As I type this entry I cannot believe how fast this summer has come and gone. Our annual Naisbitt tradition always marks the end of summer and the start of a new school year. This year, however I've hardly been able to catch my breath. I haven't been able to put our bags away, we've had something nearly every weekend. It has been good and hard at the same time. My yard has been neglected, but we've sure had a lot of fun. This trip was no different, except that both Travis and Anthony (Tracie's husband) both have their remaining vacation days earmarked for the rest of the year and couldn't come to Island Park this year. Also, Lauren stayed behind with Travis because she didn't want to miss her first 3 days of 6th grade. Travis and Lauren had a great 5 days spending just one on one time together.
Friday, Aug. 14th we loaded up the minivan with Tracie and her kids as well and Garrett and Ashton and Zac Anderson (Garrett's friend) and headed to Idaho Falls to visit Grandma Bonnie. We stopped by for some cookies with Grandma and brought her her birthday present. We had dinner at Red Robin and then took off for Island Park. As night set in we watched the outside temps drop too. When we got to the condo it was cold! We quickly unloaded the car and made out bed and crashed.
Saturday morning we got settled and put multiple layers of jackets on and headed to the playground. Garrett and Zac rebuilt Travis' old remote control car and we rode bikes around the area. Ashton and Kamden loved going up and down the hills and on the gravel roads through the woods and up and around the golf course. We then headed to the pool to swim. After swimming, my mother-in-law, Jacki drove up from her home in Driggs and brought a huge big container of fresh picked raspberries...YUM! We just hung out and played around Island Park that afternoon. Following dinner Tracie and I put on our walking shoes and walked 8+ miles to continue our training for the Komen 3-day walk that we are participating in. Upon arriving home, Jacki and the kids had just come in from going to the pool. We got the little kids to bed and the rest of us played gin rummy.
Sunday we packed lunches and headed into Yellowstone. For some reason, it was free to go through Yellowstone on Sunday. We began the day with a big pancake, egg and sausage breakfast. While we were washing dishes, Garrett and Zac took the little kids to the park to play before heading to Yellowstone. While at the park, Garrett and Zac kept pushing each other on the tire swing around and around until they couldn't walk straight. We then loaded up my van and started toward West Yellowstone. About a mile or two into the drive, Zac (sitting on the bench seat in the back of my van) asked me to pull over. Unfortunately, we were in major road construction and I had no where to pull over to and he THROUGH UP all over the floor and seats of my van. I frantically drove until I could pull over. We piled out of the car amidst Kamden crying and Tracie (pregnant - practically dry heaving). We grabbed all the napkins we had and scooped up all we could. Meanwhile, Zac is still puking on the side of the road. We decided that we needed to head back to Island Park and get Zac new clothes and clean up the van. We left half of us on the side of the road and got Zac cleaned up and headed on to Yellowstone. It was pretty busy since it was free to get in. While heading up to the painpot and Old Faithful, Zac (who we moved to the front seat) got sick again but mostly made it out of the car. I thought maybe Pepto would help, but it just right back up. Despite being sick he kept trooping along. We at sandwiches at a picnic area near Old Faithful. Upon arriving at Old Faithful the weather had turned even colder. It started to sleet and the wind blew cold air. Jacki bought everyone hot chocolate and Ash and I watch the geyser from the lodge. Ashton was so excited to finally get to the lodge because his friend Mitchell had brought home these cool chocolate rock candies from Yellowstone and he was so excited to spend his money on these candies for his souvenir. I bought Lauren a spoon and a deck of cards. On our way back to West Yellowstone a lot of cars were pulled over and we followed them too. We saw a herd of bison with two calves. It was very cool. We then went to the Gusher for pizza and the kids and Tracie played video games. Back at the condo we played card games and the kids played with Garrett and Zac's firecracker toys.
Monday it warmed up a bit and made scones for breakfast. Garrett, Zac, Jacki, Ash, Kamden and I went golfing. We did two groups. Garrett and Zac played in one group and we followed them in a cart. I believe this was Ashton's first real time golfing. Too bad he had his mom teaching him. I'm sure Trav will have to undo all that I taught him. We had a blast. The kids did really well and Jacki and I weren't too bad ourselves. Tracie and Kennady hung back at the condo and took a nap.
Tuesday Garrett and Zac decided to ride their bikes to Big Springs. It is about a 10 mile ride round trip. Garrett's bike got a flat right at big springs and garrett called me to come pump it up. I drove up there and pumped it up. I gave them my cell phone and told them to call me if it went flat. After a about 15 minutes my phone rang and Jacki went back to pick them up. It was his tire that went bad + the tube too! We then split up again. Jacki took Garrett golfing and the rest of us went back to West Yellowstone to go wander around. The Ash and Kam bought cowboy hats, I got a cool Wizard of Oz lunch box, and we ate lunch at McDonald's. Later that evening we made homemade ice cream and put the fresh raspberries on top. Jacki packed up headed back to Driggs. Garrett, Zac, Kam, Ash and I rented a flat bottom boat and floated down the Snake River. The river was low in some parts and Zac and Garrett had to get out and push our boat a couple of times. It was relaxing and beautiful.
Wednesday morning we packed up and headed back to Idaho Falls and celebrated grandma Bonnies birthday at Applebees. She had a great birthday and wanted to hear about all the fun had at Island Park. Next year, hopefully Trav and Lauren can come with us too!
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