Mountain Home

After a week in beautiful California it was time to trade the crashing waves and sandy beaches for the mountains and some more of our most favorite people around.  Ryan had to head back to work (poor guy!), but not before flying with us to SLC where he had a nice 4.5 hour layover.  Even though poor Papa Jeff left the airport with $28 less than he came with thanks losing his parking ticket somewhere along the way, we made the most of our remaining hours with Ryan and met up with the rest of the family for dinner.  It was a quick visit with his family, but I am so thankful for a great family who made it possible for Ryan to at least spend a little time with everyone before he had to head back to Billings.

While Ryan spent the next 6 days making up for the fun he had in California, we enjoyed our beloved Cache Valley and all the beauty that comes with a Utah summer.  Nana and Papa P were ready for the party and had purchased some fun outside toys and a cute picnic table for the little girls to enjoy.  Stella and Liza had so much fun playing in the backyard with cousin Leyla and even a few of our favorite friends who joined in on the fun as well.  They were more than a little obsessed with the trampoline, and all of their time jumping with friends, Nana, and Lacee only strengthened Stella's resolve to continue her "Trampoline Savings Plan".  That's right, my three year-old daughter's Minnie Mouse piggy bank is full of pennies and quarters with the hopes that one day she might afford a trampoline of her own.  It's sort of the cutest thing ever.

A trip to Logan wouldn't be complete without a visit to 1st Dam to feed the ducks (or just eat the bread ourselves), an emotional goodbye shared with BFFs (moms and daughters alike), or a Fredrico's lunch special.  Oh, Logan; I just can't quit you.  Your beauty, your food, and your people just always keep us coming back for more.

After a few wonderful days in Cache Valley we made the trek 45 minutes south to Nana Joni's house and more fun.  The giant blow-up water slide and pool looked pretty awesome, but my poor kids were deathly afraid of it and wouldn't go near the thing.  I am not sure if it was the shear size or the sound coming from the motor-like pump keeping it blown up.  I am 99% sure it was the later since anything that makes a loud noise is basically the devil in their books.  They more fully enjoyed their time spent riding in the pink wagon with Gibson Boy and helping Nana and Papa do yard work. 

For the final leg of our two week vacation we made our way to Pocatello to prep for wedding party #2.  As you may recall we no longer have a family home in Poky, and this was our first visit without the familiar comforts of mom and dad's house waiting for us.  It was certainly a different experience, but just like I knew would be the case, we had more than enough offers of beds and meals.  We ended up crashing at my Grandma and Grandpa Gunter's house, and to make things even more exciting they set things up in their fifth wheel to allow the girl's and I to have our own little space.  Of course Stella was a huge fan of sleeping in the trailer and it was the perfect spot to let Eliza cry the night away.  Have I failed to mention this trip wasn't Eliza's finest hour?  It was bit rough most of the time.  Between a serious lack of sleep, a fear of anyone who wasn't her mother, and just the exhaustion that comes from experiencing a new place every other day; I think Miss E was ready to be home more than anyone.  I am happy to report that one month later she is finally sleeping normally again, and thanks to my new job and more time spent away from mom, she is also doing better with the feelings of stranger danger.  And yes, even though she was a stinker a lot of the time she was still as cute as can be.

We sure love Idaho and the people we get to spend our days with while we are there.  They read us stories, cut our hair, and feed us lots of  delicious food. I mean what's not to like?  The nostalgia was heavy as I watched my little sister cut my sweet daughter's hair in the exact spot I had my own hair cut so many times before.  Not to mention the end result was fabulous and we  continue to receive endless compliments on Miss Stella's new do.  Aunt Taigen might be taking clients in Grandma's basement soon.

After a week away from our daddy it was time to board the plane and head back to Montana.  Vacation can be exhausting, but there is nothing like being in the places we love with the people we adore.  And there isn't much that can beat a few summer days spent in our beautiful mountain homes.