Addison and I had such a wonderful time traveling to Idaho to spend some time with Jack and Erika. We left Columbia at 6 AM and connected through Chicago (and was it ever cold there!) and then on to Jackson Hole, Wyoming where we were greeted by Erika, Jack, and Jack's parents, Bob and Joanne. It was absolutely breathtaking landing in Jackson Hole and was such a beautiful day. We stopped in town for lunch at the Silver Dollar Diner in Jackson Hole where we were greeted by a hostess from Rock Hill, SC! What a small world it is. We enjoyed a wonderful meal and then began driving on to Rexburg. The coldest I was the entire trip was when we stopped for a "photo op" along the pass and it was so extremely cold -- BURRRRR! Beautiful, though, just gorgeous!
On Friday, Addison had her tour of BYU-Idaho, which she loved and since I wasn't feeling well Jack (bless his heart) escorted Addi for the tour. I got some rest and prepared for the baby shower which was so fun! Jenive and Joanne hosted the shower at Joanne's and it was great. They got some really neat gifts for the baby -- Leighton will be one sharp dressed little baby girl!
On Saturday morning (1/31/09) we arrived at the Rexburg Temple at 6:45 AM and this was such an incredible experience to be in the temple with my daughter and her husband as they were sealed for time and all eternity. What joy I felt...I don't know how to describe it but it was and is truly one of the happiest days of my entire life. I am so grateful for this experience and I am so thankful for my beautiful daughter and son-in-law and the wonderful choices they are making in their lives.
After leaving the temple we picked Addi up and headed to Applebee's for a wonderful lunch and enjoyed the company of friends who'd accompanied us to the temple. We had a great time and then Jack, Erika, and I headed to Idaho Falls for some shopping while Addi spent the evening with Deborah and some friends playing in the snow and going to a movie. Sunday morning we got up early and Erika and I made a homemade caramel cake to take to the Maxfield's after church and for their "chip dip" night and to watch the Super Bowl. We attended church and enjoyed a heartfelt testimony meeting. The evening at Jack's parents' home was so fun -- they made Addison and me feel so welcome in their home and I will be forever grateful to them for this wonderful experience. We enjoyed a feast of shrimp, meatballs, oysters, a veggie tray, sweets of all sorts, and just a wonderful "smorgasbord" (I know that's not spelled right! Ha!) It was wonderful. I just wished Joey could have been there with us -- this is his kind of refreshments and fun! We had such an awesome time!
All too quickly Monday morning arrived and it was time to leave and head back home. Our flight was cancelled from Jackson Hole but we were re-routed through Idaho Falls (which was much closer so a blessing in disguise!) and we headed out to the airport. It is never easy to bid farewell for a time and as my heart got really heavy I got a little excited knowing that I'd be returning in just a few months to welcome the new baby! Thank you, Erika and Jack for everything -- it was a most perfect vacation! Jack, thanks for all the driving you did for us -- you just don't know what a luxury that was, even though it was probably for your own safety because I have no idea how to drive in the snow! Ha! Thanks for driving us everywhere and taking Addi on the tour the day I was feeling really yucky coughing and sniffling. Thank you, Erika, for all you did for us --you are amazing. I truly hope Addi enjoyed this trip as much as I did - it was perfect!
and then a full day the next day at the zoo which was a blast,
some shopping at Sportsman's Warehouse, and a birthday dinner at his favorite, The Olive Garden. It was all so much fun!
The zoo was so neat because Joey had not been in a very long time and so much had changed. We especially enjoyed watching the baboons and the show they put on for us -- we laughed so hard! We also loved the big screen HD TV at the Hyatt and watched "Fireproof" on pay-per-view after dinner. We had a great time and I believe Joey enjoyed his surprise get-a-way! Then the night of his actual birthday we had a party for him at home and were pleasantly surprised to have most of our family show for the party.
How awesome to have so many loved ones for the celebration. Even our home teachers came by to wish him a happy birthday and brought along some neat gifts -- a some little reminders of getting older! Ha! 
Our home teachers have such a great sense of humor -- we love ya'll! Ha! Happy Birthday, honey, I hope this will be your best year yet!