A weekend with a Hero!

One of the highlights of our summer was the weekend we were able to go to Rexburg, Idaho and spend quality time with Grandpa Rigby.  In his lifetime he has become well-known for so many titles that he holds--attorney, patriarch, teacher, serviceman, etc, etc, but the title that we all know and respect him so much for is "Grandpa Rigby."  All of their lives, Grandma and Grandpa Rigby have been completely devoted to their church and family. They are amazing examples of selflessness, service, and love.  Grandma passed away several years ago from cancer, and we have missed her so much.  Grandpa continues to stay healthy and also continues to work as an attorney, and until just recently as Stake Patriarch.  Since we live so far away, we are not able to see Grandpa as much as we want to, so we could not miss the opportunity to drive the short distance from Salt Lake to Rexburg to visit him.  One weekend, while we were in Utah, Kim, Jenna, Brady, Lauren, and Hannah, along with Alison, Tyson and Parker made the road trip with Grandma Copeland to spend a weekend we thoroughly enjoyed.

Memories of this house and the fun times that have been spent here are countless!  As always, it is incredible to be able to come back to "Grandpa Rigby's House"---always a treasured place!

Even more memories were shared as Grandpa Rigby showed his great grandkids the home where Grandma Copeland grew up.  The sight of the old house first gave some of them a scare, and they weren't sure they wanted to go in, but Grandpa quickly assured them everyone would be safe.

The old house has been vacant for years, so it wasn't surprising that Tyson came upon a huge hole in the floor, and a small rat carcas!!

(Lauren, Tyson, Allison Rigby, Hannah, Brady and Jenna)

One afternoon, Grandpa took all of us for pizza, and fun at a local park.  Summertime in Rexburg is perfect weather--probably the only time it is not freezing. Allison (pictured above) is actually a second cousin to the kids.  Her parents, Jerry and Shelly Rigby were great hosts letting all of us stay with them over the weekend.

Aunt Denise and Uncle Blair Rigby live right next door to Grandpa Rigby.  They invited all of us over for a BBQ one evening.  Upon arrival, the kids begged for Denise to make them pancakes instead--of course she agreed, and everyone was happy!!

 

Lucky for us, we were in Rexburg the perfect weekend of the year.  Rexburg hosts an international dance festival every summer where countries all over the world come to participate.  The first night they have a parade to welcome all the participants. It was fun to see the dancers, but especially the ones from ASIA!

  

On our way back home from Rexburg, we stopped at West Yellowstone's Bear World.  We weren't sure what to expect, but all of us (adults included) loved it.  The first part of the park you pay your fee and enter through the "Jurassic Park" gates into Bear World.  We saw so many bears everywhere!  They were so comfortable with cars driving around.  Some even leisurely walked in front of our car--making for great pictures.

After the drive-through, the kids loved the petting zoo, and amusement park rides.  The rides weren't much, but it is amazing how enthused the kids were with them!

(Unfortunately the goat liked Preston a little bit more than he felt comfortable with!)  Thank heavens for lots of doting cousins to comfort him!

Thanks to Kim, Grandma Copeland, kids, and Grandpa Rigby for making it such a special weekend to remember!