Day 1
We flew in, and met up with my parents, and had lunch at Cafe Rio!! ( Oh so yummy) Then we went straight to visit my grandparents. My grandma had fallen in May and had to have a shoulder replacement, they have put her in a rehabilitation center to see if she could get better. Things haven't been going so good for her, so visiting them was our first stop.
After that we had dinner with our friends the Thelers, while my parents took Mckayla and Isaiah for the evening. They had a fabulous time with grandma and grandpa, and we had a great visit with our friends. Our friends live up by the Draper Temple, we visited with them in their sun room, and watched this awesome storm come through. When it left, we saw the most beautiful rainbow that went right over top of the temple. Pictures don't do it justice of how pretty it was.
Day 2
We went to the Hogle Zoo with my sister-in-law & kids, and with my friends from college (Alison, and Marcie) and their families. It was so fun to meet up with my friends and visit, and to see how fast their kids are growing. The kids had fun looking at all the animals, but I think the best part about the zoo was the bird show. Here are some shots.
I took this picture just as the bird was taking flight. We were in the section right were the birds come over top of you. It was really cool. This bird wizzed right over our heads.
This is Alison and Marcie with thier families. They were sitting right above us during the show.
Here are my nephews with Mckay & Isaiah right before the bird show began.
We couldn't leave the zoo without riding the new carosel ride. My kids love to ride this, that is, if it has safety belts. Mckayla ran on and got on her animal, and I was with Isaiah and Seth. Isaiah was so excited. I hoisted him up on the tiger with one hand, while I have Seth in the other. I put Seth on the animal across from Isaiah. Isaiah says "where is my seat belt?" I said "looks like they don't have any" and Isaiah broke out into the histerics. Mind you I am holding Seth with one hand and trying to get hold of Isaiah, but he wanted off, and off he went. He was not going to ride, no way no how, he was done! Luckily my sister-in-law was riding in the seated part, and coaxed him to go sit by her. I have only a picture of me and Seth!
We had lunch, and rode the train and then we had to say our goodbyes until the next time. I sure love these guys. They made my time at USU so memorable.
Our next stop for the day was to my mission reunion. My mission president and his wife have been planning this for a year, and they wanted to get as many missionaries as they possibly could to this event. I was lucky that we were planning our vacation the same time they were having the reunion. It was lot's of fun to see some old companions, and great to see my mission president and his wife. This here is Pres. and Sister Clegg. We had made a promise with them when we left the mission, that we would continue to be faithful in our personal development in the gospel. They talked a little about that, and encouraged to keep that promise.
This is me with my greenie companion Sorella Schaffner, but is now known as Lis Maltby.
After the mission reunion we headed up to Logan and stayed with our friends the Shipley's from our old neighborhood.
Day 3
We went to church at our old ward in Nibley. It was so fun to see so many friends, we sure miss everyone there. We had lots of fun hanging out with the Shipley's and the Peterson's. Both of them spoiled us with lots of hospitality and yummy food.
Day 4
Monday the Shipley's took us and the Peterson's out on Hyrum's Lake. It was the perfect day to be on the Lake. Utah's month of June had tons of rain so the lake was really high. I had the chance to water ski, and the water was like glass, it was so nice. Mckayla and Matt did the tube. Isaiah was just content to go for a boat ride, riding in my arms of course, because he did not have a seat belt on. He is my safety boy!!
After the lake we were totally spoiled to have our friend Jeff cook us a bunch of grub on his grill & smoker that he made himself. You should see this thing, it is so amazing, he is amazing. He made my favorite wings, ribs, pork sandwiches, bacon wrapped porkloin, and sausage. Talk about good stuff.
Jeff and Matt with their rib smiles.
Eric & Kelly
Just look at this face, you can see he ate real good!!!
Thank you Shipley's and Peterson's for such a wonderful time. We sure miss you!!
Day 5
In the morning the kids and I had the chance to go and visit my cousin Katie, while Matt went to the office, and said hello to all of his old co-workers. This is a picture is of me and my cousin Katie.
It never seems long enough to visit, it always seems to short.
