A Stop in Rexburg

Of our siblings, the only one who wouldn't be in Utah during the time we were was Dave's sister Kelley.  She lives in Rexburg with her husband David, 4 darling children, a cat named Cookie, 5+ goats, and a bunch of chickens (hope I'm not leaving anything out.)  She definitely has her hands full and considering they already took their summer vacation, it really was easier for us to drive up and visit her than for them to come to Utah.

We stopped in Rexburg on our way to Yellowstone.  Conveniently on the way and a perfect place to stop for lunch.  Of course, it was so nice to see Kelley and her kids that it was kind of sad to have to leave and get back on the road so soon; we only stayed for a few hours.

Kelley, is a girl after my own heart.  She loves food, cooking, gardening---and she is very good at it as well!  As we arrived in Rexburg, she recommended that we meet her and the kids at Big Jud's for lunch.  Ah, Big Jud's...it's a hole in the wall diner in the middle of nowhere, literally right out of Diner's, Drive-In and Dives.  Dave used his GPS to find the restaurant and let's just say that both and Dave and I thought our GPS was broken because as we followed it's directions we were pretty sure, "that there isn't going to be any kind of restaurant out here."  However, we forgot we weren't in Chicago anymore, because yes there can be a little restaurant in the most unexpected of places!



The Smith and Gee kids waiting for lunch



Big Jud's is a place known for it's HUGE hamburgers.  See that monstrosity I have been served.  That is a mushroom and swiss bacon burger.  I had to eat it with a fork...I mean there is now way I was getting my mouth around that thing.  I might have broken my arm just trying to lift it. 

So you're wondering was it good?  Oh yeah!  It was good!   Just what you want from a juicy homemade burger.  They also come with fresh cut fries that are so delicious that even though you are sick-full from trying to eat your hamburger you just can't stop yourself from eating the fries.

So Big Jud's was a big hit with our crew.  However, the best part of the meal was that I got to sit next to the adorable baby Bronson.  He is about 7 months old.  I love babies at this age.  I just couldn't keep my hands off of him, even his diaper blow-out couldn't deter me (okay, I was in such baby heaven I didn't even notice.)

After lunch, we went over to Kelley's house to visit, let the kids play, and basically try to recover from the beef bombs we had just gleefullly eaten.  First off, we took an agricultural tour.  The goats, chickens, and pasture are pretty novel to my girls.  The goats had recently given birth so it was pretty fun to see all the babies frolicking around.

Paige disappeared with her cousin Nikki to play and Dave played dinosaurs with Josh, while Ashley got some "baby" time too.  And Kelley, treated us all to some Paradise Bakery donuts...it doesn't matter how full you are, there is always room for donuts!

Before we knew it, it was time to go, but I am so glad that we got to visit the Gees.  Kelley has a wonderful life in Rexburg and some of the most beautiful kids you'll ever see.  I will always have the memory of her girls running carefree through the pasture with their long blond hair blowing in the wind.  Hopefully, when their kids are little older and ready to travel they will come and stay with us in Chicago.

p.s. a few days later on the way home we again stopped in Rexburg but we didn't get to see Kelley as she had other committments, however she did recommend that we stop at the Hawaiian shaved ice shack and have a "Frog in a Blender."  Again, she was right on that one.  Frog in Blender is my new favorite snow cone flavor!  Yummmy