Oh Hey Family...!

For Labor Day weekend my family came up to visit us instead of going camping. The reason behind it was so that James could join us in the fun since he is always working and misses all the the fun things we do usually. They were here Friday to Tuesday, well at least my parents were my brother and his wife left on Monday because my brothers wife had school the next day. But we sure did pack a lot of fun things into the weekend while they were here!

Day 1 - Friday:

My parents arrived first and they got here about 2:00 pm. I helped them unload their car and after that was done my mom showed me all her deals that she got James and I at Kohl's. We each got two pairs of shorts. And since my mom is an awesome deal finder we got 4 pairs of shorts for about $10.00 a piece! Not bad mom, not bad! 

After that was done James was home so he helped my dad put on our new headboard that my father made for us out of pallets! He is so talented and I was so excited! It looks awesome on our bed and I love it so much especially because it was made by my dad. I think it completes the room and makes our bed a bed.. I just love headboards ha ha.

Once the bed was put back together we made some dinner and then let my parents (more my dad) catch up on their favorite home makeover shows since they don't have cable. After awhile is was bedtime for James because he has to get up pretty early to go to work, my dad followed his lead not long after. My mom and I stayed up talking and watching more TV and always waiting for my bother and his wife to show up. They finally arrived about 10:30 pm. Once they came we all headed to bed because we knew we had an early morning ahead of us.

Day 2 - Saturday: 

On Saturday James went to work until 3:00 pm and my brother and dad went golfing while us girls went to the big city of Pocatello to go to some yardsales and to the Real Deals store. There weren't very many yardsales unfortunately! Normally Pocatello has a lot of them and they are pretty good.. but of course since I was actually going and I had family with me they would be not very good. But! I shouldn't complain too much because I did score a 10 gallon fish tank with all the stuff that you can see (besides the fish..) for ONLY $10.00! Wahoo! We have needed a bigger tank for a year now since our fishies had babies. They look so much more comfortable and a lot better in the bigger tank. Crystal got two things, something for someone (I wont say!) and a really nice like canning pot that was brand new for only $5.00! WOWIE! My mom didn't end up purchasing anything which I think she was bummed about especially since she saved up all of her change. But that change came in handy later on. At the Real Deals store I was the only one to purchase something. I got a nice pair of stretchy pant that are a navy blue. They are so comfy and super cute. They were only $19.99! I was excited since I love comfortable pants, I'm not a big jean person but I will wear them if I have to.

After we were done at the yardsales and my dad and brother were done with golfing we all met back at my house and ate us some yummy lunch which was sandwiches and Crystals homemade salsa! She makes some of the best salsa out there. Don't worry! I have asked her for a recipe so I can share it with you all. Trust me you WONT be disappointed. Once we were done with lunch we were hoping that we would be able to float the river over in Lava Hot Springs but the weather wasn't cooperating. So instead we just had James meet back at the house and we decided that we would hang out for a bit and then head over to Lava to play some Bingo! The only ones who had played Bingo before was my mom and Crystal the rest of us were newbies. It was so much fun! We also were sitting at a table with a couple who were hilarious and made us feel very welcome. None of us won money but the other couple won $25.00. We all cheered and hollered when they won. If you're ever in Lava on a Friday or Saturday I recommend going and playing Bingo. It is a super cheap date too! We were going to go to the Hot Baths after but they were super crowed so we decided to wait until the next day for that.

Day 3 - Sunday:

On Sunday we went to a few places to go exploring and to see the beautiful world that God has created for us to enjoy. We went to Soda Springs, Montpelier, Paris, Bear Lake, Logan, and back to Lava Hot Springs.

First stop was Soda Springs. We were going to just drive through but we decided to stop by and see the actual soda spring. None of us tasted the water because we all have had soda water at some point. As for James and I we have tasted the spring water. It is not very good like I've said before. 

