Lava Hot Springs, Idaho | Extended Family Portraits | Mikenna Atkinson Photography | Southeastern Idaho Photographer
I’ve been told we visited Lava once or twice when I was a kid, but to be honest, I have no recollection of those adventures. Since moving to Idaho I have visited the Olympic pool about 10 times. Eight of those were for swimming lessons…I know it’s a little pathetic, I promise I will do better…when it’s less crowded…maybe. Although I will say, I actually do love to swim. I’m not a strong swimmer, but I thoroughly enjoy being in the water! Thankfully all the visitors to Lava this summer gave me the opportunity to meet a new family last minute and I’m so grateful I did!
Ashlee messaged me early in the week after an unfortunate/fortunate cancellation by the photographer they had planned on meeting with. But as I mentioned above, it was fortunate for me because I had the fantastic experience of meeting them!
The whole family- all 21 of them decided to meet up and take a little vacation getaway. I loved going on vacation with my cousins, and I still do. Each year we book our campground a YEAR in advance to make sure we can all camp together. I love it! Even booking a year in advance I can’t believe how hard it is to get a whole family together at the same time! On the Warnes side of my family, we have 17 people, and on the Atkinson/Switzer side, we have 19-20 (including our Grammy). Getting everyone together, healthy, happy, and available is always a trick. But I have to say, I love when everyone is together. Memories are made in those moments that I believe end up being ‘core memories’ (if you’re a lover of the movie ‘Inside Out’).
The Anderson crew definitely has a fun group of cousins, from ‘tweens’ to babies, they all seem to get along with one another, and it was cute to see the older girls enjoy being ‘besties.’ These mamas have their hands full with all the busy babies! I can promise you one thing, you will NEVER regret getting a family picture of everyone together. There’s just something magical. There’s stress, there’s outfit coordination, there’s doing everyone’s hair just to turn around and do it again, and change the dirty shirt AGAIN, but when that moment is saved, it’s just special. I can’t really put it into words. That moment in time just melts my heart and I know from that moment on, those babies will continue to grow up, and the adults will continue to age.
Anderson family, especially Ashlee, I know the moment your plans changed it was a bit of a panic, but I’m grateful you were willing to find a backup plan! Thank you for allowing me to meet your big family! Sorry about the mosquitos, and dirty knees (by the time we were done!)! I hope to see you and your cute family again in the future!
-Mikenna
XOXOXOX
