Sugar Loaf Haven

We did a thing.

We purchased an investment home in Wyoming!

It wasn't even something we were looking for, but happened to fall in our 

laps and felt right to do.

Long story short, my cousin Jonathon called Casey about a home

they rented last winter for a guys snowmobiling trip.

His brother has multiple homes they Airbnb in the area and is always searching. 

 Apparently this one was on the market.

One thing led to another, and we became partners with my cousin on the house!

It was an easy close, and within a month of it all starting it was ours!

We took the kids up to see it and do some work before we

put in on the internet for renters.

You fly into Idaho Falls and from there its an hour-ish drive.

We grabbed dinner before hitting the road.

Rusty spotted this skateboard and had to test it out!

Isn't she cute?!

It is in Star Valley Ranch.
A good distance around many attractions like Jackson Hole,
Teton National Park, fishing, many lakes and hiking trails.

Snow activities galore in the winter!

A VERY big plus to purchasing this home is that it came fully furnished!
A lady named Kathy from San Francisco owned it and didn't want
anything but her bike. 
This is how it looked when we walked in!

The master suite. 

The tub, OH the TUB!!

I don't have a big soaking tub at home, so this felt like luxury!

You better believe I took a bath each night.

Some rooms downstairs.

We ended up with a bonus surprise after we purchased the home.

When Casey stayed in it last year this door was locked.

It wasn't added in the listing for some reason.

But behind the door was a gym!!
And to the right was a big storage area.

It was late and we needed groceries.

Unfortunately in small towns they do not have grocery delivery.

So Casey and I hit up the local store and found Grandma Sycamore bread!

I bought extra to take home even.

This was more of a work trip, not a play trip.

We woke up and got going while the kids checked out the surroundings.

The view from the balcony.

I hate to say the word "work".

The house was in immaculate condition.

Kathy liked lots of nick-nacks and had an overabundance of everything!

Like more towels and sheets than anyone would ever need.

Not a bad problem to have, but the whole house needed weeding out.

So I cleaned out the pantry, every cupboard, shelf and closet.

Casey was doing maintenance things and touching up paint. 

We worked hard then decided to take a break and site-see.

Up the road a bit is Alpine.

In Alpine is the Hall family "cabin"...basically a mansion!

The Hall family owns the business my dad runs.

My parents go every year for a retreat and boy have we heard how

amazing it is! 

My dad gave us the address so we could check it out.

Yep, it is pretty grand I would say!

It is on a runway strip.

The back "garage" is a hanger where the helicopter and airplane can be parked.

Along with a pilot suite upstairs. 
There is a full gym, bowling alley, golf simulators, and who knows what else inside.

 

It is on a lake and has a mini golf putting green in the backyard!

It was fun to walk around and see it all in person.

We stopped for dinner at a restaurant that was attached to a hotel.

I'm glad Casey had been here before so he knew where was good to eat.
If I had just walked in on my own I probably would have left!

It felt like we were in a very old, rustic bar from the movies.

But boy, dinner was fantastic!

The boys played pool while we waited for the food.

I love that we are all old enough to watch shows together.

We started a season of Survivor and watched it as much as we could.

In fact, I believe we finished the whole thing!

Getting in their morning workout.

My pile of weeding out getting bigger!

Rachelle, my cousins wife, was in town and grabbed most of it to 

give to people in the community.
They basically live here in the Summer so she has gotten to know people very well.

It was perfectly good stuff!
A family scored a whole case of wine!

There was no thrift stores around to donate to. 

I felt bad throwing it away, so I'm glad it went to good homes.

I believe it was Veterans Day??

Loved the flags lining the street in the neighborhood.

They were sure tired from watching Survivor all day while we cleaned!

We popped into Jackson Hole for a couple of hours to check it out.

Got some ice cream. 

Got our picture in front of the iconic antlers!

And their favorite part of the trip, shopping!

They each got a shirt they wear weekly.

I ran into TJ Maxx in Jackson. 

You know, just to see:)

I couldn't pass up the chance to make the house
 feel festive with Christmas coming up.

Time to go home.
The Idaho Falls temple has the perfect picture taking shot.

Did you shrink, Rusty?
He started the trip with an oversized skateboard, 

and ended with an oversized taco!

It is named Sugar Loaf Haven on the vacation rental websites

 because the street name the house is on is Sugarloaf Drive. 

Isn't it the sweetest name?

I just know we will have sweet memories in this house
for years to come!