2008 SUMMER VACATION

We went to Salt Lake City for a week for family vacation this summer. It was a nice trip and we kept busy, almost to much so. We arrived the night of July 23rd.

On Thursday, July 24th in the morning we went to the 24th of July parade (days of 47) which was about 5 blocks from the hotel. It was a great parade, not worth staying overnight on the lawns & walks of the parade route, but none the less a good parade; although the kids were disappointed that there was no candy thrown. The up side and highlight was seeing Prophet Monson. He was only about 15 feet or less away in a car with all the "secret service" around him. Was a surprise to see him and very cool. Ask Spencer about it. We went to the Myan for dinner and that was pretty amazing and fun, I don't think any kids ate much, but they sure enjoyed the show! I guess that was the whole point, entertainment!!

Friday we got up to head to the Hogle Zoo. We had car trouble and spent about 1 1/2 hours getting that fixed and then off to the zoo. It was annoying, but ironic. Last year when trying to go to the zoo with Aimee were both had car trouble and didn't end up being able to go. In fact we had to rent a car to get home. We finally made it to the zoo and had a very enjoyable time, especially watching the young kids reactions to the animals. Coltyn was funny "oh wook" over and over and Spencer telling you any facts about the animals, Jared wanting to go look at an animal before we were ready. We attended the bird show which was SOooo amazing. We had huge Hawks flying right over our heads to the stage. It was very fun. The picture below is of the American Bald Eagle, we thought that was amazing, we'd never seen one not in the wild or that close.

Saturday we went to the flea market. Ask Spencer about buying fleas J/K. He was upset when he found out we were going. Grumpily "why would you want fleas?" He was funny, then has a good time buying items. So I think he likes flea markets now. We went school shopping at Draper outlet mall, that was nice to get it out of the way and to find some different items that everyone in their class wont be wearing.

I don't remember what day we did what from here till Tuesday but we also attended the discovery gate way and the kids played in the spray park, visited the planetarium which was okay but not exciting enough that we wanted to see a show, and the aquarium. The aquarium was awesome, we were able to touch sting rays.

We rode the TRAX system so Coltyn could ride a train....HE LOVES TRAINS, TRUCKS AND PLANES. We went to the airport to watch planes land and take off for the same above reason.

We attended the "this is the place" Heritage park, not enough time there (they closed at 5pm, we didn't know and went at like 3:45pm) but what we did have was very interesting and fun. Wagon ride, pony rides, craft centers a Good family place.

We did the Discovery Gateway building which the kids loved! A giant exploring building with hands on demos, building, balls, Lego's, ect...was a great time to just sit back and let them play and discover knowing they were safe. Okay, Geary and I played with the toys!

Tuesday and Thursday we went to Lagoon, or "Galoon" as Jared kept calling it. We had a really good time. We road the rain there which none of us had ever done. Did you know they have a"zoo"? Lagoona beach was fun and relaxing, only one minor sunburn our whole trip, on the last day! Yeah. Grandma & Grandpa came down and went with us on Wednesday. Had a lot of fun watching Spencer and Megan talk Grandma into riding the "big" rides, the Wicked and such. Grandpa got talked into doing the roll-a-cage ride with Jared and that was entertaining to watch. I won dad a great tie at the guess my weight thing. Ask dad if he wore it to church yet?

Well that wrapped it up we headed home Thursday and just laid around trying to recover from vacation for the next few days. Then I shed tears letting my kids go home after two weeks. It's hard to do all over again. LOVE YOU KIDS!! I especially want to thank Geary for his help with the kids, his patients while I worked a few days before we left and for taking his vacation time while the kids were here so that daycare wasn't needed, they got to know him better, and could play freely. THANK YOU HONEY! You are awesome, I love you a ton!!!

I did learn and decide that next time Geary & I need a vacation after vacation to recover. LOL ;)