My side
The summer is coming to a close, but at least it’s going out on a good note. That note was the Q fam reunion up in the Stanley Basin…Alturas Lake to be exact.
Love family reunion time. Even if it means hanging out with a bunch of crazies. These crazies make up the best fam-dam a girl could ask for. (Click picture to see craziness large and in charge.)
Things started out a little coldy-like at Alturas Lake, but it was nothing that a hoodie couldn’t handle. I’ve spent a lot of mornings as a kid around those cabins, bundled up in just that fashion. I loved seeing my kids enjoy such a morning in a place I loved so dearly when I was little. (Lauren- My family stayed in the cabin where I put my arm though the glass. Remember that? Stinkin’ bee. :) Good times.)
I’m crazy about this dirty face. This may be my favorite picture I’ve ever taken.
Greg, having never stayed at the Smokey Lodge, decided to stretch his legs, and see what he could see. Two grommets followed along. He said the lake looked really pretty from the “top” of the mountain.
I myself loved all the bike rides. Thanks, Bethany, for letting me ride yours so much!
You could see this guy a mile away. Seriously, that’s such a bright shirt, Big Red. AHHhhhh…my eyes!! They can’t take it anymore!
Wait a minute…What happened to her bike? Ooooo she’s sure excited about something. But what?!
Bike rides around Alturas Lake will do that to you. You get all giddy and stuff. And then make your brother take tons of pictures of you. As if you don’t have a million of you posing together already. But it will never be enough! NEVER! So yes, Bry, it’s time for a photo shoot AGAIN.
Speaking of photo shoots, I ended up with about 500 pictures of this girl. Every one of them gorgeous. Because she is…gorgeous. Maybe you can see why I always wanted red hair growing up, and why I love that my daughter was lucky enough to get it.
My sisters are awesome.
Here’s the iconic “picture by the fence” of my family.
The chapel in Stanley, Idaho has huge windows behind the pulpit that look out over the fence to the Sawtooth Mountains. They call it Inspiration Chapel for a reason. The majesty of it all is awe inspiring and humbling. I love going to sacrament meeting there. It’s kind of a tradition to take pictures by the fence afterwords…even if the harsh light makes your nose look like a beak.
This was a shot of almost all the grandchildren. Three of them are missing. (You can click on this one to make it bigger too.)
My Mom outdid herself on our lunch Sunday. Her food is always delicious! I love these pictures. Family working together, and Mom doing what she does best.
Big Law making some killer salsa. Love a man who knows his way around the kitchen.
This man knows his way around a kitchen too…but it’s more for hovering and scouring the area for taste testing opportunities. Hover: it’s what helicopter pilots do best. :)
There were three girls in a tub. One of them said, “Please pass me the soap.” And the other one said, “What do you think I am? A typewriter?
What? Don’t get that joke? Guess you had to be there. Never fails to make me laugh.
Monday morning the sun was shiny, and the weather finally called for a day at the beach. This girl loved it.
Gobbling cheetah chips on the beach…it’s the right thing to do.
Miles with a wonky, sunscreen eye (Bad Mommy) and cheetah chip lips.
In the evening, it was back to camp for some high flying fun. The spectators gathered in the “safe” zone.
(Isn’t Eve’s beanie cute?! It was made by my sister-in-law, Jana. You could have one from the knitty master too. Click here.)
This is what we were all gathered to see…
5… 4… 3… 2… 1… B L A S T O F F !
Monday night I asked Sharese if she’d go on a dawn walk with me in the morning. We decided to meet at six. Eve woke me up at five. Nice one. It was all good though. I got her snuggled up with her Daddy, and then I got a bit antsy to go. I ended up knocking of Reese’s door a tiny bit early. Shhh…don’t tell her. We made a pit stop at the bathroom (were we took the lovely photo above) and then we went down toward the lake.
The stillness of the air just before dawn was worth every lost minute of sleep to enjoy.
The sun’s rays finally reaching over the mountain tops.
Moments like this do a soul good.
The colors were so lovely and rich at that hour. I’m not going to lie…it’s an hour I don’t see very often. In fact I try very hard not to wake up that early. Very hard. But I’m so glad we did. I can definatly see why photographers love early morning light.
