The 4th of July at the Mairs' Cabin

For the Fourth of July weekend, it was decided that the Robert Mairs family should go visit the Maris family cabin up in Donnelly, ID. It had been years since the family as a whole had been there. Of course the family has grown by more than twice the size...

The very first day we got there, Aunt Becky took the kids down to the dock. She told me later that Taylor and Brooklan were jumping in for a quick dip. Nolan liked the idea, and he went and did the same thing. She said he hung onto the dock the whole time, but he sure did have a huge shock. The water was still very cold, and he he put his entire body including his head in. He was proud of himself for doing it, but he made sure to have his life jacket on the rest of the time. The life jacket prevents you from going all the way into the freezing water!

Some of the activities we did included swimming in McCall. It was a busy weekend, so the beach was very crowded. That didn't stop the kids from having fun though!

Taylor, Koen, and Brooklan stopping for a snack

Nolan chilling in the sand
Brooklan, Rylee, and Emi playing in the sand

Layla, Aunt Tiffany, Bella, Aunt Amber, Diane, Rylee, Nolan, and Taylor

Mom and Nolan having fun

Of course, while we were at the beach, most of the boys, Gramma Leeny, Papa Robert, Aunt Julie, Krista, and Traci were risking their lives rafting on the Kabartan strip of the Payette River. The drop off at the end flipped just about everyone that went down it that day because of the crazy high waters. Luckily no one was hurt at all. Just scared a bit. Nick also lost his glasses, so that was a bit miserable for him.

We all took turns making yummy meals. We ate most of the meals outside because the weather was so great. The kids even had a table of their own.

Here we have Nolan, Emi, Bella, Layla, Taylor, and Koen

Occasionally in the mornings, the kiddos would cuddle together while we made breakfast and tried to get a little extra sleep.

Nolan and Bella

We had lots of fun fishing, tubing, and riding on the boat. The boat rides were Nolan's favorite part of the whole trip. He was bribing Papa and Uncle Rob to take him for rides all the time! Can't believe I didn't get a picture of that! Too bad.

Taylor, Koen, Bella, and Uncle Ryan fishing
Uncle Ken with Taylor and Bella

Of course the cousins played lots inside and outside. There was never a dull moment when you had another cousin around to play with!

Rylee, Bella, Nolan, Layla, Emi, Taylor, Brooklan, and Koen

Brooklan, Layla, and Emi

Taylor, Koen, and Bella being silly

If you've ever tried to get a picture of multiple children all together, you know you should take lots of pictures. Even with lots of pictures it's hard to get everyone to look at the camera!

Front: Nolan, Emi, Layla, Bella
Back: Koen, Taylor holding Scarlett, Brooklan, and Rylee
Any better?

When you're so close to nature, you should always remember to roast some marshmallows!

Silly Emi has to always strike a pose!

And since it was the fourth of July, don't forget the fireworks!

Everyone get a sparkler!

Uncle Ken had the great idea to project a movie onto a sheet so the whole family could watch outside. We decided on "Megamind", and it was a big hit.

Uncle Ken and Aunt Amber

We also celebrated a the July birthdays which included Aunt Julie, Becky, and Brian.

Aunt Julie Blowing out the candles
Now the fun part begins
Emi taking her share from Uncle Brian
Becky's turn now!
Now Mom (Gramma Leeny) and Dad (Papa Robert) get a picture together!
The birthday girl stops to take a picture with Dad (Papa Robert)
Two July babies hanging out together

So what did we do the rest of the time? We just sat back and tried to relax!

Uncle Rob
Here's Doug's smolder...
Papa Robert
Gramma Leeny with Koen, Emi, Taylor, and Brooklan
Me and beautiful Baby Scarlett
Taylor and Bella
Cute little Rylee
Rylee with her favorite Aunt Amber

Me (Windy), Elisa, Mom (Gramma Leeny), and Becky
Three girls with their beautiful Mother
Beautiful women left to right: Traci, Krista, Amber,
Mom, Me, Elisa, Tiffany, Diane, and Aunt Julie

Ok Elisa! If you rub my belly you have good luck!
Brothers left to right: Ryan, Ken, Doug, Rob, and Daniel
We missed you lots Uncle Tyson!
Doug and Ryan for their close up!

Brian with his little girls Taylor, Bella, and Emi

The whole Peavey family

So, the trip was a wonderful success. It was so fun to visit old family memories and create new one with the whole family new and old.

June 2011

Nolan has grown into such a fun little guy. He lives to play with other kiddos and he is always quick to smile. He would live outside playing if we would let him.

The Khounthams came over for a visit earlier in the month so Nicole and Ket could celebrate their anniversary, and while here, Kassia and Jesiah showed Nolan how much fun it was to play with his letters. Ever since then, he wants to make a box and then he will hide in it. It's pretty cute.

In order to appreciate nature a bit better, we decided to visit the MK (Morrison Knudson) Nature Center. Actually, we woke up and just felt like we needed to go outside and spend some time walking and being outside before it rained. I'm glad we did. It was fun to get out and about.Of course you can't leave without getting some fun pictures too.

Daddy and Nolan

Mommy and Nolan

Daddy has this thing about getting Nolan stuff whenever he goes to the store, and here we see a perfect example of this. Nolan got a Spiderman fishing pole, and boy was he happy. Almost every day he asks if he can get it out and play with it!

Another fun activity to do as a family is blow bubbles in the back yard. So easy and you could spend hours doing it (which we often do). We are no longer allowed to blow bubbles ourselves if Nolan has anything to say about it.

What else to do...Oh yeah! Go to the park. Going to the park in good weather is almost essential to keep little boys and moms happy. We are so lucky to have one just down the street. We walk there multiple times a week, and we love it!

Nolan has finally gotten brave enough that he will go up all by himself. He no longer requires Mom, Dad, the sitter Laurie, or cousins to go with him. He's just starting to become a bit more independent every day...

Mom! Look at me! I'm up here Mom!

Hey Mom! I'm going to go down the slide now!

On Nolan's actual birthday (June 23), daddy came home from work with some blue cupcakes for Nolan, and boy was he happy. He's just practicing for his real birthday party here!

Since Nolan got his bike at his birthday party, we are riding it pretty much everyday! It's one of the first questions from his mouth and it is a conversation piece all day long. Something to look forward to at the very least.

We are so happy to be able to play outside now! It is so fun watching this boy grow and learn new things. Can't wait for the rest of the summer now!