back from vacation

 
Our annual Redfish Lake trips are always interesting. This year included not one, but two emergency room visits; both later proven to be unnecessary because one toddler spit up the pills he swallowed and one aunt just slightly dehydrated. I ended up taking more pictures at the beginning of the vacation when the family member count was lower and while my dear little sister was still around. She left early upon being notified that she had a spot on the HS soccer team tournament team. It was the smartest idea I've ever had to bring rain boots camping because we had a solid two days of rain. So smart. Also, onesies are the best pajamas camping. You'll never get cold. I used my kindle for the first time ever on this trip and it's also the smartest tool to bring. There's nothing like an endless supply of books at your fingertips and not having to walk back and forth between camp to grab new books when you finish one. This trip I finished six books. My new swimsuit proved to be my favorite I've ever owned and buying two polka dotted tops to match my polka dotted bottoms was a brilliant choice, too. I pulled the birthday card (6 days!!) and managed to convince my parents to let us rent a tandem bike the first day we were there. We rode around the entire lake once we were able to figure out how to actually ride one (so difficult) but now I'm convinced that we need to invest in a family tandem bike. So. Much. Fun.

I'll never be able to accurately express just how much I love this lake and the memories we have there. What used to be just something we were dragged to as kids is now something I look forward to every single year. There isn't a more beautiful lake if you ask me and these pictures can't do the Sawtooth Mountains justice. You have to be there to understand their beauty. Redfish has allowed me to see my younger cousins grow up in front of my eyes; an experience that is truly invaluable. I've known the younger kids as newborns, toddlers, kindergarteners, and now 'big kids'. We used to be the little kids, but now we're the teenagers and young adults that chase the little ones around and carry them when their parents are busy cooking, walking the 200 yards to the bathroom, water skiing, and hiking. I'm not a parent, obviously, but I can't help but feel a little proud of each child as they grow into older kids knowing that I was even a small part of their life and who they're going to be. I look at my almost nine year old cousin now and can't believe that I taught him how to walk in just a week's time at Redfish and held him as a newborn baby his first trip.

I miss these mountains already.