Our 2nd trip to Wyoming and Idaho

2340 Miles
37 hours of driving
About 7 tanks of gas
A LOT of stops along the way to go the bathroom. (And it was mostly me that had to go).
15 movies
50 - the amount of times I told the kids we were almost there
5 pacifiers that Mason kept losing
5 very sore bums
3 - 3 in the morning that is, the time we finally pulled into my parents house, and then ours on the trip home.
1 extremely messy and stinky van
=
4 wonderful days filled with lots of smiles and lots of memories and little moments that I love and live for.

Yes, we made the crazy long drive home again for the second time this summer. The drive is long and boring and we drive all of it in one day, but we have always had at least 2 weeks to a month in between the drives. This time we only had 4 days.

But after the trip was over and we were back here in Iowa, Troy and I both totally agreed that every one of those miles was worth it. And here is why:

We were only able to spend a day in Wyoming at my parents house but I had a good time with my sister and my mom and Katelyn and Kylie were able to have lots of fun with their cousin, Halle. They ate popsicles on the swing and played house under Grandma's dining room table.

We then went to Idaho.
The kids loved having Grandpa Fowler around so much and spending time with him.

He took us fishing! It was fun to see how excited the girls were to go dig up worms. They love to fish. It was a perfect day. The weather was beautiful and my kids were so happy. Mason loved throwing rocks in the water.

Katelyn and Dad

Kylie and Grandpa

Finally after 2 1/2 hours the wyoming girl (me) was finally able to get a fish on the line, which I quickly handed to Kylie since it was a children's fishing pond only, haha.
So proud of her fish.

They put it in the cup that their worms were in. It was so funny to see how much they loved that fish, they even named it, but then talked about eating it.

The kids loved riding the little 4 wheeler and little motorcycle. They couldn't get enough if it. When Troy was taking Kylie around the yard she yelled out, " This is the best day of my entire life!"
That little sentence definitely made the drive worth it.

Mason was obsessed. He is so into trucks, cars, airplanes, motorcycles, and that kind of stuff right now. One day we watched the dump truck for like 10 minutes and he didn't move a muscle. Which is totally not like my crazy, can't hold still for anything, Mason.

So, the reason we decided to come to Idaho again was because Troy's little brother Cody was getting married. He married Kinzie on September 3 in the Idaho Falls Temple. We are excited for them, and we were so glad that we were able to make it to their wedding. I loved sitting in the sealing room next to Troy surrounded by family. It was a very spiritual moment for me.

Oh Jared, what would we do without you? Seriously he is like Katelyn, Kylie, and Mason's second Dad.
He takes care of them and entertains them all day.
The girls tell Troy and I that they love Jared more than us, haha.
Everything they do they want to show or tell Jared.

And, um, yes, we ate way too much candy on this trip. . .

We were also happy that we were home to be at the blessing of Trent and Lindsey's sweet baby boy, Logan.

Logan was pretty lucky to have every single one of his Uncles there to stand in the circle. That will probably never happen with any of my kids! I have a lot of brother-in-laws!

Speaking of baby blessings, I was able to make this blessing dress for my sweet little niece Evalyn who was also blessed on the same day, but in Utah. I have not met this girl yet and am not sure when I will but she is such a cute girl and I am happy for Megan and Calvin and their beautiful family.