Home Sweet Home

Idaho and the Manwarings

Blake & Josie, Island Park, Idaho

Our next adventure was at Island Park with uncle Blake, aunt Josie, and their kids. We just couldn't pass up Josie's cooking or Blake's wings barbecued to perfection on the Tregor.

You are never too old to sit at the kid's table. Breck enjoying his meal with Jack and Sam.

We even got a cabin all to ourselves.

Beautiful Mesa Falls. 

I hear it's a popular site to get engaged if you're a BYU-I student. 

In fact, I think Blake and Josie did get engaged here.

Uncle Blake probably giving Breck a hard time about something.

West Yellowstone, Montana

This is the second time we have taken the kids to see a play at the Play Mill Theater because they loved it so much the first time. This go around we saw "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat". Breck's favorite part was talking to the actors afterwards, and hearing about their lives. One was fresh off a Mission, and most of the other actors and actresses were BYU-I students or alumni.

Ashton, Idaho and view of Grand Tetons 

The next day we decided to go to Jackson Hole, Wyoming since Brad nor the kids have ever been there (and I haven't been since I was teenager and went there for Youth Conference).

I had forgotten how beautiful the drive to Jackson Hole was through Ashton, Idaho, and all the little picturesque towns with majestic views of the Tetons.

If you look really closely you can see the para-glider. There were three of them gliding around the top of the mountain.

Rendezvous Mountain, Wyoming 

One of the things we wanted to do during our stay with Blake and Josie is go hiking (because they always know where the best trails are).

So before arriving at Jackson Hole we took a tram up Rendezvous Mountain,

and did some hiking at the top.

Didn't I say they knew where the best hikes were?!!!

It was so beautiful it took my breath away!

It took Merinda's breath away for another reason...

 high altitude (I guess that's what I get for raising my kids at sea-level).

More adorable Manwaring cousins: Emily, Sam, and Jack.

Breck enjoyed being a kid again and exploring every large rock,

and side trail along the way. 

I guess I have lived at sea-level too long as well. I wasn't really thinking that we might be hiking through snow in July!

All Merinda had to hike in were old Converse without traction. She might as well of been hiking in skies!

That did not deter Breck from taking every opportunity to throw snowballs at us.

We hiked down to a beautiful meadow and glacier pond. There were so many moments (like this one) when I felt like I was hiking up the backside of Timpanogos.

Breck coming down from another big rock.

I could of stayed there forever exploring and taking in the views, but the weather was not on our side.

Plus the kids were starting to get a little chilled (there was about a 25 degree drop in temperature from the base of the mountain).

It was now a race against time.

The dark clouds were moving in fast, and we didn't want to be caught up on the mountain when the storm hit.

We made it back to the ski lodge just as it began to lightening, thunder, and rain.

But the tram was temporarily closed down due to lightening and strong winds. I didn't mind waiting the storm out at the top of the mountain, because it was so awesome to watch.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

I enjoyed visiting Jackson Hole as a kid, and thought my kids would get a kick out of it too.

But it was a little too crowded and touristy for them (of course it was 4th of July week).

Blake, Josie, Sam, Emily, and Jack.

Other than Rendezvous Mtn., the thing the kids enjoyed the most about Jackson Hole was eating at Bubba's BBQ. It was a little different from Southern BBQ, but still very good.

Island Park, Idaho

The next day the guys got up early to go shooting,

and then we all went four-wheeling before leaving Island Park. We spent a great couple of days with Blake, Josie, and their kids, and want to thank them for the wonderful food, accommodations, and entertainment. We had the best time ever!