The Hamilton Family: Bear Lake

Once we actually got to Bear Lake, we had a great time, despite how over-tired and off-schedule my kids were. The reunion was for my Mom's side of the family and almost everyone came, great-grandkids and all. I think the best part was just being able to see all my cousins, who I grew up with, starting their own families and just being as awesome as I remember.

Ellie and Nash doing some reading

While we were there, we got to do some fun things.

We went to the beach, although the first beach we chose wasn't super great; lots of rocks and no shade. But the water was nice and cool, and it was shallow enough that you could walk out really far.

Uncle Jason is the best!

Everyone congregating on a sandbar

Next, we took a journey into a freezing cave in the mountains. Unfortunately, Eleanor was NOT having any of it, whether I held her or put her in the baby backpack, so I had to back out less than 5 minutes in. Thankfully, they gave me a refund, but then I had to sit outside and keep Ellie entertained for another 1 1/2 hours while everyone else went through. I was a little disappointed because I actually really like caves, but I guess when you've seen one, you've seen them all. In the end, it worked out fine. On the way back from the cave we stopped to get Bear Lake's famous raspberry "shakes."I say "shakes" because they were Utah shakes--just big cups of soft serve ice cream with stuff mixed in. They're basically a McFlurry, NOT a shake; you can't drink it! But besides my rant, they were really good.

Not wanting to miss out on more water fun, we went back to the lake again the next day. This time we rented a boat and everyone took turns going tubing. Grandpa and I even got Jude to go tubing! He was super nervous at first, but ended up loving it (we went super slow). Everyone told me that Bear Lake is so cold, but really, it felt great. Sure, it wasn't like a bathtub, but it was refreshing on such a hot day, and definitely warmer than the Pacific Ocean.

The last day we took a trip out to a diary farm in Weston, ID. One of my mom's best friends lives there and we used to go visit in the summers when I was growing up. It was really fun to go back; I LOVED going there as a kid. Don't ask me why, but I've always loved the country and farmhouses. Jude also LOVED it. There were baby cows, mommy cows, rides on a real tractor, and just a giant pile of dirt to play in. We got to feed the baby cows with bottles and watched the mom cows get milked (looked painful). One of the sons was even nice enough to take us on a tractor ride. Maybe one day Jude will be a farm boy, haha?

Future farm boy?

Shari, our kind host

Isn't this the most beautiful home?

There may not be much around, but Weston is beautiful!

Getting milked

On Friday we sadly packed up and headed out. Seeing my extended family and getting to know their spouses and kids was really something special. Hopefully we can get together again in the next few years!