Rexburg Remembered

Kaylee requested a trip to Idaho Falls for her birthday and it just happened to be a long weekend off school... so off we went. I love going to Idaho Falls because we get to see my grandparents and Louis' grandma, plus, my brother is up in Rexburg now, my old roomies, and lots of cousins and uncles and aunts. Always great fun! And always too short! Here is a photo recap of our fun trip:

Day 1: I had a half day of crossing, so we left after a late lunch with Louis. It was pretty snowy on the way up, but thankfully the roads were clear. The kids were so anxious to get out and play!

Day 2: We headed up to Rexburg after a yummy breakfast of waffles... thanks, Grandma! When we pulled into "Rexburger" as Charles called it, I tried to call Zach to get directions to his dorm... he was not answering. So, I took the kids to see the temple. Kaylee wanted to get out and walk around. I warned her that it was freezing cold, but she insisted. Charles pitched a royal fit. Poor kid, he was smart to want to stay in the car, and I almost let him, but there were lots of folks walking around and someone would've called the police, I'm sure. We all lasted about five minutes. Two minutes to get out of the car and walk to the temple, one to take a picture, and two more to get back to the car and jump inside! I felt like a such a ninny! I used to live there, you know, and it was only about twenty degrees. Of course that isn't taking into account the windchill of minus forty. ;) Thankfully, Zach answered his phone at last and we went to pick him up. He came out in a hoodie and then kept rolling down the car windows because it was "too hot." He has Rexburg brain.

There was a shortage of parking, and rules being what they are at BYU-I we weren't allowed in his dorm anyhow, so we drove around Rexburg looking for fun. Yeah, we didn't find any. I drove around town six or seven times and showed everyone where I used to live, where Dad lived, where all my friends and cousins lived, where I worked, where my roomie worked, where Dad worked, where we used to shop, go on dates, etc.... we ran out of locations to sight see quickly, after all, I was only there two semesters! Finally I bumped into some signs for the Nature Park! We headed there and memories washed over me. Louis worked for the parks department before I came to school and then again the semester we were engaged. He'd come home for lunch dirty and smelling of grass, dirt, outside... it was wonderful. He even worked up a bit of a Rexburg tan! ;) We got out and again braved the cold to wander through the park. We didn't make it very far in, but the kids liked what they saw. It took me back to the night Louis proposed. He took me to the Nature Park, but it was pitch black and freezing cold! I could hardly stand the thought of getting out of the car and couldn't figure out why in his right mind he'd ask me to get out and stand in the snow with him. Little did I know!

These ducks were swimming around and around in the small area of unfrozen water! They sounded so loud with all their hilarious quacking. It was pretty funny to listen to. Sounded like someone kept telling a bunch of bad jokes and the rest would laugh, "yuck, yuck, yuck." Zach and I were quite entertained!

Next stop... a park. The kids lasted a lot longer here. I guess they got the blood flowing with all the running and fighting over who got to turn the steering wheel first.

At last Zach remembers that he has a lounge where we are welcome to sit. When we walked in, wonder of wonders, there is a TV, couches, a fussball table, pool table, air hockey, ping pong table, and a bathroom! Thanks, Zach!!! The kids had a blast and I did too! Zach slaughtered me a few games of pool. Brought back more good memories of Louis wasting me in pool games when we were engaged. He had a pool table in his lounge and we'd play while he did his laundry.

I even got to meet "mystery lady" aka Maddie. She was very nice and thoroughly entertained the children with fox and geese and any other game they made up for her to play.

After a while we headed to Craigo's for pizza. They have completely changed and although I miss the old location and the breadsticks, the food was still yummy! They made it all into a buffet, which is awesome for college kids and they have the yummiest dessert pizza! I am excited to go again!!!

After lunch we took Zach to good old Wally World for some groceries, headed back to the lounge for a movie and some more games (and to meet Maddie), and then dropped him off at class.

Once Zach left, we ran up to St. Anthony to meet up with my roomie, Marcie. She was just getting off work and we sat around and gabbed for a few hours while the kids played. My kids love going to Marcie's house. It was so good to catch up!!
Cute Sammi

Beautiful little Ellie.

We came into the room to get the kids ready to leave and Kaylee and Sammi were lying here watching a movie. It was super cute.

Day 3: A visit to Idaho Falls would never be complete without seeing "all the grandmas." We enjoyed a nice visit to see Grandma Gray. The children were completely spoiled! She always has root beer and cookies, and candies for them. And this trip she enjoyed seeing Kaylee's birthday pictures and all the ladybug things, so she sent them home with a ladybug massager and ladybug stick for a plant. They each got one. They were thrilled!

Charles was especially entertained with this fish picture. He took several pictures of it and then of each of us standing next to it. Funny kid.

Back to Grandma Eva's to pack up and give hugs and kisses to Grandma and Aunt Shauna. We were very lucky to have Aunt Shauna up visiting from California. The kids had so much fun with her! Especially on Friday night. We always have 'pizza movie night.' Grandma had gone to Costco and picked up a pizza for us and Aunt Shauna got Kung Fu Panda to watch with us. My grandparents came over and joined me and Grandma Eva in a couple games of pinochle. It was my first time playing and beginner's luck was with me! We won by quite a large margin both times!

Then back to Grandma Mary's and Papa Thaylon's to say goodbye. It is alway so wonderful to visit so many grandparents in one trip!