This summer I drove to Idaho for the month of July and spent time there with my parents (hooray! home from their mission in Africa) and siblings. It was always a big group wherever we went, but we had so much fun.
Sophie spent the first week with Grandma Susan in Boise...her first solo flight which she handled amazingly well, as told by the flight attendant!)
We did many fun activities, including hiking, corn hole (beanbag toss-type of game), fixing food, doing dishes, shopping, playing with cousins, playgrounds, movies, snacks, card games, Nintendo, talking, and swimming.
In Rexburg, climbing the "R" mountain:
It was so beautiful to look over the Snake River Valley from the top. Lucy was my climbing partner...pretty good balance for a three-year-old! Riley was fearless and enjoyed going with the big kids on a longer hike to the front of the butte where the "R" is painted.
One of the highlights of the kids' visit was earning money from Grandpa Bill! After an extra-long and harsh winter, the mice population in the yard boomed! There were many mouse holes in the yard and Grandpa set the grandkids up with dirt and shovels/cups/trowel...whatever worked to fill those nasty holes...so gross, I know! Sometimes, ya' gotta do what ya' gotta do!
Here, collecting their day's salary! (each in an individual plastic baggie!) Thanks Grandpa...for the constructive cooperation!
One of the afternoons everyone gathered at the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. The grandkids 12 yrs old and older went inside for a neat baptism session, while the younger kids explored the Visitor's Center and the temple grounds, then walked to a nearby park to play. Grandma Genie treated them all to a Happy Meal from McDonald's! Bonus! (Our ever-smart Grandma Genie, she knows how to win a kid's heart!)
Nikolia Ranch
The 24th of July was one of the best ever! We met at the ranch to spend the day. What a perfect day, blue skies, no clouds, shining sun, no cell phone coverage or TV, and nobody else for miles. My sisters Crystal and Suzanne had prepared a twist to the typical Pioneer Trek. The older cousins had a type of scavenger hunt on 4-wheelers, while the younger cousins had a treasure hunt around the pond area. It was so creative, complete with bandanas, pioneer bonnets, horehound candy, lap harp, sack race, ancestor matching games, scriptures, and a real handcart ride (for the smallest ones!)
Lucy and cousin Paige posing by the horses, hoping for a ride!
Fishing and throwing rocks...fun for every kid!
Me and my little girls.
The beginning of the pioneer treasure hunt...all adorned in his/her own bonnet/bandana.
Lucy and cousin Lydia...
A trip to the ranch is not complete without a bit of 4-wheeling fun! There might have been a mud puddle or two that got some action. Bryce and nephews Michael and Nathan.
Happy Birthday Michael!
Before our planned reunion time with Michael, we were able to meet up in Boise for his Grandma's funeral. It just so happened that it was Michael's birthday, too! What a great thing to be together with family and to have Michael there with us! We had cake and presents and enjoyed the 2 days together.
Taylor Family Reunion
Michael flew back to Idaho Falls the next week for our Taylor reunion. We had a stellar talent show with magic, wrestling, story telling, music, ...you name it! The night was topped off with a video my brother Russ had put together for a tribute to our parents. It included many of the pictures each of us had taken on our individual trips to Africa to visit them on their mission. We love our parents! They did an excellent job, served well and loved the people and countryside of Kenya/Tanzania. Welcome Home!
Watching a talent performance:
We spent a day at Lava Hot Springs, swimming, picnicking, visiting, playing, eating...
such a superb group of people, I have to say! (a bit biased as well!)
We were hiking at the best time of year! The wild flowers were amazingly brilliant and blossoming everywhere! 
Table Mountain (Tablerock) Hike
The last day in Idaho Falls, many of us joined my sister, Emilee (who turned 40 this year) on her birthday hike to Table Mountain. It was a strenuous, yet absolutely beautiful hike! I remember hiking this same hike as a young woman at girl's camp. (it was much longer this time!) I really enjoyed being with four of my sisters, a brother-in-law, and several nephews. What a memory!
We were hiking at the best time of year! The wild flowers were amazingly brilliant and blossoming everywhere!
Group photo (minus Jake...taking the photo):
Here's Jake with my sister, Julie. Jake just left for his mission in Australia this past week.
Beauty of a pose here! But I made it! Behind my left ear is Table Mountain with the Grand Tetons in the far background. So magnificent! There were times when I wanted to give up and turn around! (15 miles...about 1000 ft altitude difference) For this old mom, it was a challenge, but I'm glad I stuck with it and made it to the top. Thanks to our outstanding group who didn't give-up on me either!
My nephew, Jake, carried a watermelon ALL THE WAY to the top so we could all enjoy the deliciousness of it while looking at the Grand! Nice work! (He even brought a melon baller...what a thoughtful kid!) The rind made it's debut in movie making history...perhaps the first to be launched from the top of the table!
Our entire group + watermelon. Don't we look great! Happy 40th Birthday, Emilee! (Julie says she's going to choose a cruise for her 40th!)
My nephew, Jake, carried a watermelon ALL THE WAY to the top so we could all enjoy the deliciousness of it while looking at the Grand! Nice work! (He even brought a melon baller...what a thoughtful kid!) The rind made it's debut in movie making history...perhaps the first to be launched from the top of the table!
Our entire group + watermelon. Don't we look great! Happy 40th Birthday, Emilee! (Julie says she's going to choose a cruise for her 40th!)
