Star Valley

The Platt Family Vacation

STAR VALLEY

One of the first activities we did with my mom and dad one day was hiking up to the Intermittent Spring close to Afton. We packed and ate our picnic lunch and headed up the mountain to drink the cold, fresh water. It was a beautiful and warm day up the canyon.

You can tell the water is so fresh and delicious... it made Brielle smile normal (or is this abnormal?)

Swimming at Star Valley Ranch has become a tradition. The water is heated and then a cool breeze blows in the afternoon. You can get the goosebumps just looking at all the kids shivering poolside.

Grandma Kathi has a freezer full of popsicles we let the kids enjoy on the front porch. The kids are always so messy this really is the best place for them to eat their frosty treat.

On our drive out of the canyon of Swift Creek we threw in our fishing lines to see if we could have any luck. It was the middle of the afternoon so you would think the fish wouldn't bite at the bait. But sure enough each of the boys caught fish for their dinner, Brecon was the first one, Grandpa two, Cael one... and I guess Connor reeled one in after it was hooked by Grandpa.

 

Spending the day at Bear Lake is a family favorite as well.

We had a ski boat, but that started filling up with water right after we put it in the lake. We spent the day building, floating, swimming, playing wiffle-ball, and getting plenty of sun. It was a good thing we had everyone to help haul our belongings back to the cars after the day was done.

After the "guys" got to spend the day golfing, it was the "ladies" turn to enjoy a round on the course. To our disappointment, we were 15 minutes late to start on one course, and they were having a tournament on the other. We came home disappointed, but we got to play a round the next day. So fun to enjoy one of my old high school sports with great company.

I think this picture is so funny. There were so many rules for this water fight and my brother Dusty broke them all. He grabbed the hose (rule #1) he also was spraying the kids before the fight started (rule #2) and then he also was aiming for the face (rule #3) I guess for Dusty rules are made to be broken :) Kids were left crying and wet... it is a funny memory. I love my brother!

On Saturday afternoon when all of my siblings and their families arrived we took a group family picture(s) and then spent the afternoon doing different activities. Ben and I set up this sandpit full of gold rocks. The kids could then trade their rocks for different prizes at the table Grandma was sitting at near by. Ryan and Kailee keep a close eye on the kids and their gold mining. The other Aunts and Uncles were keeping busy over by the front porch... they would be the washers of gold for the kids later.

Grandma and her oldest son look pretty funny. I guess it runs in the family. We had a fantastic dinner and more family came to join us. Aunt Celeste, Uncle Guy, Sage, Hunter, cousin Holly, and Great Grandma Mary Hoopes. After dinner conversation got "tense" as we discussed and confronted my sister Aimee. We just want to help her because we love her.

When everyone left Sunday afternoon, we decided to stay behind to spend some more one-on-one time with Grandma and Grandpa. Especially after everything and the stress of wanting to have a great weekend together, wanting to make everyone feel comfortable, and then having serious conversations to discuss. More good time was just what we all needed. I looked back as we left the next day to see my mom and dad hugging. Mom later told me that Dad had started to cry a little, he just loved spending time with the family and our funny boys.