So-on to said updates!

-We often miss city/beach life, so when we every once in a while have a chance to do something uniquely 'Idaho' if you will I jump at it. I felt this way with the Birds or Prey reservation I talked about recently, and now, with this. So when some friends texted us about something called 'animal days' we were all in. In a happy surprise, Lester was able to join us and we love every second of it haha. Whenever things like snow falls, or farm experiences happen, I think people think we're a little ridiculous bc we [me] are SO interested in it. Everything seems magical and different. Each of us enjoyed different things. 

Addy enjoyed holding the snakes, and the Giant jump pillow thing they had for the kids to play on most. 

Isla loved the baby chicks and the cotton candy most of all. [Fun Isla note: Her favourite song right now is Simple by Florida Georgia line. I love it too-it is her in a nutshell. She is happy with the simple, easy, non complicated life, and it rubs off on all of us. ]

Bear loved the tractors best hands down, but also getting filthy in the corn pit, his first pony ride, and petting the alpacas.

And I don't care how embarrassing I am, I LOVED cuddling with the little puppies, and holding the baby lambs. It is a a miracle I didn't walk out with one haha. 

Lester loved just not being in school for a hot second, and spending time with us-and holding a fish for the first time haha. 

- We went on the quickest little road trip ever, per Lester's request [which is super rare] from Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. Lester served a mission for our church [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints] almost 10 years ago, and some people had set up a reunion for it. It was pretty special seeing him visit with people who made such an impact and difference in his life, and hearing about his impact on those around him- I loved that we were able to give him the chance to do that. So much has changed in our lives since then, but some things are the same. Family still means everything to us, we believe in working hard and playing hard, and that Jesus Christ and his gospel is for everyone, anywhere, at all times, no matter where we're at on our path. We are living our lives on that belief, even when things get tough. So over all, the trip was worth it, even with the almost 10 hr road total round trip drive haha!

-While we were there, we got a super quick visit w my sister and family [and somehow I didn't get any pictures of that..] and the chance to revisit our obsessions with artisan bakeries, craft chocolate, Iberico ham and hand made burrata and Tulie bakery and Caputo's deli. It was nice to feel more 'ourselves' then we have in a while. Boise/Idaho is great for any kind of possible chain you can imagine, and it does have lots of small ethnic markets if you want to make your own-but I think its still in its 'infancy' if artisan food. Just like maybe Salt Lake is in its preteen years haha, and SF [and I imagine other major cities] are in their established years. So it was nice to enjoy that for a hot second. 

-And lastly, I've been able to keep trying some fun things in the kitchen lately, like when we had a bunch of friend over Sunday night for games and tarts. That is the upside of living somewhere like this-it forces us to cook and bake things we wouldn't normally, bc otherwise, theres no other place to get it haha. So I've been trying to improve my skills and get out of my comfort zone. Sometimes it turns out perfectly, sometimes it doesn't [I'm looking at you rockfish haha-NEVER again!] but I think lifelong learning and hobbies are important and good for the soul and what we can bring to our community. So thats been fun!