McCall, Idaho!

What a great week we had in McCall. It wasn't just the immediate Simmons family it was also Dad Simmons brother and sister and their families and Grandma and Grandpa Simmons. There were a lot of us but that made it even more fun.

We got up there Saturday afternoon and just unpacked and hung out. Danny went to the driving range with some male family members. I can't remember who all went, not that it really matters.

Sunday we got up and went to church and then most of the family went on a hike that I really wish we would have gone on. Sam was taking a nap so Danny and I stayed back. It sounded like a great hike though so I am kind of bummed we didn't just keep Sam up a little bit longer. Mom S made a delicious meal on Sunday so we enjoyed that and then hung out and talked with everyone.

Monday most of us went rafting. It was so much fun and I really wish I would have bought a waterproof disposable camera b/c there were so many great picture taking opportunities. I am still bugged I didn't have a camera with us. Grandpa S got hit in the face with his ore and had a shiner for the rest of the week. Dad S and Uncle Dana also got flipped out of the raft. Nobody has every been flipped out of the raft on the annual rafting trip. We thought it was pretty funny. Shelley, Tyler and Mom S all stayed back to watch the kids. Thanks for watching Sam so we could go!! We had a great guide and just had a blast. Monday afternoon Danny went golfing and I hung out with Sam at the pool for a while and then just played with everyone all afternoon.

Tuesday I think we hiked to Boulder lake. I have the worst memory ever. Seriously, it was just last week. Pathetic! It was a great hike and Sam did great in the hiking back pack.

On our way back down we ran into Mandy and Trent who were waiting for all of us. I am still amazed that they came up with their 2 week old baby. Seriously impressive folks. I would have been a mess had I done that.

We were all pretty pooped after the hike so we came back to the house and I tried to put Sam down for a nap. The kid refused to take a nap this day. Danny went golfing again so I hung out with Sam while all the other kids slept. Actually, I don't think any of the kids slept that day. Rotten kids! Just kidding. There was just to much excitement I guess. I can't remember what night this was but one night we were at Aunt Sissy's house for dinner and I found these glasses in one of the drawers. Sam loved them and thought they were hilarious. I have to agree!

Wednesday I think was just a free day. So we went to the pool and played there. Actually Dan watched Sam while I caught some rays. It was his way of thanking me for letting him go golfing all Monday and Tuesday afternoon. It was nice and relaxing and Sam just loves the water. I love Olivia in the back of this picture. Hope you don't mind Lib! :-)

Thursday was wave runner day. I love this day. Last year I got thrown off the wave runner when I was about 9 months pregnant so it was nice not to have to worry about that this year. It was so much fun and the morning just flew by. Sam enjoyed playing in the sand and in the water. He was just giggling like crazy when Danny would dip him in the water. He would just crawl right into the water on the beach so we had to keep a close eye on the little guy.

I decided to give Sam a red vine and boy did he like it. It kept him and all of us watching him entertained for quite some time. There were too many cute pictures of him with it all of over so I had to include them all.

I took so many pictures on this trip that I couldn't even dream of putting all of them on here. I think I took over 250. I know, I'm crazy. I did get some great shots though. For some reason it drives me crazy thinking that a fun time is going undocumented. But I think people get sick of me always taking pictures so I try to have a nice balance.

Cute Madeline, Grandma S, and Olivia

Forced the camera in Danny's hands to get a picture of me and my Sam. Love this kid! Even though he does have his hand in his mouth. Probably eating sand. :)

After spending the morning on the lake we headed back home and Dan watched Sam and Shelley and I headed into downtown McCall to shop around. Madeline came with us as well but she refused to be in the picture. Stinker! I love sweatshirts and I really wanted to get one but they were too expensive. Bummer deal.

Here we are in the candy shop that has a ton of delicious different candies. Lot's of yummy fudge and chocolate dipped stuff, ice cream, taffy, etc. Oh and they do have amazing carmel apples. We were all full and sick of sugar so we didn't get anything but now I sure wish I would have. Speaking of ice cream.

There is an ice cream store in McCall called Ice Cream Alley and we usually go there a lot. Dad S took us all there after the wave runners. I am not the biggest ice cream fan but I had some of Danny's and it was pretty tasty. Everybody seemed to really enjoy their ice cream. Sorry for the picture Brad but I had to show how huge the servings are. This picture doesn't even give the size of the ice cream cones justice.

Doesn't this picture just scream "this ice cream is Delicious?" Love it!

The last day was canoe day. I was really nervous that Sam was really going to struggle but he LOVED it! We got a two man kayak and I put him right in front of me in the front. It was the perfect size for him. He could stand up in the front and hold on to the front and just watch. He seriously loved it. Laughing and smiling pretty much the whole time. He got a poopy diaper that was really burning his bum b/c he was screaming bloody murder. Once we got him changed he was back to his normal happy self. There is a rock that lots of the crew jumped off. Danny did it but I decided to stay back and be the photographer. Truth be told, the water was cold and I was being a wimp and didn't want to get wet and cold. I did get some great pictures and home video of the jumping though so it all worked out.

He did fall asleep on the way back. It was a ton of fun but maybe just a little bit long for the little guy.

Nate was tickling Sam and he was laughing hysterically. Everybody loved him up there b/c he is just so happy and fun to play with. He will laugh and smile at pretty much everybody and who doesn't love that?

Friday night we attempted to take a family picture but as you can tell by the picture, it was complete chaos. Mia was crying and didn't want to be in the picture and a lot of people aren't even looking. This was the best one I got.

This was the cute house we stayed in. Most of us all got our own rooms except for poor Madeline and Libby. Sorry girls but you were great sports. Monica and Brad didn't really get their own room either. I didn't hear them complain once though, really good sports. Danny and I had bunk beds and it actually worked out great b/c Sam slept terrible so in the middle of the night he usually ended up in bed with me. I don't know what it is with vacations and Sam sleeping but they do NOT go together. I think he would just wake up and be scared b/c he wouldn't know where he was. Who knows but I was happy to be back home just for the reason that he was in his crib and I don't have him rolling all over grabbing me all night. The kid moves ALL NIGHT LONG!

I realize that this post is SUPER long but I'm pretty sure I didn't give the week of fun justice. We had a great time and we were sad when it was over. Thanks Dad and Mom S for a great week, we had a fantastic time!

Congratulations if you made it through another one of my really long posts. I'm the worst, I know. It's all about the memories. :)