Family Summer Cabin Trip 2011

Ahh...the cabin.  How I would love to live here year round.  

So calming and BEAUTIFUL!  Each time I come here, I spent a good amount of time trying to scheme a way to just stay.  This time was no different.  Al and I were in desperate need of a vacation and this was the perfect get away.  A week of boating, skiing, surfing, fishing, jet skiing, reading, napping, eating, laughing, and more laughing.  


Some highlights:

 Most of the kids are getting old enough to really enjoy the boat and trying new activities.  Zachary and Austin both got up on the surf board by themselves this year!  I need to get those pictures from Anne because they are GREAT!

 We took a day and went into Yellowstone to see the falls.  They were really amazing this year due to the high water volume.  

Zachary and Micah.  Micah was on one that day...it cracked me up.  Every time I tried to take a picture, he would hit a random pose or pull an odd face.  

I usually suck at taking pictures, but this one of the falls is not too shabby.

Great picture of Grandma and a few of her boys.

The best dog! I love dogs, specifically big ones.  This is my Dad's third Rottweiler, Rocky.  He is such a good natured dog and technically he is still a puppy.  I want a Rotti so bad...I really would have taken him home.  He would go on walks with me daily and actually follow me.  I didn't have to nag or leash him up to keep him with me.  He is just a gorgeous dog!  Perfect shiny coat and floppy ears.  

Alan and I took Rocky on a Rhino ride up in the mountain.  He loved it and we laughed a lot (as evidence from the pictures).  Rocky stayed in the back bed while we were moving (mouth open and tongue flapping in the wind), but as soon as I stopped, he would try to climb over the seat and into my lap.

 

Playing keep away with Rocky

I am a HUGE fan of slalom water skiing (thanks to my Dad's personal love of the sport).  Each morning and night I would check the water and run out for a pull while the water was glassy. I would go as many times as my arms would allow me. Dad and Alan would humor me and run out to catch the best slalom water of the day.   

One morning, the air temp was 40 degrees. I didn't care.  I just wanted a pull.  The water was a lot warmer so it wasn't too bad until I got pulled out of the water and started doing 32 miles per hour in the 40 degree air.  I  swear I had ice sickles in my nose!!

Dad Surfing

Dad was so excited to use his new water ski that he had gotten for Father's Day.  But he unfortunately pulled his hamstring on his second run.  I felt so bad...he loves to water ski as much if not more than I do.  He wasn't able to ski the rest of the trip.  

I love how Al is always taking self portraits.

Marshmallow Roasts:

Craigy B. being pensive... :)

Look at this gorgeous sunset!  This picture is taken right off the marina by the cabin.  

I have some more videos that are having difficulty loading (skiing, surfing, and air chair)...so I will post those later.  

Island Park with Friends!!

We went to my Dad's cabin with our friends and their families in July. We planned the excursion MONTHS in advance so everyone could arrange their schedules, get work off, plan, etc....

All in all we had 6 adults (Beka, Kent, Dave, Katie, Al and myself) and 5 kids (Tyse, Emmitt, Ollie, Lincoln, and Scout). Despite the long drive and packing involved, we had an awesome time.
Al and I pulled our boat up and the kids had a blast. Now whenever Katie or Beka mention to their kids that Al and Nikki are coming somewhere, they ask if we are bringing the boat. I guess we are now the "boat people". We surfed, wake boarded, and skied. The kids spent a lot of time swimming (even when the water was cold and their teeth were chattering so bad they couldn't talk).


We spent a day in Yellowstone park seeing Old Faithful and the other geysers in that area. Al and I are not very good at taking pictures. We just forget we have a camera and don't remember to take it out.

Now we all need to plan for a winter exhibition to the cabin...

Island Park 2009 - - Hunsaker Family Trip

Ode to the beautful cabin

and it's amazing sun sets...

This family time at the cabin was especially important as it was right before Kenny and Carrie moved to China. It would be the last time our entire family was together for a long time. We had tons of fun and laughed way too much.

Highlights include:

The first "Dink Olympics" starring Kenny and Craig.

Exhibit 1:

Exhibit 2:

Austin's 5th birthday at the cabin.

Noah got a little excited to help Austin with the candles.

Fishing:

Surfing:

More pictures:

Last group of pictures:

Fun was had by all and the week went by WAY too fast for me. I swear, I will find something that I can do while living at the cabin so I never have to leave. Until then, I just have to continue to visit often and enjoy it while it lasts.