Bear Lake with the Family

A few months ago we decided that we were getting the boat out this year and planning a vacation to Bear Lake with all the kids and grands.  We had a family meeting on a Sunday so that everyone had input and decided on a week in June.  The very next day the date was changed....I think because it worked out better at work.  Larry and three of our boys work together and so sometimes it can be tough to all take off at the same time.  The kids kind of took over and did a superb job!

Julie found the cabin and made all the arrangement for it...including collecting the money from everyone. (the kids pitch in now)  When we opened the door I couldn't help but smile.  It was nice and big and pretty much perfect!  Julie did good!

Natalie took over the meal planning and I was amazed at all the extra's she did.  We had salads and dips and she prepared so much of it at home.  Julie and Natalie did the shopping and Kelsi and Braxton got the treats for the boat.  I am so proud of my kids...they are so awesome!

We played on the beach every day but Saturday and it was obvious that the kids really enjoyed it.  They were in and out of the water all day long.  They built some pretty awesome Sand Castles and just had a ball.

Every day the boat went out and the Big Banana was the "ride". (we always called it the water weenie before but this year the grands were calling it the banana)  The grands loved riding on the banana and even let Larry take them over some bumps.  A few times they fell off but not because Larry was trying to tip them...they just tipped and it was probably because of some the of the older riders tipping them.

Larry's brother Scott told Justin that we could take his wave runners if we wanted and they were a blast.  We had wave runners when our older kids were teenagers but sold them because it got to be work instead of fun. The kids had to ride them after putting them in the water or when we went to load them and sometimes the water was rough and the conditions were yucky and so it took the fun out of it.  The trailer was really long too so that we could get by with just one trailer for the wave runners and the boat. So having wave runners this trip was really enjoyable for everyone.  I didn't drive them because when I went I let the grands do the driving.  They crack me up!

Everyone was so good and got along so well.  Sweet little Macie was sick most of the week though and was fussy and threw up a few times each day.  For not feeling well she did pretty good and her mommy and daddy are the best...they are so patient and caring.

One day we had some people by us that were pretty thoughtless.  They got in a mud fight and threw mud at each other while moving over in our space and near the boat.  There was so much mud on our boat!  I was shocked that people could be so rude and inconsiderate.  We had let them borrow our bucket and their kids were playing over with the grands and using our things.  When we started cleaning up one of the little boys looked right at Parker as he smashed the sand castle they had worked on all day.  Then the other boy took Parker's little mini m&m holder and left.  Parker was sad about the castle and wanted his holder back and Justin had to go with him to get it.  The little boy wasn't going to give it back and his mom didn't really care...she said he found it.  I watched him find it right in the middle of the castle.  Then the lady mentioned the boat and thought it was funny that they had gotten mud all over it.  Justin was polite but let her know that he didn't find it funny at all.  That was the worst thing though so really no biggie.  I think more than anything it just surprised me!

I enjoyed watching my kids parent their sweet little ones.  They all are such caring, fun, and wonderful parents.  Everyone was good with all the kids and often I saw a child in the arms of someone other than their parents.  It made my heart smile! ☺

I didn't have little ones in my arms as often as usual but loved it when I did.  I even gave up "my seat" in the boat for some of the mommy's and babies.  I'm not going to lie...there were times I was lost and wasn't sure where to put myself.  I sat all over the boat this trip.  (I still prefer my seat)

We were all pretty tired every night when we got back but the girls made things better with the yummy meals.  I realized that I didn't even eat chocolate and didn't miss it.  We had plenty to eat!  The kids were so good at preparing and cleaning up.  I helped a little but not like I usually do. That was really nice too....I like having adult children.

This picture is of my kids....oh how I love them all so much!

 I'm a picture addict and got plenty of pictures to help save the wonderful memories.

These are my cute grands.  I think I have some of the cutest little's alive.  They are all so kind and good too.  They make me smile all over the place.

Larry needed to help Vicki with a few things at her cabin and so on Friday we went over to her cabin to make sure of what needed done and then we invited her to join us for dinner.  The dinners we ate were better than anything we could have went out for.  It was fun having Vicki come eat and visit with us.  Our family sure does love her family.

On Saturday while the kids went to Minnetonka Cave, Larry, me, Natalie and Macie went to Vicki's.  Larry got her boiler finished and helped but some stoppers on her washing machine so that hopefully it won't walk all over the floor anymore during the spin cycle.  It took the entire time the kids were gone.  When they came to get us we had them move a few big rocks for Vicki.   Vicki is so nice and doesn't like asking for help so we just did it.  I really enjoy being able to help her when we can.  She would do the same or more for us.

We ended our trip by playing only on the boat and with the wave runners.  We decided not to go to the beach just to make clean up easier.  It was so much fun....such a wonderful vacation together!

I'm really glad my boys were there to help when it came time to load the boat to go home.  There were so many boats in the marina that I had to close my eyes so I wouldn't be nervous...because I was nervous.  I'm glad that Braxton can back a trailer and that Jaydan was with him to help load the boat so Larry could drive the boat.  (I usually drive the boat on the trailer and when there are lots of boats I get a bit freaked out.

We all met at our house after to clean out the boat and have some left overs.  We had enough left over food that we ate together Saturday Night and still had enough for Sunday dinner.  I liked that!

I like being with my family...and cherish every single time we are able to all get together.  With the passing of my friends I am well aware that life is a gift as well as each day.  I'm thankful for every minute our family has with each other.

Zaden's tooth fell out one morning.  Him and Parker were playing at the bar or maybe even having some breakfast and it just fell out.  There wasn't any blood or pain.  We put the tooth in a baggie because we weren't sure the tooth fairy would find us...I was pretty sure he wouldn't since he never seemed to find my kids even at home.