Trip post 3: Texas Sams/Hidden Lakes/Millhollow

 My brother and his family came up from Texas. It has been ages since we saw them! We hung around a few extra days in Rexburg to get some extra time with them.

 Outside meals a must. Here the kids are hatching a plan to create a surprise (and impromtu) birthday party for Todd. It was the cutest thing ever. They made signs, pictures, cards, decorations, and  a treasure hunt. It was really sweet. Unfortunately I missed it because I was getting the Orange One down for bed.

 Adorable cousin picture. Casper, Greta, and Lydia

 My father LOVES the desert. He paints the desert. He hikes in the desert. He writes poems about the desert. He goes there frequently. We had two opportunities to join him there. One morning he took Travis and the older two kids to hike the R mountain. They really enjoyed it. No pictures as I was in bed.
The other time we got to go (I got this one picture then my battery died) he took my brother Todd, myself and our two older kids (each) for a hike, a breakfast, and some good hard work. I am glad I went. It was dusty and hot, but it reminds me of my dad. Also, the off road trip in the back of the pickup truck telling knock knock jokes about poop was classic. "No, no. I'm quite low brow."

 I had really wanted to go to Hidden (Egin) Lakes. We had so much fun last year.

 Zoe and Gwendolyn, searching for shells and critters.

 Jeff and Laura Archibald also met us out for fun times at the "lake".

 Darling Greta

 Lydia and Linus, building

 We completed the lovely day with a trip to Millhollow. I got Tart Raspberry, Strawberry Shortcake, and White Chocolate Almond and thought why do I ever bother with anything but Tart raspberry/blackberry. For those of you who know what I am talking about, you know what I am talking about.

Are you flippn' kidding me? How cute is this? Darling picture of Felix and Auntie Jen!

Notice Caspers hair in the very top picture (middle one). Now look at his hair in the 2nd to bottom. Not sure if you can tell from these photos, but there is a story! While the adults were all gathered around visiting the kids were playing all over. Casper came around the corner and his bangs were missing. Here is Lydia's explanation:
They were making a potion. It wasn't changing color so she decided it needed human hair. She asked Linus (Felix's fellow ginger) but he didn't want to donate to the cause, she asked Lily but she said her Mom would be mad. So, she asked Casper and he was willing (or not willing to say no). She cut it off, convinced that it would immediately grow back. She actually got into a lot of trouble. But because Casper and his parents were such great sports about it, I am allowing myself to laugh about it.