We made our yearly trek to Idaho at the end of June. After an incredibly busy few months, we were so ready for this little vacation and time with family. Our first stop was Boise, to visit our grandparents and other extended family that live there. First we just had to make it through the never ending desert and line of orange cones that is Nevada. At least the clouds were pretty! Jon's grandparents were kind enough to let us stay with them again. We only had a couple of days there and they were packed completely full!
Nana and Papa have the best backyard. The kids headed out there first thing every morning and ate every meal they could out on the porch.
Jon's Aunt Mary planned to meet up with us at Eagle Island. Sharena and Brian and Christy also came, which was fun. We figured we'd only stay an hour or two, but we ended up staying for close to 4 hours! It was so much fun. Emma stayed in the water the entire time and Matthew and Ellie were out there quite awhile. It was such a great park and we couldn't believe how uncrowded it was for a Saturday in the summer, though we found out later that everyone else thought it was really crowded. I guess that's when you know you're from California. :)
After swimming we drove around looking at houses and neighborhoods, anticipating a move to the area. It's amazing the things you notice about an area when you look at it as a potential place to live versus just as a place you're visiting. We got a good feel for things and then went to Cracker Barrel for some dinner.
Sunday we went to church with Nana and Papa. Our kids were in fine form and launched World War 3 during Sacrament Meeting...luckily we were sitting up in the 3rd row so the whole congregation could witness everything... Needless to say we did not stay for all of church. Instead we threw the kids in the car again and drove out to Caldwell for a quick visit with my cousin, who gave us a tour of the area, and then headed back to Nana and Papa's for a yummy lunch/dinner and 5 generation pictures with Granny. That woman is incredible. She is 98 years old but you would never guess it. She remembers things better than me, still lives on her own, and takes care of her large garden, among other things. She is such a sweet lady and I am grateful to have gotten to know her a little over the last few years.
5 generations, just missing Jon's mom
I thought this was such a sweet picture of Jon's grandparents with Granny. They are all such great people!
After pictures we headed out again for a Niblett family picnic at the park. There were lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles, and it was a great time. I'm so bummed I didn't get any pictures. Matthew really bonded with Seth, who is leaving on a mission soon, and as we were leaving Matthew yelled, "Bye! I'll never forget you!" It was so sweet. It was so fun to get to see so many family members who we don't see often enough or know well enough. We've both got a lot of great family there.
Monday was our last day in Boise. We packed up and headed to my Grandma Hiatt's house. I love that Grandma's house is always the same. I feel like I'm stepping back into childhood visits every time we go. Even the kids know Grandma Lorraine's house inside and out. They know exactly where the toy bins are and what toys are there. They know there will be Schwann's orange push pops in the porch freezer. They know her cart is in her garage and that it is pretty much the best thing ever when they get to go on rides on it. It's always a treat to visit Grandma.
Grandma hugs (and Matthew hugs) are the best
She had bought these awesome bubble blowers for the kids. They had a blast!
After a great, but too short, visit we were on the road again, this time to Idaho Falls.
A quick rest stop at Emigrant Trails. The kids were so excited to find this lizard.
