Sun Valley, Idaho- Part 1

The day after we got back from Jackson Hole, we all packed up and headed to Sun Valley, Idaho.  Sun Valley is my family's tradition.  Growing up, we went there every summer in June for 2 or 3 days.  My dad has meetings there, so it is kind of work/vacation for him.  The rest of us tag along for some fun in the sun.  Although, it is hit or miss on if the weather is warm.  This year the weather was perfect.

I have missed several Sun Valley reunions in the past.  So I was thrilled to go this year and share Sun Valley with Nels.  This year my sister Kari and her family came and my brother and his family and my little sister Jenny.  In total we had 11 adults and 9 children!

We left on Sunday after church.  We drove about twenty minutes and then stopped to have a picnic at Beaver Dick Park just outside of Rexburg.  The babies loved eating and playing.  Here's a pic of the crew.

Then we drove three hours to Sun Valley.  We passed Crater's of the Moon. 

Other than that the scene is pretty much sage brush.  :)

We stayed at Sun Valley resort and luckily we were upgraded to the President's Guest House.  It was extremely nice and fit everyone comfortably.

It also backed up to a large open grass area.

Which came in handy when we all played softball.

We all played several times a day and it kept the older kids entertained.  My kids just wanted to chase after the ball.  :)

We made all of our meals in the huge kitchen and it worked out great.  My mom is a super good planner and thought of everything.  We just chipped in and helped when it was time to eat. Although, I kept snitching, as you can see me in the background in blue...hey it's how I help...taste tester. 

Me and Kari.

Us girls and our awesome spread of food.  Tacos, hamburger meat and chicken.

Up close. Left to Right...Jenny, Whitney, me, Mom and Kari

As you can see, Kira is very serious when it comes to eating. And Isak got to sit in a big chair to eat.

And a few of us around the table.

When we weren't eating, playing softball or playing Nerts, we were at the pool.

The first time we took the twins to the pool was rough.  They cried and just clung to us.  The second time was a little better and the third time I think they smiled a little.  haha.

They liked the toys though.

Isak with the squirt gun.

And Kira loved this huge shark.

She would just lug it around.  haha.

Watching people try to ride the shark was very comical.  Below, Jenny actually got on and sat on it for a minute or two.

It's an olympic size pool and our family filled it up pretty well.  You can barely see me and Nels with the babies in the far left corner.

Isak loved to snuggle with grandma and eat cheese ball and crackers when we weren't torturing him in the water.

This is the second day...much better.  We enjoyed our time there.

And had a lot more smiles that day.

More of Sun Valley to come...

Jackson Hole, Day 2

Day 2 started with a nice breakfast at the hotel.  We snapped a quick picture in the hotel room before leaving for the day.

We wanted a more challenging off roading experience, so we stopped by the Jeep rental place and asked for another trail.  And boy did we get it.
Lots of scenery, fun and bumpy roads.

Like I said before, I loved driving.

We took our time and stopped to take pictures every once and a while.

The trail was always gorgeous....this was an easy part.

We ended up by Granite Hot Springs Falls.  See the falls in the background.

We took a short hike to get closer to the falls.

Love this pic.

And of course there is the Jeep parked and waiting for us to jump back in.

We drove to the actual Granite Hot Springs.

It stays 112 degrees in the winter!

Again...love this.

We didn't realize it would be an actual pool.  We were sad we didn't bring our swimsuits!  Next time.  But, they let us put our feet in the pool though. :)

Here's the pool, nestled in the woods and mountains.

We saw a moose and its baby.

Then we went on a trail leading to a place called Monument Pass.  This trail was a lot trickier.  And the views were amazing.

We took turns driving. :)

I told Nels not to look so serious...so here's his smile.

This picture doesn't do it justice, it was bumpy terrain.  Nels always made sure to go through EVERY mud puddle.

Heading up.

And here's the view!

On top of the world.

The weather was gorgeous.  We took the top off the Jeep and got sunburned.

Mud on the windshield...but look at that trail headed over the hill.

See the little hut.  That's Monument Pass...and the end of our destination.

Here it is up close.

See how muddy our Jeep is.

That is snow. In June.

Cheese.

And last pic of our Jeeping adventure!

And Yes, I would do it again.