Before we headed down to SLC we had to eat at one of our favorite places "The Firehouse Pizzaria", and from there it was down to my parents. Later that evening Matt and I went to dinner with my old roomies from USU (Kami, Joanna, Tricia & Lynn). It was so fun to catch up on everyone's news. We tried for the first time Texas Roadhouse. It was good food!
Day 6
After lunch we headed for the Kearns pool, which is just around the corner from my brother's house. This place is so kid friendly. My kids had an absolute ball. Especially Seth. He loved playing in the water.
Mckayla loved going down the slides,
but I think she loved the big bucket that dumped water the most. Everytime the bucket was about to dump a bell would ring, and she would run full speed to get there. Here of some shots of the bucket drop.
Waiting, waiting, dumped!
On the way home the boys were out cold in minutes, and for a second I thought Mckay was asleep as well, but it was hard to tell with her goggles on. We bought her these on our trip, and she loved them so much I guess she didn't want to take them off.
On the way home the boys were out cold in minutes, and for a second I thought Mckay was asleep as well, but it was hard to tell with her goggles on. We bought her these on our trip, and she loved them so much I guess she didn't want to take them off.
After the pool we met up with our friends Derek & Darcie at Rodizio Grill, and to temple square. We had a good time visiting with the sister missionaries, and showing the kids around temple square. We looked at the Christus, and then saw a new presentation on the family. It was so nice to walk around the temple grounds and see all the beautiful flowers. Our walk was cut a little short due to massive amount of rain that came down. It was a nice evening, and we had a great time with Derek & Darcie.
Day 7
In the morning we had a big breakfast at my parents house, that my sister Kristy put together for us. We had pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage & hash browns. It was really yummy. Breakfast consisted of my sister Kristy and her kids(Bubba & Ashley), my sister-in-law Renata & her daughter Marianna, Mom & Dad and us. After breakfast we decided to go to the Kearns pool again, since the kids had such a fun time the day before. As we started toward the pool, it was looking a little overcast, and were debating whether we should swim or not. My sister-in-law Dede was going to meet up with us, so we called her to see what she thought. We decided that if it did rain, it usually comes and goes, and the pool also has an indoor pool that we could swim in, so we decided that we would go swim at the pool. Seriously, as soon as we paid and walked out the doors to the pool, it started raining. We went to the indoor pool, and a matter of minutes the rain came down like a torrential rain storm, and rained like that for the rest of the afternoon. So much for coming and going. After the pool, we played Bohnanza, such a fun game. It is all about planting, trading, and selling beans. If you have never played it, you should try it out. It is super fun!!!
Day 8
This day was all about Lagoon. We were a little bit worried, because it said that there was possible rain in the forecast, but we chanced it anyway and had the most perfect day! The weather was not to hot, and we didn't see any rain the whole day! It was so much fun! It was great because we were able to switch off with the other adults, and everyone had the opportunity to ride the big rides. The kids were like the energizer bunny, and kept going and going. I was suprised at their energy. They all crashed on the ride home!
Day 9
This day was the 4th of July. My family & my brother's family all went to the mattinee, and saw Ice Age 3. After the movie we all went to Jamba Juice. When we got home we played the game Ticket to Ride. My sister Kristy got free tickets to the Stadium of Fire for that evening. My brother Bill & Matt stayed home with the youngest ones, and those 5 and older went with me and my sister in law to the Stadium of Fire. Some of these pictures I copied from my sister in law, because she just takes a better picture. My sister Kristy won a brand new HARLEY! It was pretty exciting.
Mckayla and me waiting to get into Stadium of fire.
This is my sister Kristy, who just won the Harley!!
The awesome fireworks show!
Day 10
We went to church with my brother and his family, then later in the afternoon we had a big dinner as a family. The kids had fun playing outside on the big waterslide, and pool. Afterwards we had our own family firework show.
Day 11
Time to go home. Oh what a Sad day! This day was filled with packing, washing, folding, and saying our good byes. I absolutely hate goodbyes, especially when I am leaving home. We had such a wonderful trip, it was really hard to see it end. While we were getting things ready to go, my sister in law took the kids to the park. This is a picture that she took.
This picture is saying goodbyes to Grandma Ryan.
Thanks to everyone who made our trip, such a special one!
