Sullivan Family Float Trip 2011

Last weekend was the 3rd Annual Sullivan Family Float Trip in Carmen, ID. It is always such a good time to get together with the Sullivan crew!! We sure missed Jared and his family and Chad and Kaycee- hopefully the whole group will be together next year!

It was so great to get out of the city and relax with family for several days! It was the R&R that we needed. Dad and Lisa are excellent hosts and everyone has such a great time but really what isn't to enjoy about a day on the river floating on a lounge chair with a few "wild" rapids for some excitement, an awesome steak and other fantastic food and treats not to mention the good company and a little camping right by the river. We have the best family!!



These pictures have no rhyme or reason because I can't figure out how to move them into the order I want them.

A view of Carmen/Salmon from the top of the mountain behind the house...BEAUTIFUL!

Getting directions and playing some basketball before taking the ATV's to see the valley from the top of the mountain. It was beautiful but scary ride- we didn't make it all the way to the top because Tiff and I chickened out. JD asked Dad to take him back up all the way to the top next time we visit.

Dad had a little buddy named "R" during the weekend. He asked to go for a ride on the tra-tor so what is a good grandpa to do but take the little cutie for a ride. "R" went out several times on the Gator to check the cows in the pasture below the house with grandpa too...he loved it.

I wish I would have snapped a picture or two of that because it was the cutest thing to see that little guy in the seat next to grandpa. Oh the memories both grandpa and "R" are going to have!

Gathered around the table just relaxing after the river and before a fantastic steak!

JD, Cody, Kylie, Uncle David, Drew

Around the campfire on the island.

Tiff with "T", Ryan, Lisa and Dad



The whole crew after spending a day on the Salmon River

(even the youngest at 3 months was on the river and he was a trooper)

Dad had shirts printed (what a fun idea) to remember the weekend.

Seriously, the best weekend which made the 7 hour trip back to Utah and reality that much more difficult. JD and I camped by the river the first night. I don't know that I slept more than a few hours because I was convinced that a bear was going to attack us while we were sleeping and every noise I heard I was sure was that bear crossing the river to "get us". Keep in mind that dad and Lisa have never told us they have seen a bear on or near the island where we were camped but we are in the mountains and no doubt there are bears in the area. Funny now but not so funny when you are literally scared stiff. The second night we stayed in the camper- I slept much better that night. Tiff and Ryan and their boys camped by the river for two nights too. Such a treat to be able to camp in the fresh mountain air.

Finally, my cousin Chad and his wife Kaycee weren't able to be there for the trip this year because they were at the hospital welcoming a new little baby boy into this crazy world. Little Ryker was born while we were floating the river on Saturday. We were yelling up and down the river to each other (it's difficult to stay together sometimes when floating on lounge chairs and tubes) about vital statistics of this cute little guy. We were able to stop by and see the newest member of the family on our way back to Utah on Monday- what a sweet little guy! Congrats to Chad and Kaycee and welcome to the newest member of this crazy, fun family!



Until next time...