The Kok Family: May 2013

Tons of New Pics!

I just uploaded tons of new pictures. So many that you have to click at the bottom on "Older Posts" to see them all. Just wanted to make sure everyone knew that since I just spent 2 hours uploading;)

Enjoy!

We picked Lauren up from school early on Wednesday and headed to Boise, ID for the first leg of our drive. Funny how times have changed, Kevin & I were reminiscing about road trips when we were kids. We thought our Walkmans were cool...

The drive was adventurous. We had crazy rain, hail, and snow in parts. And we got go stupid speeding ticket for going 75 in a 70...while in the middle of a long line of cars that were all going the same speed as us. Guess it was our lucky day...

Had to stop for some candy to perk us up!

The next morning we stopped in Mountain Home, ID to get coffee. My grandpa grew up here and I have a lot of fond memories of visiting as a kid. It is a very small town, so quaint & cute. The guy at the coffee shop said, "You guys aren't from around here are you?" Apparently it was obvious. Fun to stop in and relive some memories!

Graduation

Getting ready to head out to graduation! We dressed as twins!

Ben, Lauren, Spencer, & Abby.

Not the best family shot, but it's all we got!

Spencer with his dad and Abby.

Spencer with his mama!

Lauren was in heaven with all the big girls at graduation! She felt so cool and grown up.

Ben wasn't loving it as much...he spent some time laying on the floor.

Oma & Opa took us all out to a celebratory dinner afterwards. We had such a big group we needed two tables!

So fun to celebrate Spencer!

Silly Girls!

Ben with all the girls!

Fun with the Rexburg Cousins

The biggest reason I wanted to go to Rexburg (besides graduation of course) was so Lauren & Ben could get to know their cousins better. This trip did not disappoint! The kids got lots of cousin time and had so much fun together. I really feel like they know each other now, which is so important to me since I count my cousins as some of my best friends! We spent a lot of time swimming at our hotel pool, but this is the only picture I got!

They got two 5 week old kittens the day before we got there. They were a MAJOR hit with Lauren & Ben. I have to admit, even I fell in love with them a bit. If only they stayed small like this forever...

Chole with her kitty.

Opa giving Spencer his graduation gift.

Spencer is really into playing the Ukulele and he sang us a song. I was beyond impressed, he is so good at playing and singing. I really wish I videoed him. He could be the next you tube sensation! I'm serious, he's really talented!

Throwing knives & axes...because that is normal! Ha! I guess it is in Idaho. The guys all had fun trying!

This boy melts my heart, this picture says 1000 words. He is so in love with these kitties. He's already asking when we can go back and see them. Ugh, I'm afraid my no cat rule might not last as long as I'd hoped. I'm trying to stay strong:)

Abby Grace

They surprised Lauren & Ben and had a little early birthday celebration for them! So nice and thoughtful. The girls even made a big happy birthday banner for them!

Cousins! Too bad Spencer isn't in this, he was doing his play.

The kids loved just playing in the backyard and having a campfire. There was so much space to just run and play. It was like camping!

Ben took the fire really seriously.

S'mores- my absolute favorite dessert!!

The girs brought the kitties out by the fire and Ben was in heaven.

Collecting wood for the fire.

Helping Uncle Jayson build a fire.

These two were buddies!

Apparently roasting Starburst is a big thing to do in Rexburg!

If you enlarge this pic you can see all the Starburst they are roasting! Too funny. I never did try it, Kevin did and said he wasn't impressed but the girls say they are the best thing ever!!

Love the sunset

That smile is the best thing in the entire world!

Spencer's Play

Spencer has become quite the thespian and his latest play just started when we were there. It is a college play at BYU-Idaho and he was the only high school student to get a part! Pretty impressive!

It was a Shakespere play and to be honest, I didn't understand any of it. He tried to explain it, I still didn't get it. It was fun to see him in action though, he was really great in the play. We are so proud of him for venturing out and doing something he loves!

Opa & Oma

TJ & Katilyn

Yellowstone Bear World

We were going to go to Yellowstone but then we found out about this place, right in Rexburg, ID where we were staying. It was so great, it's like bringing Yellowstone to you! Perfect for kids (and adults) who didn't want to spend more time in the car.

All these animals just roam through the park and you drive through (with your windows up) and they walk in front of your car, up to your window, etc. You can't go above 3mph so no animals get hit. It was pretty amazing to see all of these animals up close and right out your window.

We told the kids they could stand up in the car so they could see out the windows better. This made Ben very nervous, he kept asking, "Are you sure this is allowed?"

This animal was so amazing, look at those antlers!

They also had a petting zoo where you can pet & feed deer. They were so tame and friendly. This one is young, just 1 year old.

This deer is pregnant and due in about 2 weeks. Lauren wanted to stay in town for 2 weeks so we could be there for the birth. She kept feeling her tummy to try and feel the baby kicking, but no such luck.