Our last big adventure while in Idaho was our Peterson Family Reunion. It looked a little different this year with people missing, but it was still fun. The house we rented was amazing and it was such a great way to end our vacation.
We left Wednesday after lunch and made a stop in Pocatello to kill some time before our check-in. We went and saw the Fort Hall Replica which was pretty neat to see though it was pretty hot out so it made it a little less enjoyable. They had an amazing museum in connection with it that was indoors with AC which was really nice.
Our little family made a quick stop at the DI in Pocatello and then to Walmart to get a few last minute food items and then we made it to our destination and home for the next few days in Inkom, Idaho. The house and property were stunning. The house had multiple levels and plenty of space for everyone. The property had so many trees which helped with the hot days and the view was incredible. We enjoyed the house and the yard and we were in charge of dinner that evening.
After dinner, we went down to another property that is connected with the house. It was BEAUTIFUL! It was right along this small river and the property was a dream. The owner of the house met us there and taught us all how to shoot a bow and arrow and do some axe throwing. So we spent the evening down by river having some good old fashioned fun.
These two had no interest in the axe throwing and bow and arrows, but they sure had fun together. They spent the entire time in the field of grass and weeds getting seeds and planting them in the dirt. It was cute to watch them and see them just enjoy being together even though they haven't see each other for a long time. They were pretty much together the entire time we were at the reunion.
This property was stunning!
We went and explored the river and the setting sun made for some perfect pictures.
These three have loved all their time together. They are the original or the three amigos. They always love being together and have been on so many adventures. They are growing up WAY too fast!
Then we went home and probably should have gone to bed, but it is a reunion so it means late nights and fun. So it was face masks at 10:30 at night!
We got all the older girls settled and most of time doing face masks, McCall was asleep and then woke up during our shenanigan's so then she was up until almost midnight before she decided to go to sleep so we had a late night snack. Just chomping on a big piece of chicken! :)
Thursday we all made our way to Lava Hot Springs to enjoy a day at the pool. Nate and I were a little unsure about it because there were so many people there when we first arrive, but it was amazing with all the different pools and slides they had that it spread out the people and it didn't feel too crowded. The kids absolutely loved it and the water was so warm! It was a good 6 hours spent in the water. I loved doing the big water slides with the older girls and Baylor and McCall had fun in the little kid pool.
McCall eventually took a little nap in Nate's arms.
These three were off doing their own thing pretty much the whole time. I would check on them occasionally, but they loved it so much and would have stayed the rest of the day if we let them.
McCall woke up and was happy to do some more splashing.
We got all dressed and went to the Double Decker for some dinner. The experience was pretty cool and it was neat being right on the river. The food was good especially the fries though Nate and I agreed that it was a little overpriced.
Then we stopped to go walk around the Sunken Garden and there was a playground on the opposite side of the road that the kids took advantage of for a couple of minutes. It was here that I accidently dropped our camera. So it stopped working for awhile and I felt horrible about it. Nate was able to fix it later in the evening and I'm so grateful that we still have it and we don't have to get a new one.
Sunken Garden
Then once we got back home there was supposed to be a slight chance of seeing the northern lights. Nate and I took some of the kids out to a point where we spent at least an hour star gazing.
The girls had fun with the dark night and the flash on the camera while they waited for me to put McCall to bed.
It was pretty incredible to witness all these kids on the blanket just sit there staring up at the night sky absolutely quiet. There was an occasional whisper, but they were so quiet and memorized by the stars. We didn't see any northern light, but once it got dark enough we started watching for shooting stars. One moment I will never forget is when we all saw a good one at the same time and we all pointed at the same time with our oohs and aahs. Between us all, we probably saw about 20 shooting stars and it was such a fun memory.
Friday was an at home day. It was a nice family time day though it didn't turn out how I expected. I ended up getting sick and was miserable the entire day. I ended up throwing up and had to go to the bathroom multiple times and was pretty much bed ridden the whole day with major stomach cramps. It was pretty disappointing because I was really looking forward to our afternoon outing to the river. I would have been jumping in the water and I wanted to try out the paddle boarding and we talked with the older girls about doing a late night bocce ball game. All that changed after breakfast, but Nate had fun with the girls without me and everyone else had a great time.
The morning was spent playing games outside or doing crafts inside. I would go from couch to couch and visit with those in the house.
This girl LOVES otter pops!
After lunch everyone went down to the river to cool off and play in the water. I went originally and thought laying on the grass would be nice and then I could at least be present. I only lasted maybe 5 minutes and the stomach cramps were too bad so Nate took me back home and I took a nap while they were gone. As I look at these pictures, you can tell they had so much fun and I know I would have loved it.
When they got back, they had dinner and it was more craft and outdoor time.
One thing that was a hit for everyone at the house was this massage chair. Everyone had to try it out and there were a few people that tried it out every day we were there.
Saturday was our last day. :( Grandma and Poppy had this HUGE bed that they got to enjoy and so we had to get a picture of the grandkids on it to show how massive it is. It was such a fun reunion and so many great memories made. Until next time!
