The big trip part 2

So still on our way to Idaho, we stopped also to see Temple Square in Salt Lake ....and meet up with Tena (the Jones' used to live near us in Spring, and have moved to Wash.)and her two shy kids here :-)

It was so nice to show the kids such a historic and beautiful Temple! They loved it and were appropriately in awe...



So then we got to Idaho! And I only have a few pictures, since all were taken on my or Brad's phone because we have this horrible tendency to forget our camera (which is pretty old anyway, so we aren't overly enthusiastic about bringing it anywhere!). The cousins all got along immediately. Like family :-) Soren and Liah here are trying out the mattress the girls room (where three girls slept on, then three others on bunkbed right beside it and another girl slept in a cozy little window cubby. Not once did they get to sleep before 10pm...)

Yellowstone Park! So overwhelmingly beautiful. We have fund looking at the geysers and mud pots....
Then checking out the main geyser attraction, Old Faithful. I have to say I was most impressed with how many people were there, and how generally calm and quiet they were while waiting for the geyser to go off.


The day got a little long for Soren, who fell asleep for lunch.....

A hike up to Fairy Falls proved to be way more "adventurous" than it first looked. Our kids aren't used to actual hikes, first of all, so it was a little tough. Then add mosquitoes and you have a trail of horrors! It was also SO beautiful, I miss hiking....


At the falls we managed to get a picture of the fam plus a cousin (Natalie). Soren is FREAKING out because he at one point got a mosquito in his eye briefly, and he wouldn't open his eyes thereafter. Or walk.... sigh... Clark's on my back, you can't see him here. He was an easy tote.While waiting for the rest of the hiking crew, some of the kids took a dip in this perfect river....

At Paralee's, a rare moment with the cat. She was smartly absent most of the time her house was overrun with relatives!Paralee got the kids a fun bouncy ball thing that you can put someone inside and roll them down the hill! So fun. Need to get one...

Cousins!!! It was so wonderful to have all the Duerichen cousins in one place. What a blessing it was that we could all arrange to come together.

I love this picture of Averi and Clark, such happy cuties!!
On the way home, a stop to see one of my oldest friends, Mari (we started out as roommates freshman year of college, TWENTY years ago. I can't believe it....) and we've been friends ever since
A stop for burgers and ice cream. I love the back of Clark's bald head :-)