Tautphaus Zoo

About a week ago, Tiffany and I ventured down to Idaho Falls to Tautphaus Zoo. Neither of us had ever been there but we both had wanted to go for a while. I have only been to a couple different zoos, all of which have been, in my opinion, great zoos. Tautphaus Zoo was a bit different. It's only on 7 acres so it's pretty small. However, with it being small, there weren't many people there and I felt comfortable with letting Boyd on the loose. He had such a great time looking at all the different animals and just running around. As we were heading towards the lions a man sitting on a bench said to his wife, "Boy that kid has a lot of energy." It made me laugh and sigh at the same time. 

Boyd felt a little nervous around the camels.

The lions are always my favorite!

We stopped to play with a big chicken.

Baby Brinley

We watched the trainer feed the penguins. I was surprised it held Boyd's attention for as long as it did.

This might have been the highlight of the zoo. It's just one of the those "fun" donation boxes where you put the coin in and then it rolls around and around until it drops down. Garrett especially loved doing this. As we would be going to look at more animals Garrett would ask when we could go do the "penny spinner" again. So of course we went back 4 or 5 times. As the pennies would spin around, Boyd would shout "around around around." It was very fun and cheap entertainment.

A Quick Trip To Island Park

The fist of September Phil, Boyd, and I drove up through Island Park to Henry's Lake. We drove to Phil's grandparents cabin to help set up their direct TV. While Phil and Grandpa Monson were busy setting up the dish, Boyd Grandma and I went for a canoe ride. Boyd was in heaven up there. A brand new place to run around, water, a boat, a new house to explore, and new toys! What more could a boy ask for?

Helping Grandma get the canoe ready.

Out on Henry's Lake

Boyd was pretty excited to help carry the ores up, especially since there were "doo" (two).

26: My Golden Birthday

My Birthday was great this year! In the morning Tiffany picked me up and we headed out to Rexburg with our kids to the splash park. It was such a nice day and I was so excited to spend it outside. The splash park was so much fun and there was even a carousel, which Boyd loved!

Cramming three kids in the back.

When we were done with the splash park, we decided to go for a ride on the carousel. Boyd was so anxious and wanted nothing more than to get through the gate.

Giddy up!

I think Boyd liked riding the horses on the carousel better than the ponies at the fair.

After Phil got home from work we got ready for a BBQ at the park. Phil did all the planning and invitations and prep! It was so much fun! I should have snapped a group shot of all of our friends how came! 

Tiffany was so nice to make my cake! It was yellow cake with chocolate frosting (my favorite) and it even had chocolate shavings on top.

Grandma Moulton, Jill, Bella, and Bart

Carl and cute Emrie

Happy 26th Birthday

A few days before my birthday my old college roomate, Kirsti, was up in Rexburg. So of course I loaded up Boyd and headed to Rexburg to go see her!! It was SO much fun to get together and catch up!

Portland August 2010

August 15th Boyd and I flew to Portland to spend a few days with my family. I stayed with Jade and his family. Boyd and I had quite the set up while we were there. We both had our very own rooms. It was great to stay with them too because both Peyton and Boyd go to bed at 7 which meant the adults could play and chat uninterrupted. 

Boyd did really well and both flights, but was very happy to get to JaNea's house where he could run free. All of my family was there having Sunday dinner and getting ready to celebrate Ike and Trenton's birthdays. It was so much fun to be able to have everyone together and get to spend time with my whole family right away. Boyd was having a blast. I couldn't stop him for one second to feed him. My brother's built a large dirt race track for the remote control cars and that was hands down Boyd favorite part. He couldn't get enough.

Monday, Kristin, Ashton, and I headed out to the river to enjoy the hot weather. It was so much fun to be able to sit and catch up while all of the kids played.

Boyd hanging out with Kristin and baby Brek.

Enjoying the sand.

We found a little tree frog and of course the boys loved it. They all took turns holding it and even built a little home for it.

Gabe with the frog.

I have to say that bringing Gabe along was a joy. JaNea wasn't able to come so we picked Gabe up so that Max would have a friend to play with. Gabe was awesome. He listened. Did what he was asked to do and helped. I had my arms quite full on the way down to the beach so Gabe held Boyd's hand the entire walk down. He was such a sweetie!!

Boyd wasn't too thrilled to hold the frog. After about 1 second he flipped his hand over and dumped it off. It was pretty funny.

Max liked the frog the most and was most concerned about it getting jumping away.

Tuesday was another beautiful day and I went to a little courtyard that had fountains with Ashley and 3 of her kids. Again, it was great to let the kids run around while Ashley and I did come catching up.

Trenton and Marley

Wednesday, Ashley, Kristin, Ashton and I headed to the zoo. It was great weather for the zoo and a lot of the animals were out. Boyd going on a ride with Uncle Jade while we were packing up the car.

The boys.

Ike, Boyd, Trenton, & Max

Phil flew in late Wednesday night and Thursday morning we were able to meet up with Katlin for lunch.  I think Boyd had a little crush on her because he was acting so silly around her.

Thursday afternoon we left for the our annual summer camping trip. This year we went to a different place than we normally go, Timothy Lake near Mt. Hood.

The view from our campground.

One morning while camping we headed up to the Alpine Slides which was a big hit with all the kids.

Justin & Trenton

Jade & Peyton

Kristin & Max

JaNea & Gabe

Jeremy & Ike

After the Alpine Slides we headed back to camp and to the lake. The water was fairly warm and there was a fun dock that we all played on.

Saturday we headed out the Indian Reservation and went swimming at a place that we went growing up.  

Boyd and Trenton had the same swim suit. I loved it!

Most of the cousins hanging out together while we ate lunch at the park.

Ike, Macie, Taryn, Trenton, Gabe, Marley, Max, and Boyd

Boyd with the remote control truck. It was by far his favorite thing the whole trip.

Kahneeta Swimming Pool

Boyd enjoying some ice with Grandma.

Ashton and I both have birthdays at the end of August and usually celebrate together while we're camping. I think this picture is hilarious, Ashley!

About 15 or 20 minutes after we sang happy birthday, Marley and Max surprised us with birthday bouquets they picked. It was so sweet I almost cried!! I love my nieces and nephews and it makes me sad that I can't spend more time with all of them!

The group shot. 

Gabe, Sam, JaNea, Jade, Peyton, Ashton, Mom, Dad, Jeremy, Brek, Kristin, Ike, Max, Jerai, Boyd, Phil, Macie, Ashley, Marley, Trenton, Jusin, and Taryn

(Everyone minus, Nipper and the triplets)