The end of June we took a trip to Utah to see family and have some adventures.
In true adventure fashion, we started off the trip with a 5-hour wait at the airport in DC while our flight was delayed. In general I hate it when the kids are mindlessly using devices, but this was one of those occasions when I was incredibly grateful for them.
Clayton was a champ on the plane. One of the boys had an accident on the plane, and unfortunately I hadn't packed clothes for the older kids in their carryons, so we tried using paper towels to dry him off. He was freezing on the cold plane (the flight attendants had no blankets) and was happy to change into warm, dry clothes while we were waiting for our luggage. However, when we arrived in SLC at 2:00am (4:00am EST), the rental car we had already paid for wasn't there, so they gave Michael a Tesla to drive to Provo and Michael got an Uber for me and the kids. I enjoyed talking with our driver, who was from Afghanistan like my friend, Sana. The next day Michael had to drive back up to SLC to switch out the Tesla and wait for a minivan, which mercifully he acquired and then returned to Provo. Good times.
The following morning after not much sleep, I went to Macey's (memories. . . ) with my mom and Michael and the kids went bowling with Caleb and Shannyn's family at BYU. Then we met up and ate lunch and ice cream at the Creamery. Yum!
We had to show the kids where Michael and I met--near the steps of the BYU Bookstore. And look what that meeting produced.
Later that afternoon we went to the Provo Rec center. Grandma and Grandpa were also in town, and it was so fun to hang out with them there! We then enjoyed pizza back at our airbnb with the family and just had a nice time (not long enough) hanging out.
On Sunday we went to church with Heather and got to see Nana and Bapa and Ben's family who was in town for a family reunion as well. Telestrations was a hit.
Ben and his beautiful sisters ;-).
Love these people.
We awakened early on Monday (July 3rd) to see the hot air balloons take off in Provo, enjoying doughnuts and watching the magic happen.
Bryan and Emily stopped by later to see us--Grace had had scoliosis surgery and was in SLC at the hospital, so they understandably weren't able hang out more. Another visit needed! They got to meet Clayton.
On the 4th we drove up Provo Canyon and hiked to Stewart Falls. It was Benjy's longest hike (over 4 miles) and he, along with the rest of the crew, were champs. I love the aspens there so much.
Heather came with us and it was so fun to have her company and help.
Sparklers, hamburgers, and fireworks finished the day with a bang.
The following day, we traveled up to This is the Place Heritage Park. It was really fun, and I was so glad we decided to do it. It wasn't very crowded and the weather was hot but gorgeous. I loved watching the kids work together to push and pull the handcart on the dirt road. No easy thing!
Could we have been pioneers? Yes, yes we could have. Possibly some might have died along the way, but we would have made it ;-).
Resting in the shade with this cutie pie.
Despite Clara's reluctance to come on the trip, she was a trooper, really.
The boys loved finding gems in the "sand."
Another interesting stop was at the potter's shop where we watched a real live potter throwing a bowl.
The children's monument moved me deeply and made me cry--seeing the names of hundreds of children who died on the trail west. So much sacrifice and faith.
That evening we enjoyed a beautiful sealing session in the Provo City Center with Nana and Bapa and Bryan and Heather. The evening sun filtering through the stained glass in the sealing room was heavenly.
The following day we left Clara at the airbnb happily rocking out to K-pop while the rest of us drove down to Bryce Canyon (3+ hours away) to meet up with David and Char's family (currently living in Madagascar but on a brief visit back to the States).
Benjy and his cousin Isaac could be great buddies if we lived closer!
This trail was challenging but only about 2 miles long. Charlotte was super sweet and helped Benjy along the way.
Pictures don't do it justice.
We enjoyed a yummy meal at Nana and Bapa's apartment and then they came over to our place to help us pack up and share Mr. Fox with the kids before we headed out early the next morning.
After a flight to Atlanta, temporarily losing Benjy in the airport where I had to race UP a DOWN elevator that never seemed to end to find him, then another canceled and rescheduled flight to DC with Clayton screaming his head off for some of that time on the plane, we arrived safely and drove home.
Phew! It was a great trip, though, all in all. But definitely an adventure, not a vacation. :-)
