Jackson Hole Getaway

Mike and I decided super last minute (we're talking late Thursday night before Labor day weekend) that we wanted to get out of town one last time before summer was officially over.  We called Mike's parents, who are always up for an adventure, and with their expert help, planned a little getaway to Jackson Hole (okay, basically Carol planned the whole thing!)  We got to Idaho Falls Friday night, and the fun began..

 

Dinner with Mike's parents

Sealings Saturday morning at the Idaho Falls Temple

Huckleberry pancakes at Smitty's

  

 Saturday morning, on the way to Jackson Hole, we had to stop at the Square Ice Cream place for Huckleberry ice cream- see a theme here?

 Isn't it cute?  I almost didn't want to ruin my perfect square and eat it...

Once we got to Jackson Hole, we went to Teton Village and rode the Tram up the Mountain.  13,000 ft up, up, up.... this time I actually did okay with the whole height phobia thing!

 The view from the top was pretty spectacular (even though it was a pretty muggy day).

Next, we started hiking down the mountain.  The weather was perfect- mid 70's, and the sun was shining- we couldn't have asked for a better day!

Mike's dad, the character

 Mike's parents are really into hiking- they put Mike and I to shame!

 This tree had a huge hole in it.  I almost got in but Mike told me there were probably mice and other animals in there, so I opted for the one leg in picture instead.  You can tell I'm a little nervous my foot is going to get bit off!

 We hiked over 3 miles down, then caught another tram to take us down the rest of the way.  It was a beautiful hike, and we'd totally go do it again!

Afterwards, we spent some time in downtown Jackson hole.  We shopped the cute local stores for a while, and went to dinner at a really good Mexican place.

 I know this picture probably doesn't look it, but this was in fact very creepy to be this close to his face!

 

 

We were about to head home, when Mike took off into a store for a minute.  He came back out and surprised me with Huckleberry chocolate and the Christmas ornament I'd been eying that afternoon!  Can't wait to hang this on our tree this year!

 

We drove home through Rexburg, and swung by to see the Rexburg Temple.

It. is. gorgeous.

The next day we went to church, had dinner, then went to the cemetery to visit Mike's sister, Andrea's grave.  She was 15 when she passed away unexpectedly, and Mike was only 4.  Thanks Carol and Gary for telling us so many stories about her- we are excited to meet her someday.

Gary asked me if it was creepy to see my own name on a grave stone.  I'm not going to lie- it was a little bit (mine will have an H in there so it will look a little different though :)

Next we swung by to see Mike's grandparents before we left town.  

His Grandpa tells some of the funniest jokes I've ever heard.

We had a great Labor Day Weekend!!

On Tuesday, Sept 6th Mike and I decided to make a birthday cake in honor of his sister Andrea (it would have been her 35th birthday that day).  We think this will be a fun tradition especially when we have kids so that we can tell them about their Aunt Andi.