Now that we are within a few hours drive from my sister and her family, we decided to take a weekend trip for a little visit.
Ava had been talking about visiting Krysten all week.
My little girl just loves her Auntie Krys.
While we were there Cole showed off his awesome walking skills. Now that he's getting walking down, he now needs to work on his running skills. Which is the only way Reid gets from point A to B.
While Jared was working, Krysten took us over to the Snake River to feed the ducks. Reid decided he would much rather eat the bread himself! The river had a great view of the temple.
Later that afternoon, while the boys both took naps (loved having both kids on the same nap schedule!), Ava and her Auntie decided to make M&M cookies. M&M's and cookies are on Ava's top list of favorite foods. Her Auntie sure knows her well!
Mmmm...these cookies were addictively good.
Ava and Coley became quick little buddies. Ava loved being able to show/help Cole and he loved letting her do it.
After taming Ava's crazy bed hair, we all piled up in the van to go to Bear World. Oh wait, wrong Bear World, try this link instead. Ava has been wanting to come here ever since she heard that Grandpa and Grandma got to go on their last visit to Idaho. Now before you get the idea of us taking our small helpless children on a stroll through a forest of bears, don't worry, they were in the safety of the car the whole time. Here are a few of the gang peering out trying to find the bears.
Found one. If you look closely, you can see another one in the background.
Besides bears, we got to see buffalo, elk, deer and wolves right outside our car windows.
After driving through the park we hit up the petting zoo and the amusement park.
It took awhile, but eventually Ava got brave enough and petted the deer...with Krysten's help of course.
Then she felt she could pet the goat all on her own...with us right there of course.
And then she started sneaking off to pet the animals all on her own. Password: goat.
Reid wasn't quite fast enough to actually catch a chicken, but it didn't stop him from trying.
After the petting zoo, we headed off to the amusement park. Ava was just tall enough to ride the rides by herself. Wow, I don't think Ava has ever been tall enough. It was a picture worthy event!
Here are all the kiddies on their first rollercoaster.
The girls were having fun, the boys not so much.
Krysten tried taking Cole on another ride and he just wouldn't have it.
Cole would much rather go on a real ride any day. He squealed and couldn't get on that horse fast enough. I've never seen him so excited. We were lucky enough to get to go visit Jared's Dad's house/ranch while we were up in Idaho.
Reid was not a fan. Here he is trying to wiggle out of Jared's arms.
It took a little coaxing, and I'll admit it, a bribe in the form of candy, to get Ava up on the horse.
It might not look like it, due to her death grip on the horse's saddle, but on the drive home she said that riding the horse was her FAVORITE part.
And I think it was Cole's too.
Besides getting to ride a horse Ava got to go collect the eggs from the chicken coop.
Then Jared brought out the finale, a ride on a 4 wheeler.
This was Josh's favorite part. Well besides kicking everyone's trash in a game of Settlers.
See, Idaho is way more than just potatoes. But you must admit, the potatoes are pretty dang good.