Idaho - Thursday, 24th

Dad and I started out the day with another walk along the River Walk.

Loved it!

Then we drove up to Rexburg and went through the temple.

I got a little teary seeing my husband and two boys sitting together.

I look forward to the day when all of us will be in the temple together.

We went to Applebees after the temple.

So the topic came up again about your chances of winning Let's Make a Deal.  Dad couldn't convince Dallin that after you eliminate one of the three doors--and there are two doors left, that you really don't have a 50/50 chance of picking the right door.  Your odds of winning are actually greater than 50% if you switch doors.  (I know that probably doesn't make sense--mostly because I'm doing a poor job of explaining it!)  But regardless, we played Let's Make a Deal with the condiment cups.  By the time we were done, it made perfect sense!

After lunch we hit Deseret Book and Dallin bought his white pants, tie, socks, and missionary journals.  Then we headed back to Josh and Elizabeth's for a movie and nap.  Then we went driving around Rexburg looking at houses and property.  Dad picked out the neighborhood he wants to live in!

And then it was time for the final set of basketball games.

Game One:  Josh won 12-10.

Game Two:  Dallin won 11-6.

Game Three:  Josh won 11-7.

The battle will continue in two weeks in Colorado Springs.  :)

After basketball, we made one last trip for custard and Italian ice.

Then it was back to "The Falls."  

We were up at 4:45 a.m. the next morning to catch our flight back to Colorado Springs.  We had a wonderful time!  The only thing that would have made it better is if Ty, Michelle, Afton, and Eliza were with us.  So we're looking forward to all of you being here in Colorado Springs in a couple weeks!

Idaho - Wednesday, 23rd

This morning Dad and I went for a long walk on the river walk in "The Falls."

It was beautiful!  (Can you see the temple in the background?!)

Then we headed up to Rexburg where we met Josh, Elizabeth, Marilyn (Elizabeth's mom), Scott (Elizabeth's brother), and Annie (Scott's fiance).

Annie really wanted to eat lunch at a little Mexican place called Ramirez's.

Then we went to Rexburg Rapids for a fun afternoon in the hot summer sun!

Annie, Josh, Scott, and Elizabeth

Dad, Dallin, and Marilyn 

Imagine Dallin's surprise when Sarah and her family were there!

(Sarah's sister, Liz, was Jayna's roommate.)

Dallin and Sarah 

Waiting in line for the climbing wall.

Dad, Marilyn, Scott, Elizabeth, Josh, Dallin, and Annie 

We left the pool in time to drive to "The Falls," shower, and get back to Rexburg in time for graduation.  We thought we'd have time to stop for some Italian ice and custard if we were quick.  The line was short--so we decided to go for it.  But the service was slow and it took FOREVER!  We were in line for 30 minutes--yikes!  So we really had to hustle--but we got our favorite treat!

Our two graduates--cutest graduating couple ever!

We are so proud of them!!!

Graduations are like hitting the jackpot for photo bombers.  :)

Elizabeth crossing the stand.

Joshua crossing the stand.

Coming off the stand together.

We were all starving after graduation!

So Josh ordered pizza and guess what we picked up on our way home?  Yep, Italian ice and custard!  Our second run of the day!

Dallin, Marilyn, Scott, Josh, Annie, Elizabeth, and Kathy 

Idaho - Tuesday, 22nd

Josh had another final this morning--so we took our time getting up.  I actually walked all the way to the temple from our hotel and back.  Then the boys went golfing.  

Elizabeth drove one of the carts!

Dad had the shot of the day!

He chipped the ball in the hole from where he is standing, over the pond, to where Josh is standing.  Amazing!

Reading the green.

That afternoon we drove down to Idaho Falls--or "The Falls," as Dad insists on calling them.  (Actually, he insisted that all of us call them that--he's trying to start a new trend.)  We took Josh and Elizabeth out to a "Graduation Celebration" lunch at yummy steak place called Jakers. 

After our lunch, Elizabeth had to go to work.  So we checked into our new hotel.  (Our hotel in Rexburg was already booked for graduation.  So we stayed our last few nights in "The Falls.")  Josh was going to study a little . . . you can see how well that worked out!

This is Dallin after Josh woke up.  You can guess what happened. :)

So, I have a rubber ball I roll on my feet muscles every morning and night to help with my planterfasciitis.  Josh found it and decided to take it as we walked around the hotel and checked out the pool.  He and Dallin were bouncing it back and forth everywhere we went. When we got to the pool, they were bouncing it over the water.  So you can guess what happened.  Yep, the ball bounced right into the pool.  So Josh took off his shirt, had Dallin hold his legs, and reached down to the bottom of the pool.

Success!

 

That night we drove back to Rexburg so Dallin could play some pick-up ball with Josh and his friends.  So Dad and I went and saw Captain America 2 and got some more custard and Italian ice.  Just can't get enough of that stuff!

Idaho - Monday, 21st

Monday started off with another basketball challenge.

Once again, it was a battle!  Captain American gear was in full force.

Jane, I saw your comments on the other blogs, so let me clarify.  They play to eleven--but you have to win by two.  Each basket is worth one point--unless you shoot beyond the three-point line.  Those baskets are worth two points.  (I hope that helps!)

Ty, I'm sure you're dying to hear how it went!  So here's the rundown.

Game One:  Josh won 13-11.

Game Two:  Dallin won 12-10.

Game Three:  Tied 9-9.

 

Still Game Three:  Tied 11-11.

 

Game Three Final:  Josh wins 13-11.

 

After the games, Josh had to focus on his finals.

But the rest of us headed down to Idaho Falls (or "The Falls," as Dad refers to them)!

We enjoyed lunch at Cafe Rio then headed to Missionary Mall.

The first thing they had Dallin do at the store was write his name on a map by where he will be serving his mission.

Elizabeth was with us for moral support--helping Dallin choose what would be best.

The whole process took about 90 minutes.

Dallin said he was getting a little cranky by the end--having to make so many decisions and spend so much money!

 

 

When we were done, we walked a few stores down to David's Bridal where we got to see Elizabeth at work!  All the employees there went on and on about how much they love Elizabeth!

 

As luck would have it, there was a frozen yogurt store right next to Elizabeth's work!  Just couldn't pass it up.

Then we headed back to Rexburg.  Since both Josh and Elizabeth were working, we went back to the hotel and yep . . . we took a nap.  Aren't vacations wonderful?!

Elizabeth was able to get off work a little early.  So after our nap, we bought a few groceries then met her at Karie Anne's for more Italian ice and custard.  (I think this might be our daily tradition until we leave--so good!)  We brought it back to our hotel to eat while we watched another episode of "The District" for Family Home Evening.  It was a lot of fun, and we had a great discussion after watching.  Elizabeth was able to share some great insights that will benefit Dallin on his mission.

Another great day.  But we sure are missing our loved ones in Mississippi!