': July 2020

Our summer plans were in a state of flux. Originally, we were supposed to go to Aspen Grove, and then we would follow that up with a week in southern Idaho at a house with the Streeter family. With Aspen Grove cancelled, we kept our flight to SLC and took the rental car and drove to Cody.

One of the highlights was getting to meet Kylie's tiny baby Drew! Dani had lots and lots of baby time.

Actually, baby Drew had lots of admirers!

The 3 teenage boys have gotten so much bigger - and really, really cool!

Our day at YellowTail ended up going a little differently than planned. We arrived at Horseshoe Bend, and it was SUPER windy! John put the boat in and Jared and John went out for a test ride and couldn't find a place that was going to be smooth enough. The waves were bigger than Jared has ever seen them on Horseshoe Bend.

So, we loaded back up and went further down the lake to Barry's Landing. It was the place we put in for a number of years when YellowTail didn't have as much water. As we got there, there was a boat circling back and forth. It came in really fast to get loaded, and when they pulled it out and up to the top of the ramp, we saw why - the transom was cracked and the only way to keep it from sinking was to keep going!

We got the boats (Travis brought his too - we had to jump the battery on his!) unloaded and John and Travis brought people over to the "beach" in a couple shifts. The beach was super muddy, which, of course, many of the kids LOVED.

The kids did some tubing, but really couldn't get into the main part of the reservoir because it was so choppy. John really didn't want to get people out much because of the waves. Fortunately for Jared, the area around our "beach" wasn't all that windy and he could paddle to his heart's content! Any time there was a lull, Jared found a paddle partner.

sometimes he would bring multiple partners. He especially loved when his partners would stand with him.

The kids took turns rowing around on an inflatable raft.

The next day, we went to the George's pond for a fun evening. Before we went, John wasn't feeling very well, and hadn't been most of the day, so Vicki brought him to the hospital. It turns out that he was having a heart attack. It was a scary time. Due to COVID, we couldn't go with him in the hospital. He ended up being brought to Billings in an ambulance. He describes watching the oxygen monitor and seeing how it would react to him holding his breath! The next morning, he was admitted for triple bypass heart surgery. Fortunately, Heath and Jared were able to go up to visit before, and Heath was able to give him a blessing. We are grateful that our family reunion was taking place in Cody rather than Burley Idaho! John will have some recovering to do, but he made it well through surgery.

Meanwhile, Vicki wanted all the kids to keep having fun, so we made the most of the time at the pond. The Georges have put lots of fun things at the pond. Most of the kids did the zip line. Kate and Liam looked so little zipping down over the lake.

Jared decided to take the little nephews out on the pond on paddleboard rides. It was the most still Dom was the entire vacation! He and Treycen both have great balance!

There were lots of boys lining up for boat rides with Jared!

Brighton recently got a .22 for his birthday, so Heath took him and Claire up to shoot it. It was a beautiful sunset, and a great setting. By the end, Claire got a couple hits on the target.

At the end of the night, we got some cousins pictures. Fortunately, the dock held everyone up!

We spent one day at Beck Lake on paddle boards and kayaks. Once again, we spent hours and hours paddling around the lake on boards and kayaks.

The kids enjoyed swimming around the area near the picnic area.

After some time in the water, Treycen just needed to dry out and warm up in the sun!

A favorite tradition is the night we do campfire dinners. Jared worked hard to get this picture just right... the shadow watching over the fire!

The kids drove jeeps and 4 wheelers around, and Dominic chased the boys Jeep all around the driveway! The Ohio cousins especially love the chance to get behind the wheel.

Jared's favorite part, of course - the s'mores! This time, he only made a few,

but he enjoyed them to the fullest extent possible!

Travis is Liam's favorite! He found a little snake in the grass, picked it up, and handed it around to the cousins.

Liam even took a turn... while his dad videoed from a safe distance.

Travis also took Liam out fishing. Liam was excited to report that he caught more fish than anyone else. Liam "helped" Travis gut and clean the fish. He is the outdoor sportsman Liam would love to be!

Jared and Jacob rented mountain bikes and biked up above Beck Lake on a network of trails. It was a great time. It was Jacob's first time really mountain biking, and he did a great time! Breckin joined for a while until his he got flat tires.

That evening, we had a little extra time, so Jared and Dani went out for a little mountain bike adventure! It had been a while since Dani had mountain biked, and it was so much fun!

The bikes were awesome - completely different than the bikes Jared and Dani have biked on for years (i.e. way nicer and more expensive than planned - but definitely something we want to do again)

Torin and Treycen were are both in a major Pokemon phase. These two spent hours and hours pulling out cards, discussing their powers, and deciding which cards were best.

We were able to get some family pictures of our family and the extended family.

Every time we come to Cody, there is a beautiful sunset over Hart Mountain, which, of course, requires a picture.

We love that the cousins are such good friends. Years of getting together in Cody and for family reunions have really given them a chance to become close.