Vacation to Boise

At the end of July we got the opportunity to take a vacation to Boise. Well, it was a vacation for me and the kids, and a working vacation for Landon. The company that he does maintenance for was having its annual retreat in Boise and said that the kids and I could come along as well. I figured that there was no better time to get to spend some time with my parents and brothers than when someone else is paying for it, so off we went.


Tomlinson & Assoc. paid for a hotel room for us that the kids totally loved. First thing they did when we got to the room was to invent this game.




They jumped from bed to bed and then would run around and start at the chair again.



Even Levi got involved.

The first night we were there we were able to go out on my parent's boat. They have a cabin cruiser and is the perfect Grandpa's boat. My mom always keeps it stalked with yummy treats and the kids can run free on the boat. Or play in the water if they want.

Our poor little Levi man had a double ear infection when we left on the trip. We had him on antibiotics, but he had just barely started them the day before. So here he is, goopey eyed, crusty nosed, unhappy about his life jacket, but still liking being on the boat.

As you can see, the big kids have fun on the boat too. Landon and I took turns taking our kids into the water and then jumping ourselves off the front of the boat. I have to admit that there is no other plays that feels quite as good to me as when I am playing on a boat in the middle of a reservoir.

Isn't my husband hotta!!!

There is Grandma Kitty in the background. She doesn't normally get in the water, but loves to snuggle the babies on the deck of the boat. They love it too, although at this point my sicky Levi was ready for Mama snuggles, to which I obliged.

Last, but not least, the kids had to take turns getting to drive the boat. They sit on Papa's lap and he lets them steer us wherever they want. (Within reason of course.) This is also about the time that the snacks were really broke loose. You can see Ellen snacking on a granola bar with Papa.

The rest of the trip was equally as fun as this night, I just didn't get any pictures of it. The next day I was able to spend the whole day at Joe and Gretchen's house letting the cousins play together and relaxing. (Unfortunately, Landon had to attend meetings.) That night Landon and I were able to have an extended date. Tomlinson & Assoc paid for us to attend a Boise Hawke's Baseball game. Then my parents were kind enough to keep the kids at their house overnight and let Landon and I have the hotel room to ourselves. It was a nice evening getting to enjoy each other's company and not have to worry about the kids.

The final day of our stay Landon gave up on the conference and decided to come play with us. We spent a good portion of that day over at Bud and CharEl's house getting to see their new place. (They just moved to Boise and live right across the golf course from my parents.) They treated us to lunch and then we went for a little walk to feed the ducks. I think that Buddy got pictures of this and if I get them from him I will post them. The kids were soooooo cute. Even Levi got in on the action and tried to throw the crumbs as far as he could. Really, that meant the only went about 6 inches, but the birds didn't care. They would come right up and grab them out of your hand if you'd let them.

That night we had a small birthday party for my nephew Eli before returning home. It was an incredibly enjoyable trip. I love spending time with my family and miss them clear over in Boise. I know that I sound like a whiner because many people have their families farther away then that, but I don't care. I miss them all and wish we could still all live in the same town. Every time I go to visit it gets harder and harder for me to leave my parent's house. I miss being near them and getting to have my Mommy nearby. The good thing is that they are only a 3 hour drive away and I can go visit them regularly. And when you have as much fun as we did on this trip, why wouldn't you want that?