Gardiner Family Reunion Recipe

Gardiner Family Reunion Recipe

Take:

1 part John and Amber + kids

1 part Thomas and April + kids

1 part Christie and Doug + kids

1 part Mom and Dad G

Stir with personalities, opinions, stubborness, kindness, laughing.

Add:

1 night of child vommitting

1 2 mile vertical Hike

2 Gigantic Thunderstorms

1 Blister

1 Child with no sleep

1 great campfire talk

1 amazing shooting star

6 toasted marshmallows
20 people in a tiny cabin

1 icky dog

1 drowning child

2 games of TTR

Mix together and bake at 100 degrees in the day and -20 degrees at night. And what do you get? A surprisingly fun family trip! Even though we're all different and see the world differently I think it's important to bond together and take trips like this.

I especially enjoyed the hike to Upper Calf Creek Falls where I was a totally brave woman, conquered my fears and cliff jumped braless into freezing cold water. It was awesome. Cleaning up vommit at 2 a.m. in a stinky Camp ground bathroom? Not so fun. The other highlight for me was Doug. I love him. He was so kind to me. He took the kids and let me sleep after our really bad night. He is such a thoughtful person. And forever I will remember these nights of tiptoeing around the camper together praying that we don't wake the kids.

When I married Doug, I married the out of doors. I'll embrace my lot in life as a camper more when my babies are a little older. Enjoy the photos!