Richey Family Reunion
Lava Hot Springs, Bannock County, Idaho
July 24 to August 4, 2012
Pioneer Day Parade, July 24, 2012
It's July 24th, and we found ourself at the Pioneer Day Parade with my cousins ward primary. The sun is shining, the roadside crowd is buzzing, and the kids got to ride on the fun "FIGHT FOR THE RIGHT" dragon float with the other primary kids.
As the float passed by, the crowd waved and cheered for the kids.
The float was a lot of fun. There was a fierce dragon, a beautiful princess, and brave knights ready to take on the challenge. The dragon looks quite menacing, but the knights seem determined to defeat it.
The kids and the cute float make it so you can't resist getting into the spirit of things. I cheered on the kids, dressed as knights, as they valiantly battle the dragon, and we rooted for the princess who stands her ground and rewards the knights who slay the dragon.
Tubing the Portneuf River, July 24, 2012
After the parade, we tubed the Portneuf River, which is one of the tourist attractions in Lava Hot Springs. It was so much fun, and almost tragic! You should watch the video for the story in complete form, but I will summarize it below.
Our family of four embarked on a tubing adventure that we will never forget. With tubes in tow, we set out to conquer the water rapids and create memories that would last a lifetime. Little did we know how true that would be.
After inflating our tubes, we were finally ready to hit the water. The excitement was palpable as we pushed off from the shore, our trusty tubes carrying us downstream.
Aren't these two just the cutest boys ever? They are so excited to go tubing down the river. They love the water, compliments of all the years of going to the lake for swimming and sailing.
As we floated along, the kids couldn't contain their excitement, splashing each other and engaging in friendly water fights. Rhett and I took in the river's beauty, and kept our eyes on the kids since the river was a bit more intense than we expected. It was a perfect blend of relaxation and exhilaration.
Just after we started, we found a natural hot spring that flowed into the river. We pulled over and played around in the warm water. UNTIL someone else showed up. We're not one to share a location. That might require talking to people. LOL!
Of course, no tubing trip is complete without a few unexpected twists and turns. From navigating gentle rapids to dodging large rocks, we encountered our fair share of challenges along the way. But with worst part was where we had an accident with Darce just after the last bed of the river on the last stretch.
We'd gone through quite a few bends and turns and confronted a lot of rapids. Rhett and I would have had an easy time of these rapids if it were just the two of us, but with little kids, it was a bit more intense.
Rhett took charge of Aldrich, and I took charge of Darce. That way, each of us worried about one kid and we just tried to stay close to one another.
We had the tubes lashed together, which we figured out pretty early on was a tragic mistake, so we untied them pretty near the beginning. Rhett was able to hold onto Aldrich pretty easily, but the tube was really hard for me to hold. So, I grabbed onto the handle on the back of Darce's life jacket. I am SOOOO glad I did that because when we hit that last rapid it was a doozy. Rhett and Aldrich could paddle to the calmer side of the river and miss the terrible rapid, but I wasn't strong enough to keep Darce and me from getting sucked into the worst part of it.
Darce's tube was flipped, and he was thrown into the raging water. He started screaming, which flooded his face and mouth with water and half drowning him. He was so scared. When he was thrown out, it flipped him over, which twisted my arm around behind me and I was practically breaking my arm, keeping hold of him and trying to backwards arm wrestle him above my head to keep his head above the rapids so he could breathe and not choke on the water.
Rhett got him and Aldrich to the shallows and got Aldrich out of the water and told him to stay. Aldrich started crying because he thought Darce and I were drowning. Rhett jumped back into the river to come rescue Darce and I.
I was able to get me and Darce out of the rapid pull and had pulled Darce over the top of me onto my lap. He was clinging to my neck and his screaming had calmed down a little. Halfway from the shore, Rhett met us and pulled me and Darce over to where Aldrich was. He had grabbed his and Rhett's tubes and followed along the river, keeping up with us being swept down a little. Truly, it wasn't that far before we got out, but he was scared out of his mind, so I can see why he thought it was a great distance.
Once we were all safe and had the kids calmed down, we said we had to get back in and finish the float. Plus, we didn't want the kids to end on being scared and never wanting to get in again.
As we were getting back onto our tubes, Aldrich realized his favorite hat got swept away. He was devastated because it was a red fire rodeo hat from Grandpa Billman. He loved that hat because it matched grandpa's hat from when they went to rodeo together. Luckily, grandpa got him another hat, but it was a black fire hat instead of a red one, but it was ALMOST as good for him. he still talks about missing his red fire rodeo hat.
Because we didn't want the kids afraid of river rafting in the future, we had to raft the river again and make sure it was successful with no accidents. River rafting is one of our favorite activities. I'd wager we will do it again in the future. A lot.
The next time we went down the river, we rented one of the big rafts that all four of us could ride on at the same time. We learned that those large rafts are really hard to wipe out on, so if you are going with little kids, they are perfect.
So, if you're looking for a fun and memorable way to spend a day with your family, consider grabbing some tubes and floating the Portneuf River. Who knows what adventures await you on the water?
Waterslide Park, July 25, 2012
It's a beautiful sunny day with a gentle breeze. The kids were so excited to go to the Waterslide Park. When we drove by it a few days ago, as we pulled into town, the kids gave normal kiddish comments like, "Mom, look! There are water slides. Do you think they are only for big kids?" In Aldrich terms, that means, "Hey, I really want to go there but don't want to beg because I'm seven and I've figured out my parents and it's better to mention it and never ask. They will know I want to go there because I saw it and mentioned it."
