Vacation

We took a little vacation to Northern Idaho, Washington and Montana. The car ride itself was boring but the things we stopped and visited between driving were spectacular. In the car the kids mostly slept.

Our first stop was Wallace, Idaho. We got a hotel there and enjoyed the city and sites. Right in the middle of town was the Center of the Universe and the traffic stops for tourists to take pictures.

We did some shopping and found this cool little room. 

Kaytlin's shirt lit up and was so bright.

One of the only hotels we have found with three queens!

We rode the Hiawatha Bike Trail! The views were amazing! We started the ride by replacing two bike tires and during the ride we changed three more. It was smoky from the nearby fires. The ride started on the border of Idaho and Montana so we were state hopping a couple times that day.

Our first flat about 4 miles into the ride. Third tire changed for the day.

Our fourth flat tire of the day. We were fortunate enough to have a trail marshall stop to help because we were out of tubes without patching them on the side of the trail.

The wildlife had no problems socializing with the people.

We all did a little cheer when we came across the bottom of the ride and the line for the shuttle back to the top.

While we waited for the shuttle we fed the chipmunks.

We went into Washington because we were only 20 minutes from Spokane. We got out and walked around for awhile. We had a few hours to kill before our next stop opened.

Silverwood Theme Park

Glacier National Park

We spent the next day relaxing in Kalispell. We found this water park and playground we spent the evening enjoying. We tried some new restaurants and saw some new places.

Garnet Ghost Town

We were all ready to head for home once the end of the week came about. The stop at the Ghost Town made some of the kids cranky because they just wanted to be home.

 Brayden Turns 17

Happy Birthday to Brayden! 

We had family over, had cake and took him out for his birthday dinner.

Happy Birthday!

July 4th Celebrations

Brayden practicing for the parade. There is a story behind the marching bands. Three of the local high schools and their directors got together and decided to march together. Hillcrest, Idaho Falls, and Bonneville High School Students all came together to put on a one of a kind marching band program for the parade. They memorized the same music, they ordered outfits, they practiced together in the week prior to the actual parade and they ROCKED it!

Alayna getting ready to walk in the parade.

Kaytlin and friends watching the parade.

Here comes Brayden! 

Do you see him? He is in green.

Here comes Alayna!

After the parade we headed to Grandma's to play with cousins and eat a yummy Dutch Oven lunch.

We left the grandparents house and headed to the Pepsi plant to watch the city fireworks show. The kids had plenty of time on their hands so they played in the dirt and rocks.

Brayden was tired so he took a nap while waiting.

This picture was found on a city facebook page after the fireworks show. It was fabulous!

We did sparklers in our driveway with friends.

 We love celebrating the 4th of July!