Ohio Friend --> Idaho Friend

When we lived in Ohio, we met our dear friends the Coons. Chad was doing a PA program while Ryan did his residency program. It was so strange how we ended up in the same ward even though neither of our families lived close to their work places. But honestly I completely owe it to Heavenly Father. I always joke to Brooke that "I prayed them there". :) Anyway, fast forward 3 years, and it turns out that Brooke and Chad's family moved to Idaho Falls (Eastern ID) and now our family is in Twin Falls!! We are only just over 2 hours away from each other. I am so excited to be able to connect with them in person more often! 

Brooke knew that I was on my own doing all the unpacking so she lovingly offered to come out to spend the day and help me get my life more organized. I was soooo beyond thankful. She came out and brought her oldest, Addie, to help play with my kids so we could actually get some stuff done.

 This was all of my pantry stuff we worked on organizing. How overwhelming is that mess!! I couldn't have done it without her.

 We also unpacked and shelved books in our master bedroom...

 Lastly we folded towels neatly for the linen closet, and put all the games in there as well. We got rid of so many boxes in just a few short hours! Brooke is amazing, and made the work so much easier.

 We have suuuuure enjoyed having a cookie and mixed sodas shop only a few minutes away. It's DANGEROUS. I try not to go every single day... but every other day? Sure, why not. :)

 A sweet neighbor (in our ward as well) dropped by to meet us and bring over Great Harvest Bread. We are so blessed to be in such a great area with genuine, welcoming people!

 Thinking of my friends in Paradise...

 The kids were SO excited when our new trampoline showed up (we left ours in Paradise for the new owners) and thankfully we were able to hire a handyman to come set it up since Ryan was not in town. The kids spent LOTS of time jumping on the trampoline with the spinklers. We also went on a bike ride together to explore the neighborhood a bit. We found out there is a dirt trail that connects our neighborhood to the long, paved trail along the rim of the Snake River canyon! Very cool views.

 The 4th of July was a few days after Brooke and Addie came for a day-trip, and they were sweet enough to invite us to their house for the holiday! We drove the just-over-2 hours to their house in Idaho Falls and got to see their area. It looks a lot like ours but with more rolling hills and more green. They're on the east side of Idaho, closer to the Tetons and other mountain ranges, so the climate is a little different too. We went to a party with a bunch of friends from their ward where they had set up multiple types of slip-n-slides for the kids and great big barbecue for the adults. It was so fun for the kids and I barely saw them for over 2 hours!

 Got to check out the "shark bite" drink and the "boogie monster" at their local soda shop. Yum!

The kids enjoyed some play time with the Coon kids, bike riding, jumping on the trampoline and water balloons.

At dinner time the Coon's extended family came over for a barbecue and then we headed to their town's firework show. The show was so amazing!! We did get back to their house at 1am though (because of the traffic getting out) which was NOT at all fun. But it was worth it.

 We hoped the kids would all sleep in the next morning, but of course they didn't. They spent a few hours playing together that morning and then we grabbed lunch of Rio before heading back home. I'm so glad we made a quick trip out to see the Coon family and spend time on the holiday with them!