We just got back from a weekend in Cascade, ID, with all of my brothers and families, my mom, and my cousin Kathy with her hubby and girls. Anyone going to a family reunion for more than a couple of hours knows that it's always a risky proposition. Will everyone get along? Will we all survive the games and water fun? Will anyone be offended? Will we lose a child to mosquitoes? It's a spit in the wind, really. But fortunately, our weekend was spectacular. Jared and Maren arranged for a huge cabin literally two minutes from Cascade Lake that slept 18 people in beds and had plenty of living and mingling space as well as a nice, modern kitchen. It was surrounded by tall pine trees and other foliage, and it was a minute from a small, quiet beach which was perfect for the children. We had 26 people there, and we didn't feel cramped at all. Really, it was the most incredible place for a "camping" trip. Now, I love being out in nature and I especially love the mountains, but I love them most when I have access to running water, a nice toilet, and a microwave and dishwasher. I love to sit in a soft, comfy chair and either look out the picture windows at the beauty of God's creations or gaze at the big screen TV. That's why this place was the best!
(That is Cash's finger on Cassie's face, by the way. Let's make that clear. :) )We spent Friday and Saturday on the beach and in the boat. There was a little breeze most of the weekend which made the lake a little choppy--too choppy for fancy slolom skiing--so Cash, Jared, Shaina, and Cassie did a lot of wakeboarding and almost everyone tubed. The younger kids tried skiing on two skis, and Dalin found that he loves to wakeboard. My favorite part was just relaxing in a chair on the beach enjoying watching the kids and occasionally taking a dip in the nice, clean water. (We're used to Lake Lowell, which by now has enough sludge in it to practically hold us up without a life vest.) I love watching Brent and my brothers drive the boat and help the kids ski. They just come alive out there. I wish we had just taken the plunge, so to speak, and bought the boat when our kids were younger.
In addition to boating, we played a lot of games, watched some movies, talked a lot, and did a humanitarian project together. We put together 25 hygiene kits, and it was fun watching the kids get involved in doing them. The kids also got to go fishing, and most of them caught at least one fish. Jensen has told us for days since that she caught two! By far the best part of the trip, though, was having my entire family there together. I love that my kids have gotten to know and love their aunts and uncles. I feel particularly blessed in the sister-in-law category. Lauralee, Marisa, Maren, and I all have different strengths and ways of doing things, but we all get along swimmingly and love each other very much. I couldn't have hand-picked better wives for my brothers. Good times!
(check out the post on Dalin's Eagle Court of Honor after this)
3 comments:
Great post about the reunion! I loved the time that we all spent together- it was great. Thanks for taking the pictures. I took my camera but didn't even get it out of the car. I wonder who has the whitest legs?
I guess my camera was with mom's...hiding out somewhere and so I also say "thanks for the pictures!" I'm going to steal a few for my blog if that's ok...
That was a great reunion and I am in love with that warm, sparkly, water. Have we already reserved it for next year? (or how about a superhero party up there??!?) ;)
Ummm... I know who has the whitest legs but why spend precious time worrying about that?
I loved the reunion, too. That little beach was like Our Own Private Hawaiian Idaho. And the cabin was deluxe and the food was YUM! and the games were really hard except for an elite few but I'm not bitter about that... and I can't wait to do it again next year. (Can we, mom?)
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