The light was even somewhat kind to a couple of sleepy heads with bed head and yesterday’s makeup on.
After the rest of the family woke up, and we all washed the sleepy dirt out of our eyes, I gathered everyone together for a family picture. All fourty three of us, including my grandparents. Pretty decent picture for taking it with a timer. Man there are a lot of us! (Click image to see it bigger.)
After family pictures there was just enough time to squeeze in a few more rocket launches, pick some wild flowers and take a bunch of silly pictures before we had to say goodbye.
And here’s the end. Galena Summit. We drove home this way for nostalgia sake alone. As I got out of the car, I totally started tearing up. I think some unresolved emotions came up from being abandoned there as a wee child. :) Yes, my parents really did leave me (also my cousin and little brother) at the lookout when I was little, and yet I still love them…with all my heart.
There you have it. Loved the reunion. Loved the place. Loved the people.
Hate that summer is over.
Black Gold
This morning I discovered that Eve is a CRAZY for blackberries. It’s my fault though really. What was to be expected when they were introduced to her ripe off the vine. Plump and juicy goodness…who among us could resist? Shortly after she ate her first, however, I made another discovery: Eve is not a very good picking companion. Tiny One insisted on devouring every third or fourth berry I picked. She’s a hamper on productivity, but for what she takes, she gives back tenfold in cuteness.
It’ll happen…eventually.
Sometimes there is comfort in the notion that things will come to an end. However, it gets difficult to believe it when the last month feels never ending. Can there be a more lovely thing than when this…
…finally becomes this?
Not only do you have the sweet relief of being able to breathe, touch your toes, and hold your pee for longer that 10 minutes, but all that discomfort pays off in a perfect tiny package. And that my friends is the loveliest gift.
Welcome teeny one! Such a lucky girl you are to have a momma like yours.
Oh Canada Part Three: Reunion Time
Part three of our trip to Canada (the final episode. I swear.) was a family reunion for Greg’s Great Grandpa on down. I’ve always really enjoyed hanging out with Greg’s family. They’re all pretty easygoing and fun loving. There’s always somebody up for a game…especially a card game…especially ROOK. And they’re not competitive AT ALL.
I mean, check out this game face on Aunt Jean. Lawn games are serious business!
Greg’s Dad talking a little trash.
Greg showcasing his patented throwing technique, and Adam trying to imitate. :)
Their gallery.
We all had a good time even though the kids were a little grumpy, and really clingy. You could definitely tell they weren’t feeling super hot. Thankfully their Grandma and Papa were more than willing to snuggle and hang with them.
Eve walks very well now, and thinks she’s big enough to do whatever she wants. Miss Sassy Pants is 14 months going on 14 years.
It’s hard to beat a pinata full of Canadian candy…cuz you’re blindfolded! Bah dum CH! Get it? Beat? The pinata? :) I know. I only make myself laugh, but that’s all that really matters. Anyways, did you know that Canada is a junk food paradise? Canadian Smarties are the freakin bomb!
The boys loved the tractors they won in the silent auction.
Brenden’s favorite pass time was riding in the wagon behind Uncle Rod’s motorized wheelchair. When he wasn’t in the wagon, he could usually be found…
…on the water slide.
The campground we stayed at had built this hillbilly water slide that was pretty much the sweetest slip and slide EVER.
I have visions of having one of these in my yard one day. It’d be every kid’s dream come true.
Every big kid’s too. I think the “kids” Greg and I’s age may have had the most fun with the slide. It was all about speed. I made a little slide show of one of my runs. I’m in the front on my stomach, trying to be aerodynamic, with Missy and Lara behind me on their knees, trying to give us some speed. *I’m wearing workout pants, because I had to barrow a swimsuit that didn’t really fit my bum so well.
I love how we end with Lara (in the very back) and I laughing our guts out while Missy (middle) is in agony. She had to walk with a cane afterward. whoops. We were all pretty beat up with all the running, jumping, diving, ect. It was totally worth the body sacrifice though. Hilarious!
Here’s a shot of how my poor battered hips looked when we got home. Nice, eh?!
Such a fun trip. I love my family…my own and my inlaws.
And finally…may I present: EveEE’s hair at Sunset.
The End
just (me)linda 