Red Fish Lake Reunion

 Our stay in Boise just so happened to over lap with the annual Armstrong family reunion at Red Fish Lake Idaho. This is Riley's happy place so we just had to be there. And at the last minute, Lorie snagged us a room at the lodge and his Red Fish dreams came true. 

What a beautiful place! After the time in steaming hot Boise, the cool mountain lake and chill nights were awesome. The kids had a ball playing with cousins all day long, digging in the sand, eating Uncle Carl's famous cooking, and exploring nature.

Hinder and friends trying out paddle boarding

 

  Belly flop! Hinder went for the first time and loved it, He wanted to go again and again.

 Grandma and Grandpa with all the grand babies. They were not interested in a photoshoot.

 Vyla and Riley kayaking. This girl LOVES her daddy.

 On the last day, Ray and Lorie rented a pantoon boat and we spent the day on the far side of the lake. Hinder tried to "fish" with grandpa and had a ball catching just seaweed.

 Ray and Stephen on the pontoon boat.

 I can't get over those mountains! It's the most beautiful sight.

 Even an ice cold river can't slow this kid down!

I'm so glad we were able to be around for another Red Fish reunion and enjoy the beautiful days in the mountains! These are the memories that make a great life! 

Staying in Boise

After our time in my home state, we headed to Riley's old stomping grounds, Meridian, Idaho. The tables were turned when it was me leaving almost everyday for teacher education courses and Riley playing the stay-at-home dad (just for a couple hours each day, let's not get carried away...). We were in Boise for about 3 weeks, and crammed in plenty of fun.The Hursts sure do love their toys and they showed us an exciting time!

(excuse yet another photo dump) 

They took the kids on bike rides both fast and calm...

 I learned about Idaho salmon and other wildlife through the Idaho Fish and Game class I took. It was totally out of my usual element, but the field trip was pretty picturesque, so I can't complain.

 The kids delighted in seeing some of their favorite animals, including Hinder's newest obsession, Peregrine falcons, at the Birds of Prey Center.

 Boating and beaching at Lucky Peak with family friends, the Simmons.

 Swimming, diving, and splashing all over town at any splash pad or swimming pool we could get our hands on. Boise summers are hot!

 Exploring the Zoo Boise

 Sight seeing at Shoshone Falls

 And there was still enough time to relax and play video games with Grandpa Ray.

 Thank you, thank you Grandma and Grandpa and Sidnee and Stephen for showing us such a wonderful time!

Mom's 50th Birthday

 My beautiful mother turned 50 years old on the 4th of July! The best part was all of us kids were able to pull off a big birthday surprise together to show her how amazing she is.We orchestrated 50 surprises for the entire week before her big day. Each surprise was personal and specific to what we know she loves. It was so great to see each of my sibs use there awesome talents to make this come together. Thanks to all my bros and sisters!

We started off the week with a surprise musical number in sacrament meeting, singing her favorite hymn. Anyone who knows my mom  knows that she has been volunteering her children to sing musical numbers since Drew could talk. And we always give her a little grief, so doing this without her prodding was something of a mini-miracle. 

The rest of the week was full of things like her favorite candies, fixing thing around the house, doing yard work, vacuuming out her van, surprise gift cards, girl's lunch out, and lots more.

Girls lunch at Cow Creek. Missing a few of our sisters and nieces!

The day of her birthday was spent all together, celebrating her birth, as well as the birth of this great nation. We did the park/bbq thing, played some basketball in the hot summer sun,  and had a giant sleep over at Drew and Lara's house. Once again, they were the most gracious of hosts.

 Nana with all her grand kids! Five grandsons and four granddaughters. Another Hepworth baby coming in December.

 

The last few surprises were extra extraordinary! Dustin baked and decorated mom's cake, complete with a chocolate figure representing each family member. Can you tell who is who? (hint: Riley's the one in the pharmacist coat.)

 

My dad was in charge of #50. He put so much effort into finding a beautiful mothers ring and even kept it secret from her. She had no idea until she opened it! 

I hope our efforts helped her realize how loved and needed she is. She's the anchor to our family and I'm forever and eternally gratefully grateful that I get to be her daughter and part of this family.