Epic Idaho Adventure- Final Take

I know I've been blogging about our trip for way too long and I just need to wrap it up. Especially since school started this week. Holy Hannah, where does the time go? I have no idea where the summer went, but it was here and now it is gone.

Before we left for Idaho we made a list of the things we wanted to do while we were in Rexburg. The only thing that Gracie wanted to do was go to Porter's. My little crafter has been missing this store and she was over the moon to get to go back. So Michelle, Gracie, Colby, Leelee and I went to Porter's on Thursday while the boys went shooting with Grandpa Archibald. It must be noted that Colby was completely distraught at this decision. He begged and cried and begged and cried to be able to go and shoot some guns, but we just decided he was a little too young to go.

Gracie at her happy place.

That night we had dinner with Uncle Eric and Aunt Lynne's family (she's the one who set me and Kris up on the blind date that started it all...) She likes to check in with us and revel in her success. :)

The next day we went to IHOP and the Tautphaus Park Zoo with Grandpa and Grandma Grover. That zoo is just about perfect, just the right size and nice and shady.

Matthew and Gracie and the lion.

Colby loved the lion fountain.

Is this picture not the cutest thing ever? I love it.

Someday all of my children will look good in the same photo. Maybe.

 Owen and the tiger.

We don't get to see these bad boys at the Phoenix Zoo.

Colby feels right at home with the monkeys.

The kids each got to pet this turtle, the lady explained that turtles can feel touch down the middle of their shell where it is attached.

One big happy family.

We were glad to get to spend some time with Grandpa and Grandma Grover!

That afternoon Matthew got to go hang out with his best friend and the rest of us went to Smith Park (on the list) and then the Flood Museum (also on our list).

We love that little museum with all it's antiques, scavenger hunts for the kids, the old grainy flood movie, and the children's room. What more could you want in a museum, really?

I was looking at these old dresses thinking, "I would totally wear those."

In the tree house of the children's room.

That night the kids got to sleep over at Michelle's, they had been wanting to since we got to Rexburg and it just didn't work out until the last night. They had a blast!

We went to the splash park with Michelle and Mia (and Dan for a little bit) on Saturday.

And rode the merry-go-round one last time...

Oh Mia! We miss you. For some reason Colby and Mia just get along really well. She tempers him in just the right way. He honestly does not get along with anyone else better. It was so hard to say goodbye to these two. We just wish we didn't have to leave them behind.

 We went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Walz before we packed up the car. They've been living in an assisted living home and we know their time may be short. We had visited them several times during our stay but knowing this was our last visit was pretty emotional. We miss her and Grandpa when they aren't down here in Arizona. We love them so.

As you can see once again, some good faces in one picture, some in the other. And grumpy Owen in both. Sigh.

Whew! This post turned out to be gigantic but I didn't want to drag it out any longer. Our trip to Idaho was a great success! We were so stinkin' exhausted with everything going on and all the people we were visiting. We didn't even see any of our old friends and some of our family (sorry Owens'!) We miss everyone and everything about Idaho (ok, so maybe not those looooong winters)! The kids talk about it all the time and it will always hold a special place in our hearts. So many wonderful memories.

Luckily, we can always come back for more visits!



Epic Idaho Adventure- Take 4

Fun on the Fourth of July

It's no secret that I love being in Rexburg on the Fourth of July so I was elated that we were able to be there this year. I love the small town atmosphere, the cooler weather (that was debatable this year) and being able to have our own fireworks.

We love going to the parade.

It was Leelee's first time. Her first Fourth actually.

After the parade and sitting in traffic for an eternity we finally made it to Porter Park about a mile away. Haha, so much for that small town atmosphere. I thought these two boys carrying this chair together was so cute, I didn't even ask them to do it.

We met up with Michelle and Dan and his family for some fried chicken ( a 4th must in our book) and good company. He's got such a great family!

Michelle doesn't normally dress like a gangsta, but she was in the parade (unfortunately I didn't get a good pic) and hence the sweet get up.

We took a spin on the merry-go-round. I never let the kids ride merry-go-rounds here cuz they are all like $3 a person. Say what?! Yeah, times that by 6 = no go my poor, poor children. They were pretty excited to get to ride a few times while we were there.

Gracie better never be too big to ride!

Then they played at the splash park. The water was a little on the chilly side for my wimpy Arizona kids, but they still had a good time!

Then we went and got a supply of fireworks for a little show in the backyard. We always love getting smoke bombs, snakes, tanks, ground flowers, etc. It's fun for everyone. We got to enjoy one amazingly beautiful sunset while we were lighting our stash.

It was just a perfect end to a perfect day and made us that much more grateful to live in this beautiful land. We love America!

Epic Idaho Adventure- Take 3

Boating Day

Tuesday, July 3rd we spent the day at Ririe Reservior with Grandma and Grandpa Archibald on their boat.  Michelle and Mia were able to join us for the windy (really, really windy) fun.

Me and Leelee

Rex, Mia and Colby

All the kids loved getting to ride in the boat, it's not something that we get to do very frequently. For some of the kids I think this was only their second time on a boat.

Sittin' on the dock, wastin' time.

These brave souls braved the freezing cold water. I'm not such a fan of swimming in any body of water that I cannot see the bottom of, and add to that the temperature of the water and there was no way I was getting in. I've turned into a wimpy Arizonan again.

They have this little floating police car (fitting, don't you think? Well, if you know Kris' stepdad...) that we all took a ride in. Matthew and Owen pictured above and below.

That's Gracie and Colby.

Michelle and Mia taking their turn.

Me and Rex.

Even Grandma Archibald took a spin.

Colby was in hog heaven riding in that boat. Man, this vacation was right up his alley with all the hiking, boating, dirt playing, fireworks, etc. He loved every minute of it.

Kris took a turn on the tube.

I was proud of Mia for being brave enough to swim out there! Love these girls!

It was a great day soaking up the sun, gathering a tangled mess of hair, riding the waves, and cruising on the boat. We had so much fun!