Janis' Idahoan Adventure- Part 1

Ok...so this post is a bit overdue and I have severely neglected this blog...but- better late than never! 

A couple weeks ago we had a visitor and this handsome fella played full time tour guide...

To this one-of-a kind fella.  Say hello to Janis...(pronounced Yawn-iss) :)

  He is from Latvia (where Cory served his mission).  Latvia is near Sweeden...it is former Soviet Union but Jani insists we say it is near Sweeden. Cory and two of his very close friends taught and baptized Janis.  He had been investigating the church for years and three Idaho missionaries had what it takes...ok the spirit is what really got him but these guys did help things along:)  Cory has done his best to keep in touch with Janis since he has been home and Janis has come to America 2 times prior to this.  Once to go through the temple for the first time and a second time for our wedding.  He LOVES America.
So we did a little sightseeing...Idaho style!

To start things off we went on a great day hike up to a lake.  I can't really recall the name however.  Like I said...I am a little late getting this up.  One of the top things on Janis' to-do list was to catch a fish (and go see the Boise Ballet- only one of two came about though).  He caught several fish while he was here- and loved every minute of it!

Now this next picture may seem like a normal 4 wheeling trip photo- however- what this picture does not tell you is that Latvians do not show a ton of emotion...especially by big cheesy grins.  BUT...this was Janis' first time on an ATV (they walk everywhere in Latvia so he doesn't even have a licence).  He said this about his trip...and I quote.... "I have never used these words in English before.  It was . UN- BELIEVABLE!!!!!" He absolutely loved it and we were quite nervous the whole trip because he went as fast as he could.  In fact the man and his dog walking up the trail shook his finger quite vigourously at me because of Janis' need for speed! 

Like I said...he thought it was pretty cool...

The view from the top.  We squeezed in a couple other activities that I didn't get pictures with...swimming at Roystone Hotsprings, steak dinner, all that fishing, but we had a lot of fun...

...and Brig and I got to tag along with all the fun...even though we couldn't understand the conversation.  Brig loved getting to spend so much time with Dad and being outside all day everyday.

To end the first week we headed up to Idaho Guest Ranch to ride some horses...and Idaho favorite for Janis.  He was only sad he didn't get to ride Black Jack this year:) While riding horses Janis saddle became loose and he slipped right off...he even loved that...he felt like "8 Seconds."

Here is Janis with the three mission companions all cowboyed up.  Janis is only missing his cowboy hat...which he wears all the time while he is here- he even wore it to church!

While the men folk were off riding horses, Brig was finding himself a lady friend. He likes the older gals.  In fact, he likes her so much that he stole her shoes and her brothers shoes!!! Sorry about that Scott and Meredith- we need to get them back!

Here is Janis with "The owner's of the establishment" aka some real cowboys and cowgirls! Thanks Bryan & Jess for the fun time- you guys are so great and have an awesome thing going! 

He got a few pointers here as well...like "never ask a cowboy the size of his spread..."  I still don't really get why... We also ate hard  delicious potatoes and 7 up chicken in a HUGE dutch oven and really good peach cobbler.  It was a great way to finish off week one! 

A huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard to help us make Jani's trip a success.  And thank you to Janis- we are so glad you make the sacrafices to come and visit us!  We will post more of week 2 soon.