SC - Chapter 5, Idaho Part 1

On Wednesday (Kassie's 1st Birthday) we packed up the van again, said goodbye to Grandpa & Grandma Radeke & started north to Idaho. In my head I had hoped to be at our half way point close to lunch time for a short stop at Aunt Anjie & Uncle Jon's house. We got a later start than we planned so we had to stop for lunch on the way add one threat of car sickness (that never materialized thank goodness) and we got to Sugar City way later than we had hoped. We really needed a break so we took the kids (Nate, Abbie, Kassie, Parker*, Kaden*, & Jace*) to a splash park. I made a quick dash to the local church distribution store & Deseret Book for some things I needed - good thing we don't live closer to these stores, I'd most likely spend more $ there than I should. Anj made an early dinner for the kids (they were hungry after the park) and she had made cupcakes for Kassie's birthday, then we were off again, finishing the a long day of travel to Grandma Terry & Papa's house.

*My sister's boys.

Jace was so stinkin' cute - he kept trying to call his dad

Note to self: It takes much longer than I ever anticipate to get from one place to another when traveling with 3 kids - entering into the car seems to be a great time vacuum that just sucks away the hours - forget the minutes.

Kassie's first birthday was less than memorable (thank goodness she's not likely to remember it) - most of the day was spent on the road, minus the short pit stop in Sugar City/Rexburg. However Aunt Anj did more than her job by making cupcakes, having a new ball & a balloon for Kassie - great fun when you're 1! We opened a few more presents when we got to Salmon that night & we had a joint birthday celebration on Sunday with a cousin & 2 uncles so the real birthday came then - more on that later.

Thanks for the yummy birthday cupcake Aunt Anj!
For ME?!
Thursday at Grandma Terry & Papa's was spent playing in the pool & getting ready for the Weeks' Family Reunion. Before this trip we had not ever been able to make a Weeks' reunion (we've only made it to 2 Nelson reunions), living far away just doesn't make things easy. That being said rumor had it that 86 decedents of my paternal grandparents would be making an appearance. I'm not sure what the final number turned out to be, but there was more of a few of us there when things got into full swing on Friday. All of my dad's siblings were able to be there & most of my first cousins were there, plus all of our families. There were a few missing - 2 cousins are on missions, one had just been in the hospital so wasn't able to travel & 1 just couldn't make it from Virginia. Several of us had come from quite a distance. I hadn't seen some of my cousins since Dan & I were married (12 years ago this month) & some even longer - it was fun to see how much everyone had changed & to be honest I needed a reminder more than once of just who was who. The reunion ran Friday evening & the better part of Saturday. The reunion was held at a campground. Nate & Abbie got to go camping for their first time thanks to Dan - I took Kassie back to my parents house for a decent nights sleep - rumor has it I made a good choice. On Saturday they had lots of fun things for the kids to do. We really did have a fun time!

My paternal grandparents - they were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary - & all their children.You think you're going to keep me in this thing?!
Uncle Donny with his boys Clayton & Byron
Nate & Byron in a 3 legged race
Mummy wrapping race - Parker & Byron
and switch
Nate & Abbie
and switch
Bubble blowing contest
Some just for my baby sister (I love this one!)
Bubble Gum Bubble blowing contest (we cheated - I blew the bubble)
Marshmallow in spoon relay - Byron
And Nate
Parker's quite the whiz at the hula hoop


Abbie gave it a try


Same disclaimer as with Dan's family pictures I did my best to post only flattering pictures - I however have a plethora of blackmail photos at my disposal - be warned family members!

I am grateful to have been born into a family that values family the way it does. I grew up in the same town as both sets of my grandparents & knew 5 of my great-grandparents growing up. As kids grew up playing with not just friends but cousins, aunts & uncles. We spent many a night at Grandma & Grandpa's just to have a sleep over for fun. It's a rich heritage I cherish. One that I often feel bad that I can't offer my own children, there are days I really wish we lived closer to family (but, in all honesty there are days I'm glad we don't).