Island Park, Idaho

Our family vacation was August 2 - 6 in Island Park Idaho. We were so happy to leave the August heat of Arizona and bask in the gorgeous weather in Idaho. We flew to Idaho falls, rented a Ford flex and drove to Walmart to pick up the groceries I had ordered from home the week before and we were off to meet up with James and Meg who drove a 3 1/2 hour drive from Provo Utah. 

The reason for the masks~ Because our society as we have always none it has changed and everyone is fearful of getting COVID 19. We have been mandated by the government that masks must be worn in public places. Of course, on the airplane we wore our masks and boy was it hard to breathe! 

Our cabin was right on the lake!! We could walk out the back door, climb down the stairs and you were on the dock. I felt so happy and complete having all my kids together for 5 days! 

James 23, Meg 24, Hannah 13, Annie 17, Katie 26, Grant 27... and baby Body 18 weeks!

We are driving to West Yellowstone Park to go white water rafting down the Yellowstone River. Katie and Grant did not raft the river because she is expecting little Ben Boyd and did not want to risk anything. Not know what to expect. The river was level 2 or 3 rapids. Level 2 was quite slow, Level 3 was quite fun. We each had a paddle and would row when our guide said row. A big wave came and knocked James out of the boat, luckily Meg saw this and grabbed him by his life jacket and pulled him back in. We laughed and laughed. Our guide said we were the best rowing team he has had all season.  

Monday morning James had a challenge for everyone. To jump in and swim across the lake and back for our morning exercise. Hannah jumped in and climbed right back out. A little to cold for her. 

After the rafting we went to Yellowstone park and saw all the geysers, Sulfer pools. We got rained on and the cloud rumbled. We have not seen weather like this in a long time.  

Photo bomer... James

Everyone CRASHED on the drive home! I thought this was a cute picture of all of them.

On Tuesday & Wednesday we decided to stay around the lake and cabin and play in the water, play game on canoe, kayaks, and paddle boards. The water was refreshing but not to cold.

Katie 26, Meg 24, Hannah 13, Jill 48, Annie 17

We brought games to the dock and played games for a few hours. We had lots of laughs and just enjoyed each other.  I am so thankful that all the kids love each other and truly want to be together. I know not everyone has this in their families. I fell completely blessed for such a wonderful family.

The girls Photo shoot! Meg fit right in with the sisters. Everyone loves her!

We set up hammocks, had a firepit on Tuesday night. We ate dinner around the fire and then played "Big buttie" game and laughed until we cried! 

FAMILY PICTURE SUMMER 2020 

James & Meg

Katie & Grant

Annie & Hannah

Grant & Jill 

Meg is really good at beach wave curls. She showed Hannah how she does her hair and helped Hannah get used to curling her own hair.

Katie turns 27 on August 5. We had a little birthday party for her. Katie is the greatest big sister. We love her being the oldest child in our family. She has been a gift and a blessing to our family.

Hannah greatest achievement of the week... tip her parents canoe over into the river!  Ramming speed right into the side of our canoe. That girl! 

 

We were in 3 states in 5 days, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. James and Meg left on Wednesday evening to get home. They both had to work on Thursday and Friday. We went to the Teton Mountains and Jackson Hole Wyoming on Thursday. This country is so beautiful. What an amazing country we will in. I love America!!

We had to pull over because of this sunset. The whole sky was on fire and breath taking. Grant Boyd is a great photographer for this family of girls. He is so patient and makes all our photo shoots fun and successful. We are thankful Katie married Grant Boyd he is such a asset to our family. So easy going, the best navigator and Travel agent around. 

Jackson Hole Wyoming! I was not so terribly impressed with Jackson Hole. So many people everywhere. It was hot and 

 Thursday night we were back in Idaho Falls, we had to get some Reed's dairy icecream. We went to Cafe Rio to get take out for dinner and ate by the falls next to the Idaho Falls Temple. We caught our plane at 10:30pm and were home at 12:15 am. Perfect trip, 4 nights 5 days, good food, fun activities and lots of memories made!