I'm back! And I've got some tales to tell! But first things first. I'm thrilled to announce the winner of my Mod Podge Mania Giveaway...it's Shortmama! Congratulations!
Well, our last hurrah for the summer is the family reunion for my mom's side of the family. We went to a little place in Idaho called Downata Hot Springs. We use the term "camping" loosely. We have my dad, and 2 uncles whose physical health does not allow for the more "rough" type of camping. So we "cabin" it. We reserved some small cabins, a ranch house, and several tent spots to fit our family. Downata isn't really in the mountains...but there are some trees! What they boast is a hot springs-heated pool, and some fun water slides.
This is the Ranch House we shared with my 2 brothers and 1 sis in law, my cousin and her hubby, and my parents and my cousin who is staying with my parents for the next 10 months while she goes to massage school.
We also had other families staying in smaller cabins, and tents on the lawn.
When we arrived, we helped get tents set up - my aunt M and her son were borrowing our tent. Our family was in charge of dinner. My mom made Chile Verde, I made a mexican casserole, and we had fresh-cut fruit. After hauling a HUGE crock pot of chile verde, 2 casseroles, tortillas, chips, salsa, sour cream fruit, cheese and all the paper products out to the tables located about 75 feet away from the Ranch House, we called everyone for supper.
About half of us had dished up and started eating, and the rest were working on it when the wind picked up...out of control! Paper products were flying everywhere, and we tried to make the best of it...but when ash and dirt start blowing in your eyes and food, and the little ones start crying...it's time to move the party inside! We all picked up and crammed into the ranch house. The adults scrambled to haul all the food and paper products back inside.
We had an enjoyable meal and great conversation as we listened to the wind howling outside. Of course that was until we saw the tents go flying past the windows. (cue music from the Wizard of Oz - da doo da doo da doo doo, da doo da doo da doo doo) I expected to see a crochety old neighbor lady blowing past the window on her bycicle, with a little dog in the basket! Every single tent came down in the wind. Ours happened to actually have the poles snap. Oh joy.
We quickly reassessed our sleeping arrangements, and all the tent dwellers found themselves sleeping in cars or on cabin floors. Technically you're not supposed to have extra people in your cabin...but seriously did they expect them to sleep out in the near-tornado?
The wind eventually ceased, but the tempuratures never really got super warm! Notice in all the pictures how everyone is wearing sweatshirts or a blanket! And all day long the next day, you could see employees throughout the grounds raking up the aweful mess the wind had made - branches and debris EVERYWHERE!
That didn't stop us from having fun though! Then next morning the kids were all counting down the minutes until the pool opened at 11. Even with the cold temps...a hot springs-heated pool is a fun time! And waterslides...Hello!
Pixie and Monkey, warming up in the water toys while they wait for the big kids to get done sliding.
Bookworm does his slidin' on his back,
While Cowgirl prefers sitting up!
Monkey climbing out to go on the little yellow slide that's just her size!
Here's bookworm with cousin J. They hardly ever get to see each other because of distance, that's why reunions rock!
All our swimming stuff hanging out to dry. Notice the sweatshirts! After swimming was REALLY COLD!!!!
Ladder golf (or a thousand other names I've heard people call it) was the game of the day for Pixie and Monkey
Bookworm's in the front, and from left to right...Monkey, Uncle J (my bro.), Aunt C (his wife), Pixie, Moi and Cowgirl. Ever take a family photo in the pool?
Notice how everyone's around the campfire, during the DAY, wearing sweatshirts, and/or blankets? Yeah, it was cold!
A good time was still had by all, and it was great to catch up with everyone and spend some time away from the regular goings on of daily life! Thanks mom, for making it such a success this year. Of course, it's always good to come home! Especially to fabulous bloggy friends whom you've missed! I'll be swinging by to catch up with everyone!
