Scenic Idaho

Tuesday morning we headed off to Idaho to spend the week camping up at Sagehen Reservoir. We stopped in Boise to meet up with Justin's family and then finished the last 2 hours of the 8 hour drive. While in Boise Matthew was showered with gifts from his grandmothers. My mom gave him a Lightning McQueen lunch box which he loves and insisted on eating all of his food out of whenever we were in the car driving. Justin's mom got him a Lightning McQueen helmet and bike bell along with a little fishing pole. Both were big hits and got plenty of use during our week up in the mountains. The first night we didn't do a whole lot-just set up camp and roasted some hot dogs for dinner. The fishing was great and Justin and Jay wasted no time catching some nice fish for us to eat. It was a fun three days spent fishing, hiking, biking, eating, oh and freezing. It was quite cold up there and we spent most of the week bundled up in coats and sweatshirts. But other than that it was a great trip. Matthew loved fishing with his fishing pole and riding on the 4-wheeler. He even got to "sleep over" with grandma in the trailer the nights that grandpa had to go back home. Justin roasted us some fish over the fire and we did tin foil potatoes and carrots. We had dutch oven desserts and roasted marshmallows. I love camping. By Friday I was done being cold though and ready to pack up and head off on the next leg of our journey.
We pulled out about 1:30 and started our 8 hour drive through the mountains of Idaho to Rexburg. We wanted to take the scenic way and so we drove on the old highways through Stanley, Ketchum, Hailey, Craters of the Moon, and Arco. Idaho is such a beautiful place. The jagged Sawtooth Mountains rising above the green mountain plains with a raging river roaring next to you-it doesn't get much better than that.
We arrived in Rexburg about 9:30 that night and after showering and putting on some clean clothes we crashed for the night. Saturday morning I went in to the school and got my hair cut and had the girl style it all cute. Being pampered is so nice. Then we headed to the temple for Jordan's wedding which was beautiful. We just visited back at the house that afternoon while the kids napped and after Jacque got there we all went out to dinner. Then Jacque stayed home and watched all the kids while Mandi & Ryan and Justin & I drove an hour to Victor for the wedding reception. It was fun to visit with Jordan and Rebecca as well as Jeff and K.C. who were there.
Sunday morning we were up early and out the door by 7:30 so that we could make the 4 hour drive home in time for church. We made it about 11:30, changed our clothes really fast, and headed off to church. So it was a crazy whirlwind trip, but then it wouldn't be a Justin and Carissa trip if we didn't do a million things all at once. That's just the way we roll!

Matthew loved fishing with his dad

Matthew and Grandpa out on the boat. Jay caught this little guy while we were loading up right by the shore. Matthew really liked the fish but he was a little leery of touching them when they were still alive and flailing around.

This is the waterfall we hiked up to one day. It was really beautiful.

Matthew and Grandma at the waterfall. Notice his sweet Carhartt jacket. He got a couple compliments from fellow campers on his sweet coat. Thanks Gma & Gpa Koyle!

There are a ton of little toads everywhere around the lake and Matthew loved when the other kids would catch them for him. He would hold them in his hand and let them hop up his arm and everything. Before we left Justin decided to catch him a big toad. Matthew thought it was cool in the bucket but he was a little leery of getting too close to the big toad.

This picture was taken on the drive from Sagehen to Rexburg. Matthew really hates hot things and he especially gets annoyed when the sun shines on him. He had been complaining about the sun and then when I turned around to look at him I found this. He was hiding from the sun. Silly boy!