I WALKED ON A FROZEN LAKE

Well, not exactly ON it - there was a floating dock surrounding a swim area at the Dierkes Lake, and I walked on that.  I have never been on frozen water like that before and it was amazing and oh, so beautiful.

PS - doesn't this house remind you of the house from UP? All it needs is the balloons!

THE ROAD TRIP WITH MY FATHER AND BROTHER WAS

a lot of fun.
We had some deep discussions, reminiscing, some tears, a lot of laughter and a few adventures along the way to Utah and back home.

On the way home we saw some beautiful wide open spaces filled with crisp, white snow.  We pulled along the roadside and took pictures.  We have a few pictures of me taking a picture of Michael, who is taking a picture of dad, who is taking a picture of the snow.  We got the giggles and thought this was hilarious.

Utah is beautiful in the winter.

We stopped by Snake River in Idaho

We had also stopped in at Burley, Idaho hoping to find the house my grandfather was born in but the two addresses we had don't exist.  Man was our bubble burst.  We have some investigating to do there.

Dad and Mike begrudgingly went along with me wanting posed snuggling pictures.  I thought this was HILARIOUS but they didn't find it as funny as me.

We also stopped at Shoshone Falls, which is gorgeous!

I'd LOVE to go there in the spring when the water is heavy and raging.  I've added this little excursion to things I want my man clan to see.  It's absolutely beautiful.

BEARS!

When we were in Idaho we went to Yellowstone Bear World.  It's the cutest.  You can drive through as many times as you want - we went through 4 times!  
They have an awesome petting zoo, with the cutest deer, and the highlight for the wee ones was the free amusement park (5 rides) for kids.

IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE,

it's Mr. Incredible!
We stayed the night at Derek and Erica's on our way to pick up Lily. Good times!

UTAH - PART 5

I couldn't stop looking at this field and low rolling clouds when we took a detour to Rexburg, Idaho.....
I took some engagement photos for a very special couple....

I'VE BEEN REMINISCING ABOUT THE SUMMER

of 2008, when my sister and I loaded up the boys and went on an impromptu genealogy trip to Paris, Idaho...
The highlight for me was knocking on the door of my 3rd Great Grandfather's house and meeting a cousin and getting a tour.
It was so much fun and we had a blast!
I'd really love to do it again!

I GOT THE BEST

email today! My newly found Stock cousins had a picture of my third great grandma. I am so excited to know what she looked like!

Meet my third great grandmother -
Jane Adams Stock. Daughter of Poyntz Adams and Mary Stain.

She was born in England, married my 3GGF, John Stock, in South Africa, came across the plains with a handcart company and died in Fish Haven, Idaho in 1865.

Besides visiting her home in Fish Haven, I had the privilege of visiting her grave site.

This picture puts the biggest smile on my face!

WOW!! WHAT A

weekend. The boys and I, along with my sister, Stephanie, did so much on our Paris and Fish Haven, Idaho weekend...

We took the boys to some ICE CAVES....

This house belonged to my 3rd Great Grandfather, JOHN STOCK and it was the General Store and Post Office for Fish Haven. The lower left and corner is out back and is a netting building...

We met COUSINS Margery, Jack and Sean and they were kind enough to give us a tour of the home....

Landon is holding a net, and Laird and Larry J are holding snow shoes that were used by mail men. The Pony Express would stop and sleep in front of the wood burning stove to get warm on their journey...

Some DOORS, original to the house and a bear trap...

Margery took us out back and let the boys pick some APPLES for our trip..

We spent an afternoon at BEAR LAKE...

Steph was a great help with Landon and Lach....

We had a great time and got a little too much sun....

The water was a little murky at the shore line...

It was windy and the weather was preparing to rain in the evening....

I have another 3rd Great Grandfather known in the area, CHARLES COULSON RICH, and he has a bust monument outside of the..

Paris Tabernacle, erected in 1888...

We toured the inside and it is amazing....

We went to some cemeteries in the area...

It rained on us and even SNOWED!

On the way home, I-84 came to a stand still....

We were on the freeway for about 2 hours due to an accident....

The rest of the trip was smooth sailing and we arrived home safe and sound and TIRED. It was a blast!