Well, our last hurrah for the summer is the family reunion for my mom's side of the family. We went to a little place in Idaho called Downata Hot Springs. We use the term "camping" loosely. We have my dad, and 2 uncles whose physical health does not allow for the more "rough" type of camping. So we "cabin" it. We reserved some small cabins, a ranch house, and several tent spots to fit our family. Downata isn't really in the mountains...but there are some trees! What they boast is a hot springs-heated pool, and some fun water slides.
The kids were anxious to get on the road Thursday afternoon, but I made them pose for a picture anyway! They were so excited!
This is the Ranch House we shared with my 2 brothers and 1 sis in law, my cousin and her hubby, and my parents and my cousin who is staying with my parents for the next 10 months while she goes to massage school.We also had other families staying in smaller cabins, and tents on the lawn.
When we arrived, we helped get tents set up - my aunt M and her son were borrowing our tent. Our family was in charge of dinner. My mom made Chile Verde, I made a mexican casserole, and we had fresh-cut fruit. After hauling a HUGE crock pot of chile verde, 2 casseroles, tortillas, chips, salsa, sour cream fruit, cheese and all the paper products out to the tables located about 75 feet away from the Ranch House, we called everyone for supper.
About half of us had dished up and started eating, and the rest were working on it when the wind picked up...out of control! Paper products were flying everywhere, and we tried to make the best of it...but when ash and dirt start blowing in your eyes and food, and the little ones start crying...it's time to move the party inside! We all picked up and crammed into the ranch house. The adults scrambled to haul all the food and paper products back inside.
We had an enjoyable meal and great conversation as we listened to the wind howling outside. Of course that was until we saw the tents go flying past the windows. (cue music from the Wizard of Oz - da doo da doo da doo doo, da doo da doo da doo doo) I expected to see a crochety old neighbor lady blowing past the window on her bycicle, with a little dog in the basket! Every single tent came down in the wind. Ours happened to actually have the poles snap. Oh joy.
We quickly reassessed our sleeping arrangements, and all the tent dwellers found themselves sleeping in cars or on cabin floors. Technically you're not supposed to have extra people in your cabin...but seriously did they expect them to sleep out in the near-tornado?
The wind eventually ceased, but the tempuratures never really got super warm! Notice in all the pictures how everyone is wearing sweatshirts or a blanket! And all day long the next day, you could see employees throughout the grounds raking up the aweful mess the wind had made - branches and debris EVERYWHERE!
That didn't stop us from having fun though! Then next morning the kids were all counting down the minutes until the pool opened at 11. Even with the cold temps...a hot springs-heated pool is a fun time! And waterslides...Hello!
Pixie and Monkey, warming up in the water toys while they wait for the big kids to get done sliding.
Bookworm does his slidin' on his back,
While Cowgirl prefers sitting up!
Monkey climbing out to go on the little yellow slide that's just her size!
Here's bookworm with cousin J. They hardly ever get to see each other because of distance, that's why reunions rock!
All our swimming stuff hanging out to dry. Notice the sweatshirts! After swimming was REALLY COLD!!!!
Ladder golf (or a thousand other names I've heard people call it) was the game of the day for Pixie and Monkey
Bookworm's in the front, and from left to right...Monkey, Uncle J (my bro.), Aunt C (his wife), Pixie, Moi and Cowgirl. Ever take a family photo in the pool?
Notice how everyone's around the campfire, during the DAY, wearing sweatshirts, and/or blankets? Yeah, it was cold!A good time was still had by all, and it was great to catch up with everyone and spend some time away from the regular goings on of daily life! Thanks mom, for making it such a success this year. Of course, it's always good to come home! Especially to fabulous bloggy friends whom you've missed! I'll be swinging by to catch up with everyone!
Comments
Looks like you guys had a great time, despite the chilly temps and Oz like wind!
XOXO
Jen
Rebecca
Anyway, it looks like you all had fun even if it was windy...
I've never done a family pic in the pool, I think it's against the law or something... ; )
I was wondering what was up with the warm clothes. Does Idaho not know it's August?!!?