I kept thinking something would go wrong and we wouldn't make it to the cabins this summer, but WE DID IT! I was able to fly with Boston and my parents to Kalispell, although we had a layover in Denver so it was quite a long day. We made it though, covid tests and masks and all. Boston did great on his first airplane ride and slept a lot, thank goodness! Jeff drove with the other three kids and made it over the border. I was so nervous about that, but it all went smoothly, besides the fact that Jeff had a rough drive with a newly potty-trained Leo who needed to stop every half hour and other kids fighting. We all made it though!!
We were so excited to see Joce and Jeff since it had been such a long time because of covid. We got to spend 3 whole weeks at Ashley Lake with them and my parents, and it was so much fun we could've done even longer! Tamara and Jordan couldn't make it this year because of the cost expense of flying and covid tests for everyone, so that was a bummer.
The kids had such a great time with their cousins, it was SO good. Bentley fit right in with the girls and Deacon had fun with Eli, but surprisingly really got along with Mabel. They were pretty adorable to watch together! Leo played with anyone that would give him attention, and Boston did so good being in a new place and slept really well while we were there. It was great having so many extra hands to help with all our kids, as I'm still getting used to 4, and everyone was so kind about it. Leo was pretty good at going potty when we got there, but once we left he was fully potty trained and doing so well! I'm so happy about that!!
So, we did our usual boating, swimming, hottubbing, paddle boarding, huckleberry picking stuff. We also did some fireworks when we first got there because it was the 4th of July. I even picked up some festive krispy kreme donuts, and we had a fun dance party with sparklers! Bentley and Deacon both tried waterskiing twice, and then chickened out for the rest of the time. Bentley even got up for a few seconds and did so good, but for some reason got scared after that. Leo, however, would try anything you'd let him do. He went surfing with both Jeff's, EZ skiing, and tubing whenever possible. He'd always be the one saying "my turn!!" One day Jeff Fox made a little "floor is lava" course in the lake the kids had to get through. Another day the dads took Deacon, Eli and Mabel to a waterfall and fishing. Deacon was thrilled to catch a fish! He also caught lots of crawdads, and even found some frogs.
One of my favorite days was shopping! All the girls went into town one day for back to school shopping (I drug Boston along too) and it was a blast. Bentley found lots of fun things for school and I got all the boys clothes as well. I missed Target so much!! Ross, TJ Maxx, and JC Penney were also great. The fashion show afterwards is always fun as well.
Other things we did were church, a hike and picnic one day, breakfast at the firehall where the kids got to go in the fire truck, the duck park, lots of cards and games, and the kids put on a play. Bentley loved sleeping out in the trailer with the girls each night and getting to watch Trolls and draw pictures of all the characters. They all went to bed at probably 10pm each night. Many great memories were made!!
Jeff worked 1 week at my cabin and it was a little harder when he was doing that, but it still worked well for him. He brought his laptop and would video calls with clients and what not. That's why we were able to be gone for so long!
After saying our goodbyes, we headed over to Echo Lake for another 3 weeks! I struggled a bit more here because Jeff had to work for 2 weeks of it, and things weren't quite as easy for me and all the kids, but it was still a lot of fun. Scott and Kellie were also there for the full 3 weeks, so the kids had more cousins to play with!
We stayed at the Fairbanks' cabin for the first week because the Ady's didn't have their cabin for July. The cabin is huge and so nice, but there's less space outside to play. We had a good week filled with swimming, bowling and arcade more than once, and shopping too! I loved my shopping getaways with just Boston and I. The kids also liked the wave runners. This week hit a high of +40 and with no A/C at this cabin, we were dying! We all shouted for joy when we headed over to the Ady's cabin where there was A/C.
The kids loved running around the grass, playing in the sand, catching creatures, and playing on the golf cart and with the bow and arrow. One day we went to a maze, go cart, bumper boats place which was a lot of fun! Jeff and I also snuck in a date and went out for breakfast at the Echo Lake Cafe.
I think this summer was heaven for the kids!! Getting to spend 6 weeks at a lake with cousins and grandparents is what they are all about. Jeff and I also had a lot of fun, but spending 3 weeks with in-laws was a little tough on both of us. It's a long time! I was feeling very ready to go home when we did. We all had to get covid tests before we went home, except for Boston and Leo. The kids weren't a big fan of sticking something up their nose, but we got it done and made it home very smoothly! We are double vaccinated, so we did not have to quarantine when we got home, thank goodness!
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