Hard to tell who was happiest about that decision! The freezing Twin Falls-ites were more than glad to feel 70 degrees on their faces. Victor lay out and happily burned day after day. Grandkids dug pales and pales of sand, buried each other and squealed in nearly unhearable pitches every time the water got their feet wet! Jill and Peter read and read. Grandma just watched everyone relaxing mid-year, fixed a few meals, played lots of games and was glad for this family time.
How can you not smile at these little faces????
Tara Austin, Audrey & Ethan Graf, Amaya & Noelle Austin, Alyssa Austin (Peter & Jill's)
Moms & Dads catch up on news and reading
We loved our choice of houses because there is a grassy area, followed by a private sand area where little, little ones can play, and you are still only a foot or two from the actual beach where you can enjoy the waves if you want! (Kim Dillon is the renter. House sleeps 10-12. Glad to give you information if you are looking for an affordable opportunity off season)
Family Support Time
Nathan & Colleen, Amaya & Noelle are helping little Tara not be afraid of the waves & cold water. (Actually, Gideon is there too. He is just still safe and warm inside Colleen until May)
Ethan thought it was fun to push the sand back in the hole as soon as the little girls got it out!
I love the beach, grandma!!
Becky took Audrey to test the waters too - as well as baby girl Graf - due to make her appearance in mid-June
Aly was a trooper the first couple of days. But, unfortunately, the last part of the week she mostly slept with what turned out to be pneumonia, bronchitis & strep throat. Pretty sick little girl for the last few days.
Sunday after church we drove down to San Diego and toured the Mormon Battalion Monument (a must for all families). We had packed a lunch and were excited that the monument property had a small picnic area right behind the parking lot. 
After being in the car, then "feasting" on sandwiches, apples & valentine candy the kids needed to let off steam. Uncle Charles was a good sport to let them chase him!
Then we were ready to be pioneers for a bit:
Westward, Ho! Peter, Amaya, Ethan & Audrey
Pause for a photo op: Becky with Ethan and Audrey
I don't know; we might just have to sit out here and enjoy the rays!
Never pass up an opportunity to ham it up!
The museum is a wonderful interactive presentation - complete with Harry Potter-like talking photographs. This was especially fun for me because these grandchildren have 4 relatives on Adele's side of the family (John Forsgren, Edwin & Almon Whiting and Sylvester Hulet) and at least one (Henderson Cox, one of the three scouts murdered by Indians at "Tragedy Spring) on Victor's side that traveled together in the Battalion.
Earrings "commissioned" by ancestor Sylvester Hulet for his nieces
We all loved panning for gold in the courtyard outside
"Look, Grandma, we got about a bazillion gazillion dollars worth!"
"Hmmm. How come there's no gold down at our end?"
The miniature people in the group especially liked the hand pump.
Uncle Peter gave Noelle a "ride" on the well handle
After we finished at the Battalion Monument we walked up the hill to the old Jewish Synagogue and around some of the gorgeous, historic homes that have been brought to Old Town.
Then back to the Beach House for dinner, games & kid movie time
Charles and Becky, Audrey & Ethan had to leave us on Monday to go back to Vegas for school and work. We had crammed a lot into the few days they could be with us so those who remained were all pretty content to just kick back the rest of that day.
Sometimes you have to dig a deep hole just cuz you can! ("It's a guy thing, mom!")
We did puzzles, played "Scum", celebrated "Fat Tuesday."
Uh, oh, Amaya! You're scum!
"Tara, You're Vice-Scum"
Fat Tuesday
Only a true California girl will take her family into the cold ocean in February! But Amaya, Colleen and Nathan each caught one or two good waves
Went to the Fun Park for Splash Boats, Miniature Golf and Climbing cages. I got TWO holes-in-one and still managed to be about 20 points over par!
THIS is what vacations are for. Just to be someplace that isn't every-day-ness...and to admire the remarkable beauty.
"Can't we just stay and look at this forever??"
Sigh! Our lovely week had to come to an end.................. BUT.................
Cousin Camp was not quite over! Back in Vegas Graf's joined us again for the annual BINGO GAME!
Our Dollar Store/D.I. finds were pretty interesting this year (except for all Grandpa Vic's weird Laotian candies). Without doubt the prize goes to Peter for buying just the right gift that Nathan might open!!!
Mmmmmmmmmmmm, Pappy. We gots to get you some of those!!!
Familes are the bestest !!
1 comment:
looks like lots of fun even with cold water. I keep this in mind for a reunion in the up coming years.
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