Silver Creek Plunge

Our family took our annual Lewis Reunion campout to Silver Creek Plunge last Wednesday through Friday. The three days were packed with fun and games! This year we had 8 out of the 15 siblings and their kids come, that's a good turnout for our family! We had over 30 people! It was nice to have my parents home and to be able to come this time since they were in Peru this time last year.

We spent our days playing volleyball, ultimate frisbee, missionary tag, water balloon volleyball, murder in the dark, minute to win it games, hiking and also had a fishing pond with prizes for the kids along with a scavenger hunt. We went swimming at the naturally heated pool Wednesday and Thursday. A lot of the grandkids also went swimming in the nearby creek, but I was too chicken, the water was freezing! We had amazing food that Keith mostly cooked (the dutch oven king). I loved our time around the campfire roasting smores and playing Dad's family trivia game, I sure learned a lot from that game I didn't know. 2014 was definitely a special year at Silver Creek!

Picture overload!!!

Cousins at the Creek--
Alexa, Brecka, Brooklyn, Ammon, Carson, Brynlee, Tyson

Hailey, Skylee, Carson, Brielle

Carson loves his Aunt Misti (A.K.A. Bippy)

Cabin 17! Woot Woot!

Daddy/pool time

Water Balloon Volleyball

Missionary Tag

Tube Races

Anthony in the tubes

Playing Minute to Win it Games

Keith had to balance three balloons in the air for a minute

Everyone that came (Keith was taking the picture)

The grandkids (Mark and Jared are also in the picture holding kids) 18 out of the 36 grandkids were there.
Austin, Tristan, Emma, Anthony, Brielle, Tyson, Alexa, Malia, Jessa, Katy, Hailey, Ammon, Carson, Brooklyn, Brecka, Skylee, Brynlee, & Jace.

Carson, Brynlee, Skylee, Hailey, Brielle

Me, Misti, Holly, Emma. The babies sure loved the warm water.

Volleyball.

Till next time!!!

**Chelsea remember when we talked awhile back about you having a dream of us all camping together. Man, this sure would have been perfect if the Fakkels were able to make it. I think the last time you guys came to Silver Creek was in 2004--10 years ago. I had just finished my Sophomore Year in High School. Crazy huh!!

Unreal

You know when you hear news about something that happens to someone and you feel so bad for them, but then you think it will never happen to you, and then when it does happen to you it just feels so unreal? Well, that feeling overcame me this week.

 About a month ago my Mom was on the computer and I walked in the room (she was reading e-mails) and she said there was an e-mail from my uncle saying that his granddaughter (my cousins daughter) had a miscarriage at 11 weeks. I felt so bad for her, I thought wow, 11 weeks, she was so close to being done with her first trimester.

Well all of last week I was having some complications, but it didn't get bad until Wednesday/Thursday. So Thursday I went in to see the Dr. at 9 weeks and was told I was having a miscarriage. I was in so much pain I just wanted the pain to go away before I could process what was happening. So the Dr performed a D&C and then I rested awhile so I could try to feel better, I didn't but went home anyway. It was a miserable day full of pain, nausea, throwing up, and sleep. I couldn't keep anything down because of the pain meds. It was hard for me to hear Keith tell anyone or see it written down in a text. My sister arranged dinner and had help from my other sisters, my two nieces (12 & 8) also stayed the night and the next day to help with Carson since Keith & my Mom both had to go out of town. My sweet 8 year old niece wrote me a get well card and I just bawled when I read it. I was so grateful for the support from my family. 

It's still hard for me to process what really happened Thursday, especially since I really, honestly thought with the timing of how it happened that this baby was truly meant to come in January. Prayer has helped, and knowing that the Lord always has a plan for everything. A plan bigger than my own, better than my own. I probably don't understand now why it happened, but maybe after this life. It's still hard, I'd be lying if I said I was fine, but I'm recovering and getting better physically and emotionally. My Mom had two miscarriages and it really helped talking to her about it. She had some insightful thoughts and we had some good discussions. 

Guess these are all my thoughts for now. It's hard writing about it but it helps some.

But we did get some good news on Friday. I will share with you in a future post.

Memorial Day Weekend and Keith's Birthday

We got to spend six days over the Memorial Day weekend in Rexburg with Keith's family. Ivory- the newest Penrod grand baby was blessed and Keith's parents and family in Utah came for the blessing. We BBQed, hiked, went to the movies, flew kites, rode the Carousel, ate at BIG JUD'S, took in the beautiful scenery at Mesa Falls, and had lots of family time!

