The Webbs

Some friends just deserve their own posts, the kind of friends who drive to your wedding (14 hours), then to the reception (another 4 hours) - both places they didn't know anyone but us and Jeff's family, then back home to Utah (10 hours). :)

I gained these friends when Jeff & I got married. Actually the first time I met them was the day (or maybe the day after) we got engaged. We went out to dinner and then back to their place to hang out. They lived in this little basement 'apartment'. Never did I imagine such a life-long friendship from that simple meeting. Couldn't be happier though!

Brady is Jeff's high school friend and Debbie is his lovely wife.

We got together every Monday night (when we lived in Provo) to eat dinner and watch 7th Heaven. They endured many an experimented dinner from me, having never really cooked at all, ever. How we got away without watching Monday Night Football....who knows. We had game nights on Fridays. One night, power went out at our apartment and we played by candle light - cranium is a little difficult that way, but still a good time. When Jeff and I were on a team, we got creamed EVERY time. Debbie and I made a pretty good team though. Must be Debbie who's the partner to have!

So after our trip to California, Twin Lakes and the Lodge, we headed south to Idaho Falls to visit the Webbs. We usually see them for the 4th of July - best fireworks show west of the Mississippi!! But that was Jeff's busiest week of the year so our time together was pushed back a few weeks. I thought we were only staying for a day and then heading home. The kids started school a week later than last year - yeah! We had a little more time for vacation. Jeff surprised me when he said we were staying for a week!! To most people that would give anxiety to having people stay that long unexpected, but the Webbs are amazing! The house they lived in before had one full bath upstairs, so when we stayed, well, we're really good friends to share that one bathroom! :) They came to visit us one time and shared one room with all their kids (3). Again it's being together, not the space that matters. 

Anywho, we stayed with them for a week, got to spend more time with Eric and Sharolyn. I think this was my favorite part of our vacation. Jeff was with us again and there was no stress of being somewhere, work or anything hurrying us back home.

Enjoyed a picnic at the park in the lovely Idaho weather - it was a scorcher! Around 80. :) Our kids are the same ages, so hanging out is a blast - everyone has someone to play with.

Eli and Lucas

 Hannah, Lea, Abbey, Eli, Lucas (Jonas is somewhere else - he's 3)

 Ammon wasn't quite as mobile and found great entertainment with simpler toys.

 Enjoyed an evening out at the park - mostly old people, we lost Jonas for a few minutes (never a good feeling), listened to some rockin' jazz, celebrated our anniversary and ate the best ice cream around from Reeds Dairy.

 Hannah, Lucas, Lea, Jonas, Eli, Abbey

 

 

 

 10 years ago we were all together, and here we are together again with 7 kids in tow! :)

The next night, we hired a babysitter and celebrated in true style - Garcias!! Seriously one my favorite places to eat.

wait, there's more!!

YES! There's more. I think it had started raining, so the fun moved inside to try out the 'Skeleton'. Have you seen this on the Olympics? It's usually feet first, one man sled - if you can call it a sled. Well this is the Summer Olypmics Risenmay version. Jeff was first - as always. He's on 4 flat scooter boards hooked together. Look closely to the back and see the send off from Sharolyn, Eric and Steven. (I didn't take these pictures and was only informed of this activity afterwards.)

 Thankfully noone rammed into a door frame, couch, tv stand or the wall. No injuries happened in the making of these photos. Still you gotta wonder - really!?

Eric's turn....can you see the brothers laughing at the top....such is the life of an older brother to make his 2 younger brothers do something he wouldn't EVER do. :) 

One more from the talent show - Kaylee - so cute! She belongs to Greg(behind her) and Leslie (in black)

 Bombs away!! Water balloon Battleship

 

 Grandma Riz (she's in charge of all the games). This is Baby Ball.....still not sure on the rules for this game or how it came to be, but she's out there being the pitcher and referee.

 This is the same game Jeff hurt his ankle and is now getting grief from his mom and brother.

 The pack - Drew, Lucas, Spencer, Jacob and Michael - a cute little group of boys.

 

 The twisty slide into the bunk room and other toys to keep the kids occupied.

 Card games are a must for this family

 Lodging brought to you by 3 Peaks

 The brutal killing of all those bugs (too bad you can't see the window, we could barely see out of it) brought to you by Toyota and the Highways of Idaho. EWWW!

Again this place was great for all ages: table hockey, places to hang out, pool table, BIG kitchen, slides, toys, empty space to play outside and just a fun place! What makes it better is the family you spend it with - thanks Risenmays!

BEST for last

 So if there's going to be questionable activity at a family gathering, I can guarantee, Jeff and his brothers will be involved. Possibly the only participants, but they will be involved. :) There's a path from the garage to this sport court, the kids were riding the toys back and forth all day long......some other 'not-so' little kids decided to join in.

Eric pushing Lucas and Jeff on a riding toy built for NOT Jeff.

 It's a self-propelled riding toy. Going nowhere fast!

 Now this is cute: Abbey pushing Kaibrey

 Lucas has his work cut-out for him.

 Jeff and Eric were racing around the court - this is where they cross paths. I think there was some pushing involved, but I can't tell.....can you!?

  Lea and 'little bit bigger' Abby pushing Eric - you can see the joy on his face.

  The finish line!! Eric wins!!!! Sharolyn is the other videographer.

If you think those were great, you're in for a REAL treat. haha!

So out comes Jeff's dad and older brother (the crazy one) Steven. I may have suggested another race, but with helpers.

On the left: Steven pushing their dad, Ron. On the right: Eric, Lucas, and Jeff (and Kaibs)

Everybody still thinks this is a good idea...ha!

 The riders suddenly don't think it's such a good idea.

 Oh boy, the middle......

 And the end......my favorite part - see Steven to the left by Lea - hilarious!!! Jeff's dad, bounced off the fence and landed there. (not the fence he or the toy is facing, the one by Steven.....even funnier!)

 Jeff ended up here - I can't remember who won, but really who cares. :)

Okay one more: The riders become the pushers much to the previous pushers protests. To quote Jeff's dad: 'Get on.'

(we have video of this one)

Parties r us

 Uncle Eric and Kaibs

 Grandma and Ammon

 Jeff rolled his ankle in some game - man with weak ankles.

 A pinata party

 Some of us were a little exhausted

 the ramp - weeeeeeeee!!! 

 Good times in the garage

 and with face paint - some of Jeff's younger cousins enjoyed a little face painting on any willing participant(s). :)

 Abbey and Kaibs

 Abbey was chasing Greg (and his daughter Kaylie) on the big wheel - mad skills.

 Some indoor rock climbing - LOOK! I found Lucas. :)

 Lots, lots and LOTS of food!

 

 Steven - aka: dad's crazy brother

New friends made:

my Abbey (she's not quite tall enough, so she hangs on the edge) and little bit bigger Abby - shooting hoops.

 Lucas and Spencer

 Lea, Abbs and Kaibs

 Abbey and Caleb - isn't he adorable!