haha 

It was so dang hot while we were there ... over a hundred degrees every single day and no one had air conditioners. We ended up needing to leave the family reunion on my dad's side a little early one evening because Lyla started showing signs of dehydration. We retreated back to our hotel and I've never seen my kids drink SO much water without needing to go to the bathroom. 

The next day we had a family reunion on my mom's side. They are held annually at my Aunt Wendy and Uncle Keith's farm surrounded by the most beautiful scenery! Like I said, it was HOT, so the little kids weren't the only ones using the pool, sprinkler, and squirt guns ... haha!

Always a kid at heart. ;)

My Uncle Keith is the best host and slaved away making all the food. The baby and I are so grateful to him for the handful of oysters we got to eat! ;)

The best part about their property is all the space they have to play and the many toys they have around for all of their grandkids. Lyla and Liam definitely took advantage of the ride on toys!  

This picture makes me smile so much. My Grandpa Dell was a collector of many things, especially belt buckles and hats. Our kids carted around a bucket full of belt buckles all weekend long and each got to choose a hat to keep of grandpa's. Lyla never took hers off the whole time we were there. She looked so cute in it!

Lots more visiting with extended family and trying to find any shade we could muster ...

Uncle Keith also hooks a bunch of wagons to his riding lawn mower and lets the kids go for rides. This was our kids' favorite part of the whole day!!! Never enough rides ...

Cousin pictures with my Grandma Jan ...

GG's great grands ...

My mom and most of her sisters, just missing my Aunt Jo ...

The most beautiful scenery to be surrounded by! My uncle had traded farm fields with another farmer who planted a spinach crop this year. 

Oh and this sweet Pooh airplane ... Liam learned to walk 6 years ago pushing this thing around their farm. Look at how grown up he is now! 

A boy's heaven!

Take me back! Well, maybe when it's a little less hot and I'm a little less pregnant. haha