Rexburg Trip

If you were to ask Skaidrite why we made a trip to Rexburg, Idaho, she would say it was to see Sarah, her cousin. Our excuse to go down and visit Emily and Michael was to go and see the Rexburg Temple and go through the open house. What a beautiful experience that was.

We left Raymond on Thursday, January 17, by 9am. It was pretty good roads for most of the drive down and the girls were surprisingly well behaved for the entire 8 hour drive. When we got to Emily's, our girls were very excited to see her girls, and they played and played the entire time we were there.

On Friday, we had the opportunity to attend the open house for the Rexburg Temple. The grounds were beautiful all covered with white snow, and the Temple was even more breath taking. When we got to the Stake Center we were directed into the chapel and then redirected into a room to watch a short video presentation on temples. Skai was anxiously looking at the pictures in the pamphlet they gave us of the temple and when certain pictures appeared on the TV screen she would eagerly say "Hey, I have that picture right here." and would show us the picture that matched in the pamphlet. We walked through a tented area and had our shoes covered with a white plastic covering, and even Skai and Esther wanted their feet covered, so they did. The Temple was beautiful and very elegantly done. From the murals to the intricate designs in the ceilings to the carpet designs even, everything was just so moving. It was hard to see everything, but I guess that just means that we will have to go back and do a few sessions. Skai loved the chandeliers in the celestial room. It was the first thing both Skai and Esther noticed as we walked in. Also as we sat in the sealing room it neat to discuss with Skai what we had just witnessed and explain to her about the temple while inside it. I hope and pray that she remembers how she felt as we walked through that place and have the desire to go as she gets older as with Esther and all of our future children. The temple is such a wonderful place to be and we are blessed to be able to go there often and partake of the spirit that is only found there. After our tour we returned to the Stake Center for cookies and juice. Then made our way to KK and Janae's apartment. It was fun to see them and spend a little bit of time with the two of them. They seem to be loving school and the environment found at BYU- Idaho. When we got back to Emily's the girls played and played and played. Actually that morning Skai, Esther, Sarah and Hannah all were up at 6:30am ready to start their fun. That night we all drove to Idaho Falls to watch Elizabeth and Sariah sing in their choir performance. They did exceptionally well, and if anyone is interested they can watch it, because we recorded it on our camera. After the performance we all went to Cam's for a delicious meal, and all of the cousins were able to play together. It was a later night than we had anticipated and we left Cam's later them planned (about 10pm). Our girls and Emily's girls were ready for bed as we started our drive back to Rexburg, which took longer than we thought. Just before Rigby, Emily got into a car accident and we didn't get home until almost midnight (you can ask Emily for more details on that). We were just all very glad that no one got hurt in both vehicles, and that Emily did hit that car so that she wouldn't have flipped into the steep ditch. There were angels watching over her and those in her vehicle as in the other.

On Saturday we had a more of a quite time at Emily's. Skai, Sarah, Hannah and Esther played pretty much the whole day. It was nice to sit and visit with Emily, KK and Janae (they spent the night at Emily's). Later Saturday evening Cam and Alan came over with their children to drop off a gift for Lowyn and Heather ( Lowyn if you want the gift, you are going to have to and visit us at our house! We are holding it ransom). So the cousins, once again, all were able to play together. As bedtime got closer, Skai, Esther, Sarah and Hannah had a bath and got ready for bed. Then we had a delicious meal that Emily prepared and it was a highlight for Skai (lasagna, and she had 2 helpings). All the girls went to bed early that night, and Landon and Michael took our car for a drive to see if the alternator would drop again (it did while we were idling after the accident). Sure enough it did, so he and Michael bought another alternator and together they put it in our car. Emily and I were able to visit some more, and when the men came home they had bought us a treat . . . ICECREAM. It was delicious.

Sunday morning we decided to attend a 9 am sacrament service and leave right after taking the sacrament to get ready for our trip home. We left Emily's by 11am and made it home by 8pm. The roads were interesting most of the drive (from Rexburg, Idaho to Great Fall, Montana). There was either blowing snow, or snow covered roads with icy spots the entire drive. Once to Great Falls the road was bare. Esther struggled with being in her car seat more so on the drive home, but we were impressed with how well the girls traveled all in all. When we got home we were surprised and grateful to see that someone had shoveled our driveway (thanks Dad for doing that), and also were grateful for the food that Mom and Dad Hardy brought over for us. Travel food just doesn't fill you up quite right. Esther was asleep when we got home and Skai was shortly after we had eaten. It was a wonderful trip and are so glad we were able to make it down there and see those we were able to see. Skai still, in her prayers, thanks Heavenly Father that we were able to go and visit Sarah! We love you all very much!