Vacation Part 1

We have been on vacation and it was a nice break. I took close to 1500 pictures. Lucky for you I won't be keeping all those 1500 photos. I have about the first 2 days photos gone through and since our trip was several stages I thought I would blog that way. 

We went to where I grew up in Idaho and visited my family. My parents were the only ones that had seen Ari since he was born so everybody else was able to meet him. The last time we were home Lilliana was 5 months old so we had some catching up to do. I never have enough time to see everybody when I am home or to even catch up. We try to fit 2 years into a week. It can be overwhelming but it is so much fun. 

I began packing 4 days before we left in hopes of not having last minute procrastination and being cranky. I sort of succeeded in that. I should have done my shopping that I needed before the packing, but we live and learn. Trying to get 5 people's clothes into one small suitcase and a bag proves to be interesting. I remember flying use to be a lot more enjoyable, but between trying to keep bags at a minimum to avoid charges and keeping kids quiet I have my doubts. I also never really saw it until this trip. I had heard people talk about smaller plane seats etc. While I know I weigh more than I did in college etc. I am not that huge. The seats have definitely gotten smaller along with the planes. 

The kids did not seem to notice the lack of bags, small seats, small planes, and exhausted parents. We were up at 3:15 to leave. They were excited. Each had their backpack and that was the coolest thing ever. 

 

Our first flight was very short.



Lilliana's words when she opened the skymall magazine, "OOOOOHHH Pretty!" Smart Girl!



We flew into Chicago. I always like the Chicago airport if you have to change terminals as the architecture is really neat along with the different areas of art etc. Plus we were able to use the moving sidewalks. The kids loved those especially with the lights. 

 

 The real challenge was keeping the kids occupied for 4 1/2 hours during our layover. After breakfast and  walking from one terminal to another we made an area they could not leave with our bags and basically let them run. 

They did watch part of a movie. 

 

 

Finally after our wait we arrived in Idaho. I was in a sweatshirt and pants. It was HOT! We had been experiencing nice cool weather so it was a bit of a shock. It was also very smokey. There were a lot of forest fires. At the time the biggest one in the nation was going. I don't know if it still is the biggest. My sister and mom picked us up. Everybody was so excited to see them. I was wiped though. I think we all were really. The plan was to spend some time with my grandparents and then the rest of the week at the club with my sisters and parents waterskiing. We stopped at the club to drop my sister and mom off. We stayed for a bit and then headed to my grandparents house.

After dinner the kids all had baths in Grandma's big bath tub.

 

They loved it! 

 

 

 

I should have waited to bath them. After baths we headed outside to enjoy the garden and look at all the landscaping they had done. The kids loved it. 

 

I also grabbed a few photos of my grandpa. This describes his life to a T. He is a lover of cars especially old ones. He has passed it down to some of his children. It wasn't/isn't a family get together that the conversation among the men is about cars. While it is not my thing it is really just kind of normal to me. 

 

 

The older two went to bed. Ari played a little more and then Grandma had the joy of putting him to sleep. She loves that and he did too. 

 

We spent a lot of time on their back porch. The hummingbirds would come eat and we would watch the sunsets. I took a few pictures of the sunsets each night. This night I was too lazy to walk to the field. 

 

Saturday morning was nice and laid back. The kids continued to play. They loved the backyard and toys. 

 

Then we met my Grandma Gloria for lunch and visited her. We went to Chick-Fil-A. I love that place! 

 

 It was so good to see her! One thing I miss about living in Michigan is seeing my family. It always makes it hard. 

Notice Eli's cow hat. Well those didn't leave his head unless I asked him for several days. He wore them shopping etc. I do believe they ended up in the bag home too. 

 

I did a quick session with a friend and her family and then we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. The kids had not napped so Ari was exhausted. 

 

 

Grandma fixed the beet for Eli that he had pulled the previous night. He was not impressed. I can't blame him.

 

Their pajamas were dirty from the morning play so they were my grandpa's old tshirts to bed. It brought back fond memories of us doing the same as kids. 

 

 

The sunset that evening was wonderful! 

 

Sunday morning the kids enjoyed another morning playing in the garden with the hoses and making rock piles. 

 

We enjoyed the hummingbirds. 

  

Grandma Jenny has a way of making whatever so very special and turning anything into something fabulous. It is just Grandma. She gave the kids their own wallet and "purse." Of course they were filled with a few dollars and some practical fun things. Although cleaning up band aids for 3 days after we got home was not so fun for me.

We also spent some of Tuesday there and told them good-bye Thursday morning.


Lilliana helped Grandma make an arrangement of flowers. That girl loves flowers.




The kids picked me some blackberries and summer squash as they know I love both.

 
  

 It was wonderful to see them. I am so glad I am able to know my grandparents and my kids are able to know them too. They are all so wonderful and we are blessed.

 

That was just some of our fun. There is more to come!