Monday, July 7, 2008

Camping in Wyoming




Last Tues. we left for Idaho Falls and slept at my parents house. In the morning we all loaded on the RV my parents rented for the weekend and split our luggage between that and my parents suburban. My sister, Camile and her husband, Aaron and their two girls were there along with my brother Ken, and his wife, Gina, and their four kids, and my younger sister, Steph. We all took turns riding between the suburban and the RV to go to a family reunion in Wyoming. My grandma's brothers and sisters and all their posterity do this every Fourth of July weekend. We go to a 4-H camp and have the whole thing to ourselves. (there are lots of us though) These are some of the highlights and activities we did...


-almost tipped the RV over when it got stuck in the mud and started to slip (our prayers were answered though and we got there safe)

-had lots of great food (chili twice in a row though- not the best for close quarter sleeping)

-slept 15 in the RV (you have to be really creative to do this- we had two-three kids on the big dash board every night, and several on the floor)

-sing along by the campfire

-stick horse rodeo (the kids made stick horses, we all got bandannas and cowboy hats and got in teams to compete in fun activities)

-a bumpy, dirt rode ride for 5+ hours to do some daytime activities, 13 people in my parents suburban on the way back to camp

-a short hike to a cave and then going inside it (Sophie was on a backpack on Jimmy's back and she kept whispering in his ear, "shhh, quiet daddy" because it was so dark)

-fishing (and getting eaten by mosquitoes)

-family pictures on the 3rd day camping without any showers (does that seem strange or is it just me? They actually might turn out pretty good though- our hair all has a REALLY healthy shine)

-square dancing at the lodge

-many trips to the outhouse

-driving 20 miles to a gorgeous lookout so Jimmy could check his blackberry for work

-the Beef Jerky guy with the restroom sign

-enjoying the beautiful mountains and all the wildflowers and trees

-walks in the morning

-smores

-eating lunch at Hunting Camp (that's where we used to have our reunions)

-my cousin, Nathan, reported on his mission that he just got back from and bore his testimony

-shooting (Conner & Jimmy did that one)

-bb gun shooting with Grandpa (Conner)

-football (Conner & Jimmy again)

-4 wheeler rides (just Kali)

-breakfasts of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, orange juice and hot cocoa every morning (we didn't go hungry that's for sure)


We all had a great time. It was so nice to see my cousins that I remember spending time with at the same reunion for years and years as I was growing up. It's so crazy to see us all with kids now! The kids loved being up there and it was so fun to all ride together in the RV. These are the kind of memories that stick with you!