UEA in Boise

We had to twist Derek's arm a little bit to miss some work, but were finally able to convince him that a trip to Boise with good friends was just what we needed over UEA break.  We left Thursday afternoon and arrived at the Hill's house in Nampa, ID just in time for Derek to hop in the car and catch the Boise State/BYU game.

We had the Stoddard Family, Gardner Family, us and the Hills all sleeping at the Hill's house.  With all four of families that was 17 children.  It was crazy the whole weekend, but a lot of fun.  The kids were definitely up way too late every night.

Friday morning the girls got a little walk in before we were left with the kids all afternoon while the boys went golfing.  We took all 17 kids to subway to get sandwiches for lunch.  The people dining at subway looked awfully relieved when we took our sandwiches to go and then spent the afternoon picnicking and letting he kids play while the Mom's visiting on a gorgeous warm fall day.

That evening, we hit up the Hill's ward trunk or treat.  Here's all 17 kids dressed and ready to go. 
 After the trunk or treat, we left all the kids in the capable hands of Ally Stoddard and the other older girls and the adults all went out to dinner.

Saturday morning, Derek called and arranged for all the Mom's to have pedicures which was actually quite nice.  Then, we did a little shopping and headed home to send the boys off to gold again.  The Stoddards headed out that day, but that evening we hired another babysitter and adults all went out again.  We went to Mexican food for dinner and then attempted to hit up what Geoff described to us as a country line dancing club.  However, it actually turned out to be an empty bar in the middle of nowhere.  Derek and Jeff Gardner were glad for what they termed the Halloween miracle when Aleena couldn't find her ID saving us from having to go in.  Instead we got frozen yogurt at the near by Hippie FroYo place decked out in tie dye, black lights in the bathroom, and a shrine to Bob Marley.  An interesting adventure to be sure.  We were planning to watch the Cubs play off game, but Lindsay ruined the surprise on the way home by slipping something in about Flying the W, so instead we played board games.

Then, Sunday morning Derek and I got up early and loaded the kids in the car to head home.  I pulled out these goofy glasses for the kids (and me) to help entertain us on the way home.

We got home just in time for the second hour of church and the primary program practice.  A great weekend.  Glad we went, so good to see the Hills.  And it was the perfect distraction to what had been a stressful couple of weeks.