Darce, in all his adorableness, responds, "I see little kids like us there. I think we would be tall enough for some slides."
How cute is he? He is referring to the measurement boards at the fair that you have to be taller than in order to get on the ride. At 5, he's nearly tall enough for those rides.
The boys were lucky that they were tall enough for the waterslides, and we all had a great time.
Hot Springs - July 28, 2012
While we were in Lava Hot Springs we enjoyed the local hot springs a couple of times. The first time we enjoyed them we were floating the river we found a spring of hot water that flowed into the river.
The area was rocked off, creating a little warm pool in the cold river.
Then, on the 28th we decided to pay the fee and go visit the natural hot spring pools. The pools had graduating increasing temperatures.
All but the first two pools were too hot for us to enjoy. The place is beautiful and we loved it.
Tribute to Grandma Wee-Wee and Craft Time - July 31, 2012
If you watch the video, you get to hear Tiffany's amazing tribute to Grandma Wee-Wee. It was so much fun to reminisce about grandma and the things she loved as well as all the things we remembered about her. It was beautiful. Then they cut the ribbon on the new craft barn and we all got to go in and make crafts.
Aldrich, Darce, and Grandpa each made a birdhouse, which is a signature craft that Grandma always made. In her garden were some of the most beautiful birdhouses. They painted and decorated them with some really fun craft and stickers.
Playground - July 31, 2012
A true sign of a good day with the boys includes a fun playground. Two energetic boys ready to conquer the jungle gym and swing to their hearts' content. I love watching their excitement as they race towards the colorful playground equipment, their laughter filling the air.
Aldrich wasted no time and headed straight for the swings. With a mischievous grin, he hops on and starts swinging back and forth, higher and higher. His laughter rings out as he swings on his stomach, feeling the rush of the wind against his face. Darce follows suit, trying to match his older brother's daring moves, but I have to help him a bit more.
Then, Aldrich runs over and starts exploring the jungle gym, climbing up the bars. Darce joins in, crawling through the bars to run around inside.
It's moments like these that remind us of the simple pleasures in life, the joy of play, and the magic of childhood.
Relay Races - July 31, 2012
Another of the great activities at family reunions are the relay races. They have a race with kids running their hearts out, a kick ball race, potato sack relay races, and a knee ball walk/hobble race.
The kids had so much fun, as you can see from the following pictures.
Running Race - Aldrich and Darce
Kick Ball Race - Aldrich and Darce
Potato Sack Relay Races - Aldrich
Knee Ball Walk - Aldrich
Motorcycle with Anita - July 31, 2012
Kenny had his motorcycle at camp and Rhett of course asked to ride it because he loves motorcycles so much. Aunt Anita hitched a fun ride. Anita always loves to have fun, which I love about her.
Horseshoes - August 3, 2012
I don't play a lot of horseshoes, but Rhett had a great time with Ryan as his partner. He played against my dad and ... I can't remember who dad's partner was.
Cousins Fishing with Grandpa Billman - August 3, 2012
Cory owns the KOA and told us that at one end, there was a great fishing area where the river had a pretty bend in it.
My dad wanted to be the mighty fisherman and show all the grandkids how fun it was to drown a worm. The kids got bored pretty quick and not a single bite.
Finally, Rhett, who is NOT a fan of FISHING and also NOT a fan of EATING FISH decided this was taking too long. He tells me, "There's no way we are catching a fish from here. If I was a fish, I would be right there behind that rock where the water swirls. It's the perfect place for a fish."
So, Rhett walked out into the river and threw out his line. It landed exactly in the little swirling water pool behind the rock, and ten seconds later; he landed a fish.
Seriously, I am not kidding, ten second later!
Aldrich Fishing
Darce Fishing
Rhett Fishing
Grandpa Fishing
Rhett Caught a Fish
Holding the Fish
Cooking the Fish
Eating the Fish
Flour Bomb Wars - August 3, 2012
First, we need a Flour Bomb Army of cousins. That's what we have here.
The next step in Flour Bomb Wars is getting your ammunition.
Ammunition is made from cut up ladies panty-hose filled with flour. Then you tie them off and you end up with perfect balls of white poofy bombs. They are pretty soft, but the big kid cousins are amazing with the little kids' cousins and throw them softer when they are bombing the "babies."
Aldrich and Darce ammo'd up and showed off their goods!
Aftermath of Flour Bomb Wars
The aftermath of flour bomb wars is flour covered kids who are exhausted. Ever single kid who played in the wars went to bed that night and slept hard until morning. These two had so much fun.
Family Pictures - August 4, 2012
Whatever day has the most people in attendance, usually Saturday, is family picture day. We take pictures with absolutely everyone, as well as each family subset. I am loading the entire group photo, everyone who is there from my Dad's line, my dad and his siblings, as well as Rhett and I with the boys.
The Grandma Wee-Wee; Eva Ruth Richey Billman crew.
Grandpa Nolan and Grandma Dena Billman and a few of their grandchildren. Wyatt, Surelda, and Anders Oberloh as well as Aldrich and Darce Hoffmeister.
Nolan and Dena Billman | Rhett, Emmaline, Aldrich and Darce Hoffmeister | Wyatt, Surelda, and Anders Oberloh
Dancing and Bubbles and Grandma - August 4, 2012
One of the fun events at the family reunion was a dance party. Darce was so tired he didn't want to dance, but Aldrich was energized and ready to BOOGY! I love how much fun he had dancing with his cousins.
Grandma and Grandpa Billman think of everything, including really fun activities for the grandkids. Today's fun activity is bubbles. Aldrich and Darce love bubbles.
