Loading...

Welcome to the Norris Family Reunion Blog!

/Blog/
30 June

Welcome to the 2020 Norris Reunion blog!

By |2019-07-01T21:44:11-06:00June 30th, 2019|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Howdy Norris Clan!

I have been given the special task of planning the first Norris family reunion and I am really looking forward to it. I have already collaborated with Sondra and Saty (because I really don’t know what I’m doing) and we are excited to get the ball rolling! We decided that the only 2 things we would plan in advance are that it will be in Meridian, Idaho with my home being the hub for activities, and that it will be July 1st-4th of 2020. We hope that by starting the planning a year in advance that it will give everyone enough time to get some time off and to make any necessary arrangements.

My prayer is that the rest of you will help with the planning by adding input along the way. Kevin was kind enough to put this blog together to help facilitate this and the whole idea is that ANYONE in the family can have a voice. This should be a forum for us to stay connected while we plan a reunion that will accommodate all ages and interests.

Oh, and one more thing before I sign off. We are privileged to be the offspring of Bill and Lois Norris and I would love for this first reunion to celebrate them. I imagine it won’t be the only reunion to honor them but I thought it would be wonderful to give honor where honor is due and have them be the focus at our first reunion.

Note: See the bottom of this website for info on how to upload a photo for the slideshow!

5 July

Reunion 2022

By |2021-07-05T17:21:51-06:00July 5th, 2021|Uncategorized|6 Comments

I told everyone that I would pick up the reunion torch and start brainstorming ideas for a reunion next year so here we go.

There was a suggestion to find a destination to go to for our 2022 reunion, get some Airbnbs somewhat close together and have some fun places to explore, instead of hosting it at one of our homes. John and Sondra did a reunion with John’s side of the family in South Dakota awhile ago and visited Mt Rushmore while staying in a cabin in Spearhead, SD. What do y’all think about trying the South Dakota destination? Would that interest anyone?? If you have a better idea, a destination suggestion or anything else to add, please use this forum to voice your concerns or offer suggestions! Looking forward to finally getting this ball rolling again!!

-Diane

22 May

Postponed, not canceled!

By |2020-05-22T09:48:41-06:00May 22nd, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

First off, I want to thank everyone for their input on whether we should try to pull this reunion off this year, with all the confusion and obstacles due to the Coronavirus, or to postpone to 2021. I know we were really looking forward to seeing everyone and it was hard to make the decision to wait another year. I am trying to look at the positives and know that another year will give a lot more time for things to settle down and hopefully by summer of 2021 we will not have so many social inconveniences to deal with. Please mark your calendars for June 30-July 3rd of next year and continue to stay in touch with any input, suggestions, requests, etc. so that this 2021 reunion will be a wonderful time for all!

15 May

The countdown has begun!

By |2020-05-15T09:35:03-06:00May 15th, 2020|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Hey everyone,

It’s just over 6 weeks until the reunion!!! Can you believe it???

I hope you are all doing well during this strange Covid 19 quarantine period. We’ve all been holding our breath, waiting to see how this will play out. I know it’s different for each state so I thought I’d give a quick update from our end of things.

Here in Idaho the governor has started a re-opening plan that started May 1st. Several non-essential stores have opened up and the next stage will start tomorrow, allowing other businesses to open. It’s a 4 stage plan that requires certain criteria be met before the next stage begins. So far so good. If all continues to go well, by the end of May Idaho will no longer require the 14 day quarantine for those entering the state. Flights in and out of Boise are operational with protocols and social distancing still in place.

We’re praying that things will continue to improve and move forward so that no matter where you’re traveling from, you will be able to make it to the reunion!!

Love you all and stay safe!

3 March

Odds and Ends

By |2020-03-03T10:28:48-07:00March 3rd, 2020|Uncategorized|2 Comments

Sondra and I met up to chat about the reunion since it’s only 4 months away!!!! We thought we’d mention a few things that might be helpful when you’re planning your time here. Please read and reply to the last bullet point when you have a minute. Thank you!

  • For those with children, Sondra and I are available to do babysitting if there are activities you’d like to participate in without your kiddos.
  • Our main “stay around the house” day will be Friday, July 3rd so please avoid planning activities that day if possible. We hope that day can be chatting, eating, games, singing and just hanging around time.
  • Please post your travel itinerary on the blog once you have it pinned down so the rest of us can see when everyone will be here. Also please mention if you’ll need any transportation to or from the airport. We are happy to oblige!
16 January

God and Country Festival – July 1

By |2020-01-16T15:54:02-07:00January 16th, 2020|Activities|1 Comment

For those who are interested, the God and Country Festival is a free event that we have attended almost every year since we came to Idaho. It is a free Christian music concert with a recognizable national artist as the main headliner. There are usually one or two regional or local Christian artists that open for the main act. I don’t know yet who the main artist is this year, but I’ll pass that along as soon as I know.

