Trip to Joe and Shelli's

Brooks and I drove up to Pocatello on Tuesday, Jan 8. We left around 5:00 am and had to make at least a few stops for the pregnant lady (me) to go to the bathroom. The drive went really well until we got through Ogden. It started to snow and it was starting to get dark. The roads started to get bad as it got later. The trip from Salt Lake to Pocatello is usually only around 2 and 1/2 hours, but it took about 3 and 1/2 because of the driving conditions. The whole day had been great and the roads were great except for the last little stretch. We stayed behind a semi for quite a while and followed his tracks. There were a few impatient people who passed us in a lane that was not being used much, but most everyone else was pretty patient with the snow and roads. We were going about 45 mph instead of 75 mph for quite a while. One crazy guy in a little truck lost control when he was passing a big semi and I thought he was about to get creamed by the guy. Luckily he regained control and no accidents. It was a little nerve racking to be driving in that weather, but we were patient and made it to Joe & Shelli's safely. The picture below is of the roads that evening. The next day, Shelli, the kids and I ran a few errands and picked up some groceries while Brooks put his snowboard on and had Joe pull him around on the quad. There is a hill on Joe's dad's property right next to their house. They built a little jump on the hill and rigged a pulling rope to look a lot like a water skiing pull rope. When Shelli and I got back, Brooks took me out there to show me his snowboarding run. Very fun.

On Thursday, Shelli and I went to get massages in the afternoon. Shelli had gotten a gift card for Christmas and so I tagged along and got a half hour massage myself. Afterwards, we went to Shelli's mom's store, The Holiday House. We go every time I come and I always want to buy half the store. It it full of fun things to decorate with like tables, mirrors, wall hangings, holiday decorations and more. Last winter when I was here, I had bought some great stockings and a tree skirt for Christmas. I wanted to get a couple more stockings for the boys for next year since our family will be bigger by two members. Lucky for me, all the Christmas stuff was half off which made it even better.

Friday morning the boys, including Denton, drove to Salt Lake to pick up Leann (Joe's mom) from the airport. They stopped on the way home for breakfast and they were gone all morning. Shelli, Myah and I went to the mall while they were gone. I needed a few things from the LDS distribution center (yes, the distribution center is in the mall) and then we just walked around looking at other stuff. That afternoon, Brooks, Joe and I went back out to the hill with the quad and snowboard. After a little bit of a problem with the jump needed to be reshaped, Brooks started doing tricks. I was the picture taker while Brooks did cool jumps. Later that evening, we went out to eat with Joe and Shelli at the new Texas Roadhouse and then watched a movie at their place.

Brooks being pulled around by Joe on the quad

Brooks was finally able to go snowboarding for real on Saturday evening. There is a ski resort called Pebble Creek about 30 minutes from Joe and Shelli's house. Joe and Brooks decided to do the night skiing/boarding from 4:00-9:00 which is only $12. Only a part of the mountain is lit up, but they still had fun. Brooks said he found some good jumps. I thought it would be freezing at night, but neither of them seemed too bothered by it.

On Monday, Brooks and I drove up to Rexburg to see the temple for the open house. It is right by BYU Idaho. The inside of the temple is very neat. There is a chapel by the baptistry with a big window that looks over the font. If you are in the chapel, you can watch the baptisms that are occurring. The painting on the wall of the creation room was incredible. I was disappointed when we had to leave that room. It was full of deep green colors and had the local mountains, the Tetons, in the background. The temple was only just over an hour or so from Joe and Shelli's. I really enjoyed seeing it.

When we got back, we took the kids out sledding and Brooks again got his snowboard on and had the quad pull him around. Denton went down the hill a few times by himself and even took Myah with him a time or two. They looked very cute all bundled up.
Short Video of Denton & Myah sledding

A last minute change of times led us to Boise on Tuesday where we met up with someone Brooks served with on his mission, Albert Conklin. Brooks, Albert, Alyssa (Albert's wife) and Albert's brother and sister in law all went snowboarding that evening. I usually like to get out there and have fun with everyone, but I am a little restricted right now, for good reason. While they were gone, I went shopping and found someone $2,$3, and $4 deals on kids clothes at Old Navy. I am really enjoying shopping for little boy clothes. That evening, we stayed the night at the Conklin's place. Albert made adobo (a Filipino food) when they got back at 10:30 or so that evening. I always enjoy hearing all the mission talk especially since I can picture the places since Brooks and I went back to the Philippines for our trip. The snowboarding didn't turn out that great because it was really cold and windy. Brooks said that most of the snow was blown off the runs leaving ice behind. Not great snowboarding conditions. We did enjoy staying and visiting with Albert and Alyssa though. Thanks to them for letting is stay there.

On Wednesday, we headed back to Pocatello (a good 4 hour drive) and stayed one more night with Joe and Shelli before heading home. Thanks to Joe and Shelli letting us stay there for so long and to Shelli especially for all the great food while we were there. Denton was a trooper letting us stay in his room while he slept on "the baby bed" in the play room. We always enjoy visiting Joe and Shelli. We are sad to have to go back to everyday life.