Bear Lake Utah and the Empey Clan!

You have to love family reunions! Seriously, what is better than getting together with all the people you love and hanging out for a few days! We just got back from Bear Lake and the Empey Family Reunion! I will start first by telling all you Empey's that we love you and miss you already. The kids hate being away from their cousins. And Kayla, we love and miss your clan too, we wish you could have been here with us, but I guess a vacation in Spain isn't a bad substitute!

We left on Monday and drove to Mesquite Nevada. I thought it would be a great place to stay at only $30 a night. So we did, I thought Steve would kill me because he really wanted to just keep driving, but we stopped at the lovely (that is sarcastic) Oasis Spa and Casino. Let's just say we have not stayed in too many places this bad. I learned a few things about our kids that night. Tyler isn't bad to sleep next to. Brooklynn loves to snuggle in next to her Daddy! And Josh sings himself to sleep and plays with his belly button!

Tuesday we hit the road and stopped at Mike's house. Stephanie and Mike were taking a boat and trailer up to Bear Lake and since Steph had never towed anything was a little nervous. I can't say I blame her I would have been the same way. So, we helped them get ready and left on Wednesday with Steve pulling the boat, Mike the trailer and me driving our car. It worked out well and Kenzie and Steph drove with me and read me some Harry Potter. Now that I know some of the last book I may have to start at the beginning.

We got to our campsite, which was in a great spot and set up camp. We hauled our tent up and all our sleeping bags, got it set up and then ended up bunking in with Kari and J. Of course, why wouldn't we. J's parents let them bring up their trailer and it worked out nicely. Steve and I slept on an air mattress on the floor the kids slept on the bed, Jake and Josh each had a pack
n play and Kari and J got the bed. It wasn't the most comfortable on the air mattress that is, but it worked! Oh and of course the tent we had just purchased had a hole in it!

On Thursday, we hit the lake. The water was soooooo smooth. It was fantastic and I skiied. Yippy, it was so awesome I hadn't skiied like that in years. It was so very fun. Kari learned to wakeboard, Steve Skiied and wake boarded, it was just really fun! At least until the thunder storm rolled in and ruined it! McKenzie, who by the way for those of you who don't know her, is the coolest 13 year old ever - I love you Kenz! After watching me ski wanted to give it a whirl. She popped up on that one ski so fast. She is a total rock star! I have to say the highlight of this day was when James road his bike in the water and then lost it in the water. Lucky for him the bike search party found it!

When we got back to camp, Tyler crashed! He had a fever and was not feeling good. Being the mom I am I started to worry. I soon figured out that he probably had the strep throat that Joshua had the week before. Of course I had thought in my own head before we left I should really call and get some anitbiotics for Ty and Brooks just in case, but I didn't. Next time I will listen to my own self. Anyway, I tried my Pediatrician, but he was unable to prescribe in Idaho. So, on Friday Morning, after Andy had gotten us a list of Dr's etc to call in the area, thanks Andy! I called an office and they got us right in! You have to love the nice small town Idaho folks! Anyway, sure enough it was Strep and so we got the medicine and kept Ty's fever down with Motrin and headed back to the beach! It was another great day. As the pictures show, the kids had a great time, especially Josh in his mud puddle. He played in that silly mud puddle forever, even though a whole lake of water was just feet away.

I must mention that Kari planned a great dutch oven dessert cook off. The first night of the cook off was on Friday and it was awesome! We made Monkey Bread that turned out great! Stephanie and crew made a chocolate carmel thing and mom made some sort of cobbler or something that looked like chili. They all tasted great and it was fun to see what everyone came up with.

On Saturday we headed up to some caves - the Minetonka caves (I think). Anyway, it is a huge cave that they have put stairs in so that you can go on tours. In all there is over 400 stairs. Well, we all went and Grandpa Nelson was not going to miss out either! At almost 99, he is truly amazing, he climbed all the stairs and even though most of us were very worried, he made it through with no problem.

Later in the afternoon we went up to Bloomington lake and Steve and Kelly jumped off the cliffs. Dave couldn't make the swim (you big whimp - HeeHee). Once we got back to camp, Steve and I packed up, ate dinner, said a sad goodbye and headed to Pocatello. We decided to get an early jump on it. It was better to get some Laundry done and clean up and shower before the long car ride home! We heard the dutch oven on Saturday night was good too, I am so sad I didn't get to try all the creations! Kristin, I love apple pie and I bet it was sooo good.

All in all, it was a great reunion. Thanks to Mike for bringing the boat! Thanks to mom and dad for having such a great family! Thanks to Kelly for having lots of extra gear. Thanks to Steph for feeding my family so much food. Thanks to everyone for putting up with me and my non-camping self. I try, no really I do, I just have an aversion to dirt or something. Of course a huge shout out goes to Kari for planning and stressing and dealing with everyone's, especially mine, complaining, I love you! Dave and Trista, we are sad that we didn't get to see more of you! We can't to hear about the flavor of your baby! Let us know.

Enjoy the pictures. I didn't get pics of everyone, but I'm sure with all the cameras up there we got everyone!

Oh ya and I musn't forget. Dad Empey water skiied! Go Dad! Look for the pics of that too!

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