We love Idaho

This past weekend we all loaded up and headed to Idaho for the weekend to visit my Dad and stepmom Laura. On the way we stopped at Palouse Falls. The last time Mike and I had been there was years ago, and the falls were huge and pretty cool! Well, this time, this was the most exciting part of the stop, a cow. LOL. He wouldn't get across the road, even with Pickle barking like crazy.

 He even came up to the window to say hi to Hunter, ha!

Here are the Falls. We were pretty disappointed, but then realized that it is the middle of summer - duh. When we came last it was early spring and they were pretty spectacular because of all the snow run-off. Oh well, we got to check out a pretty cool cow. :)

 That evening we had my Grandma Johnson come over. It is always so neat to get pictures of Hunter with his Great-Grandma. She is a hoot and it had been a while since I had seen her, so we had a lot of fun.

 He made her a pretty picture to take home.

 Laura spoiled him all weekend, and as you can tell, he hated it. :)

 The next Ali?

 My boys.

 Laura "tattooing" Hunter. He thought these stickers were pretty cool.

 "See Mom, See!"

 4 generations of Johnson's

 Whenever we get to Idaho we ALWAYS make a stop in Genesee, where I grew up. I sure miss this little town.

 Our first stop is the cemetery, to visit my Grandma and Grandpa Wishard. They meant the world to me.

I have to share this story. The week before we went to Idaho I had a extremely hard week, so I was really looking forward to getting out of town and going back "home." Visiting my Grandpa and Grandma is always so bittersweet. I enjoy "seeing them" and feeling like I am close to them again, even though I know they aren't really there. But it also breaks my heart that they aren't around to see how well their family is doing, and especially to have had the chance to meet Hunter. They were a huge part of my life, and the best grandparents anybody could ever ask for. Well, on the way to Genesee Hunter crashed out in the car. As Mike helped me lay the flowers and flags on all of my family member's graves, Hunter was snoring in the car. I really debated on waking him up. I wanted him to "see" his grandparents, and for them to "see" him - as it has been a while since I was here. I knew he wouldn't know what was going on, and like I said, I know my grandparents see him everyday, but this was different. This spot holds an incredibly special place in my heart and I wanted my son to see it. I chose to let him sleep though, he had a very busy weekend and we had a long drive ahead. So, like Mike does every time, he drives to the top of the hill at the cemetery and waits for me, while I take a few minutes. The next thing I know I can hear Hunter squealing, laughing and running around. Mike lifted his hands in defeat. I motioned for them to come towards me. Like I said, it was a rough week, so I was pretty emotional anyway, but when Hunter ran to me I scooped him up and gave him a huge hug. I know this sounds crazy, but there was just a huge feeling of warmth that came over me. I knew they were there, smiling at this little boy that just melts my heart. We bent down and I told him that this is where his great-grandparents were buried. He got side tracked with a butterfly going by, or a dog barking - you gotta love all the things a toddler notices. I asked if he could blow his grandparents a kiss, and the next thing I knew he was down on all fours, and he bent over and kissed my Grandpa's side of the headstone. I burst out into tears and asked him if Grandma can get one too? He crawled over and kissed Grandma's side too and then gave me a big hug. I know he is only 2, and I am sure he has no idea what is going on, but he knew that this spot was special to his Mom. I could just see the smile on my Grandma's face, and my Grandpa slapping his knee and throwing his head back laughing. I know they would be so proud, and as much as I wish I could see that on their faces at that moment, I take solace in knowing I have seen it before when I graduated high school and college, and when Mike and I went to visit them shortly after we got married. They would have adored Hunter, and I am sure he would have adored them just as much as I did. It was a moment I will never forget.

 After we said good-bye we ran to the top of the hill, which is a great stop to see Genesee and get a few pictures of Hunter with the town in the background.

 Harvest probably just finished, so there were rolling hills of freshly cut wheat or barley everywhere. Beautiful. 

"CHEESE!"

 This is the house I grew up in. My grandparents built this house many years ago. The people that own it now have added a little and kept it up really nice, which makes me happy.

 There it is, the ol' stomping grounds. Genesee High School. (and elementary, it is all one - love small towns!)

The new addition on the back of the school, and for those that haven't been there for a while, LOOK, they paved the back parking lot. So fancy! I remember *watching others* spin cookies in the parking lot and throwing gravel everywhere. Such reckless kids. :)

 The spots out front used to be for the Seniors, and it was a big deal to park there. Now there are parking lines and it says "staff only" - the good ol' days are really gone, huh?

 Downtown was hopping on a Sunday morning.

We had a wonderful time. Thank you Dad and Laura for all the great gifts and hospitality. Like I said, it was nice to get out of town and visit the homeland.