Rexburg Redux

After being back from London for only one day, Rosie and I roadtripped up to Rexburg, ID. Rosie was feeling left out because we didn't bring her to London, so I promised her we'd do something fun over fall break. I've wanted to drive up and see my sister Mary at BYU-Idaho since she started last year, and now she's in her last semester. We dropped Taylor off in SLC, drove on the Legacy Parkway for the first time, and headed north on I-15 Wednesday afternoon. I made my two usual stops...gas at the Flying J in Willard, and dinner at Jack in the Box in Pocatello. We arrived in the 'Burg around 8:30 pm.

Mary, Monica, Rosie and I got frozen custard a BRC's

It was fun to share college stories with Rosie. She said she already knows she wants to go to BYUI. She is interested in the nursing program, but let's see what she says in 9 years when it's time to declare a major.

I had fun getting to know Mary's roommates, and as this picture attests...they were very sad to see me leave. We had fun stalking people on Facebook...like an old boyfriend of mine, whose brother is friends with Mary's roommate. Small world.
This was my first time to Rexburg since the temple was dedicated. When driving into town at night, it looks like the temple is floating about of town. It would have been nice to have this available when I was a student, but I do have fun memories of Idaho Falls temple trips with my student ward. My favorite diner from back then is now a hot tub store, and the Retrix dance club is now a home decorating store. There's loads of new married student housing, many more restaurants, a movie theater, and a lot more students. There are several more buildings on campus...and the Manwaring Center just opened a gorgeous new cafeteria. I went to Foundations of Light and Sound with Mary, pretending to be a student (also to have internet access, since it was blocked from Mary's apartment for guests.

We participated in some Walmart hijinks until the store employee reprimanded us

Mary made us some stellar banana Nutella crepes

After class on Friday, we went into Idaho Falls. Weshopped for a few hours at the Grand Teton Mall. I found a new dress, which was much needed at Dillards. Rosie had fun posing in the rides for silly pictures. She got to visit with some cousins while Mary and I met Taylor's cousing Kylie at Craigo's back in Rexburg. We returned to SLC on Saturday morning in time to attend a funeral and a wedding.

family Date Update

With all the times I've been to SLC this year, I can't believe it's been so long since I've seen Mary. Going off to college does that, I suppose.

In my dad's words, Clint looks a little "horny"

Clint was so enamored, he just couldn't hold back!

Rosie wanted to get in on the action all night

We all went out as a family to Red Robin for Dinner, with Clint and Melina as stowaways. My mom called them her "adopted kids," and dad made plenty of comments to Mary and Clint to make them blush on their "family date." So far so good!

Matchmaking

Clint
SWM. Age 23. Occupation: pilot

Mary
SWF. Age 18. Occupation: Student

Since Taylor met Clint at Jet U in March 2007, he's been talking about how he's wanted to set him up with my sister Mary. She was 16 at the time, and he was 21. Taylor was insistent. For months, we've been trying to arrange a time when all of us would be in town at once. He met her today for the first time in SLC; she's 18 now and he's 23. She picked him up from the airport and they hung out with the family. So far they've watched a movie together and he's played the guitar and serenaded her, then all of the family went out to dinner when Rosie and I arrived. They plan to go snowboarding tomorrow, which both of them love to do. Will Taylor's long-awaited jaunt into matchmaking be successful?

Shout out to my sista!

Mary in 2003

Mary in 2008

My sister Mary just got a new haircut, and she looks like a knockout! Amazing what a difference 5 years will make for a girl. My baby sister, the Watson caboose, will be graduating from MHS on May 30! Then off to BYU-Idaho she goes in the fall. Any bets on how long she'll last as a single hottie in Rexburg? Hopefully longer than I did!