Fish Fry at G&G Call's: Labor Day 2012

We have always spent every Labor Day going to my grandparents' house in Firth, Idaho. They live just up the street from the Eastern Idaho State Fair. We usually go to that the Saturday before. We are limiting our time at Grandma's now that there are so many of us. We now try to hold our parties on their property and the cousins camp out.

Lil' Winn getting ready to enjoy some fish. Not really but this kid will eat anything.

My Grandpa created a pond on his property from the canal water. He then stocks it with fish. This is a dream come true for the boys in the family. How would it be to have enough property to put a huge pond on it?

 

Brian, Evy, Jack, Elena, Maddi, Sami and Allie watching Matt canoe. Derek was actually swimming in it.

Gramma Yena, Winston, Allie, Nelson. Allie and I got to drive up together and we gossiped until the cows came home. I definitely do not get enough interaction with women.

Grandpa getting ready to cook up some corn. Their corn on the cob is the best. That is my Grandpa Ford's truck in the back. He only drives a Ford. :) Oh and my Grandpa is 92.

My Grandpa took an old swing set and tied swings to it. So innovative.

Evy, Zach, Brooklyn, Maddi and Kate playing "Bubble Gum."

Grandpa and Shecky

Brian, Maggie and Allie. Thank goodness my Auntie Shawna brought burgers so I didn't have to eat fish. Nelson ate like 5 pieces because my Cousin Mark that is a chef cooked it up for everyone.

My step-cousin used to live in a trailer on the property. He recently moved so my Grandpa took advantage of the plumbing hookups. He built an outhouse with a flushing toilet and lights.

Now we can camp in style. Can't wait to go next year! I hope Evy has memories of my grandparents because they are amazing.

Bear Lake August 23-26, 2012

On August 20th, Casey's in-laws invited us to their annual water party in their backyard. They live in Hyde Park as well. Evy loves playing with her cousins more than anything so she had a blast. We had a BBQ and they just played and played. My kids were just excited to have grass to play on.

Evy and Lilly

We then spent the weekend in Bear Lake, our usual relaxation spot. We took the boat out for a ride. Nelson and Evy swimming.

Evy likes to drive on the street up to the cabin.

Evy playing in the water.

Nelson

Coleman was way good. Poor little buddy got a bit of heat rash despite me trying to keep him covered and shaded.

This canopy has got to go. It collapsed on Coleman. We finally gave up and took it down. Robin and Amber met up with us. We had a BBQ on the beach. Nelson discovered white cheddar popcorn that they brought and he was in love.

Taggert loves the great outdoors.

Deer are often feeding in this field near the cabin.

We discovered a new shake shop called "Jake's." It was fantastic. You have to go when they aren't swamped and they have time to make you a decent shake. I had chocolate almond and Nelson had raspberry of course.

Bear Lake August 4, 2012

If you can't tell, we love Bear Lake. It is the playground of all Cache Valleyans. It is just an hour away. That is where everyone here goes and many people have cabins. This is at Glady's place that make fabulous sandwiches and pastries. Evy and Avery were in awe of the lotto machine. We went to the Minnetonka caves right after this. The girls liked it but Evy was a little scared of the dark. We had a teenage boy as our cave guide who had the voice of a 10 year old girl.

Nelson, Coleman, Avery, Evy and Robin.

Evy and Avery. They fight like cats and dogs one minute then love each other the next. We mix up their names whenever we are together. Nelson always calls Evy "Every."

Amber, Avery and Evy. Amber caught a little fish for the girls to look at.

We have to work hard to keep our little white baby out of the sun. The sun is kryptonite for him.

Robin and Avery. Nothing feels better than mud (as long as you can rinse it off right after).

We met at first dam on the way up. Coleman likes the grass.

Evy and Nelson at first dam.

The week before we met up with my cousins from Virginia at the Willow Park Zoo. I hadn't seen them in years. This is my Cousin Trevor's girls Julia and Anna.

This is Trevor's kids and his sister Roseanne's kids meeting Coleman.

Coleman, Julia, Anna.

Lava Hot Springs: July 27-28, 2012

We stopped and picked up Uncle Leonard on our way to Lava Hot Springs. His house is so fun to look at because it is so retro. He and his family were all the same way; they would buy something and use it forever. Washing machines last at least 30 years. Isn't that how we should all be? It would be if we all took care of our stuff. There would be a lot less garbage in the world, that's for sure.

He's the American Picker's dream.

Evy

Finally camping at Lava. We went with Nelson's family. My coworker asked before we went, "Isn't Lava ghetto?" No! Not everywhere. We camp at this cute site called "Mary's Place." It was ran by a woman named Mary. She died and donated the place to the Sheriff's department. So now they take turns running it. Who better to camp with I say? This is Gene maxin and relaxin. We hit the pool that day. I like the slides but avoid the huge diving platforms. Did you know you have to sign a waiver to jump from the highest one? Last year the paramedics came for a guy. No thanks.

Evy wants absolutely nothing to do with us when she is with her cousins. She literally runs from me. This is Evy and Sara.

We had dutch oven dinner and dessert. It was Karlene and Sara's birthdays.

My cute little man.

We ladies like to prepare the food, put it in the dutch ovens, then hand it to the men. This is Dan. We always do chicken and vegetables. We decided we need to branch out sometime and try some new recipes.

Gene, Nelson and Karlene. Socks and sandals are a must.

Sara with a huge bug they caught. No thanks.

Lagoon: July 18, 2012

We spontaneously went to Lagoon. Our neighbors the Henries, called us on a Tuesday and asked if we could go to Lagoon the next day. I said no way would Nelson be able to get work off. Well, lo and behold, he did. It was nice going on a Wednesday because it wasn't as crowded. This is Evy about 30 seconds after leaving the park.

Coleman was a trooper. He was just happy to look around and watch people all day. He had a total blowout on the drive down so we had to stop at Walmart for new shorts.

Evy and Cameron. Bumper cars for kids was a joke. None of them knew what the heck they were doing. The operator had to stop it to help kids out of jams like 5 times. Then finally, Cameron just jumped out completely. Very entertaining though.

I think everyone has a picture of themselves as a kid on this ride.

Evy and Cameron

An old church in Pioneer Village. It was weird hearing church hymns among screaming riders.

How romantic.

I thought Evy would get nervous and/or sick on many rides but she did great. She didn't talk a lot during the day because she was taking it all in. She and Cameron loved Lagoona Beach a lot.

After Rattlesnake Rapids. Jessica, Brandi, Holly, Evy, Cameron.