IDAHO - Summer Trip 2011

Oh my goodness...I should have had this posted weeks ago. We had such a wonderful experience this year on vacation to Idaho/Utah. We were able to do so many things, and visit so many friends and family. It was amazing. It was wonderful. And since there are sooo many pictures(about 600) for me to go through I am literally giving a Ciff Note version.

Alot of you followed along with me via Facebook....here is a recap of our trip.

We were able to spend the first few days in Utah. And lo and behold our friends from Yuma met us there and spent a couple days with us. Melinda, Lauri, and Jenna Meyers were finishing up their vacation as we started ours. We spent the day at the Dinosaur Museum and another day at a water park. Good times.

We also got to see almost all of Brent's family. We had a yummy BBQ, got to ride Bergen's horse...etc etc etc. And then off to Idaho.

First order of business in Idaho...Madelyn's Baptism. It was such a beautiful day and we had so much support from the family and friends. Thank you so much. Not to mention the wonderful pictures that were taken by Jeff, my big bro.

And from there was was fun, more fun, and more more fun!!

A visit with Ann and Don and family in good old Pocatello....

 Water fights...

 Losers of the Water Fight....

 S'mores in the new fire pit...

 Fishing with Grandpa...the hike to the pond was so beautiful. And the pond is so well stocked. The kids caught a fish every time the cast. It made it so fun for them.

Hooper Springs Park...

 Fun at City Park...

 Niter Caves...

 The World Famous man made captive geyser....

This was really fun...Michael and his family invited us to spend the day with them at Steadman's Ranch in Raft River, Idaho. They had two man-made slides, a zip line, play areas for little children and an eating area. It was a great day. Tons and tons of fun.

We were also lucky enough to be invited to Island Park with Cynthia, Ryan and family....those were some good times too...

And then we had more fun...

Digging up the root of the tree that blew over in a massive wind storm...

 Sewing projects with Grandma....

And one of the most beautiful places we visited this year...Bloomington Lake. You have to drive clear up the mountain and then hike into the glacier lake...Its amazingly beautiful.

 Madelyn and Brian both jumped the rocks into the ice cold water....

 Sometimes I forget that Marcus is only 6!!! He wanted so badly to do the rope swing. He watched the other ADULTS intently for a long long time. When there was finally a lull in the use of the swing he decided he was ready. My dad launched him and I stood at the bottom ready to jump in if he needed help. When we screamed "LET GO LET GO!"....he didn't....and then he started swinging back towards us...towards the rocks...towards MAJOR DANGER! So we started yelling "DON'T LET GO DON'T LET GO!!!". My dad was able to grab him(I'm not sure how...it literally was a miracle). Marcus was white as a ghost. He just got so scared. And so did the rest of us. We decided he could wait another 2-3 years before we try it again....deep breath....

 Next was out trip to Boise...and for some reason I didn't take a single picture with my camera. I know I posted a lot of pics on facebook of that trip. It was a good one. I stayed with Jeff and family and got to see a lot of my friends from the old neighborhood. It was great....

And back to Soda Springs....

locked to the fridge...

 Some of my favorite memories were made at this University...USU!!!

 Logan Temple...

 Brent and I hiked to the top of "S" hill in Soda Springs but i didn't have my camera. My dad and I went back up a couple weeks later...that's my valley behind me. I love Soda Springs.

 Soda Springs wouldn't survive without Monsanto...here they are "pouring"....it's quite magnificent in person, really.

One of our last activities was swimming at Lava...

Got to visit with some of my "Rigby" family. Hadn't seen any of them for years. Was great to reconnect. And a cousin and cousin's son(what is that, once removed or something) took the boys down the river float. Good times...

 Swimming at the pool. Lava Hot Springs has a great water park set up with large pools both indoor and outdoor, diving boards, platforms, and water slides. The kids had a GREAT time...Love the climbing wall-you fall off into the water. 

 That is Brian DIVING off the high dive....mostly flopping but he did it over and over and OVER....

And then came the day to come home. We were all excited and ready. We had been away from Brent for three weeks so we were all ready to reunite. But I have to be honest(and Brent will attest to this), you can take me out of Idaho...but you can't take Idaho out of me. I'm an Idahoan at heart for sure. Love Arizona...love Texas...LOOOOOOVE IDAHO!! 

Thanks mom and dad for the wonderful vacation. Thanks to friends and family that housed us, visited with us, and made it a fantastic trip home. We're all already planning next year.