Pie Town was where all of the climax of emotions happened...my kids were exhausted, crabby and homesick...I decided to take things easy in Idaho...so after Pie Town, we headed to Idaho Falls to visit Scott's family and just took it easy hanging out with the family.
We spent 12 days in good ol' Idaho!
The kids were so excited to see their grandparents and spent time with them. We got there just in time for all of the 4th of July celebrations!
A few months after we left to come to D.C. Scott's parents got a dog. Brielle was in heaven and she LOVED Emi...Braden on the other hand was terrified!!! It took him a few days but after a few days he warmed up to her, which was nice because his screeches of fear were about to make everyone deaf!:)
On the 3rd, we headed to Tautphaus Park, for the annual Wood 4th of July picnic...(Scott's mom's side of the family).
We saw so many of Scott's cousins and aunts and uncles. This is Brielle with Scott's cousin's daughter, Devan. She and Brielle got along really well and had a great time playing.
I wish I would have taken more pictures of everyone, but I was busy chatting and catching up with everyone...it was so fun to see them all!:)
Later that day, we had a dinner at Scott's parents'. We got to hang out with Grandma Jensen, Brielle and Braden's great-grandma! We love her and it was so fun to visit and spend time with her.
I think this is such a cute picture of her!
On Monday, I headed to Rexburg to visit my good friend Sarah, who I became really good friends with, our last year in Idaho.
It felt so good to be back in Rexburg and drive up the road that leads to the temple...the road I drove up almost everyday to go to work in the Smith Building for almost 4 years! I had forgotten how beautiful the summers are in Idaho...the weather was perfect the whole time we were there!
Here we are together again, Sarah, Jensen (great name!), Braden, me, Emma and Brielle. We are missing little Aleyssia, she was shy in front of the camera but she is the cutest petite girl ever! Sarah and I have already decided that she and Braden will be getting married when they grow up...they are the perfect size for each other!:)
I had so much fun talking to Sarah about life, she's such a great friend and I miss the days when both of our husband's were in school or working late and we would invite each other for dinner last minute...she's the kind of friend I can just call any time and I know she's happy to talk to me! I miss her a lot and her family. Sarah's husband Matt, and Scott also became really good friends, which is always a plus!
Emma and Brielle used to go to nursery together, they were the only 2 little nursery kids in our student ward.
After visiting with Sarah, I met up with Lanie (Scott's sister) and Andra (Scott's cousin) for lunch at the one and only Millhollow! It is still as delicious as always!
Beautiful Rexburg, where you can see for miles and miles ahead of you! I miss that!
The next day, we went to visit my good friend Rebecca, who I also became really good friends with the last year we lived in Idaho. She is just about the sweetest girl ever!
I was so happy to see her and spend a couple of hours chatting about what we've been up to these last two years...she has a heart of gold and I'm so grateful that we got to know her and Jeremy our last year in Idaho. Scott and Jeremy also became great friends.
After a little picnic in her backyard, we headed to Reed's dairy for ice cream. It was delicious! Rebecca grew up in a dairy farm, so she was showing the kids how a calf sucks your fingers. She's the cutest and best second grade teacher in Idaho!
I loved seeing you Rebecca! Thanks for making time for us to visit with you!:)
After hanging out with Rebecca, Lanie had to go to Rexburg so we decided to tag along and go with her...
I'm very fond of the Rexburg Temple, I had the blessing of serving in the open house temple committee and got to go inside before the open house and it was just a testimony builder for me! Scott and I got tickets to go to the dedication and it was very special!
The lighting was so beautiful when we got there, I took some pictures in the wheat field in front of the temple...
The lighting was so beautiful when we got there, I took some pictures in the wheat field in front of the temple...
Too bad there was a construction truck right in front of it, so I couldn't get pictures with the wheat field and the temple...
We went on a quick walk at the BYU-Idaho Gardens. It is one of my favorite places there.
I told Braden to give Brielle a hug so I can get a picture of them both, Brielle was being ornery at that moment so Braden said, "it's okay mommy, I hug myself!" and right then I caught it in my camera! Perfect moment!:)
Brielle had such a grand time with her aunt Lanie...Lanie was so amazing with Brielle! I was so grateful because I was just exhausted from dealing with tired and grouchy children and Lanie was my life-saver...she just LOVED Brielle and gave her so much quality time. Brielle needed that so much. She is the such a good auntie. Brielle LOVED her aunt Lanie and she had some memorable times with her aunt. I hope with all my heart that she will remember the moments she spent with Lanie.
Us with Lanie.
We love you Lanie!:)
After the garden's I made Lanie drive us to the place where Scott and I had our very first kiss. I told the kids about it and how much I love their daddy! They heard me very attentively, especially Brielle. Ever since then, she has been saying that she wants to get married so she can kiss her husband! ha ha!!!:)
I have such sweet memories of Beehive Manor #210, except now it's a guy's dorm...that apartment was so stinky...I could smell it when I was standing there...ha ha!
On our way back I was blessed to witness one of the most beautiful things anyone can witness...an Idaho sunset...
Later that week, Karen set up the pool for the kids...
She looks so angelic...
They lasted about 15 minutes there, and then they started fighting...that was the end of the pool...I had to deal with extra fighting between these two during the last few weeks of our trip...they were so done...
The next day, we headed to see one of my favorite people, my old roommate Emily. I love that girl and I was so happy to finally meet her little girl Kindee. She is just about the cutest blue eyed, blond little girl ever! And she also had the cutest personality to come with the cuteness! Braden was giving her so much love and was about to choke her! Poor little Kindee!
I had the best time talking to my old friend. Old friends are just golden! I love Emily and we had such a fun time catching up! I got to see Reese (her husband) who also went to college with us, and was in our ward. He's great and I'm glad we got to see him at least for a few minutes...too bad Scott wasn't there because those two love hanging out.
Later that night, Emily got a babysitter for Kindee and I left the kids at my in-laws and we went to the movies. It was just what I needed!!! We watched Letters to Juliette, such a cute movie, I highly recommend it! After the movie we went to get some ice cream and headed to Emily's, we talked until 2 in the morning! We were just reminiscing and wishing that we lived closer!
Love ya Em! I loved our little girls' night!
Our last Saturday there, we headed once again to Rexburg to see Andra's (Scott's cousin) final exhibit. She's an art major at BYU-Idaho and she is AMAZING! She had her exhibit in the library, the most transited place in all of campus. I enjoyed talking to her about her beautiful pieces. She will definitely be famous one day!:)
I loved coming back and walking in the McKay Library, so many memories came rushing back...and I showed the kids where their daddy and I had our first serious conversation and where it all started!
Andra, Great-grandma Jensen, Brielle and Grandma Karen.
On the way back, I couldn't help but notice the fields of wide open spaces right along highway 20. Nothing beats Idaho skies.
Our last Sunday, saying our goodbyes to great-grandma Jensen.
Then, Lanie and the kids made chocolate chip cookies.
They had a great time!
On Monday we headed back to Utah, on the way back to Provo we stopped by to see Scott's older brother CJ's family. It was so fun for the kids to see their cousins and spend at least a few moments together. We had a nice quick visit with LeNell and it was just nice to see them all and what a fun crew they are!
We definitely had a wonderful time visiting family and friends but man! It is so nice to be home...especially after a red-eye on our way back home!
We had 5-weeks of fun and memories!
Thanks Karen and Clay for letting me and the munchkins come invade your house!
