The annual Fish Fry

This past weekend Anna and I headed back up to Bear Lake, this time for the annual John family Fish Fry. (Once again, Trav had to stay behind to work.) This time, we got to go camping! I use the term camping loosely as this is what we were camping in...
My dad bought a brand new fifth wheel trailer and it is GORGEOUS. The days of camping in a squishy trailer are over! (Forget setting up a tent.) This thing is so roomy! There are 4 tipouts in this trailer...one in the bedroom, one in the bathroom, and two (one on each side) in the kitchen area. The trailer is equipped with A/C, heat, two flat screen TV's, a queen sized mattress in the bedroom, a queen sized air mattress in the family area, two cushy recliners, a bar area, a roomy shower, toilet, etc. My kind of camping!

Anyway, Anna and I got up to Bear Lake on Friday afternoon. She entertained herself quite nicely by playing with her horses (or, rather, lining them up) while I got all of our stuff unpacked. Might I mention that there is a lot of crap one has to pack when hauling a toddler to the lake for the weekend, especially with the unpredictable weather at Bear Lake!? Once we got settled, we did a lot of sitting around while my dad did a lot of dutch oven cooking. This is pretty much what the weekend consisted of...My grandparents, my aunt and uncle, and a few of my cousins met us there to camp at the good old KOA campground. My dad cooked a fabulous (would you expect anything less from my father?) dutch oven dinner of barbecue spare ribs, corn bread, salad and corn on the cob for over 30 people. We then roasted marshmallows and made smores over the campfire. I hadn't had a smore all season...it was scrumptious!

I don't know if we will choose to stay at a KOA ever again. They had a few great activities for the kids such as train rides, group bike rides, and a tractor pull. They also had the convenience of restrooms complete with showers, a swimming pool and a playground, but the noise and crowded campsites were a bit distracting. Especially when we are used to the stillness and peacefulness of my dad's property in Idaho. (Seriously, KOA?? Does the garbage truck have to come every morning at 7:30 am???) Plus, I thought my brother's sweet dog Vega was going to go crazy on a leash. Oh well. Lesson learned.

The next morning we were joined by the rest of my extended family (minus a few who couldn't make it) for the annual John family Fish Fry. I'm so glad we have resurrected this tradition! I have great childhood memories from the Fish Fry. In the past the guys used to go fishing and catch our breakfast, but now it is really just a chance to get everyone together and have a fabulous brunch. 50+ people came for breakfast. Even though a lot of them were kids, that calls for a lot of food! We went through about 60 fish fillets, 8 dozen eggs, countless pancakes, 3 pounds of bacon and tons of fruit. Thanks to my dad, my grandpa and Amy who were cooking all morning.

The members of my cute family that were able to attend (minus my hubby, and also my brother Brandon and his girlfriend who were unable to fly in from Arizona. We missed you!).
My cousins Randi and Ashlie entertained the children with a few silly games while we waited for breakfast. Anna was looking at them like they were crazy. I guess I need to learn those games!
The whole clan after breakfast. Impressive, isn't it? My cute grandpa and grandma are in the center.
Again with the horses (well, and a mommy and baby elephant thrown into the mix). She could play with those things for hours at a time.
On Sunday morning, we headed down the road to the beach. We rented a jet ski for the first time and took turns riding the choppy waves while Anna enjoyed splashing in the water and playing in the sand.

(She has a rough life, doesn't she?)
Vega had to be held back while Cody and Laci took off on the jet ski. She wanted to go, as evidenced by the loud howling.
Cody told Laci that they were pretty close and she should just jump off the jet ski. Apparently the water was still over her head. She got up quickly and shook it off, but that water is cold!
Anna wanted so badly to join us on the jet ski. She didn't win that battle. The water was way too choppy and I wasn't confident she would hold on, no matter how slow they were going.
We had great plans to enjoy the whole day over there, soak in the sunshine, cook a few hamburgers on the beach, etc., but the weather cut our trip short. After only a few hours there, in came the wind gusts of sand, followed by the ominous dark clouds. When my dad couldn't get the grill to light, we decided to pack up and head back to the trailer. Good timing. Just as the last item was being packed into the truck, it started to pour. The rest of us had the shelter of the truck, but my poor brothers had to drive the jet ski back across the lake in the pouring rain. For the rest of the afternoon, it was very wet and cold. We ended up renting a DVD and hanging out in that very roomy and warm trailer.

We got up the next morning and packed up. As I was leaving, I stopped at the summit to take a few pictures of the lake. This is my favorite view. All in all, it was a great weekend. I just wish we would have had more time at the beach. Also, this marks the second time I have been to Bear Lake this year and have NOT been able to enjoy a fresh raspberry shake! Seriously?? My dad's awesome cooking left me too full. Thanks, Dad, for a great weekend! You worked your tail off so that your family could have a good time. I love you.