There is something about Idaho Falls that makes me feel like I've gone back to a simpler time... a more simple way of life. Maybe it's just that I'm on vacation and don't have all the worries of life to care about... maybe it's that we never over burden ourselves with too many things to do and we just enjoy walking around the falls and the temple grounds and going out whenever the mood strikes us! There's just something so peaceful about it. Or maybe it's that I get to be near my grandmother who you can't help but feel like a better person after spending time with... or at least wanting to be a better person.
Here are some pictures we took after attending church on Sunday afternoon. (Davie wasn't with us because he was so pooped and Grandma was kind enough to leave early from church so that he could have a nice long nap!)
Wouldn't you just love to be able to walk home from church every week in a setting like this? My Grandma lives directly across the street from the temple! It's so beautiufl!
On the morning before we left, we walked around the temple grounds again to take a few more pictures. It is just so beautiful that we couldn't resist! Here's an actual family shot my mom snapped of us.
We were also lucky this year that Maria & Eric were visiting the same time as us (at least for a few days...) so that the cousins could hang out!
Visiting Great Grandma
It was a little hard visiting Grandma this year. You can tell she is just so tired and that she doesn't feel well. Whenever we showed up, she was sleeping in her bed, but as soon as she realized we were there, she would sit up and chat with us for as long as she could. She so enjoyed seeing her great grandchildren, and they loved talking with her and telling her all about the things that they're doing!
David was a little shy at first, but it didn't take him long to warm up. By the end of our visits, he was even playing catch with great grandma with a little stuffed animal. She was so tickled that he would give her a big hug every day before we said good-bye.
Grandma took every chance she could to listen to, to touch, and to hug each of them. You could tell she didn't want it to end.
Here is a picture of Grandma with my dad and mom! I was so happy they were there when we came to visit. Since we left first, it made it a little easier to leave knowing that they would still be with her. I can only imagine how hard it was for them to leave.
Grandma looking at the birthday cards that Ethan & Audrey made for her. She doesn't just quickly look at them and say thank you... she notices and points out every single detail and praises them for their talent and imagination.
Ethan & Audrey saying goodbye.
Tautphaus Park Zoo
It's our little tradition to visit the Idaho Falls Zoo and park when we visit. It's really a great little zoo that, in my opinion, is the perfect size. Most of the animals were out and the kids had fun!
Here we are enjoying a cold snow cone after our long hot day!
Apprently the spoon is just too inconvenient... Davie just decided to go head first!
Audrey decided she wanted to mix it up a little!... with Audrey you can never have too much!
Ethan, of course, being very careful not to spill any... not because he's afraid of wasting any, but because that's just Ethan!
YUM!
Petting the Lion
Feeding the ducks!
Geez boys... don't look too excited...!
Ethan & Audrey planning out where we should go next!
David watching the tigers... there were two of them and they were both out walking around right below us!
Here are a few of the kids favorite animals of the day...
The kids got a kick out of watching the turtles "wrestle"!
David kept trying to stop Ethan from getting a drink out of the scary lions mouth! It was so funny that it worried him... we finally conviced him it was okay to take a drink.
David making sure he wasn't missing any animals behind the fence to the outside parking lot...
Tautphaus Park
Each year we also stop at the park right outside the zoo. The play structure was new, but the rides have been there forever. It seems like every year we're the only ones there and the employees just follow us from ride to ride. It's one of the kids favorite things to do though...
Dave is in heaven on the choo-choo train ride, but is always devistated when it's over!
Last year when the kids did the Octopus ride it kind of freaked them out... even though they won't admit it, but it was obvious this year that they all LOVED it!
Gotta love that dimple!
Ethan looks the most forward to doing the fun little putt-putt golf. Do they have any putt-putt golf places around here anymore?! He loves it!
Uncle Eric watching the kids on the little airplane ride.
Feeding the Ducks
Another little tradition that we've made during the last few years is that we always drive to the other side of the river and feed the ducks right before we leave. It's such a beautiful area and the ducks are always quite friendly....
Grandma giving out more bread...
David not quite sure he really wants to share... he kept sampling the bread himself!
It's always hard to leave... But now we're off to Boise to visit the Halls. I'll post some pictures soon!
11 comments:
Becca, I haven't even read all of your post, but I scrolled aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllll the way down to comment on your very first picture, of the temple. It's GORGEOUS. I love how it looks like the light is shining through the clouds from heaven onto the temple!
Beautiful.
Um, hello? Longest post EVER! But loved all the pictures - especially that first one. I thought for sure it was a professionals (not that you guys aren't!).
And I think there's a minigolf place in Kent - close to Kent-Des Moines road. Not sure if it's still there though, it's been years since we've been there.
Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!
I can't believe we were all in IF at the same time! Looks like you guys did lots of fun stuff, and all of your pictures look gorgeous!
Loved all the pictures and the detailed post. Great pictures, as always. Feels like I just got off the phone with you and got to hear all about Idaho Falls. Can't wait to see the Boise post.
Precious pictures of the great-grandkids with grandma! I know it was very special to her to have them there. Great pictures of the temple and around the river. That little park and zoo is really quite picturesque and a lot of fun, too!
P.S. The picture of you and Audrey in front of the temple is so colorful and pretty! Love it!
those are beautiful pictures, Becca! You two are totally figuring out that camera. There should have been some kind of parental warning about the wrestling turtles. ;) Your grandma is beautiful ~ I could totally see your Dad in her face this time.
I have never been to Idaho before, and your post has really made me wish I had. I can't wait to visit there one day. The pictures are phenomenal. You did a superb job as usual. Sounds like the trip was a blast. I'm glad you got to have a nice visit with your grandma, that is very special & I'm sure you'll remember it.
OK, when were you in I.F.? We were there from the 7th to the 10th. We stayed at the Holiday inn. We went to the temple on the 9th. the 11th was our 30th wedding anniversary. Well, we need to communicate better than that. Loved your post by the way.
Ummmm....are you sure those turtles were "wrestling"??!! Loved all of the pictures...looks like you had a FUN time! Your dad looks so much like your great-grandma. She must be a wonderful person to be chosen over Disneyland!
I LOVE the picture of the temple at the beginning!!!! All of the pictures were beautiful, but that one you could mass produce and sell...seriously. This looks like it was a great trip and the moments with great-grandma look so sweet.
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