The event also acknowledges local first responders, members of the military, and some local politicians (not my favorite part). But there are also a bunch of tables at the top of the amphitheater where people who have a passion for a particular ministry can share it with the crowd. Diane and I have manned foster care tables there for years to recruit new foster parents.

The event usually attracts from 10,000 to 13,000 people, and includes the biggest fireworks show in the Treasure Valley, usually simulcast with a local Christian radio station to a soundtrack of mostly Christian music.

Gates usually open around 5:00 PM. It is free to get in, and there is plenty of food like burgers, hot dogs, mini donuts, icre cream, and even coffee drinks like Dutch Bros. Basically, think of fair food. 🙂

Expect a bit of traffic congestion after the fireworks show is over, which is usually around 11:00 PM.

The venue is about 15-20 minutes from our house at the Ford Idaho Center. Parking usually costs $5.

 

7 January

Available Harper lodging

By |2020-01-28T08:22:51-07:00January 7th, 2020|Uncategorized|1 Comment

First off, Happy New Year everyone! Now that it’s officially 2020 I am ready to start regularly posting here and happy to answer any questions people have as they make plans for our first Norris reunion.

I know some of you are planning a reunion within a reunion! What I mean by that is that you are reserving an Airbnb for your whole family to stay in during the Norris reunion out here. I think that’s wonderful, especially for those who don’t live near their immediate family. We are spreading out these days and that’s exactly why this Norris reunion idea came into existence!

I thought it might be helpful to post the accommodations we have for those who would like to stay with us. I was hoping to get pictures posted of the rooms but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I’ll list them below and update as rooms get reserved. Please let me know if you want to place dibs on any of these:

  • Taken: Upstairs office has a queen futon bed and access to it’s own bathroom.
  • Downstairs bedroom #1 has 1 queen bed and would share a bathroom.
  • Taken: Downstairs bedroom #2 has bunk bed (twin on top and full on bottom) with some room for sleeping bags on the floor, and would share bathroom.
  • Taken: Basement suite is closed off from the rest of the house. It has 1 bedroom with queen bed and main living area has plenty of room for 2-3 air mattresses, sleeping bags, etc.  There is a private bathroom in the suite.
  • RV has 1 queen bed, 4 bunks, an easy pull-out couch (for 1), and a table that makes into a bed (for 1). There is a restroom and we can hook up for that.
1 July

Suggestions

By |2019-07-01T21:31:43-06:00July 1st, 2019|Suggestions|0 Comments

This page will give people a place to offer suggestions that others may not have thought about. As ideas start to take shape, we can pull them out onto their own page.

1 July

Activities

By |2019-07-01T19:04:13-06:00July 1st, 2019|Uncategorized|9 Comments

Some of us Idaho locals got together and brainstormed a list of activities people might be interested in. We can always add to this list, and provide more detail as we get closer. Eventually, we may move some activities to their own post so people can have conversations only about that particular activity.

List of things to do in Idaho

Outdoor Activities

  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Shooting
  • Bungie jumping
  • Sky diving
  • The Greenbelt (walking or biking the path along the Boise River)
  • Float the river
    • Boise River
    • Indian Creek
  • Whitewater Rafting
    • Guided trips on the Payette River
  • Paddleboarding and kayaking
    • Rentals available to take to various lakes (Lucky Peak, Lake Cascade, Payette Lake)
    • Rentals available on Quinn’s Pond (small but popular urban lake for this)
  • Rent personal watercraft
    • Lucky Peak Reservoir – 45 minute drive
    • Lake Cascade – 1:30 drive
    • Payette Lake (McCall) – 2:30 drive
  • Eagle Island
  • Zipline
  • Disc Golf
  • Great Parks
  • Zoo Boise
  • God and Country Festival (free Christian concert and fireworks show on the Wednesday, July 1 2020)
  • Hot air balloon rides ($150 and up, 4 years old and up, no pregnant women or recent surgeries; mornings only, block out about 3.5 hours for this)
  • Idaho Botanical Garden (next to Old Penitentiary)
  • Old Penitentiary (historical site)
  • Hiking
    • Table Rock
    • Hulls Gulch
    • Longer hiking trails available for those who might want to plan multi-day outings (I’ve hiked to Soldier Lakes, which are gorgeous).
    • See Boise Trails for more hiking ideas.
  • Fireworks on the 4th (at our home or at a public event)
  • Wahooz
    • Miniature golf
    • Go-karts
    • Laser tag
    • Arcade
    • Etc.
  • Roaring Spring Water Park
    • Water slides
    • Wave pool
  • Discovery Science Center

Indoor Activities

 

1 July

Meals

By |2019-07-01T09:07:37-06:00July 1st, 2019|Food|5 Comments

How would you like to organize meals? Do you have some favorite dishes you’d like to have, make, or team up to provide?