Nothing like starting the ol' family vacation off with an overnight trip
on unknown roads to the E.R.
Yep, our little frequent flyer decided to have us try out a new
hospital-- St. Luke's Magic Valley in Twin Falls.
We had just arrived Friday night at our Leavitt Family Reunion
when Kean woke us up sounding like a seal barking--
darn croup.
All I can say is thank heavens for modern medicine and steroids.
Kean was breathing fine and wired with energy (mom and dad were not)
by the time we got back to our camping spot-- just in time for breakfast.
We gathered at 1000 Springs for my dad's family reunion.
We had our entire crew there-- except my niece who is serving
a mission in Oregon.
Even my younger brother, Marc and his family made it from Texas.
And it was if these cousins hadn't been separated at all.
The reunion wasn't just for our family but for my dad's side--
all of my aunts and uncles and cousins.
These are my cousin's kids-- mixed in with our kids.
And I'll tell you, it didn't take long for them to bond and
become besties.
We camped at the coolest place-- right along the snake river
and across from several gorgeous waterfalls.
We packed in the fun.
That first full day (after our all night hospital visit), we toured
an old dairy museum .. where Kean was quite lethargic.
Uh... but not the girls.
Byron, our girls and a bunch of cousins, trekked up to a waterfall.
These three had to show off the dirt they worked so hard to get.
Kean perked up for the other days.
He ran us ragged and LOVED swimming in the hot springs pool.
I was really worried about camping next to the river
but once he felt how cold it was (and it was)--
he was fine staying out.
The girls were a different story.
We just partied all day and all night.
My sister-in-law led us in a rousing evening of Bingo...
with a prize table that kept us oohing, ahhing, giggling and teasing.
In our opinion, Kean came away with the prize of the night--
a new Curious George DVD.
The highlight for me was a 3-hour trip I took on paddle boards
with two of my cousins.
Sorry, after Kean threw my cell phone in the lake last summer,
I left it in the camp trailer! No pictures.
I did get pictures of Byron and Reese coming back from their trip.
We all took this trek across the river and around an island.
We saw monster sized trout, and massive waterfalls.
Some parts were so lush, we felt almost like we were in Hawaii.
It was that gorgeous.
The kids played non-stop-- every game you can think of.
One of the best was "flour dodge ball".
They pelted each other with nylons full of flour
and came out looking like extras from an I Love Lucy episode
shot in a bakery.
These kids would get dirty or hot or sweaty-- then cool
and clean off in the river.
Rinse and repeat.
I think these kids maybe, just maybe had some fun.
I know I did.
I love, love, love my aunts and uncles and cousins.
