Sand Dunes and Egin Lakes

Near the end of our trip we spent part of a day out at Egin Lakes and the Sand Dunes. Kristas parents had brought some quads for everyone to ride out on the sand dunes.(I don't think I have mentioned yet, but Kristas family was out there for Megans graduation from BYU-Idao. Thats a big reason we were in Idaho.) It was a lot of fun. Payton refused to go on the quads. He says they are too scary and loud. He just wanted to stay at the trailer. After being at the trailer for a while we walked down to the water so the kids could play.

Payton hanging out with me in the trailer while people were out on the quads.

Payton really enjoyed playing in the water. It wasn't deep at all and they could walk out far and have no problems. We had brought these plastic cups for them to play with and they really enjoyed  playing with them in the water and the sand.

Payton started out dumping the water out on his head, but then started dumping it on Austin

Look at these two playing so nicely with each other!

Oh wait, but the niceness couldn't last for too long. Payton  had to start chasing Austin around while trying to dump his cup of water on him.

Austin didn't really love it!

Look at that evil look!

Payton really enjoyed playing in the sand/dirt. By the time we left his head was caked in sand/dirt. He was rubbing it all over himself. I figured he was having so much fun I would just let him.

Scarlett even got in for a little bit and enjoyed the water, then she slept for the rest of the time.

Before we were done for the day Kristas mom and sister helped watch all the kids so that Krista and I could go out for a ride. I have never been on a quad before so this was a first for me. Initially it took me a little bit to get used to it and I didn't go too fast, but I got braver as the time went on. It was a lot of fun. I was glad we got to go out even for a little bit.

Like I said at the beginning Payton wanted nothing to do with the quads. But right before we left I was able to get him to at least sit on one. It wasn't on of course and he was still very nervous, but I was proud he at least got on.

I would say all around it was an amazing trip. One I will never forget. The kids were great and I know they had a lot of fun. I am glad Krista agreed to take this adventure with me and my kids. She is really a great friend.  I had so much fun!

Rexburg Temple and BYU-Idaho

Going to Rexburg brought back a lot of old memories. Mostly all good ones! I was super excited to be there. I have not been there in over 6 years. Josh and I got married 7 years ago and lived in Rexburg our first year of marriage and we have not been back since. Rexburg has changed a lot but not really. I was really excited to see the new temple. It has been there for a few years, but it is new to me. 

It is so BEAUTIFUL!

Our one and only attempt of a family picture, minus Josh of course because he didn't get to come with us on this trip.

I just look at this picture and think "dang! Payton is getting so big"

As a mother of more than just one kid I will try anything to get a picture of both the kids together. But it just never seems to work out!

We walked around the temple grounds. The kids were okay, but wanted to run of course.

A pretty view from the temple

The cute boys!

And of course we can't forget a cute picture of the one and only little girl!

BYU-Idaho has a beautiful campus. They have these amazing gardens! We took the kids to them and let them explore. It was so pretty and the boys enjoyed looking at all the fun and different things. 

Scarlett kind of liked looking around at the gardens, but wasn't head over heals for them.

I just think this picture of Payton and Ryan is so cute!

As I said at the beginning Josh and I met in Rexburg Idaho. Krista and I walked around campus and enjoyed seeing a few old sights that brought back memories. 

This is the building Josh spent most of his time while we were dating. When we met he was going to become an engineer so that meant a lot of science and math classes. This is also the building that Josh and I were in when we told each other we loved each other for the first time. 

Ok so this picture is another great memory that I have. This is actually the spot where Josh and I both lived when we met. The place is called Greenbrier apartments. These dumpsters are actually where Josh and I talked for hours for the first time. I know that seems nasty, but we didn't care. This is also the spot where our life together began. Josh proposed right there! He is such a romantic!

BYU-Idaho has such a beautiful campus. I just had to take some pictures. I really loved going to school there!

I just really enjoyed walking around the campus and being there. There is just an amazing feeling there! Walking the grounds made me really appreciate that I got to go to a church college. You can feel the spirit so strong there!

Rexburg Idaho/ Bear World

We had a very nice time in Utah visiting my family. I was sad not to see my dad for very long, but I guess thats what happens when you have a really job you have to be at. Don't get me wrong I am very grateful he has a job!!! I think my brothers were glad to see us go. Having the three little boys always asking them for help to play the play station does get a little old after a while. We really do appreciate them for being so willing to help them out! Thanks!

Wednesday afternoon we drove 4 hours to Rexburg Idaho. We thought for sure the boys would sleep most the way but of course they DID NOT! Once we got to Rexburg we checked into our hotel for the next 4 nights. We shared one room with two queen beds. For the most part the boys were ok, but after being awake and in the room for too long they would get a little wild. They had pillow fights, jumped on the beds, fought over toys, watched TV, and ate snacks. 

Some pillow fight fun!

On Thursday we debated on what to do with the kids. We knew we couldn't stay in the hotel room so we needed to get them out. We had seen Bear World on the way in and talked about going there but we were a little unsure about the cost initially. But I can say I am glad we decided to take the kids and go there. They loved it! I loved it! We were able to drive through all the animals and the kids were able to be out of their car seats. Payton sat on my lap in the front and was half interested. 

We saw elk, bears, dears and others I can't remember right now

Payts face as we were looking at the bears

The bears were all over. We got to see them so close!

You can pay extra money and go on one of their trucks and feed the animals. So we actually got lucky enough to be behind their truck because all the animals were going to them and eating. We got to see them up close.

It was so cool to see the bear sit like this and beg for the food.

After driving through we were able to go in and they had a petting zoo. They had little bear cubs in there. Obviously you can't pet them but you could get really close to their cage and see them. I thought they were so cute because they would just wrestle around and play with each other like they were kids.

Here we got to feed the ducks and the fish 

At first Payt didn't really like being down at the goats level,  but he got over it and enjoyed feeding them food.

This deer just payed there and let us get so close to it. It even licked Ryan

This little goat was so cute and funny. It just stood in this little window edge and let the kids feed it. Payt thought it was pretty funny

The animals didn't even bother bugging Scarlett.

Inside by the animal area they also have a few little kid rides. Payton initially didn't even want to go on the train but I eventually got him on and he loved it. The kids always wanted to sit in the front one because it had a bell that they could ring while the training went around a tiny circle. 

Payton ringing the bell!

So there were other rides, but I just couldn't get Payton to go on them in any way. But there was this little roller coaster that I pretty much dragged him on. He REALLY did NOT want to go at all. I forced him! I told him I would never make him again if he hated it, but he just had to give it a try. So, the verdict was he HATED it. It was too scary for him he said. I guess I should stop forcing him, but that wont happen.

Bear World was lots of fun I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for something fun to do while they are in Rexburg Idaho.