"Work" Trip to Idaho Falls

This last week, I spent in Idaho Falls collaborating with people at Idaho National Lab on my research project. I flew in to Salt Lake then drove up to Idaho Falls so that I could spend time with the family on the weekends. 

The first Saturday that I was in SLC, the Beck & Greg took me and a crew boating. Cory and his little girls, Lily and Ava, also came boating with us. 

These girls are so cute and precious.

Yay for boating!

As we were pulling out of the bay, Lily points at the red buoy and says: "Hey, there's a crayon in the water!" Then she saw this green buoy and said: "There's a green one and it's upside down." She is one funny girl.

Sara was also there. She fought and fought to get up on the wake board. When she finally got up on the wake board she didn't know which foot to turn forward and how to do it. 

The bow crew hanging out. Ava was so cuddly the whole time. She got so tired, snuggled up next to Jamey and fell fast asleep even though she was riding in the bouncy bow. In the lower corner, you can see Lily's hand just hovering over the Doritos's bag. She loved those chips. As soon as one chip was in her mouth, she immediately had another one in her hand ready to be consumed. There was a time wear she wouldn't let that bag out of her grasp.  

Cory even got out and wake boarded. Ava and Lily thought that their Dad was so cool wake boarding.

I was quite out of boating shape. I was only able to get up once, go in and out of wake twice and then wipe out. I tried to get back up a few more times, but was too wiped out to get back up. 

Ava and Lily even ventured out on the water to tube. For the first five minutes, they thought that it was so awesome. However, as the bumps and waves kept coming, they got tired of it real quick.

Boating was so much fun. I was glad that so many people were able to come. It was great to see the Beck and Greg, Fudd and Ber, Jamey and Michelle. I'm glad that some Rappleyes came along as well. Thanks so much, the Beck and Greg, for taking me and whole host of others boating.

After boating, all the Rappleyes got together for dinner and games.

We played True Colors which is a funny game to play with people you know well, like family. Notice that everyone is looking to the right in the picture. That is because Noelle had kicked of Karaoke singing with a killer rendition of "Alone." 

I had to make my contribution to Karaoke. I did a out-of-control version of "Bad Romance." It was a lot of fun to let loose.

Trevor thought that my version of Bad Romance was awful. Lily later asked Noelle, "Why did Devin sing that scary love song?"

The crowd was totally into my performance

Adorable Sterling even got in on the act with Ava accompanying him on the guitar.

Of course, Neal and Derek did a killer rock song. No comment on the execution of the song....

Ava was a natural with the guitar. She would settle into a solid power stance and rock out.

Noelle working the mic... and Ava eating it.

After enduring all of us slaughtering songs, Lance took the mic and showed us all how it's done. Angela also took us to school while singing a duet with Lance.

Trevor, Lily and Ava got togther and made a band.

I spent the following week in Idaho Falls working. The weather was perfect, nice and cool. It was so nice to visit the place we lived last summer. It brought back a lot of good memories, especially of how little Cambry was. I can't believe we'll be having another little baby like that in a month or so.

My friend, Sam, was kind enough to lend me this awesome truck to get around in for the week.

The second Saturday, it was my cousins wedding. It was so enjoyable to witness a live ordinance in the temple. They both were so happy and looked great. She certainly married a sharp guy.

It was so great to visit with so many of my relatives, especially my Grandma Rappleye. She holds a special place in my heart.

I loved seeing my family. I love all them so much. It was great to be out there, but I am very happy to be back home with Joslyn and Cambers. One thing, I realized while I was out there was that Utah and Idaho are great, but right now I definitely belong in North Carolina.