Lil' Ivory

Both families at the blessing

Flying a kite with Daddy

Riding the Carousel in Rexburg with Grandma

Celebrating Keith's b-day with his family at Big Jud's

I couldn't get this pic to upload correctly rotated, oh well. Our delish 1 lb burger

Mesa Falls with some of the Penrod Fam

We're sure glad we got to see Misti in Rexburg!

June 2nd was Keith's Birthday, it started off with breakfast in bed, then hiking at Camel's Back, then back home so I could made Keith's favorite- Mississippi Mud Pie, then out to dinner with my parents, and then pie & present time.

On our hike- Love the City of Tress

Helping Daddy blow out his candles

Happy Birthday Love!

         

Penrod News

A Happy Day

Just wanted to write some Mother's Day thoughts down real quick. Happy Mother's Day to all you women out there! I had a fantastic day spent with my two favorite boys and lots of family.

I'm so grateful for a mother who is the most Christ-like person I know. I seriously don't know if I'll ever measure up to the person she is- so patient, thoughtful, self-less, caring, spiritual, and loving. She has taught me more than any other person in my life. I owe so much to her and my Dad.

I'm grateful for a mother who continues to be faithful in the gospel no matter what her circumstances,
 who follows the Lord in ALL things not just what she thinks is right but what we've been taught in the scriptures and by the Prophet. She is the definition of a Mother. I love her so much and am so grateful for the things she has taught me and continues to teach me. Raising 15 kids is no easy task, I have one child and I'm burnt out most days because of the handful he is, so I have a huge appreciation for the homemade school lunches, getting up at 4 am to bake us bread; read us scriptures and make us a hot breakfast. Always making sure we attended church even when camping, not doing things like watching TV or doing laundry on Sunday, and not drinking caffeinated beverages. Helping us strive to get good grades, our Young Women Medallions, and gain a Testimony. Making sure we were careful with dating in our teenage years and staying up late waiting for us to get home from dates or out with friends, just to make sure we got home safe. Reminding us to Pray Pray Pray. She was/is always in tune to hear the Holy Ghost. Has always been a great example of one who attends the temple. She is an avid reader who tried to instill that in us, always having us do our "job charts" in the Summer along with school work and reading during those 3 months off. The grand kids love their "Cita" and so do we.

 

 

 

 

 

Mom and her 9 girls.

Gotta give a shout-out to my new niece baby Ivory. Keith's brother Brandon and his wife just had a baby girl today! What a perfect day to become a new Mother!

Hot Springin'

It's only Wednesday and this week has already been jam packed with fun since Carson's cousins from Utah decided to surprise us on Monday with a visit. This past three days have included hockey games, kneaders all you can eat french toast, park and cousin time, Delsa's hamburgers and ice cream, swimming/hot tubbing at the Boise Hotel, sonic shakes, exploring in Cita and Grandpa's backyard, RoyStone Hot Springs, pizza night, and Frozen. Whew! And the next few days are full of sleepovers, more cousins, and the Kids Fun Fest! Here's to a great week!

Easter Weekend!

Easter was so much fun this year! Friday we gave in and let Carson have his Easter basket early because he was so excited about it. His little basket contained; silly putty, candy, sidewalk chalk and the movie Frozen. He was most excited about Frozen and of course immediately wanted to watch it.

Saturday we headed to the park for lunch with the family and an Easter egg hunt. The kids loved collecting all the eggs and Keith even found the egg hidden for adults with money in it. Carson sure gobbled up a lot of his candy before I could regulate but it's Easter right? He had fun playing with his cousins and enjoying the beautiful weather. Afterwards I went with my sister-in-law and brother to hit up some sales on kids clothes. I scored some pretty sweet deals and was happy with how much I got for how little I spent. Later that evening Keith and I went on a date to the West Side Drive-In. This place has been featured on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. I love the old time drive-in atmosphere complete with 1950s-60s music and cars. The chef who owns it is apparently a pretty well known chef who has won numerous awards for his food presentations and recipes. We ordered a yummy Philly Cheesesteak and fries. We decided that next time we come back we'll have to order the prime rib meal and the potato ice cream. Afterwards we walked downtown a bit and enjoyed the evening.

source: google.com

Ice Cream Potato....only in Idaho.

source: cheflou.com

Sunday we enjoyed a beautiful day and wonderful Church meetings. It was nice to think about the real meaning of Easter and our Savior who sacrificed all for us. Afterwards we headed over to my Uncle M's and Aunt J's for a delicious dinner with the family. Afterwards we had to take a nice walk since it was so beautiful out and since we ate so much.

The only thing we didn't do was dye eggs, things got so hectic and it just never got done. Oh well, next year I guess.