Spring Break: Destination Reached! BOISE!

     After a total of 30 hours of driving, we were so glad to get out of the van and stay in one place for a few days.  We spent the first night at Grandma and Grandpa McMullin's new home, the following nights were spent at Sean's cousins house.
               The first morning, Mattias helped Liz make some delicous service berry pancakes.  There were many tasty breakfasts to follow.

 Ephraim was fascinated with Liz's matreshka colletion.  We went all over the house searching for new ones to open.

 
One day, we drove out of town to see the foothills surrounding Boise.  It was beautiful.

And of course, the kids found more places to look for rocks.  I don't know why we don't have any geologists yet!

     Back in town, we went to a park. Ephraim's favorite part was.. you guessed it, picking up rocks to throw in the canal nearby.

    His cousins, Crius and Tyden also thought this was a great way to pass the time.  They were very picky about the rocks they selected.

    Finally Hero showed up in her pink skirt, and kept up with the boy cousins. She can throw rocks with the best of them.

We also did the usual park things, like swinging and playing tennis, but you don't want to see pictures of normal park things.   We also did some relaxing.. like Sean and his dad here on the lawn.

The pictures I would love to post are of the beautiful Boise Temple, with gardens and gardens full of tulips.  It was so beautiful!   But, I didn't take me camera with me, and I'm still waiting on family to get me their pictures. If I do get some I'll post them here:


    Being in the temple for Colin and Sabrina's sealing was my favorite part of the trip. It was wonderful to see all the family there.  I also loved seeing their two little boys, all dressed in white suits, come skipping into the room, yelling "mommy!" and "daddy!".  It was very sweet.


We took a few family pictures in the backyard afterwards.. here are Sean's parents with Sean and the kids...

And my boys with Grandpa Brad...

And Sean's parents with their children...

And the goofy siblings of Sean...

Sean enjoyed getting to see his siblings.  I like this shot of the crew.

A potluck reception was held at the grandparents.. lots of good food and extra cousins.

 Here are Sabrina, Grandma Liz, Lisa and Julie getting the food pulled together.

Sylvia got to know some second-cousins she has never met.  The girls were wonderful including her, especially Kinszey.  After the dinner they went back to Julie's for movies and games.

     Mattias and Asher also enjoyed getting to know their second-cousins.  Kobie and Caleb went with the boys back to Julie's to play games and eat food until almost midnight.

These two little nephews cracked me up. It was fun to get to know them better.

   Ephraim and the young cousins just milled around in a gang, not sure what to do with each other.  It will be fun to see them grow up together.

     Our visit to Boise was originally going to be about checking out jobs and neighborhoods.  It became all about family.  We are so glad we got to see so many aunts and uncle and cousins!  With all the hugs, even though it has been over ten years, it felt like hardly any time had passed.  Family really does break the bonds of time.  I'm glad this is a forever sort of family.