Island Park 2013

We were able to go to Island Park over the weekend.   This year we were able to take my sister Darcy and her family....minus her littlest (thanks Mom for tending her!)

The kids had a BLAST!

Heidi was SOO ready to go explore in the snow and I was too lazy to get them all dressed up, so they went for a small adventure.

These four played lots of phase 10.   The little kids did many puzzles.  The adults played dominion.

We took the kids for a little longer ride on the way to big springs....well, it ended up being a little bit longer ride than it should have been.   By the time we got to big springs we had some frozen little dudes.   The next trip to big springs was shorter.

Both days the adults, and Brandon went for a longer ride.    The first day they went to two top and I stayed with the kids.  The next time Darcy stayed with the kids and I have no idea where we went.  I do know that I learned how to 'roll' the snowmobile in the powder.   It was kinda cool, and I could actually do it!    Got stuck several times, but the guys love pulling out snowmobiles.   Brandon is getting pretty dang good a snowmobile.    Jake, Darin and Brandon had a blast playing around.

Tyler was SO sure he didn't sleep on the long ride.  I don't know how he can, but he usually always does.

Big Springs!   We went here twice.  Saw 3 moose, 6 muskrats, a couple friendly birds, lots and lots of ducks, one black and white diving duck, 3 swans, and lots of fish.   This year there were hundreds of smaller fish ranging from 3 inches on up.    It was fun.

We can all say we have been in a bar now!

The story goes....we were going to go out to eat, and we had heard Ponds Lodge had good food.   Well, I'm sure they do, but the restaurant part was closed, only the bar was open.   We were hungry and ready to eat, so we just stayed there.   We ordered pizza and it took longer than it needed too, but there was TV's all around that we watched to keep ourselves entertained.   The kids actually did really well.   Tyler (of all of our kids) struck up a conversation with a snowmobiler right behind him....funniest thing ever!    We were ready to leave though, the people in the bar were starting to get louder and more drunk as the night went on!    Funny, memorable experience!

Sledding is always a favorite of the kids.   This is Derek

Kyle was pretty crazy

The party is always at the top

This was a super fun little tube that Heidi is going on.   The kids had a blast on it.

Tyler had NO fear!

The Dad's and Christopher were our track makers.

Tyler did a face plant with this little tube.  His whole body just slid forward right off.   He laughed and laughed and was so proud of all the snow on his face!

Heidi and Kelli were the diggers!   Kelli liked to put 'pixy dust' on the track right before someone went on it.    Must have helped them go faster!

Derek and Heidi dug some caves at the bottom of the hill, with Christopher's help!

The also dug some caves by our condo and had a blast playing in them, but I didn't get any pictures.

My only picture of Christopher and Brady sledding......and I even cut off Christopher's face!  Bad Mom.

Kelli, the pixy fairy!

We also went swimming several times....which is always a favorite.   Several of them played racquetball which they loved too.

I did have a first on this trip.......I wore pants to church!   I had forgotten my skirt, I knew exactly where I left it.   So I wore my best jeans with my black boots!  I felt pretty weird at first, but the talks were on Unity in the Community and Unity in the Ward.    The speaker said something to the effect of, we have a unique ward where it is common to see people come to church in snowmobile suits, and jeans......I was like YES!  They understand!    My family had a blast teasing me though.   I was super glad that it wasn't 'wear pants to church Sunday.'     I surely do not want to support that at all!

Thanks for coming with us Darc and Jake!   It was so fun and also a little too short! :)