Farrell Reunion- Donnelly, Id

Our last stop on our Idaho trip was Donnelly, which is between Cascade and McCall. Jon's parents were having a reunion with their kids and we were SO excited. We stayed in this really nice cabin, way up on the mountain. It was really beautiful up there and we had so much fun hanging out and visiting. The only big bummer is that by this time in our vacation, the kids were DONE. Matthew really struggled, especially in the sleep department, and both kids kept asking if we could go home. But they were troopers and we really did have a good time.

Our first night there, a huge storm came in out of nowhere. There was rain and wind that were so strong they knocked huge trees down everywhere. It was a mess. And we were without power for the next day and a half. That was an adventure! Definitely not one we would have chosen, but in the end it ended up being a blessing. We were out in nature, surrounded by family, and we had no electricity or electronics to distract us. We had to get creative, especially with cooking, but we did it. And I really am grateful to have had that experience. I'm also grateful that the power came back on. :)

So, on to the pictures...though there are several more that I want to get from other people.

Our cabin

Our second day there(the day with no power) we had scheduled to go boating. Luckily they were able to clear the roads enough for us to get to the lake and the temperatures warmed up just enough for us to spend all day outside.

This was along the road on our way to the lake...see that poor car under the tree.

I thought these next two pictures were so sweet

On the boat

Matthew hated wearing the life jacket...I can't say that I blame him.

Me and Emma on the tube. She put up with it, but both kids got off the boat as soon as they could and played on the beach for the rest of the day.

Matthew, Emma, and Jenny getting out of the sun

Matthew's new hobby...opening and closing doors

And this was by far Emma's favorite thing about the cabin...a close second was watching everyone play MarioKart.

While we were at the cabin Emma had a birthday.

"Emma, how old are you?"

We had a little party

We got her a kid's camera that she LOVES...and we now have about 300 pictures of feet and close ups of the couch. :)

Her cake...we couldn't decide which cheesecake we wanted so we did half Reeses and half regular. Jello no bake cheesecakes are the Best!

Our last day there we took the sidewalk chalk to this cement tunnel and colored away.

Jon's masterpiece

That night we went fishing one last time. Jon and some of his siblings had been several times during the week, but we wanted to squeeze in one last little trip. The fish were plentiful but too small to keep.

Matthew looked so funny just chilling in the stroller reeling in fish.

And of course the kids had to get in the water too. Don't you love Emma's hiked up skirt?? :)

We made so many memories during the last 3 weeks and I'm so grateful that we were able to go and see all of our family.

Idaho: Part 1

After a 3 week vacation in Idaho, we are finally home. It was so good to see all of our family but by the last week we were all ready to be home. So, I'll start at the beginning and summarize our 3 weeks as best as I can.

My two sisters and I, who all live far apart, were able to plan a trip home at the same time. Since all of our other siblings live in the area, we were all able to be home together(except Abby who was on a school trip part of the time).

We got to Idaho Falls in the early morning hours and went to bed. After we woke up, our first item of business was to get hair cuts. I was in desperate need of one and Emma was ready for a trim. She loves getting her hair cut and had a great time.

That night after a yummy dinner, we roasted marshmallows and had s'mores.

Kaden, Emma, and Spencer showing off their Buzz Lightyear pajamas

Grandpa read to all the kids every night. They loved it!

We went to the splash park in Rexburg one day. I thought my kids would love it, but that was not the case. There is a big bucket that dumps water on the playground and they were both terrified of it. So...we sat and snacked most of the time.

I love this picture. Kaden would go up to Matthew several times a day and squeeze his cheeks and talk to him. It was very cute.

Riding the carousel at the park. Emma loved it. Matthew hated it...he is not a fan of rides at all.

Five kids might be too many for one tub. :)

My dad did a lot of babysitting so we could run errands, go to the temple, and have a girls day out. One afternoon my mom and sisters and I went to lunch at Johnny Carino's and then went to see Letters to Juliet. Such a fun afternoon!

There was a LOT of trampoline jumping.

Matthew claimed this cute little tractor as his own. Notice the cheese stick in the back...funny kid!

I signed Emma up for swim lessons...SO much cheaper in Idaho...my sister signed up two of her kids as well. Emma and Kaden were the only two in their class. They had a great teacher and absolutely loved their lessons.

One of Emma's favorite things at my parents house were my dad's cars. She played with these for hours.

A group of us went up to Yellowstone to watch "The Foreigner" at the Playmill Theater. My family goes to the Playmill at least once every summer and it is always fun to be able to go with them.

Esther, Nathan, Mom, Dad, me, Noah (and Rachel taking the picture) went this year.

Kaden's birthday was the 19th so we had a joint birthday party for him and Emma (both turning 4!). All the cousins went to see Toy Story 3 and then we came home and had pizza and a Buzz Lightyear birthday party.

All the cousins

My sister and Mom made these adorable matching outfits for the 3 girl cousins.

Silly faces

One of my favorite pictures of the kids together

Talking to Daddy on Father's Day

How sweet is this?

Sharing Grandpa's mug. For some reason all the kids just had to drink out of this, even though it's as big as they are. :)

One afternoon I took my kids and Kaden to walk around the greenbelt and feed the ducks.

Our last day there we went to Tautphus Park playground and zoo. It is a small zoo, but I thought it was perfect for the kid's attentions spans and we all had a great time. I even splurged the 25 cents so the kids could feed the goats. They loved it!

While there, my brother in law, Nathan had a birthday. We went over to his parent's house for a party. Both kids loved playing in their pond.

After dinner we played croquet.

Our two weeks there seriously flew by SO fast! We really had a great time. I especially loved seeing the kids play with their cousins. I really hope that they grow up to be great friends.

Happy Birthday Emma

Emma turned 4 today and I just can't wrap my mind around that fact. This birthday has been such an emotional one for me and I don't know why....though it could be because we've been on vacation for 3 weeks now and we're all ready to be home...

But really, four just sounds so much more grown up than three. This is her last year before kindergarten. She can write her name and she tries to use big words all the time. She won't let us call her a little girl anymore. She is just growing up and I'm not quite ready for it.

We love having Emma in our family. We love her fun personality and adventurous spirit and we can't imagine life without her.

Happy birthday Emma!