We packed our bags and took the family up to Idaho Falls on Friday afternoon. Micaela has a brother who moved up there a year ago with his family because of work. Of course, we hit traffic almost immediately and were stuck in it from North Salt Lake all the way to Layton (Yuck!) We didn't arrive in Idaho Falls until around 9:30.
The next day we got ready and went to what gives the city it's name: some small waterfalls on the Snake River. We took some pictures and feed the local water fowl population.
Hannah and the Idaho Falls Temple
Haley holding Mom and Dad's Hands
Hannah & Haley Feeding the Ducks and Geese
Idaho Falls Temple
After that, we went to the local zoo (who knew Idaho Falls had a zoo?). I wasn't expecting much, but was pretty impressed what that little zoo had. They had all sorts of small primates, some big cats, and various other animals.
Lion at the Idaho Falls Zoo
Monkeys Grooming each Other
A Siberian Tiger
Aleah, Eliza, Hannah, and Haley
We then went back to Challis and Nancy's home and had lunch and put the girls down for naps. After the girls were up, we drove south the Lava Hots Springs to take advantage of... the hot springs. It's actually quite a drive (about 60-70 miles south of Idaho Falls). We were surprised to find out the local city pool is separate from the hot springs. We were told that no kids under two were allowed in the hot springs (which means we wouldn't be able to go) and that there was no swimming (like a hot tub). Based on that, we decided to hit the swimming pool. The girls had fun... actually only Eliza had fun in our family. Hannah was too terrified to let go of whichever adult was supervising us. Eliza, on the other hand, was splashing all over the place and even started kicking her feet. I even held here flat to the water and we cruised the pool; she really enjoyed that. At one point Nancy put Eliza in a kiddy tube. While I was watching her and Hannah, Eliza fell through the tube to the bottom of the pool. I pulled her out immediately and thought she would be traumatized. She was just coughing up water and trying to get her breath back; when she was all settled I put her back in the tube again and she was as happy as she was before (it was Hannah that was terrified).
Challis, Nancy, and Their Girls
Eliza, Myself, and Hannah (This was right after Eliza took the Plunge)
Challis and Nancy Having a Water Fight
On to some other topics: Last week for Independence Day we went to Mic's brother's house, Paul, for a BBQ and to watch the Sugar House fireworks display.
Micaela holding Hannah and Myself Holding Eliza (with Paul pulling a lovely pose in the background)
It was fun, but traffic was awful getting out. The following day, we toured the Beehive House (Brigham Young's home) on Temple Square and ate at the Lion House as a family.
I finally finished the pantry: finished painting the door and installed it, installed the carpet, and hung the shelves back up. It's pretty empty now, but we hope to fill it with our food storage before too long.
