Bear Lake!

The whole Spjute family actually got together for a few days.  I mean the whole family.  Including 10 day old Henry and his tired mamma.  It was a Christmas miracle for sure.  We had great fun eating good food (of course), visiting ice caves (most of us), holding babies, and talking a lot while doing those things.  With mouths full of food of course.  Some family friends let us use their beach and water toys, which was especially awesome because there aren't any beaches this year because the water's so high.  So we got to drive past all of the poor souls on their 20 feet of beach and laugh....or at least be glad it wasn't us.  The Jorgensons got to try paddle boarding and kayaking for the first time (on a lake that is).  We loved it!  Paddle boarding is harder than people make it look, but fun.  Sage loved getting in her own kayak and paddling all over the place.  She's a water girl for sure.  A bunch of people went to the ice caves in Paris (Idaho that is).  Some of us tried to go to the caves, ended up at the wrong place, and went to get a shake instead.  The shakes lived up to their reputation by the way.  We tried three different places and decided Zipz was the best.  Yum.

We went to the Raspberry Days parade.  Officially the best parade ever.  In addition to throwing out tons of candy, they also threw out mini shakes and I scored chips and salsa.  Doesn't get better than that.  We had a camp fire one night, and every night we got to learn about ancestors.  Grandpa told ghost stories, but kids are tough these days.  They were not phased by them.  Or maybe Dad is getting old.  Probably a little of both;)  Jake and Greg and I went mountain biking one morning.  Greg wouldn't let me take any pictures.  I'm glad I have one sibling who will mountain bike with me.  It was a fun trail.

I loved being together with everyone.  We all had to work hard to get there (some more than others), which meant there was some stress while there.  But I think we handled it, ate chocolate cake, and had a good time anyways.  Its good to know that we can enjoy being together even when things are hard.  I'm sure that next time we get together no one will be stressed and it will be one big party (right).  I love being around my little nieces and nephews.  Its so fun to play with them, but I have to admit it's pretty great having older kids and not having to worry about things like naps, diapers, melt downs, etc, etc.  I'm getting old, but at least there are some good things that come with old age:)

Cute Sofi

Megan and Kate

The hot tub was definitely put to good use

First round of shakes

Parachute fun

Grandpa wearing weird pirate goggles found on the bottom of the lake

Our own private beach

Relaxing on the patio

Cool animals in the parade

The kids swam in the pool.  A lot

The whole family!