Rexburg or Bust?

Does that work? “ Rexburg or Bust?” I don’t think I have ever used that phrase and I don’t even know that I know what it means. To clarify in this context it means simply; WE HAD THE GREATEST TIME IN REXBURG! I am in a blogging slump lately and coming up with an original title for a post right now is too much for my overloaded brain. Too much to blog means too much going on. Such is life.

Saturday night we got into Andrew and Rachel’s around 10 and the kids were still awake, if I remember correctly. Little crazies got a second wind when we got to Uncle and Aunties so they were hopping around, relieved to be out of the car for at least a day.

We eventually went to bed, and slept in the next morning comfortably. Now, that’s my kind of vacation.

 

Sunday was heavenly. Andrew boiled us eggs for breakfast. I took my first shower of the trip. The kids rode their bikes and scooters and played outside. We went to church and got to simply be visitors. Lunch was a free for all. The brothers made us Japanese dinner. After dinner Andrew and Rachel took the kids on a walk with “Moose” their dog. The kids found and explored the tree house and the river while Gage got to go to bed at a decent hour.

When they got back from their adventure with the kids, our hosts shared their Sunday night popcorn tradition with us and we all enjoyed each other while munching on cinnamon popcorn.

Monday Tuesday and Wednesday were jam packed filled with more fun.

Monday we packed up and left for Yellowstone where we saw a BEAR!!

This was the highlight of the trip for some. For others the highlight of the trip was riding alone in the truck while Andrew and Rachel entertained our kids, or maybe vice versa, in their truck.  But really, the bear was awesome and the kids were super excited to be so close. The big kids (Jeff and Andrew) wanted to be closer but abstained from being complete idiots. I will take full credit for seeing the bear first and for graciously hanging out the window and pointing and screaming so that my kids were sure to see it too. Adelle was the sweetest, as the bear started meandering a little closer to us we thought it would be responsible to walk towards the trucks and get in. I was frantic, but trying to stay calm and cool of course and so here I am buckling Adelle into her car seat, something I haven’t done for Adelle for years. She stops me, looks straight in my eyes and very seriously says, “Mom, I can buckle myself. You need to get into the truck to be safe!” So sincere and motherly, that little girl.

Other Yellowstone highlights included Old Faithful, picnicking along the river, camping somewhere borderline ghetto right outside of the park, and observing plenty of bison, an elk, some mountain goats and dear.

 

Yellowstone was so, so beautiful and the perfect combination of relaxing driving around, exciting animals in the wild, and hanging out outside enjoying nature.

As if Yellowstone Monday and Tuesday wasn’t enough on Wednesday we went up to some Idaho mountains to float the river. Actually we had canoes so I guess we paddled the river. The river was nice and shallow so it was plenty safe for all of us and awesome because at any given time we could hop out and take a dip in the nice fresh river. I do love some clean, refreshing, water for a good swim. Especially when the temperature is in the 90’s.

This was another great day. Super chill, fun and relaxing. Hot and beautiful. Gage loved throwing the rocks in the water. Adelle loved watching the other floaters and snacking. Emmett was a fish and spent most of his time swimming downstream. Braxton loved paddling and looking for fish. Jeff loved the shallow spots where he got to get out and push us (wink, wink) and I, well I loved feeling the sun on my shoulders and having my own personal photographer document the trip so that I didn’t have to worry about getting a picture of anything. Rachel has a waterproof case for her phone which meant that she brought her phone and I got to leave mine back at the house to be safe.  Thanks for all the great pictures, Rachel!!

When we got home that night Andrew wow’d the kids with his motorbike and gave rides to them all. This was Braxton’s most favorite part of the whole week. I don’t think it was Gage’s favorite part, but he had to do what the big kids were doing even if it meant pretending to like it.

We don’t get to spend a ton of time with Andrew and Rachel and so just spending quality time with their family was so nice. It felt so natural for all of us to be there. I was so nervous about bringing all 6 of us into their home. My friend once summed it up when she told me something to the effect of, “When you bring one kid he’s a guest. When you bring 2, it’s a hassle. When you bring 3 your intruding….” and on and on, so bringing 6 of us I wanted to be prepared and helpful and not burdensome.  I wanted to take care of us all without taking over their home.

The whole time we were there we felt so comfortable. It was like yin yang in my hippy head. We all functioned together super smoothly. Jeff and Andrew are so much a like and Rachel and I just get each other. We spent some nights up late visiting, some we just went to bed. We ate some of our own food, some of each others. We were okay being in the same room and reading our own books… it was so, so, nice.  I want to go back already!!

More Vay Kay posts to come!!