Bear Lake, Idaho, Day 1

We had a little mini family reunion in Bear Lake, Idaho this summer. We had 6 of the 9 Abbott kids there with 26 of the 40 grandkids. 

We stayed at my step-grandmother's property in St. Charles. My family stayed there years ago (before we were married, right before Josh left on his mission), but this was the first time Dave and I have gone since she built the bunkhouse. For some reason I pictured it having just bedrooms, but it has 3 bedrooms plus a big loft, kitchen, living room, dining room, bathrooms, laundry, etc. It was awesome!!

Nine teenage cousins attended EFY together in Utah (they had a blast!!!), while we hung out with the younger kids at Bear Lake for a couple days. On our first day there, we explored some ice caves in Paris, Id. 

That's dirty snow Chloe is standing on! Apparently there's not as much snow and ice there as usual this year, but it was still really cool.

       Troy and Josh                                        Ice stalactites/stalagmites       

 Some people hung out at the opening of the cave without going deep inside. 

 Then we climbed up to the top and explored all the great rock formations up above.

Some of us were a tad nervous with this part - sheer cliffs, jumping...I was mighty glad no one fell.  

Josh and Megan's baby Declan is one of the most thoughtful-looking babies I've ever met. He looks wise beyond his years! What a cutie!

Daniel and Brennan, matching sweatshirts :)

This was the only day we got to spend with Kristen's family. They arrived a few days before us and left right after we got there.  

 My boys packed their mountain board, and there were lots of great places to ride it. 

The cousins all tried it too. 

After we got back, we enjoyed just relaxing at the cottage. The kids loved playing together, and there was so much to do!

 Such a fun place! No wonder Emily and Aaron take their families there every summer!

There was even a great hill for mountain boarding up the street.                Katrina painted faces!

Aren't they lovely?

Zombies!

 Relaxing on the hammock. 

 Oops, there's a 2 kid limit.

Yard Jenga! 

Bang, our favorite card game.

  

Meals were on the front porch (I'm not sure what they're doing here). Emily organized all the food and handed out assignments. It was a lot of work, and we really appreciated it!!

This is Grandmother Renee - she just turned 90!! She stays in the cottage all summer, which has been in her family for a few generations. It is full of antiques and great stories. She joined us for meals when she was around - she's still stays super busy!

That night we drove over to the lake. It was cold and windy and stormy - the kids ran around and enjoyed a lightning show.