Hello Boppa, Hello Mimi!

Every summer our daughter leaves the heat and humidity of Hong Kong to spend a month vacationing in the Northwest with her family. They have rented a house for the past two years on Payette Lake in McCall and have invited family and friends to visit. We know when we arrive its “full-on-activity-time” with lots of hands-on time to spend with the grand-kids.

We were looking forward to having the whole gang together including Brad and family but unfortunately they were not able to make it at the last minute. We did have an opportunity to see Brody & Bennett last January and would have a chance to catch up again once we got back to Seattle.  We hadn’t seen Quinn and Conner since last summer, almost a year ago.  So many changes during these younger years with Quinn 5 years old, a bit taller, an amazing conversationalist, and more engaging than ever. Conner, who we remember as a little toddler is now a full-on curious and strong-minded little guy who manages to keep up with the older cousins.  We were long overdue for some hands-on time ahead.

Early the first morning, Conner and Quinn are very eager to play with Boppa and Mimi.

This year Christa and Nash purchased a water-ski boat from Walter's cousin so we had lots of opportunity to run around the lake, jump from rock cliffs, water ski, inter-tube, or just tool along gazing at the homes along the lake.  SUP’s (stand up paddle-boards) have become one of our favorite modes of water transport, as well as swimming and playing on the beach, river rafting, hiking, mountain biking, wandering through cute stores in town, two nearby hot springs, music festivals, and much more.  We enthusiastically agree McCall has it all as a summer get away.

Mimi taking Quinn and Conner for a spin around the dock

Quinn mastering the SUP...stand up paddle-board

Over the years, Walter and I have always prided ourselves for being active and outdoorsy, but we quickly realized we had a few limitations at 5,000 ft. as we tried to peddle up Jug Mountain while mountain biking. Phew!  A sea-level life style and the fact we are both getting closer to 70 than we want to admit, made it a little more challenging!  Walter and I hadn’t water skied in decades but we both gave it a try. I was very proud of Walter who managed to get up ... he’s still got it!

Hang on honey, you're looking great!

Christa making it look way too easy!

Very impressive cut Nash!

Conner helping Nash drive the boat

One of the biggest events of the summer is the  Bluegrass Festival in Roseberry. It lasts three nights and draws a large crowd of music fans, young and old. We joined one of Christa’s best friends from high school, Jenny, husband Patrick, and their 3-month-old baby Alya.  The music was great and the crowd just as entertaining. We all enjoyed rocking to the music, especially Quinn and Conner, who with their painted faces, danced the night away.  Wish we had that much energy!

Quinn getting her face painted is really into pink and hearts

Conner looks like he could be in a Ralph Loren ad.

Christa and Jenny buddies since junior high school. What beautiful women they've turned out to be.

Jenny, Patrick, and little Alya

Trying to give Christa a little break we took the  kids to the popular Pancake House for breakfast.  While waiting for a table we wandered around the grounds of the restaurant which had a train, fountains, and lots to occupy hungry children. Fortunately our table was ready just as we completed our excursion around the restaurant grounds.

Keeping the kids occupied before the pancakes arrive

Next on the schedule (we only had four activities that day) was Burgdorff Hot Springs. It was converted from an old mining town and is a funky place to relax in the pools.  We enjoyed soaking in the hot pools with the kids and dodging the voracious deer flies.  

Taking it all in at Burgdorff Hot Springs

Oh how I miss soaking in a tub of hot water

We filled our days with playground time with the kids, made pottery in town, and went on a wonderful scavenger hunt one morning in the near by State Park. We showed the kids how to use a magnifying glass and binoculars and with a little guidance they managed to find every natural item on the scavenger list, except for a bird feather.

Discovering an anthill on the scavenger hunt.

Stickers help make the hunt more fun.

Do you see anything interesting Conner?

Boppa pointing out a clue to Quinn during the scavenger hunt.

Later, that week, Ranne and Reid, Nash’s Godmother and God-brother joined the household.  We have shared many a vacation together with Christa and Nash and extended family and hadn’t seen them for several years. It was so nice to get to spend some time with them in McCall.

Reid and Walter got babysitting duties while the women went to the spa for the day.

Quinn playing with "fun-uncle" Reid. Little did she know she was sitting with a famous Hollywood star, as Reid just starred in the recent movie Area 51 and a remake of the Manson Family.

We took an excursion to another hot springs called Gold Forks Hot Springs, with a beautiful setting of rock-lined pools cascading down stream to a series of five pools. Starting at 105 degrees, each pool a little cooler as you descended down the stream. We all enjoyed chatting and relaxing until it was time to head to the infamous “My Father’s Place,” a very popular burger place with veggie burgers, sweet potato fries, and chocolate chip milk shakes.  Goodness what a nice way to end the day!

Reid, Ranne, and Walter soaking away.

Time always passes so quickly when you are enjoying yourselves and as our time was drawing to a close we focused more on the wonderful time spent being together with family in such a beautiful part of the country. 

Boppa and Mimi can hardly wait to get back next year for more family time together.