On the last day of school we headed out for our annual "escape the heat" trip to Utah. We loaded up the new 12 passenger van and we were off! The kids were mesmerized by the new movies we bought and did amazingly well on the drive, which took 13 hours!
We went earlier in the summer this year because Aunt Tiff was leaving on her 18 month service mission to Canada on June 5th so we wanted to see her off.
At her farewell party, the men loaded the kids onto the quad for rides... literally LOADED!
Jeremy and his high school friends Adam and Rowdy
My with Tiff, Katie and Carissa
The kids played and played! They were so happy to see cousins and friends that we don't see often.
Many of the rest of the nearly 3 weeks we were there were spent hanging out:
Riding in tractors
Swimming at the rec center
Dining at the Train Diner
Having dance parties
And watching out for cow crossing!
I was able to get together with my high school friends - love these ladies!
One day we ventured to the Fish Farm. My kind of fishing - fast and easy!
The kids always love bathing in Nana's big jetted tub.
Feeding the ducks at Sugarhouse Park
Our friend was roping at the rodeo grounds one evening so we headed down to watch and he even let the kids go for a quick ride.
We went to dinner at my Aunt Roxzann's and the kids ended up hot tubing.
Owen was obsessed with all of the local livestock
Maya took horseback riding lessons while she was there.
Kenyon was even brave enough to give it a try.
Maya leading Kenyon and Jasin (friend and horseback lesson teacher) giving Owen a ride.
Jasin's son Mason entertaining Noah during the lesson
While playing at the park, we were frustrated that a swing was twisted up too high to reach. Nana went over and asked the police officer and farmer who were nearby to come help us. Definitely the most excitement they saw all day!
The kids got worn out each day!
Uncle Tyler had a Kids Fest at his cabin while we were there and the kids enjoyed getting their faces painted, jumping in the bounce house and making tie die shirts.
Maya's old babysitter Carson came out for a visit... I didn't get a good picture of her sweet, adorable baby boy - so happy for them!
Friends came over to play one evening and the girls made up a dance to perform for the adults.
Meanwhile the boys were exploring their more manly sides - Owen with a hose and Dylan was stuck in a pile of mud out there!
Random encounter with some neighbor girls out walking their sheep.
Grandpa Tony took Jer and the kids out boating one day (I did some incredible outlet shopping with Noah that day!).
We met up with our good friends Adam and Katie for lunch one day - we were quite the sight with their 4 kids and our 5 in this small restaurant!
On the last evening we went to ride on the Alpine Slide in Park City. Here they are riding the ski lift up the hill.
And here they come down the hill!
On the way home we stopped and took a little hike around Jacob's Lake. It was our last cool spot before returning to the heat!
Another successful summer trip! Love the memories and experiences our kids get to experience and the quality time with Nana and Grandpa.
