Spokane cousins part 3

Oh Lake Roosevelt....you were SO good to us. We got up EARLY on day 3 of our trip to hit the water again! This lake was a good hour and a half drive but so so worth it. It is GORGEOUS and the water was nice and there were a few beaches around and it is HUGE. 

 We found an awesome spot to beach and set up our day camp on the shore. We had lunch and got right to riding. It was hot and the water was calm! We were all ready for a hot day after our cold one.

 We left Chad on the beach with a lot of the kids and me and Mindy went out to get a few rides in. I did the best I've ever done on a wakeboard and of course Chad wasn't there to see it but Mindy got a few pics of me! Mindy still has it!

 Theres a huge rock in the middle of the water so of course we had to do some rock jumping. Mindy took Bri over and she was very hesitant to jump at first but after a few jumps with Mindy she became a pro and probably did it 50 times!

 We swam around too and I had Mollie put a wakeboard on a swim around in it and learn how to flip over in case she wanted to try it later.

 Even the big boys got in on jumping!

 Ry would only ride the tube with dad but it sprayed in her face too much for her liking and she was just content riding in the boat most of the time.

 Having gobs of fun.

 Bri was the best on the tube. Her face here says it all. She just laughed and screamed and had so much fun. She never wanted to get off.

 Rylee passed out in the boat on day 2 for another little nap. I was glad she was getting a little extra nap here and there because we played HARD!

 Look at this beautiful place!

 We stayed until the last bits of sun light. We got this shot of all the kids in age order at sun down.

 What a great group of kids! We love the Hymas family!!!!

 As we were going back to the dock, we saw something in the water up ahead. No one was quite sure what it was until we got a little closer. It was a MOOSE!! Oh my heavens I didn't even know Moose could swim but they can! It hopped right out of the water and ran up the hill! How cool is that!

We got off the water right as it was getting dark. Everyone was tired and hungry! We drove about an hour to a middle of now where burger joint that is open 24 hours. It was like 10:30 and the parking lot was packed with BOATS! All the hungry boaters were stopping there to eat. It wasn't awful but it wasn't great either. Our kids were SO tired. But they ate and dropped into bed as soon as we got home. What a PERFECT day. Again, no fighting, whining (too much) and all happy faces. But we knew we'd pay for it tomorrow.

Spokane Cousins part 2

Bright and early Tuesday morning we hopped in the car with lots of snacks and charged devices and we hit the road! We were able to mix kids around which helped SO much in traveling. The kids got along so well and I still can't believe we drove that far with ZERO problems!

 The ride was beautiful, especially as we got closer to Coeur d'Alene. So many trees and thick forests and it was so green!

 Mollie kept herself very entertained with all her 'things' in true Mollie (and Morgan) style.

 We arrived around 7 or 8 pm and we were glad to be out of the car! And we were starving! After unpacking, we decided the kids were getting mac n cheese and we were going out for dinner! It was a little stormy but we went anyway. We drove about 15 min to a little bistro and by that time the storm had really picked up! It was the craziest thunder and lightning storm I've ever seen. It wasn't too loud, but it was just constant lightning! We ran into the restaurant just as it started to rain. The waitress warned us they may loose power and would have to close. We ordered our food and just then, the power went out!! The kicked us out and we ran to the truck in the pouring rain! Taco Bell won the vote for dinner that night!

The next day we got up and did some grocery shopping and came home and packed up food to get out on the water! We went to a lake about 20 min from them and we hit the water hard!

 Chets new boat is SUPER nice. It fit all of us comfortably and we felt super cool.

 Tube rides were first! This tube was great since it fit 3 kids at once. Uncle Chet knows how to give a wild ride!

 I had to giggle when we got back because instead of taking pics of the kids I have a whole bunch of pictures of my face like this! Ooops!

 Carter and Gavin mastered the tube and were often begging to go faster.

 Rylee got tired and the teenagers let her cuddle up with them and take a little snooze while they sun bathed. Best cousins ever!

 My boys in the boat. They were both in heaven.

 It was a little chilly that first day on the water so yes we wore sweaters and used the heaters but later in the afternoon it warmed up nicely.

 Any time the boat was off a whole herd of kids, and big kids, jumped into the water. They were all pretty happy just swimming around.

 Carter also mastered WAKE BOARDING!! Chad and I were so proud. He fell in love with it this trip and got very excited whenever he got a turn.

Morgan is quite the little skier, wakeboarder and surfer too! All their kiddos are getting pretty good at water sports. 

 Good thing we took a few extra blankets, towels and dry clothes because when the sun went down it was chilly! But everyone got off with big smiles on their faces! We loved our first day on the water!!!!

Spokane cousins part 1

We were so thrilled to hear that Chet and Mindy and fam would be in town again for Emma's voice camp concert at BYU. We quickly made plans with them! And part of those plans involved us caravaning with them back to Spokane! The concert was on a Saturday and so we met up with their fam in provo. They came to church with us on sunday and after lunch we sent Chet and Mindy out the door to enjoy a few days of their anniversary in Utah! They were married in the SLC temple and haven't been back since. So we kept their kiddos sun night - tues morning. 

All their kids have lovely musical talent and my keyboard was always being played. I loved it when there was actually music coming from it and not just noise. The kids bonded quickly and of course Ry latched onto Morgan. 

 Monday after a few errands we spent the day at the pool! It was blissful! I had 8 kids I was in charge of but only really Rylee to watch because she will only stay in the shallow end. I was so relaxed!

 All the kids played so well and the teenagers were a big help to me.

 Carter and Gavin picked up like they had never been apart and just played so hard! These boys have got to stick together! They both come from an all girl family.

 That evening we went into SLC to see the pioneer day floats. They are always so amazing.

 After pizza in the park and a scrapped knee we headed back home.

We have LOVED having Emma, Maycie, Morgan and Gavin in our home! They all get along so great and its seriously blissful being together. Chet and Mindy came back early Tues morning and we were ready to hit the road for a 12 hour drive in the car!!!