Monday, September 9, 2019

Utah Trip!

In August/September, we went to Utah for a whole week over Labor Day weekend. It was so much fun being with family and seeing a lot of the sights we didn't get to see anymore!

We flew out August 28, and Grandpa and Grandma Parker picked us up at the Salt Lake City airport! We went back to their house and had so much fun reuniting with everyone!




On the 29th, we drove up to Hill Air Force Base in Ogden to the Aerospace museum on base there. It was so much fun, my kids were in HEAVEN looking at all the giant planes! We spent a few hours looking around, and it was especially fun to see the Norden Bombsight, which Sean's Grandpa Parker helped build! After the museum, Sean and I drove with our kids to Kelly's house in Riverton, and we stayed there for a couple days! I was SO happy to see their family again! 3+ years is way too long!


Boy do Sean and I miss Mt Timpanogos!




Luke was so excited he found Sarge! 


Cousins! And Luke and Mason wanted to show Vincent the fire truck that looks like Mayday from Planes: Fire and Rescue!








The next morning, the 30th, we woke up and got ready to go to the zoo! My cousin Christianne was on her way out to take her daughter to school, so we got a quick hug and picture before we started exploring. My kids have always loved the zoo, and it was fun to see some of the different animals they have at Hogle Zoo that the Sacramento Zoo didn't have!






Mason held Vincent's hand most of the time at the zoo, and helped him do a lot of things.
Vincent is also very smitten with Sean!! 




This thing looks like Toothless! 


After the zoo, we headed over to City Creek for a late lunch, and then walked around Temple Square! I love going there, and my boys finally got to see it in person! The last time we went was before Luke was born, so Mason didn't remember. We went through both visitors centers and walked around, taking pictures as we went. In the North Visitor's center, they have interactive videos with scriptures where you can learn about the Plan of Salvation, if I remember right. Mason went through the whole thing, and I love that he was loving the interaction and reading the scriptures along with the video!















That night, back at Kelly's, I did Katie and Sarah's hair, just like old times!! It was so much fun seeing how they have grown into the sweetest (mostly) teenagers, and it was so good for my heart to be there with the Varga family.



On the 31st, we woke up and headed to Thanksgiving Point! The Vargas came with us, and got us in for cheap with their membership! We did the Dinosaur Museum in the morning, ate lunch, and then did the Museum of Natural Curiosity in the afternoon! Again, another hog heaven day for my boys! Dinosaurs and structured mess making?? Sign them up for that all day, every day!




My mini me's!


Goofy picture, me throwing James to the shark! He was laughing so hard!








 








That night was a barbecue in the Parker's backyard and lots more cousin time!



On Sunday, we woke up and got ready for church, and after church and naps, we took family pictures! We got some really good ones!













On Labor Day, September 2, Sean and I took our kids up to Bridal Veil falls! We caught a katydid in the parking lot, saw lots of dogs, and climbed lots of rocks. Mason fell in the little creek running down from the falls, but other than that it was a lot of fun showing them a fun place that holds a lot of memories, especially for Sean. As a kid, they used to go up to Bridal Veil Falls all the time.




Mason wanted to take my picture :)




We got home from hiking and played in the sprinklers, had another barbecue, and the kids painted with water on the back porch.






Sean was asleep, and Vincent came over and rested his chin on Sean, and would look up occasionally to see if Sean would wake up and play with him. It was so cute!

On Tuesday the 3rd, Sean and I left the kids with his mom while we ran some errands. We met up with Kelly to grab something we had forgotten at her house, and then headed to the bank. While there, we saw my cousin Robbie! He ended up coming over to the house later that night to hang out! Sean and I also grabbed some Zupas, because you can't go to Utah without getting Zupas. It's illegal.



After naps, we went to the Bean Museum! Mason used to love coming here, so it was fun to bring all my kids now that they all walk on their own haha!





On the morning of the 4th, Sean and I went and did sealings in the Provo Temple, somewhere we used to spend a lot of time together :) while we were packing to leave, Sean's mom and sister took all the grandkids to the park to play! Then we left for the airport and flew back home.


  



It was such a wonderful trip and just what Sean and I needed! The only negative thing was I got the flu starting on Labor Day and didn't really become aware of it until we got back on Wednesday night. Otherwise, it was perfect: a week back in the mountains with family. Next time, we hope to see more of our friends too!