I am so thankful that families are eternal. I am very close with my extended family on my mom's side. I love them so much! We have always made our yearly trip to Idaho every summer. Ever since I was a little girl we have had our family reunions up at Lodge in Idaho. This year I was in charge of the food for 70 people. My mother and I decided the menu and she stressed about it! It's a Tolman thing!
Matt and I loaded up the kids in our new van drove FOREVER. It sure is long and hard with two little boys and a nursing newborn. We made it okay. Except for the little hold ups: CONSTRUCTION, forgot cell phone at hotel; had to drive 15 miles back, someone sick and in the bathroom all morning, a nail in the tire, screaming kids, etc. I sure was glad when we got to Gma's house.
The next couple of days I went food shopping with Mom (stressed). I thought it was fun shopping for a large group! We had lots of help and coolers to take everthing up to the Lodge. It is tradition to stop at the corner ice cream shop by the Lodge. They are known for their sqaure ice cream. So of course we stopped and ran into 6 of my cousins and their families. The party has started!
We were driving up the driveway to the Lodge when a flood of memories rushed through my mind of all the fun times I have had here growing up. Now I am here with my own little family, it was exciting. The Lodge has 6 private rooms and two big rooms with beds in them. There is a big great room where we eat and play games. The kitchen has two stoves, and two fridges. Of course there are bathrooms and showers too. It is a nice big place for our large family. Outside is where the fun is. There is a long slide that goes down the mountain which everyone loves. Down below there is a little stream, large grass area, bowling, baseball diamond, frisbe golf, etc. It is so big and beautiful.
I was a little scared to let the boys go down the slide but Matt took them and they loved it. Especially Carter he would laugh and giggle the whole way down. They kept asking to go over and over again. I was with Hayden the whole time (Nursing mostly). I did enjoying seeing all of my cousins and catching up on their lives. We played games and had fun. Things have changed since I was little. I am now the mom with the kids running around so I have more to worry about. The other thing that was different was Gma Tolman wasn't there. She isn't doing so good and couldn't come up. My Aunt and Uncle stayed home with her so we could all go. I don't know how much longer she will be around so I made sure I got to visit with her and my boys got a picture with her. I want them to always remember who she is. She is a very special lady!
The food turned at great and we had more then enough. Everyone kept telling me what a good job I did. It really was all my mom. Thanks mom, I love you!
I had a great time and loved seeing everyone. I love them all and miss them a lot. I look forward to the next reunion.