After Soda Springs we headed on our way to Bear Lake but of course made a couple of stops before we got there. One stop was in Montpelier at the Oregon Trail museum. They were having a quilt show at the museum which was pretty awesome to see. There were so many beautiful quilts and I wish I had $400-$800 bucks to throw down on one. People are so talented. We all bought a few tickets for the raffle they were doing for one. But, I don't think any of us won. BUMMER! At the museum they had a lot of cool pictures that displayed the different areas around Idaho that are apart of the Oregon trail. In the basement was the actual museum part there was a lot of stuff that they had either found or was donated to them. It was a pretty awesome place. I would like to go back sometime soon. 

Our next stop was in Paris. Not the Paris you're thinking of.. but good old Paris, Idaho! We stopped to eat some lunch. We had a picnic at a park which was nice. My mom had brought all sorts of yummy stuff. We had chicken salad sandwiches, pickles, pringles, watermelon, olives and carrots. After we ate lunch we walked over to the Tabernacle for a quick tour. The building was so beautiful and we found out that it kind of looks like a castle. We also found out that they still use it to this day. Pretty neat! The tour guide was very nice.

After we got done at the Tabernacle we headed on over to Bear Lake. It had been YEARS since I had been to Bear Lake I couldn't even remember what it looked like. I was so excited to go. It was such a beautiful place to see. I couldn't believe how blue the water was!

I was so excited that we were able to walk down to the beach! None of us got into the water to swim because it was a little windy and we thought it would be too cold to go swimming but we did roll up our pants and took off our shoes and walked on in. The water was actually pretty warm! Which was nice. It was very lovely to be able to just walk out and look around. It was just so beautiful. 

Around the beach and on our way back to the car Crystal and I took pictures of garbage. We have an inside joke and maybe something coming up in the future about our garbage pictures. So I won't say much but it was just too funny to not mention! 

We spent a little while in Bear Lake we even got some Raspberry Shakes except for me since I can't have ice cream, so I got cheese fries. I heard the shakes weren't that great and the fries weren't that good either from the place that we went. Which was a bummer. After we ate our shakes and I ate my fries we headed up the canyon towards Logan. The view from up there was so pretty and you could see part of the town and the lake. My dad pulled over for me so I could take a few quick pictures. I was so thankful for that because the view was just stunning!

We made it to Logan and stopped just to have some dinner. We went to Chili's and the food was pretty good except that I wasn't feeling too well so I didn't really eat much. But hey at least I could take it home and have some leftovers for later. I love the drive home from Logan it is very pretty and there is a lot of history. On the way home from Logan we all had a very nice chat.

Day 4 - Monday:

 Monday morning James, my brother and his wife and my dad all went golfing over to the course in Lava Hot Springs. My mom and I stayed home and just talked and of course we watched some home shows. Once they were done golfing we all ate some lunch and then my brother and his wife packed up and headed home back to Utah.

My mom, dad, James and I then headed up to Idaho falls. We first stopped at Kohl's so both my mom and I could return a few things that didn't work and we of course looked around and both ended up spending more money. Kohl's is one of mine and my moms favorite store ha ha! After Kohl's we went over to Chick Fil A for some dinner. Boy do I LOVE that place. They have some yummy food. 

After we ate we went over to the Falls. That is one of the prettiest views of the Idaho Falls Temple that I have ever seen. I wish I would of brought my camera with me but thankfully I had my phone. It was so peaceful and such a gorgeous view. Especially with the leaves starting to change. Oh I love fall! I'm hoping to head back up there soon so I can get some better pictures with my camera. 

The Falls were very pretty and so fun to see. I was very happy I got to spend some time there with my husband and my parents. Thanks mom for the great idea!

On the other end of the falls there is a place that is a garden. It was very peaceful and super pretty to walk around. We were there perfect timing because the sun was starting to go down and the sunset was just gorgeous. I didn't capture it very well but I still thought the view from here was just stunning. 

Day 5 - Tuesday:

My parents headed home on Tuesday but before they left my dad helped me set up the new fish tank and get it all ready for the fish. They also stayed a little while and just chatted with me which was nice. I love having visitors especially when it's family. I love my mom and dad so much and I am so thankful for them and all that they do for me and the support that they show me. I also love my brother and his wife a lot too and I was so happy that they were able to come up too and spend some time with us! I have the best family ever and I am so grateful for them.