Ben at the Wind Caves

Ben went hiking to the wind caves near Driggs Idaho (actually he was in Wyoming)with two guys from our ward, Glenn and Brad. It was beautiful and he said he got to see some great waterfalls. The whole trip was about 10 miles including altitude. Ben is a little sore, but is happy he got back to the great outdoors.

...Hit by a car...

After the fireworks it takes about 2 hours to get home (which it usually takes about ½ and hour) because there are so many people there. So we tried to go through the back roads to get home, but the back roads were just as busy and crammed.
So we had been waiting on this one road stopping and going and we were parked in front of this family out in their front yard setting off fireworks. It was really the Dad’s setting off the fireworks and the kids running around like crazy. To give you an idea of the type of people (just for future clarification) the Dad’s were smoking while setting off fireworks (not to smart), the Mom’s were no where to be seen (probably drinking) and it was midnight and there were children running around everywhere.
Well, there was a truck in front of us and they called one of the guys over and gave him a dollar if he brought them a soda- so he walked to the truck to get the dollar and one of the little girls followed him. When he turned back to go get the soda there were cars coming, so he waited but the little girl didn’t look and she just jetted out in front of the traffic. Well, this little girl (probably about 7) got hit by a car right outside Ben’s window. The car was only going about 5-10mph but it bounced the girl off. The parents of the girl ran over and started cursing and screaming at the woman in the car (I thought they were going to hit her). They completely blamed the woman and didn’t think it was their girls fault at all. The little girl wasn’t hurt- but they took her away in an ambulance (probably not knowing how expensive they are).
When the police got there Ben gave a statement as a witness. It was all really upsetting to him (he was afraid the family would come after him because he said what he saw- that the little girl ran out and the car wasn’t speeding.

Independance Day!!

Rexburg does a ‘large’ 4th of July Parade down Main Street. Like some crazy parade lovers, Ben and I went an hour and a half early- so that we could get a good seat. The parade was WAY bigger this year then in the past- there were a lot of people there watching. Parades, we’ve decided, are large walking advertisements, yet they are worth it because they give away a lot of free stuff. There are two main ‘floats’ that make the whole experience worth it indefinitely and this year NEITHER of them were there. We love the Reed’s Dairy’s float because they pass out free Chocolate milk (but because there were SO many people this year- they didn’t). And we love the Ray’s Car washing float- because they have all their car washing boys do a dance in the middle of the road. But even without those two floats, it was still really fun to go to the parade.

We went to Grandma Lewis’ house in Idaho Falls for lunch. She made homemade fried chicken and pasta salad. It was so good. Then we got to spend time helping her around the house and talking with her. It is so fun to spend time with her and get to know her better.

After eating with grandma we went to the Greenbelt (the river right outside the Idaho Falls Temple) where we met with some old roommates and friends. We had a barbeque, played games and had lots of fun. Ben and I staked out a spot (with blankets and chairs) before we went to Grandma’s house so we got an okay spot. People here will stake out spots the night before to get prime firework viewing. Our spot was good, but there were a couple of tree branches in the way. The fireworks show in Idaho Falls are said to be the best show west of the Mississippi River. They have the show set to patriotic music (that we had blaring on a radio) so it is really touching and emotional. The fireworks are also set off above the river- so it looks really neat. It was so wonderful to watch the fireworks and remember those who died for our freedom.

THE BIKE!!

Ben crashed and broke his bike and since we have had it here meaning to get it fixed. Well we FINALLY got it fixed. Ben was so excited.

WE MOVED!!

Well, Ben and I MOVED this weekend. We were accepted into subsidized housing (the gov’t pays a percentage) and so we were able to move and decrease our rent by $150- YAY. We just moved across the street (so we are still in the same ward). We are a little sad to be leaving our neighbors (they were wonderful) but we already have met and hung out with our new neighbors.
These pictures are how far our unpacking has gone thus far. We still have boxes and random piles of stuff that aren’t put away yet- but this a good general idea.

We are on the second floor in a corner- so we have a balcony and LOTS of window. This new apartment is smaller, with less kitchen storage/shelves (but a storage closet outside for suitcases and boxes-yay). We still have to go to a laundry mat- but it’s free (wahoo) which is great. We are happy and excited to be saving some money.