A-Z of IDAHO.

In an attempt to put a legit blog post, here are the highlights from our summer trip to beautiful Idaho.

I'll start with "A."

Awesome first fish ever caught by James. He went on to catch many more in Grandpa's pond.

Bouncey new trampoline! It was used for both jumping and sleeping at night. You can't go wrong with a trampoline!

Cutie Rissa!!

Decorating boulders for Grandpa's tree border.

Everyone painted!!!

Flowers were my first choice to paint--I had no chair available to paint.

Great celebration for Grandma and Grandpa!!!

Happy 40th Anniversary!!!

It was so nice to have most of the family together. Only Cory and Dustin were missing..and they were definitely missed!

Judds. Thats Big Judds.

Kids! Or rather teens!!...And a pound of burger and fries.

Luke and Nate wanted in on the Big Judd's challenge.

Minutes later...seriously 15 minutes later they were done!!

Nate didn't seem phased.

Open wide!!! Their pictures are now on wall of fame!

Photo bomb that I wish wasn't there. ugh. She is in every picture of Mark on the carousel. I guess that's what happens when the carousel is next to a splash pad.

 

Quilt squares that everyone helped decorate turned out so cute!

Rexburg temple is one of my favorite.

Someone has turned into quite a photographer. Ever since James took a class for a merit badge he has loved taking pictures.

This one was one of his favorites that he took in Idaho.

 

Unfortunately, Mark wasn't always happy about all of the pictures.

Very happy cousins. Ben and Rissa were almost inseparable. Cousins really are built in best friends.

 

Well...so are sisters.

X-tra special person missed me and send me beautiful flowers!!  I missed Cory too.

Ye-haw! We went to Virginia City in Montana and were able to see tons of history. For example, we learned some crazy things about how the gold rush was accompanied with lots...AND LOTS of hangings. This town had over 100 in 6 weeks.

Zoinks! We did eat in the park that had a lot of hangings.

 Shoot! I ran out of letters...ok I'm at A again.

At the bottom of the mountain that we were going to hike. In my youth I remember hiking this mountain that led to the Lewis and Clark Caverns and it was no big deal. It was just a quick little walk. It was only 3/4 of a mile but it was up a mountain side!

But the view at the top was spectacular!! And the caves were remarkable. I loved it! It was two hours of crawling through tunnels, sliding down walls..oh and 500 stairs going down and 100 stairs going up while we were in the caves! It was exhausting but so worth it!

Cubs at Bear World!

Darn he is growing tall!!

Even Mark is growing up..barely.

Fun fun fun!! I didn't know bear world had small amusement rides for the kids. They played on them for about an hour with the biggest smiles!! I loved watching them!

Great kids!

Happy memories!

I love them so much!

Joking around while we waited for the fireworks. They didn't go off until after 11, but well worth the wait.

Keeping in touch with Grandma Hanson-whom I was named after. Our visit was brief but very enjoyable. She told us stories about the anvil that was in her back yard when she was a young girl and how that anvil crossed the planes with the pioneers.  She also talked about the pioneers that smuggled their guns in the bellows of their blacksmith equipment.

Idaho was fantastic!! And if you read this far down without giving up, then you must love Idaho as well! Either that, or you would. I hope to visit again!!