idaho

we're back from our 18-day vacation to idaho. it was so much fun! the shanty reunion was wonderful (see previous post) and the ladle reunion was perfect. all of josh's siblings families were there (26 cousins total!) and it was so fun to watch them play together, many of them meeting for the first time.

whatever we were doing, it was just fun to be together. activities included: camping, swimming, the spray park, running a 5k, watching a movie outside, playing in ma and pa's wonderful backyard, bowling, having family pictures taken (including one of everyone for the first time ever!), 4th of july parade, barbecue, and fireworks, lots of taco time, rigby lake, seeing wall-e, more spray park, and more playing in the backyard!

the ladle's backyard is the perfect place for the kids to play and for the adults to talk. one of my most favorite things to do is sit on the swing in the ladle's backyard. all is well in the world when you're on that swing on a rexburg summer evening.

it was great to spend the 4th of july in rexburg because there is nothing like rexburg in the summer. plus, the 4th is one of my favorite holidays. it is the perfect combination of summer, friends, family, and food.

one of my favorite moments (among many) took place the evening the kids watched a movie outside projected on a big sheet-screen. all the little kids were snuggly on blankets and pillows eating popcorn as the sky got darker and darker. every once in a while, a pre-fourth-of-july firework would light up the sky with a loud bang and the kids would ooh and ahh. as the movie went on, parker fell asleep. when i went out to pick her up and take her to bed i had the thought, "what a great moment. for the cousins to be together like this, falling asleep outside with fireworks on such a wonderful summer night." that kind of moment is special and rare.

it was great. thank you jon and amy for planning such a great reunion, and mom and dad ladle for hosting it . . . we can't wait for the next one.