Let me start out by saying I
love spending time with my wonderful family! So when Abby and Matt offered
all of us to join them at a cabin in Bear Lake over Fall Break, well, the excitement and possibilities of fun were endless! We knew everyone was available this weekend because I'd already sent out "save the date's" for our annual Halloween Party. What better place to move this party to? All of us sista's got our planning juices flowing and came up with all the details needed for yummy meals, great snacks by mommy, and crafts and activities to keep the
twenty-eight grand kids busssssy.
Most of us arrived (well, I guess it was 24 of us out of 41) on Thursday. We pulled in around 10:30. Jon was worried we'd be looking for a dark cabin. I was all like, "Have you met my family???" The balloons on the gate gave it away and Shafer and Cade were out front whooping and hollering to my call-outs as we pulled in. This is gonna be goooooood!
Ashley and I were in charge of breakfasts for the weekend, we'd split up food items and it couldn't have been easier to shop, pack, and set up a "Breakfast Station" for everyone to help themselves. Yogurt, toast, cereal, oatmeal, toaster waffles, it all worked. We set out on a family walk, the day couldn't have been more gorgeous. It was great to see the
Panoramic view of Bear Lake, that vibrant blue against all the changing leaves. At one point on the walk Matt picked up three pebbles and asked us if we bet he could hit a small red metal flag. He kept missing so before you know it, we
all had piles of rocks in our hands trying to hit that flag.
 |
| There's the lake! |
 |
| Look at our group! (and that's only half!) |
 |
| Something on the walk offended little Zeke and he walked with his head hung low for a little bit. But he bounced back. |
 |
| We spotted moose and elk tracks! |
 |
| Father and son. So sweet. |
Lindsey and Eliza were in charge of lunch, they brought up everything you can think of to make de-lish sandwiches. And there is no shortage of chips in this family! Soon enough the Whitmores, Granny and Grandpa and the Goulding's arrived. The cousin's were in heaven playing, exploring and doing thier wild thing. Matt pulled out the go-cart and us sisters sat at the window as we'd watch the men race by on it. Then it was
Adren going by, driving all by
himself, then Mallerie who apparently hit a tree, then Katrina's turn who abruptly drove it down the stone stairs and got stuck. We didn't even bother getting up since we had a good view of Mallerie who was watching the whole thing, writhing on the ground in laughter. We figured she was ok.
After that the go-cart was put away and the ATV was brought out. We all took turns bouncing around trails and exploring the back country. Beautiful! Those kids would pile in, and the thing would take off with loud squealing down the dirt road. Little Zeke would excitedly climb in, get all nestled, then put his hands over his eyes as they'd drive away. On one run he fell asleep! Jon took the big girls and little Paisley out and apparently
sped up when he came to a giant mud puddle. A wall of muddy water showered down on everyone. Needless to say, the girls were less than thrilled to be covered in mud.
 |
| They're smiling, but they weren't too happy. |
 |
| I had to capture this before they showered it off! |
Abby made a delicious pot of Taco Soup for dinner, just perfect for a fall evening.
 |
| Granny and Grandpa eating dinner together |
|
 |
| Campfire! |
 |
| Full House! |
Mommy had a bunch of white boards made for all of the kids. This sure occupied their time, they'd sit drawing on these, they were great. That evening we lined up around the family room from oldest to youngest. It was amazing to see this large group all together in order! We split into groups and put on short skits of The Three Bears, which were a hoot. I still have a picture in my mind of Abby, Sadie and Ashley holding their babies in their arms like machine guns shooting down ninja's! It was fun to sit around together, watching the kids put on their little performances. I have such beautiful nieces! (and they've go some
moves!)
 |
| Game table |
The next day we were all up and at it and I learned from Cade we were off to do
The first every, Taylor family, POLAR BEAR PLUNGE! A quick change into swimsuits and we were off to the lake! The
freezing lake, mind you! I was chuckling on the way to Jon how we are all just following the baby of the family to do this crazy thing. Cade sure can inspire a crowd! We pulled up to take a peek at the lake and Daddy dived right in!
We found a better spot where we could wade in. I still wasn't completely sure if I'd do it, but I
did put on my swimsuit. Sure enough, I found myself wading out in that freezing water. Cade had told us the rules on how to become a Polar Bear. I'll never forget standing next to mommy and Eliza, while everyone shouted,
"I AM A POLAR BEAR" and dunked. Eliza and I gave each other a look like we
did not want to go under, but knew we had to! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Grandpa was hardcore and went back in, I think with Cade and some of the older girls for a second round. I was surprised to see
Adren go in and do the dunk three times! He's an official
Polar Bear!
We all came out of Bear Lake screaming and grabbing towels, piling back in the 5 mini vans. Good times.
That afternoon we pulled out some major crafts for everyone. It was the "Mascaraed Ball", after all. Abby had a honkin' bag of crafts she'd given me I hadn't even looked through yet, but threw it in the car. It was full of feathers of every color, stickers, yarn etc. Everyone made themselves a fabulous mask to wear.
 |
| The Geertsen's! |
 |
| Taylor's! |
 |
| The Goulding Family |
 |
| Abby decorated with streamers and balloons! |
 |
| Landrie and Kate! |
 |
| More Taylor's! |
 |
| Little Callie with her Granny |
 |
| It's funny to scroll through pictures on the camera and see the weekend get rowdier and more wild! |
I wish I'd taken a picture of what under that table looked like. Ashley spent a good 15 minutes under there picking stuff up. Sadie made a delicious dinner of enchiladas! Mmmmmmm.... The "Ball" consisted of Ashley playing DJ while we all danced like fools. Any time we get to see Shafer break out his Michael Jackson moves is a real treat. Seriously one of the funnest nights ever. It was so beautiful that night, we'd go out on the deck to look at the bright stars and cool off. We started a fire up and roasted some marshmallows for s'mores and starbursts.
 |
| Granny and Grandpa surrounded by 28 grandkids! |
Later we all settled down and watched "Joe Vs the Volcano". Classic. I couldn't keep my eyes open. In the middle of the night I was awakened by the smoke alarm in our room beeping
so loud. It startled me and I wondered what set it off. Jon said sleepily, "I don't smell any smoke". And went on snoring. I laid there worried about carbon monoxide poisoning and listening for my kids breathing. I kept hearing more and more stirring in the house until I could hear full-on chatter and laughter upstairs. Apparently
everyone woke up and had a little gathering in the kitchen at 4am. My dad locked himself outside and made everyone jump when he started pounding on the door to get back in.
 |
| We had everyone write their name on their cup so we wouldn't go through 200 cups in two days. The problem was going through all of these to find yours. |
Sunday consisted of a lot of work and a lot of laziness mixed all together. We had to get that place packed and cleaned up and also had to lay around, cat nap, chat, and learn how to do a sock bun. Those little cousins were all off in their own little world outside playing a game of "Pilgrim", apparently. How sweet to watch them all together, they will remember this hopefully for a lifetime.
It was sad to drive away when it all came to an end. I found little Eli sobbing into his pillow that night because he wanted to be back there so badly. I'm so grateful to have the eternities to hang with these great peeps.
