Fun Times in Boise, Idaho!

Jeremy gets a few weeks a year for vacation. He decided to take a week off now so we could make it to a family get together in Boise. My sister LeAnne and her husband Rick live in Boise (for the time being). My cousin Carolyn and her husband Andy and their little son Archie also live there. Archie was having his 3rd birthday and my parents and my sister Laura were going down.

I hadn't been to Boise in 2 years (for Archie's 1st birthday). Jeremy and Nathan had never been there. We decided it was time for Nathan's first airplane ride. It seemed to be a better idea than spending 7+ hours in the car. He's also under 2, so he was "free." If we would have had to pay to take him on the plane, we would have either driven or not gone!

On Friday morning, we left for the airport. We learned a few things about flying with a baby. Bring a stroller. We parked at the airport and had to carry a heavy squirming 30 pound baby and 3 suitcases a LONG way. Then, we're trying to check luggage and he's trying to run all over. Things would have been a lot easier if he had been stuck in a stroller.

Then, at security, they had to search both of our bags because there were things that weren't supposed to be in there. Apparently baby food raises a red flag. Security was kind of a hassle because Nathan took off running without his shoes on and we were trying to get our shoes on and our bags put back together. Fun times.

After that, things were easy. I made Nathan a big bottle of fake milk right before we boarded the plane to keep him quiet. We were on a completely full flight. We decided to sit next to another girl who had a baby. Nobody wants to sit by the babies right? As the plane is backing out, the flight attendant tells us we have to move because there are 5 people sitting in a row that only has 4 air masks. So, Jeremy and Nathan had to jump across the aisle. Nathan did great the whole plane ride. I had a nice chat with the girl. It was a QUICK flight. It only took about 50 minutes. It seemed we had just leveled out when we started descending.

LeAnne's husband Rick came and picked us up at the airport. He had a spare carseat with him that belonged to Archie. We got Nathan in there and headed off to my cousin's house where we would attempt to make Nathan nap. Yeah, that didn't happen. He cried for an hour and would not sleep. We eventually gave up. We had a nice barbecue dinner that night with my cousins and LeAnne and Rick. Nathan and Archie had a fun time playing in the bathtub. Nathan did ok sleeping that night. Jeremy and I had to sleep in the same room with him and we've never done that before. We had to do a sneaky method to get in there after he went to bed!

Saturday was the day of the big party. Saturday morning, all the men decided to head off to Cabella's for Men's Day. I stayed and helped Carolyn with party preparations. Then, I went running with my friend Dustin who lives in Boise. I've got Bloomsday coming up next week and he was nice enough to run 7 1/2 miles with me to help me prepare. I'm still a little sore! I was only used to running 5 miles.

After lunch, we actually got Nathan down for a nap! In a strange house! It was the first time EVER he slept somewhere besides his own crib or carseat. More family including my parents and sister Laura showed up after this. The big birthday party started. There were 15 little kids and babies running around. It was a little bit crazy! It was fun to meet some other Moms and watch Nathan wonder about those other kids. The birthday party was great. Again, Nathan did great sleeping that night!

Sunday morning, we went over to LeAnne and Rick's house. They are busy packing and preparing to sell their house. It was quite a disaster area! I got to meet LeAnne's new dog and see their house for the first AND last time. Carolyn and I brought the little boys back home to nap. I laid down too and had a hard time getting back up I was so sore from running. Jeremy and Rick and my Dad went out to get stuff for the house.

Jeremy came back with a brand new shotgun! He had been talking about getting one, and he did. It will be nice to have his own shotgun in the car instead of the county issued one. And really, it just makes sense to go to Idaho and bring back a gun. Doesn't everyone?

We had a nice family dinner Sunday night. Everyone was quite tired. Nathan did great again Sunday night. Monday morning we packed up and Carolyn drove us to the airport. This time we checked more luggage so there was less to carry through the terminal! The flight went great. Nice people around us kept playing peekaboo with Nathan to keep him busy. He started to throw quite a fit about the last 10 minutes. Overall, I would say his first airplane rides were a a success! We were home by noon and Nathan was down for a LONG nap an hour later. I unpacked and did laundry.

I'll try to put up some pictures tomorrow.

Our next vacation will be in August when we head to Wenatchee for another cousin's wedding. That should be fun!


Nathan and Archie on the way to Cabellas



Me and my sister Laura. She lives kind of near me in Spokane.


Me and my sister LeAnne. She currently lives in Boise, but is in the process of moving to Utah.


Nathan is obsessed with Laura's i-phone. He can't say her name, he'll just move his finger back and forth when he wants her!


My cousin's husband Andy and their son Archie. Nathan is chowing down too!


My cousin Carolyn and her son Archie


Nathan hoodwinked Aunt LeAnne into pushing him on the swing.


All these boys are wearing Cougar shirts! Uncle Rick (LeAnne's husband), Jeremy and Nathan. 2 of the 3 are WSU graduates. One is a future WSU graduate!


Nathan and Archie playing. Archie just turned 3. Nathan is 20 months.