Hastings Reunion: Idaho, Part 1

We just spent the last week in Northern Idaho (Ashton/Island Park area) with Rob's whole family.  We stayed at this incredible cabin on the Henry's Fork of the Snake River called Mesa Fall's Lodge.  Here is a photo I stole of it off of the website.  It was perfect with a beautiful view and plenty of room for everyone.

Anyway, I drove with the kids (Rob had to work on Saturday so flew to SLC and drove up with his parents) and we were the first to arrive.  The second carload was Court, Whit, Jim and baby Everdene.  We enjoyed some time out on the front porch as we waited for the Christian/Shandra gang to arrive.

 We were excited when these cousin's arrived and we FINALLY got to meet cute Betsy in person and get reaquainted with TK (I think he was only 3 or 4 months the last time we saw him)!  Tristan is a great kid, but does not like to be photosized.   My kids had a really good time with him.

 The next morning we spent some more quality time on the porch taking in the view, followed by a walk down to and in the river.

 It was super fun walking in the river until we discovered bones and Rob pulled them out and they were covered in gnarly creatures.  So gross (for me anyway).  I ran for the shore but got stuck in the mud and nearly lost my slippers.  Ugh.  Yuck.

After the river we took a short drive to Upper and Lower Mesa Falls.  Beautiful.  Everything was perfect except the gob of gum Clara got in her hair.

 Back at the ranch, I got to remove the gum with peanut butter (the second time in the last month).  Clara is forbidden to chew gum.

Musings...

I used to actually write on my blog.  Now I just post photos and captions.  Not sure why I stopped ruminating and sharing my opinions, etc.  I've been making my blog into books via Blog2Print and it is very fun to go back and read them.  In fact, I am now convinced that the primary reason I blog is for me.  It is really amazing to have a record of my children's childhood.  I go back and read stuff and have no memory of it, except for the blog.  Maybe that is  normal or maybe I am just getting soft in the head.  Either way, I love having this blog to keep track of us. So indulge me as I journal a bit here.  For me.  So I don't forget what life is like in this particular phase.
      Anyway, today I spent most of the day in the car.  Dropping off, running here, rushing there, picking up, dropping off, and on and on.  This is how my life is most days.  I go through gas like crap through a goose (forgive this poor choice of phraseology, but it's something that we Taylors just say). This summer has been a busy one.  Piano lessons, gymnastics, violin lessons, pool days, Tahoe days, etc.  Lucy put on the camp with her friends which was great in many ways. Learning about planning, organizing, preparing, and keeping a group of 14 kids entertained was a steep learning curve.  And we got to count it as one of the 10 hour projects for YW.  The income wasn't too shabby either. So lots of positives but it kept our schedule pretty intense.  And then there was art camp, soccer camp, and girls camp.  Yup.  Girls camp.  Lucy has been gone for the last 2 weeks.  The first week was at our stake camp.  We saw her briefly when she got back. Shortly after she got back she flew to Utah for camp with Emily and Madi.  They got back Saturday and Lucy had a great time.  Who wouldn't?  Emily is the reigning Girl's Camp Queen.  She flies back tomorrow.  It is crazy how fast her life is going.  Crazy.  Crazy. Crazy.  She is old enough to fly alone.  She is going to start Jr. High.  7th grade. I am just anxious to get her through the ordeal of Jr. High relatively intact.  Hope her experience won't be too brutal or too high drama.  Is that too much to ask?
         The boys hosted a few night game sessions in our yard with friends from the ward.  The first one was a huge success.  14 boys.  The next one 3 boys had bees fly up their shirts.  Multiple stings.  Yikes.  The enthusiasm for night games has waned a bit since that misadventure.  Speaking of the boys, can I just say how pleased I am that they have eachother.  Those boys really are such great friends.  I remember my friend Joe telling me to chillax when I was so upset that they were only going to be 15 months apart.  He told me it was going to be the best things ever for the boys (he and his brother were only 15 months apart).  He was spot on.  Best thing ever.  They do everything together.  Lately there has been a lot of air soft and a lot of sword fighting.  Today Anders' awesome primary teachers took his giant primary class (19 kids) up to this resort place where they could swim, bowl, make art, watch movies, etc.  The twins were separated all day.  Both missed each other a lot.
Anyway, its been a great summer.  It is going to be over soon.  I'm sad, but glad that it has been packed with fun.  Although, sometimes I think a little less driving and packed calendars might make for a pretty nice summer too.

Sunday Stroll

A couple Sunday's ago we went for a walk up in the Tahoe Meadows.  Beautiful.  

 Anders collected bugs (a lady in our ward did an awesome science class this summer and now my freezer is full of frozen bugs):

 Clara offered to pose multiple times:

 Anders recreating his muddy bathe joke:

 Bug collecting: