These pictures are reversed chronologically. We finished the week in Idaho Falls.
Friday afternoon Grandma (two weeks away from being 92) Goodell made us the best lunch.
We played a few rounds of SKIP-BO. We were surprised that Grandma only played one card on her pile.
Every time I visit Grandma, I spend hours looking at her pictures. This trip was no different.
We stayed up until 2am talking about family and life. Uncle Mike went to bed a bit earlier when his cat cried. Maddie and Molly slept with her -- I used to do that before she married Bob.
Friday we went to Yellowstone National Park. I booked tickets for "Peter and the Star Catcher." It was a fun play, but I was hoping for a musical. We kept the kids entertained with popcorn, rootbeer floats and suckers. (This picture was taken after the play at 8:30 pm. I was tripped out when it was still bright as noon day.)
The rest of the day we traveled to various sites and watched water and mud spew forth from the earth. The day was overcast and only slightly rainy, which allowed us to be very comfortable wearing sweatshirts.
We played "Heads Up" on my phone while we waited for the explosion. Once it started, Maisie sarcastically narated the events. The people around us were recording, so her voice in on several phones.
Monday through Thursday we stayed with the Armstrong family in their Island Park cabin. We boated and /ate and relaxed.
This vacation was different this time because we were not in charge. We ebbed and flowed and were void of stress.
We spent the evenings gathered together laughing at the littles, riding motorcycles and eating ice cream.
We spent the days on the boat. Everyone got up!
Eddie on skis.
Ryan on skis.
Our dock.
This water mat was certainly a highlight.
Molly's little face is full of scabs from Austin pushing her right out of the swing. That same day he landed on her wake surfing. (I think he had the worst day of it, even though she kept screaming, "I'm having the worst day!")
Time relaxing.
Clayton let the boys drive the boat.
I sat on the dock and read,
Invinsible Louisa.
While reading that book filled with courage and faith in God, I looked around and truly felt that where I was sitting was a place where heaven and earth meet. I suppose any place where we are standing for truth and righteousness is a place where heaven and earth meet.
Ryan apparently didn't think his seat was a comfy as the cooler -- at least he's still buckled.
We stayed at Mom's house for one night as we made that 14 hour journey. Her family room floor is probably the most comfortable floor on earth. Jim and Ale greeted us, and made us breakfast. Austin commented on the way, "The house seemed different this time -- she was missing." Mom was in Nebraska for a Shafer reunion, but her house did seem different. She is hearth and home.
We traveled 2000 miles this week. Our car was filled with peace (and podcasts, Gene Stratton-Porter, switch games, Taylor Swift, carrots and chips.)
It feels so good to be loved, even by strangers that became fast familial friends. It's all about family.
