I've officially had my last big trip before the baby comes! Last week, Ashley and I (Jay joined us later) took off to visit my Dad in Bloomington, ID (population 251). Unfortunately, Jeff couldn't come so it was a babymoon with my twin! It was just what I needed before I get back to work and start the fall semester--teaching, writing grants and papers, growing a human, somehow expelling that human from my body...it's going to be a busy one!
My adventures were quite limited this trip. So many of our usual activities just aren't a good idea with our little lady inhabiting my body; that, and there just didn't seem to be enough oxygen up there! So, I took it pretty easy and just enjoyed the beautiful scenery and some cooler weather.
We had a nice dinner at Coopers in Bear Lake West one evening. It sure was pretty up there!
We spent a couple of days on Bear Lake (or Burrrr... Lake, 70 degrees is just not very warm!)
The first day was beautiful. We had a hot day with calm water.
Ashley braved the cold water to do some skiing
And my Dad showed us how to get 'er done on the knee-board. Can you believe he's 57?
The second day, the wind was blowing and there were white-capped waves so, we just enjoyed a nice pizza lunch on the lake with our friend Jimmy (Buffet).
It was a little chilly when the water splashed into the boat so, we took cover under what ever we could.
Jay had never been camping before--a tragedy that Ashley quickly remedied. They took the 4-wheelers up the canyon (I drove--again, no fun for me!)
Ahh...young(ish) love. So sweet...
We helped them set up camp before they took off to hike up to the glacier lake.
After we set up camp, my dad took a look at the crick (or "creek," depending on where you're from) and said, "There's a fish in that hole, and I'm going to catch it on my first cast." Surrounded by skeptics, he swung his line in...
...and 15 second later pulled out a trout! Jay was mighty impressed!
What was more impressive was that he did it again right after that! And then he set his pole down and ran down to town for a meeting and when Jay picked it up, there was a fish on the end of that one too! There are either a lot of hungry trout in that crick, or my dad is the trout-whisperer!
Also, since it was Jay's first time in the woods, my dad had to have a little fun with him.Jay was so excited when my dad pointed out a lady-elk (I'm sure there's a technical term for it...) standing off in the bushes. He led Jay and Ashley tip-toeing through the woods only to find that it was, in fact, the lady-elk decoy that my dad had set up earlier. We all had a nice giggle about it. It was pretty funny watching them creep up on it. But, had we known how Jay responded to encounters with cows...there could have been many more, easily achievable giggles!
That evening, we had a traditional camp-fire dinner, along with an assortment of camping goodies--banana boats, smores, and dutch-oven cobbler. It was all delicious!
Did you know that Jay was a Seminole? I know, it's sad. Jay's enjoying the renewed life of the 'Nole football team. The Gators are going to be rebuilding this year but, we'll have to have another 8 years of bad football before we rival the slump that the 'Noles just came out of. Hopefully, it won't take that long!
The best part about this camping excursion was that before bedtime, me, Dad and Betsy all headed back to the house to sleep in the comfort of our beds and with the convenience of a plumbed bathroom a few feet away. Ashley and Jay toughed it out in the 40 degree weather!
Our time in Bloomington ended with an evening at the rodeo. It was great fun! Lots of delicious fair-food, great people watching, and mutton-bustin' to boot!
We rejoined civilization in Ogden, UT--meeting up with family for lunch on the river at the Oaks...
...and preparations for a baby shower!
Jay even got in on the fun!
We also had some more great news to celebrate...some nuptials on the horizon!
Ashley, my mom, aunt and cousin threw a baby shower for me and my cousins wife, Kate. We are both expecting little girls later this fall.
Dessert anyone? You can imagine how quickly this table was cleared! Cupcake? Don't mind if I do...
It was a great party and I felt so special to have so many of my family come and support us and celebrate our little lady. Jeff and I are amazed at the number of people around us who are so excited for us. We feel so loved!
