The Gem State

For Pioneer Day this year we headed up to Idaho to spend the weekend with Tanner's family. We rode with Travis and Nicole- thank goodness for their van! We could all fit and it was a super easy drive! Well, pretty much. The girls got a little anxious as soon as we crossed the Utah/Idaho state border. They were SO OVER the drive. Parker is a good little traveler and was happy to sit between his 2 cousins and watch a movie. Nicole and I sat in the middle and talked the entire time- literally. I don't even remember taking a breath! And the boys sat in the front with ear phones on trying to block out the screaming kids and their chit chatting wives. :-)

Marley, Parker, and Kaydence

When we got to Tanner's parents house we had a DELICIOUS dinner (actually, we pretty much ate the most amazing food the whole time. Kim really knows how to feed her family!!!) and then we played games in the back yard!

Monte and Tanner

Parker's aunts and uncles taught Parker how to catch and throw a Frisbee. He LOVED playing ultimate Frisbee with everyone!

My beautiful little sisters in law- Kassidy and Kaitlin

Wowza!!!

Hand stand competition----

Team Ultimate totally got worked by team Buck Wild!!!

Oh yes, Tanner DID in fact tackle his Dad during our game...

I love this picture of me and my sisters! BUT my favorite thing about it is Tanner laying down in the background. He had a side ache. lol Oh man! I can't look at this without cracking up!

Goooooo family!

And then we TRIED to take a cute little family picture...

(Parker is telling us what funny faces to make...)

Cute

Whelp, we tried.

:-)

The original Peterson clan

Travis doing flips on the tramp...

The next day Tanner, Monte, Kassidy and I went to the Bodies Exhibit in Idaho Falls. It was so cool! I had attended the exhibit in Vegas when I was in college but it was so interesting to go again with more knowledge and experience in my brain.

We met up with everyone else at Rupe's for lunch. We ALWAYS have to eat at Rupes when we're in Blackfoot!

Parker LOVES his Uncle Travy

After lunch we went to the stake Pioneer Day celebration at the park. There was tons for the kids to do- games and prizes, arts and crafts.. and then we had a super yummy dinner!

Kaydence, Kassidy, and Parker

Me and my little cowboy!

The kids painted rocks for Grammy's garden

After we ate the boys all headed to the flying field to fly some airplanes!

Parker LOVED every single second.

Tanner had a blast, too. His favorite thing is flying airplanes with his Dad and brother.

We're so excited for Kaitlin and Travis to move to Twin Falls so that Kaitlin can go to school to become a surgical technician! We're sad that they'll be far away but so happy for them and their new adventure!

Kaitlin, Travis, and their pup-Tucker.

Church on Sunday was GREAT! Kim gave an excellent lesson which I enjoyed very much and Parker had a fantastic time with some new friends in primary. After church we had a fun family BBQ and then Nicole helped Parker and Kaydence decorate the birthday cake!

They cut out shapes of fondant for the top of the cake and it turned out so cute and actually, quite yummy! :-)

Meanwhile the rest of the family did what they do best- relax! :-)

We set up a little party area outside under the shade of a big tree.

How many Peterson's does it take to light 4 birthday candles?

We did a little shared birthday party- We celebrated Parker turning 4 and Marley turning 18 months! :-) Any excuse for cake and presents, we'll take it!

I love Kassidy's face in this picture...

Teenagers....

Tanner took Parker for a ride on the motorcycle...

And he came back with CRAZY hair!

Then Papa took Parker and Kaydence out- the fun never stops!

That night we had a bon fire outside. We laughed and talked and enjoyed being under the bright starry sky.

Kaitlin and Travis

Me and my little night owl

All the party people!

Papa was showing Parker all the stars- apparently it was HILARIOUS!

Kim and Monte made the most amazing cake of all time! I can't even talk about it because I drool too much. It. Was. Good.

Chocolate chip cake with cherries in the dutch oven..... yyyuuummmm

We had to head out the next day but we made a little time for the kids to ride the neighbors horses.

My fabulous mother in law! The glue that hold the family together.... and keeps their tummy's full. And smiles on their faces all day long!!!!

The kids were in wonder up there on that big horse. They loved it!

Nicole even took Marley for a little trot.

These super cool neighbors also had some bunnies in the back so we cuddled with them for a bit...

Oh! It was the most perfect weekend spent with family! I LOVED getting to talk with Nicole on the drive, spend lots of time with my boys, eat, and obviously take tons of pictures. We sure are blessed with tremendous families.

AND, we got to pick my mom up from the airport on our way home! She spent the week with us and helped us celebrate Parker's birthday!!