Rexburg visit

Last week, Dane had an interview with BYU-Idaho to teach within their math department. In grand style, BYU-I flew him and his fam (Jess, Avery, and Bethany) to Rexburg via the Idaho Falls airport. We (my mom, Aubrey, and I) decided to make a trip of it and go visit. Heather and her kids came up from Spanish Fork, too. We reserved two rooms at a Rexburg hotel and had an enjoyable time.

On the way through Shelley, we stopped to visit Rachel who was still away in Utah. So, still needing a little Hansen magic, we went to Kathy's house for a visit. It was great to catch up. Aubrey and Soren enjoyed playing together in cardboard houses made by some of Soren's cousins. (Side: I am SO happy that Rach and co are now home and healthy. Phew!)

Upon arriving in Rexburg Monday afternoon, my mom and I went to the dollar store and the DI. (Very chic, don't ya think?) At the DI, to add to the general secondhand ambiance, Aubrey would not put on her pants after I changed her diaper in the car, so we let her run around sans leg-coverings. As we were shopping for childrens' swimsuits, I suddenly could not find Aubrey. In my semi-panic, I said aloud, "Aubrey?" And heard an enthusiastic "Ya!" come from a rack of clothes. I looked over (and down) to see two cute legs dangling out from the center of the circular rack. She was sitting up inside the rack. My mom and I busted a gut. As we were finishing up our shopping, Aubrey removed her diaper and ran around the store for a moment. Eek! My mom deftly scooped her up and replaced the diaper all whist distracting her with new jelly shoes. What a pro.

We visited my dad that evening for hamburgers. Aubrey enjoyed petting the kitties. Afterwards we met up with Mom at the hotel. She and I dipped our feet in the spa after Aubrey was in bed.

The next day we had hotel breakfast and sent Dane off to his interview (after Jess made fun of me for hoarding free-continental-juice for the day's upcoming road trip). Heather met us at the hotel and we, 4 adults and 7 children-5-years-and-younger, went swimming. It was quite fun. Aubrey wanted to go "deep" the whole time. And Clara "liked the warm water" in the spa.

Clean-up after the pool experience was a bit of a trauma--it seemed like one toddler or baby was crying after another without cessation. But then we finally made it to the Arctic Circle with their heaven-sent play place and fries. It was fun to sit and chat while the kiddies played. And played they did.

After divvying out some of Heather's secondhand goodies brought for the occasion, Mom, Aubrey, and I departed for Burley in the rain. Ah, what a day.

Note: Thanks to Jess for the pictures. :)