Alturas Lake, Idaho

Last weekend we set out on a camping adventure.  I have to admit, I was pretty nervous about how things would go.  The forecast called for scattered thunderstorms and showers. The last time we attempted to camp in the rain with the kids we found ourselves packing up early and speeding back home.  This time we would be much too far away to do that.  It was the company we were meeting and the fact that we had to plan it 3 months in advance that kept us anxiously awaiting this trip.  I'm so glad we all made it despite all of our very busy schedules and concerns with the weather. Greg and I had a great time and so did the kids.  

One of  the greatest things in the world to me is to see a friend as a parent for the first time.  This time it was our good friends Bob and Robin.  We have been great friends since our old ski bum days at Brighton.  They have now moved to Sun Valley so we haven't seen them in a few years.  They met up with us for the weekend, it was so great to see them again and to finally meet their 1 year old, Alex. 

 

Leslie and Mitch came down from Boise with their darling girls Ella and Edie.  Although we don't get to see them nearly as much as we would like, it is always a guaranteed great time when we do.  Greg and Mitch are hilarious when they get together!  And Leslie, oh Leslie... I just adore her and love her to death.  We are cousins so we have been buddies since birth.   Leslie, this song is for you... I am still laughing at the comment you made about this song and the reaction from Mitch...  too funny! (sorry inside joke guys) 

Okay, picture time.  I forgot to bring my camera, and being the photo addict that I am I had a gut ache about it the whole trip.  So these are all taken by Les and Mich.  Thanks for sharing :)

The first morning just as we started cooking breakfast, a fast moving thunderstorm rolled in.  Greg and Mitch were quick to set up a tarp where we could finish cooking breakfast and we hurried to zip the kids up in a tent.  This may be an inside joke too, but another thing I am still laughing about is the image of us sitting under the tarp in the pouring rain, the kids are bouncing all around on the air mattress in Les and Mitch's tent behind us and Leslie yells "Hey, if you don't settle down in there I am going to... make you stand out in the rain!"  It was pretty  much the only threat possible at the time...  Just then we see Ella's body fly across the tent like superman... what do you do?  Luckily, just when they really started whining, the rain stopped and just then Bob and Robin rolled in.  The sun came out and we headed down to the lake shortly after.

Alturas Lake is Beautiful!  The water is freezing cold, but crystal clear.  It is surrounded by pines and tall mountain peaks... gorgeous!  Bob and Robin brought their boat and Greg and I brought our kayaks.  The kids had some pretty serious business going on building dams and rivers and who knows what else on the beach.  Ella was amazing paddling around on the kayak.  She was on the water almost the whole time, just paddling her little heart out.  I was really impressed.  Robin took Leslie and I out on the boat for a "Moms trip."  Good times, great ladies. I learned how to wake surf finally, I have been wanting to try it forever, it was so fun, but I am still shivering... brrrrrr!  I just love this picture of the scene on the beach as we rolled back in.  The dads, the kids and the dogs.  When Zach sees this picture he says "Mom I heard you scream"  (Embarrassing... I crashed while wake surfing as we cruised by the beach to show off.)  And when Cam sees this picture he says "Mom, I was crying for you"  Oh sad, but how sweet. 

I realize this is getting long so I am just going to post a few more pictures from around camp.  It really was such a great trip, full of so many good times for such a short trip.  I can't wait to do it again next year!  (Sorry I used so many pictures of yours on my post Les, once I start I just can't stop!)