Idaho Trip, 2017

We were SO excited to go visit Grandad and Queenie in Idaho this summer! Ellie and I missed last year, but the boys remembered their trip VERY well and couldn't wait to get back!

Made it to the airport bright and early on a Thursday morning with 2 excited boys and one princess!

Kids did great on the planes... early morning and lots of travel! But iPads/ iPhones- via movies, coloring, and games- got us through!!!

Layover in Salt Lake City airport... got to hang in the Admirals Club and get a snack!

Made it to Idaho and everyone was so happy to be there! We went straight to lunch ... tired kiddos but still hanging in there!

Then to Grandad and Queenie's house... and they had a mini-pool for the kids!!! I thought it was cold, but they didn't seem to care!! We didn't bring bathing suits, so undie-swimming it was!!!

Brrrrrr!!

They didn't last too long before they needed clothes back on- just a little too cold! Hah!

The view from the porch! So nice to be here!

This balcony is one of the greatest places!!

LJ slept on a air mattress in Queenie's closet. Evan slept there the first night too. Queenie saying good-night!! Love!

The second night, after we had tucked them in, Evan came out of the closet and asked Queenie if kids ever slept in her bed!! Haha!! She said no but asked if he would like to... that was more than enough of an invitation for this little cuddle bug!!! Into her bed he jumped, and he did not get out!! Thanks for letting him be your bed-buddy Queenie!!! It was more special to him than you can imagine!!!

The upstairs room where we stay has two beds: Ellie got one, and Barrett and I got the other! We got the kids to bed very late every night, but overall, I think they slept pretty well!

We spent Friday morning in Rexburg and Driggs. First we headed to the Farmer's Market. It was lovely, although I didn't get a single picture! Then we had lunch at a hanger restaurant and got to view their museum! So cool!!

That afternoon, we headed down to the dock to do some exploring!!

Ellie was making me so nervous leaning over! Ugh!

Then we got to go out for dinner with a big group, including Henry and Flory!

The kids were having too much fun playing with Uncle Henry!

Back at the house, it was just too beautiful! Made everyone attempt a picture for me!

Saturday morning we went to go feed the fish, but they were all out of food! So, we just did a little exploring and then headed to lunch!! Maybe next year!

Relaxing afternoon hanging around the house!

Boys helping Grandad with his afternoon chores- lots of cute animals to feed, plants to water, etc! They love being his helpers!

And look who's awake from their nap!! See a pink shirt peeping through the rails!?

She wanted to get in on the help!

A panoramic of the deck and the view... Hard to describe the beauty!

And then we went back down to the dock! The kids LOVED going down there!

Throwing and skipping rocks with Dad!

Henry and Flory popped back by- yay!! Ellie loved doing puzzles with Flory!

Snacks!

Another swim! Evan was in!!

She is obsessed with phones! Jeez!!

Happy Sunday! We spent the morning watching the last day of the PGA... and the kids and I spent lots of time exploring.

LJ pointing out the rock chucks...

Throwing peanuts!

Cute little rock chucks and chipmunks got a LOT of food while we were visiting!!

And squirrels!

More pictures by the water! We just loved being down there (although I often found myself a little uncomfortably nervous with their proximity to the edge of the deck!!).

One of my favorite pictures! Happy little guys!!

Action shots!

After the tournament was over, we headed to Mesa Falls. I hadn't been here since LJ was not even a year old. We loved visiting this place!! It's hard to describe how breath taking and amazing it is... !

Back home and ready to chill with his Grandad!

A moment of peace all to myself! Just had to exhale and take it all in!!

Never very long before my little blued-eyed angel joins me though!

Our last full day there was a super exciting one... we went to Bear World!

Someone has dressed themselves and is ready to go!

BEAR WORLD! Our favorite!

We started with the driving tour- always amazing and fun to see what animals will be walking by your car!! This year we saw lots of bear, antelope, moose, and elk!

Then we went into the park. I just want to squeeze these cute baby bears!

They are so fun to watch!! So playful with each other- and fiesty!

We finally got our fill of feeding the fish!

And then we got to feed other animals too!!

Cute little ducks...

Busy girl always on a mission!

Roar!!!

Photo op with Grandad! Love!

Curator tour time!!! This was our very special surprise and treat this year! None of us had ever done this, and we were excited to feed the big bears! We got on a very tall truck with rails along the top where we could reach over and drop food for the animals to eat! It was the same drive we did in our car, but sure felt different in the open air!

Ellie couldn't see over the side unless held or standing on the side...

We each got a tray of food to feed the animals- here is Queenie holding hers!

Barrett dropping food to the bear- look at his open mouth!!

Meet Barrett the Bear!!! This made our day!!! haha!! Queenie remembers when he was a baby cub, and now he's out with all the big guys! How funny!

Tired bear!

Ready to get off the truck ... LJ got to be the leader!

And we couldn't leave without doing some fun rides!

This is my fourth visit to Idaho, and on our last afternoon, I finally got the chance to put on waders and attempt fly fishing for the first time ever!! I was so excited!

Notice the storm clouds (first of our trip) approaching in the background!!

The demonstration: Grandad is amazing!

Best teacher!!! Thank you so much Grandad!!

And that storm only gave us about 5-10 minutes of practice before a quick shower and some major wind game our way! We didn't even get to get into the water!

BUT it WAS long enough for me to hook poor Grandad's ear with my hook. Poor guy!!! I felt terrible, and realize how serious he was about always wearing a hat and glasses when fly fishing!! I am so sorry Grandad- and so glad no damage was done! We unhooked him fairly quickly and (I hope) painlessly!