The kids had a BLAST with their cousins, and it was lucky that they got to see every family at the lake at some point. When we arrived there, Jocelyn and family were there for one more day so we didn't get to see them for long, but it was still really fun for the little time we had. Bentley loved playing with Brookie and Deacon just loved everything and everybody! Even Leo was super happy with all the hands to hold him! He sure loves to be held. We got to see lots of the Fox's extended family as well. The kids even put on a little play for us!
The next week the Loewen's came and they brought lots of excitement too. And the following week Jordan and Melanie's family came, which was so fun for all of us as well. I always love all the boating we do when these families are here. I really enjoyed slaloming, as usual. There really is nothing better than skiing on glassy water! It was so nice of my mom and the other adults to help me so much with Leo and the other kids. They are a handful, but it was so nice to have so much help and even that I could have some fun myself, like go for a ski! It was amazing. Bentley and Deacon loved going on the EZ ski and the tube. I was very impressed with how brave Bentley was on the tube. She ended up going on some pretty wild rides! I was also impressed with how brave she was to get in the cold water and swim with us. As long as it was her decision to get in, she had no problem! Deacon didn't love it for some reason, but really enjoyed walking in from the shore and playing in the more shallow water. They also loved just being outside, playing in the playhouses, eating popsicles, going in the hot tub, finding frogs and crayfish, bird watching, and Deacon liked learning about tools with Grandpa. He learned what channel locks and vice grips were! One night we brought out the bubble that you go in and float on the water. They had a blast with that! We also went into town one day. I went to target!!! We bought a bunch of clothes for all the kids, and also ate out at Dickies.
It was so fun to see my kids having fun and creating memories with all their cousins. Even though most of them are a lot older, it was so nice to see them playing with my kids so well. Every time a family left or when we left at the end, Bentley balled. It was sad but also really cute and nice to know that she was having so much fun that she really didn't want it to end. I felt the same way. I loved being with my family all day each day.
While we were at Ashley Lake and Echo, there isn't always a ton to do on a Sunday. So, besides going to church, we went to the duck pond in Kalispell twice! We brought a bunch of bread to feed the ducks and geese and the kids just had the time of their lives. There are SO many ducks there and they are not scared of you in the least bit. It can get a little bit scary at times! One Sunday we brought a picnic, went for a walk around there, and went to the park there as well. Also, Bentley loved having matching hair-dos with Ryley!
When it was time to go to the Ady's cabin Jeff was still back in Caglary, so I packed up all of our stuff by myself and drove about an hour to Echo lake. Since Bentley was balling, she rubbed off on me a little and I was sad to leave my own family. They treated me so well and helped me so much with Leo! He still was not sleeping well in the night and I was in survival mode, so it felt great to have them. Luckily, the Ady's also help me and are so good to me as well! It was still a little hard getting through a couple days and a night without Jeff there though, but I survived and then Jeff joined us pretty quickly. Bentley was in cousin heaven again and I didn't see a lot of her while at Echo lake. I would just see glimpses of her and her girl gang prancing around, often with their coloring suitcases and pony's grandma had given them. Her and Emri made some friends with the neighbors and would always go over to find them and hang out. Deacon was obsessed with the sand box, which is where he spent most of his time. The new wave runners were also a hit this year! I loved taking the kids out on them. I have to say, though, it is sure hard to find smooth water for skiing on Echo lake! There are so many boats and not a lot of long stretches of water...I may be a little bit biased towards Ashley Lake! Going on trips to the gas station for candy also became a thing, and the kids loved all the junk food we let them eat. It got a little crazy...I have no choice but to make exceptions on vacations! I always seemed to have my hands full here, so unfortunately I didn't take as many pictures. But, we did have a lot of fun. The weather for the whole 3 weeks was absolutely amazing! So hot!!
Well, we had to go home eventually and it was a sad feeling to leave our vacation, but we also felt ready to get back into a routine again. Having so many little kids together can get overwhelming. The kids did not want to leave though! They had been having the time of their lives. The drive went really well. Leo slept most of the way, and Bentley and Deacon watch movies so it's not so bad! We always stop in Cardston for food and sometimes at a park for a little while. It felt kind of nice to hang out as just our family again. And when we got home I really enjoyed buying a bunch of healthy food and detoxing the kids from all the sugar!! Haha! What a fun vacation though. This summer has been great!
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