.:Staycation 2011:.

Usually, our family heads up to Sunriver, OR for our annual summer vacation. This year, we decided to for-go Sunriver and do a Staycation at my parent's house so that everyone could be there.

My parents have a big house that fits all of us and our kids, has a pool, horses, and 4-wheelers, so needless to say, we weren't wanting for much while vacationing there.

We kept plenty busy the whole time we were there, so be forewarned that this will be picture heavy. More fun to see pictures than read my ramblings anyway, right?

Although our girls aren't really car sleepers, for longer than 30 minutes at a time anyway, we decided to leave in the early morning hours and see if our girls would sleep for a bit of the drive. We ended up leaving at 4:45 a.m. Did they sleep? Nope, not for the first hour at least! But they were definitely happy - we couldn't have asked for better on the drive!

The mighty travelers, with their animals, blankets, and movies - we were good to go! PS - Can I just say how fantastic it was traveling with our van? We were able to load up everything and fit so comfortably!

When we got there, it was immediately into the swimming pool! Reece was anxious to use her new Barbie life jacket. My parents have an inflatable slide, and she loved going down it into Daddy's arms!

The next day, Grandma took all the grandkids out for a ride on Rio. Reece did a great job being up there by herself, and it was cute to see Rio nuzzling her when Reece 'thanked' her for the ride by petting her afterwards.

She was not happy when she had to get off!

Later that nite, Gramzee and Grandpa Paul treated the kids to snow cones.

Let's just take a minute and look at the two card tables filled with snacks for the week. Yep, we went through most of it. No one can say we didn't eat well!

Sunday evening, my dad did his usual marriage maintenance class for all of the adults once the kiddos were in bed. This has become a tradition for us each year, and I think it's so great to have some reminders of where we're at and where we'd like to be at in our relationships. It was fabulous as usual, and I think we all walked away feeling anxious to make some new commitments.

Along with the class, my dad did a little Fourth of July trivia quiz. I of course, failed miserably! Josh and Jefferson tied, though! I have a smart hubby, what can I say?

After both of those things, we headed out to have a fire and s'mores.

We had quite the array of s'mores options!

We were there over the Fourth of July, so that meant lots of fun festivities! First we headed down to the local parade. The kids all got a little flag to wave.

Sometimes we call Remi and Hudson the twins - with their red hair and being so close in age, they could be!

After that, we headed home for a burger bar, and to watch the PStew fireworks show! He let each of the kids take turns picking out which firework to light off. They thought they were pretty cool.

After our personal fireworks show, we headed out to watch the town's big fireworks. We had let Remi take a nap before we went, and both girls were happy and loved it!

Remi started walking while we were there! This is pretty much my new view of her - walking away from me!

We headed downtown to take a ride on the trolley. It's always neat to see all of the historic buildings.

After riding the trolley, we went to the park to feed the ducks,

and ride the John Deer around.

There were also just down times at home, blowing bubbles and playing with chalk outside!

One nite we got sitters and all of the adults went out for a lovely, kid free dinner at the local steak house. To say we all enjoyed ourselves is an understatement!

About 20 minutes away from my parent's house is this little community of trains, with over 35 miles of tracks. My parents know a guy in the stake who is involved with it, so we were able to head up for a relaxing morning enjoying the ride.

It was so pleasant just to ride around and look at all of the quirky displays.

About half way through, there is a little stop point where we were able to get out and walk around, use the bathroom, and have a snack.

One afternoon, the ladies headed out for our 'favorite things' lunch. Each of us brought one of our favorite things for all the others and we took turns sharing and giving. It was so much fun, and a great new tradition!

Alli - sixlets (still working on my bag!)

Nikki - wrinkle release spray

Sharon - swedish fish and fun cocktail ring

Dani - spatula, brownie mix, and recipe

Me - pocketwatch charm with family birthstones

Mom - super pretty necklaces that you can switch the charms in and out of

While we were there, there was obviously a lot of time spent here.

It was sooooo nice being able to put kids down for naps, but still be able to get outside and enjoy the pool.

Two of the cutest girls I know!

My mom wanted to get a picture of all the kids in jeans and plaid shirts - a western feel. I think it's pretty amazing that we got this good of a shot! Don't they look so cute! This picture will be outdated in October, and then again in December - we can hardly keep up!

We started another fun tradition for the ladies - at least I hope it's going to be a tradition! We headed to the spa for facials and pedicures. I'd never had a facial before, and now I basically believe that I should be having one once a week. And you can never go wrong with a pedicure!

(Yes, we all look a little.....rough. We decided to forgo makeup since we were having facials!)

Of course, we needed to let the kids roast marshmallows one day, too, since they missed out when the adults did it.

I think they liked it!

As I said above, we ate well while we were there. My dad got a new Traeger grill, and oh.my.goodness. We had turkey and prime rib from that thing, and it was some of the best things I've ever eaten! We also had a seafood fest nite. We just wrapped the table with paper, and went at it!

Crab legs, coconut shrimp, scallops - it was heavenly. Well, for most of us. Josh just ate bread and veggies. :)

This picture of Remi is from our last day there. I guess she was all tuckered out from all of the fun! (That, or the 5:30 a.m. wake up time she decided to set for all of us while we were there.)

It was just a fabulous week, and it went by way too quickly - I don't think we even got to everything we had planned to do!

Thanks for a fantastic week Mom and Dad! We are so spoiled!

Who's up for two weeks next summer?