Florida Family Times

Time in Idaho and Back to Utah (Trip Day 10-11)

Thursday, July 10th it was time to say goodbye to our family in Canada. We made it through the border without any trouble and made the 8hr drive to Idaho Falls without incident. The kids napped and played games on devices. Jared and I finished listening to an audiobook "How Will You Measure Your Life?" by Clayton Christensen (excellent reading--highly recommended!).

We took a scenic drive past the falls and the temple and went to Grandma and Grandpa Larsens house. I am so glad we got to see them. They have both aged a lot since our last visit 4 years ago, and are dealing with more of the issues that come with age (as Jared knows all about in his profession).

My cousin Erin and her family met us at the house and brought pizza for dinner. We were able to visit briefly with my Aunt and Uncle before they had to get on the road to Salt Lake City.

We stayed that night with Erin and her cute family. They were gracious hosts and we had a nice visit. Her oldest daughter is just a few months older than Zach, and they had some fun playtime.

Sleepy Zach, resting up amidst all of our travels.

Second cousins: the Jorgensen and Tanner kids

We left Idaho Friday morning and drove 4 hours to Provo, Utah for the Tanner Family Reunion. All of Jared's siblings and spouses and children (minus the missionary) were present, so the count was 46 people! It was great. Dinners were held at Becky and Paul's house and were quite the undertaking. But those Tanner women know how to do food well, and I just tried to help where I could!

Keeping everyone hydrated (and that isn't even cups for everyone!)

Feeding the masses.

Dessert was always really good-this night it was carrot cake and cheesecake for the adults (popsicles for the children).

I was happy to hold the cute newest niece, Ann Marie, just over one month old.

Family Time in Canada (Trip Days 8-9)

Tuesday and Wednesday in Canada were a little less structured. The cousins played nicely together. The mosquitos were really bad, all day long, so that drove us indoors more than we would have liked.

The view from the side of my parents house.

The front view from my parents house.

A nest of 4 baby swallows. They started flying while we were there.

A funny side story: Wednesday morning we started hearing some scratching and fluttering inside the chimney. We figured out that a bird was stuck in the chimney, between the top and the flue. Jared wanted to rescue it, so he opened the flue so it would come down into the fireplace (he trapped it between the fireplace screen) where he was then able to catch it. It squawked very loudly and flew away fast when he released it.

Tuesday night we went out for dinner in Lethbridge at Moxie's. We got to celebrate Jenna and Noah's birthday.

Wednesday morning the kids played at the new Barnwell playground.

In the afternoon we swam at the Taber Aquafun Center. Our children had never swam at an indoor pool, so that was fun, and they all loved the waterside!

The giant corn stalk by the pool, in honor of the great tasting Taber corn.

Taber is known as the "Corn Capital of Canada", so they have to advertise their claim to fame by a giant cornstalk.

In the evening we had a cookout at the Nelson's (Scott's parents) backyard. Thankfully the mosquitos weren't bad, and we had fun roasting hot dogs and marshmallows and enjoying the summer evening. It doesn't get dark in Canada until really late (like sort of dark at 10:15ish, but not full dark until nearly 11:30 p.m.).

Cousins playing some ball games. See the cute playhouse in the back (with the red door)?

Sisters: Deanna, Rachel, and Kristi

Marshmallows!

Dad and Kristi

Mom and Kristi

Lily and Grace in the playhouse.

Lily had a blast in this little playhouse. She organized all the food and dishes and set up plates for cousins and played a very elaborate imaginative game.

What a kick!

Last big group cousin picture.

Waterton Lakes National Park (Trip Day 7)

Monday, July 7th, was our day to spend in beautiful Waterton Lakes National Park. Waterton is just a 2 hr drive from where I grew up, so I have lots of great memories of day trips spent there. We were happy to have my parents with us, along with the Johnson and Nelson families.

As is the usual tradition we stopped for a quick photo-op at the Cardston Temple along the way. The mosquitos were really bad, so we didn't stay too long.

Our first stop inside the park was a picnic lunch at the lake in the townsite. The kids had a great time throwing rocks and wading in the COLD water!

Lily spent her time collecting neat rocks and sticks.

Then we went to see Cameron Falls. Just as we arrived there was a bear! It was down by the water, and then it scrambled easily up the mountain side.

Amazing Cameron Falls

No trip to Waterton is complete without a picture in front of the falls!

A deer in the middle of town.

Then we drove farther into the park, climbing in elevation, up to Cameron Lake. The scenery is just gorgeous.

Mountains still with snow! Across the lake is American territory, but the dock we are on is in Canada.

We did a short little hike there, jumping over some muddy spots on the trail.

After a picnic dinner, we loaded up for our drive home. As we drove back down the mountain we were thrilled to have 3 bear sightings! By this time it was between 6-7 p.m. and it must have been time for their evening meal. The bears were just right up by the edge of road, foraging in the grass, and paying no attentions to us.