Memorial Day weekend

For Memorial Day weekend this year we got to take a road trip back over to Idaho to visit Nate's family and our friends and to celebrate birthdays. Since we only all see each other a few times a year we celebrated Jade's, Gabe's, Wanda's, Nate's, Nalene's and I even got my gift from Nalene (thanks again!) This is when it was Jade's turn to blow out the candles. She did a very good job.Nate's mom, Grandma Carla got all of the kids some small gifts and these were part of that. I'm not sure who enjoyed them more, the girls ......

or Nate!!

This is the precake and gifts photo, about the only time they were all paying attention. Scott and Nicole had previous holiday plans so Cooper and Brody weren't able to join in the fun.

One thing that made this trip so great was my dad and step mom Kelli purchased a nice motor home about 2 months prior. My dad kept offering it to us for our Idaho trips which we haven't been able to take as often as we wanted, but we happened to have already been planning this one and they were generous enough to loan it to us even before they were able to take a trip in it. It worked out so great. Although the gas isn't great (avg. about 8 miles to the gallon and never went above 65 mph to keep the cost down) we really enjoyed moving from house to house and being able to make sandwiches, changed our clothes and just really not worry about getting somewhere by a certain time because the girls could just sleep when needed, although they of coarse didn't sleep enough. Jade was very sick the whole way home Wednesday with a cold and temperature and just wanted to sleep and be held the whole time so I'm not sure what we would have done in a car. Nate has it now and we are going to the Dr. today because Jade still hasn't gotten much better. This is her taking a nap on the couch.

Thanks again Grandpa Dutch and Grandma Kelli for your generosity.

Well of coarse no trip to Idaho would be complete if there wasn't some horseback riding included. Nate has been telling Taylor for weeks she was going to get to ride Grandpa David's pony so the first thing she packed was her cowgirl boots. Grandpa couldn't find his pony saddle so the kids went bareback. Gabe was a trooper despite getting bucked off at least 3 times, once he even landed on his feet, he kept jumping right back on. After seeing the second time Gabe was bucked off Taylor was done with the horse. She went a few times with Gabe but the horse isn't completely broke in and was skittish so it Taylor got a little too scared. Grandpa promised her next time we come she'll be ready to go, and he found his saddle!

All in all is was really a great trip and we all had a great time. We loved seeing family and friends that we don't get to see often enough. Really guys, we aren't kidding when we say come and visit. We'd love to have you! So thanks everyone for the fun and memories and we hope to see you all soon.