Trip to Idaho (July 29-August 8)

We had an amazing trip to Idaho to visit family and friends...so wonderful, it was sad to leave and come back!

The first six days in Idaho we spent up in McCall, Idaho camping with the extended Vander Stelt Family!  We were able to get a picture of almost everyone who came when we all gathered on Sunday morning (62 of us!!!!).

It is amazing to see my Grandpa and Grandma Vander Stelt and what one marriage can produce - 4 children, 17 grandchildren, and 42 great grandchildren (with two on the way!).  It was nice to pause and gather Sunday morning to reflect on how God has blessed my family!  It was a very special trip, as well, as it is the last year my grandparents would be up with the family in McCall.

 Family picture

As for McCall, it was 6 days packed with fun and family - we took almost 400 pictures the whole week so editing it down is the biggest challenge.  But... here goes.... :)

Mom, dad, and Sam had a tent and shared the lot with Grandpa and Grandma - we built a play area for Sam to keep him out of the dirt and it was a lifesaver for entertaining him!  Of course, we always had help in that arena as well!

As Always, the best part of vacation time is getting to be with Sam all day!  Sam got lots of love and play time with mom and dad!

Hanging out at the campsite!

Bradley managing Bubba and Bam-Bam!

Braden attempting to show off his manly strength before Bradley steps in to help :)

  3 Boys born in 3 Days - 

Sam (Sep 8) - Jack (Sep 9) - Andrew (Sep 10)

5 pictures and not one with all 6 sets of eyes on the camera!

Every night, each larger family ate dinner on their own, but after dinner, everyone would bring their chairs to the campfire outside of Great grandpa and grandma's motorhome for fellowship and S'mores.

Bradley makes himself comfortable to join in the S'mores action!!!

Campfire fun                -          Campfire Mayhem 

As expected, everyone looks forward to the days at the lake with the ski boats!

Below the women and kids head by land to North Shore and the men by boat!

Bradley takes us out on a boat ride!

I think Idaho looks Fantastic on Bradley!

Bradley and Sam playing in the Water - Anna playing on shore.

Hanging out on the beach.

Sam and Andrew playing in the water.

Very messy sand!!!!!

Sam's cousins Ethan and Anna in their fort

This is the life!!!!

Katie's college roomate who lives in McCall comes down with her little girls to hang out!  Casey had it out for Sam and kept chasing after him to steal his toys and push him down!

 

Even though we were camping and technically "roughing it" in a tent...... we had the luxury of Grandpa and Grandma's spacious motorhome within 50 yards of us!  We spent mornings in their as well as other downtime! 

 

Sam with his cousin Maddie

The Cooke family eating Breakfast - Aunt Sara teaches Sam some self-defense against Braden

Bradley gets dog-piled by the Cooke Clan - I don't think he's gonna win this one!!!!!  Sam didn't know what to think!!!!!

Family, fun, beautiful scenery and weather... and to top it all off - Fantastic food!  Compliments to Grandpa and Grandma Vander Stelt - we ate like kings and enjoyed family time at the table.

Braden and Anna feast on Grandpa's infamous pancakes!

One afternoon, we all took at bike ride to McCall for some ice cream!  Props to Jason for towing Braden, Sam, and Anna in the burley - I'm sure that was a leg burner!

Sam is ALWAYS up for some ice cream, but after diving in and taste testing dad's mint chocolate chip, he preferred mom's cookie dough!

So Beautiful...... :)

After 6 days of fun, we headed back to Boise - it was time for clean clothes, real showers, and warm beds!  We had something to look forward to upon our return, though.... We all finally got to see Baby Ezra!  Ezra was not due until August 13, but made his appearance early on July 29.  We got to see Robert and Brooke on our way to the mountains, but it wasn't until we got back to Boise that we got to see (and hold!) Baby Ezra as he spent a week plus in the NICU!  This auntie is in love and misses him already!  We missed Robert and Brooke up in the mountains (we appreciated using their camping gear) but we'll allow this one year off and hope they can join us next year!

Sam's newest cousin - 

Ezra Henry Vander Stelt

Born July 29, 2011

7 lbs 6oz

Ethan, Samuel, and Ezra are all the oldest grandchildren in my family and they all have "Henry" as a middle name!


Ezra is going to have some catching up to do to his cousins Braden and Samuel!

While in Boise, Sam had a good time hanging out at Grandmas - he loved riding the wild lion!  He also spent a day with his cousins at the Cooke's house, as well as a BBQ with friends in Boise.

Sam also got a Bumble bee Pillow Pet from Grandma that he fell in love with - we were concerned that it might replace his love for Mr. Monks, but i think Mr. Monks has maintained his #1 spot with Sam!

We also spent a morning with Great Grandpa and Grandma Vander Stelt - it was fun to see them and show them how much Sam had grown since they saw him last November!

 The last night, we had a BBQ and were excited that Brooke and Robert could join us - unfortunately, Ezra was still in the hospital!  I will have to add some of the cute pictures of all the kids that Robert took (once he sends them to me!)

All in all, it was a fantastic trip!  We had so much fun seeing friends and family and Sam enjoyed hanging out with grandpa and grandma and his cousins!  I think we will make it a priority to camp every year with the family!