Chapter 2- Becoming Utahn

Well onto Chapter 2- Becoming Utahn

We began by heading out from the cabin on our trek of 11 hours to Ogden Utah, where we stayed with Pauls Aunt and Uncle. Who are such amazing Hosts! It was not to bad of a drive, (other then the 15 pee breaks one after the other) because we invested along the drive in a portable DVD. It was well worth it for a trip of this length. The kids travelled really well, surprisingly actually, as I was not looking forward to the drive.

We had such a great time visiting and playing there. We had such a great time at the amazing outdoor water park, that couldn't have been better in the super hot weather (something like 33-34 degrees). We got to celebrate Pauls Birthday with the fun time at the water park as well as eating delicious Mexican food. Eating mexican food is always a highlight of any of our trips to the US, just the food is worth it. Soooo Yummy!!

Then we got to be there for Logans 8th Birthday! (Logan is my girls second cousin) This was so amazing as Heather (Pauls cousin) is such an amazing planner and had planned the most amazing birthday that I have ever been to. It was the Olympics, complete with flags and assigning the kids each a country; a torch rally; olympic events, like hurdling and high jump into the swimming pool, skeleton down the huge slip and slide, water balloon shotput, )there may have been more but my memory is failing me). Then there was a closing ceremony which included medals (cany bars in gold, silver and bronze wrappers put onto ribons), fireworks and cake and ice cream. It really was such a well planned and fun birthday party. So fun to be there for it!!

We really enjoyed getting to spend some extra time then we had initially planned with the Woolfs as Dawsyn had a fever and we couldn't go to other cousins in Highland Utah and get them and all of the kids there all sick. So we stayed and enjoyed some extra play time and just more relaxed end of our trip. We went to a movie, went out to an fun spray deck, jumped on the trampoline, did some shopping and enjoyed the time together. We spent a day at Temple Square, which is always a fun experience. The first time for the kids there. We also had a mini day-trip camp-out, where we cooked over the fire and played in the stream in the beautiful site just off of Bountiful Utah.

It was all just such a great time. We love to just spend time with family and are so grateful for them taking us in and taking such good care of us. It definately gets less simple as our family keeps on growing but we are so glad for the time we have had with them, especially for their hospitality!!!

On out trip home we came home in 2 days, which was such a great decision as we didn't have to rush. We got a hotel about halfway home and got there in time for us to order pizza for supper and swim until it was each kids bedtime. Then that one would go up to bed while the others swam still. It was so great! What a great trip we had! Vacations are so wonderful!!!

My dear, doing all of the driving. This is one moment that I'm not sleeping. I'm grateful that he does the driving!

The girls hugging the leg of the statue of Joseph Smith.

Beautiful Salt Lake Temple

It was sooooo hot this day. The girls were trying to get in this water. It was one time in which they weren't crying when we were outside because it was so hot.

Dawsyn getting to crawl around the visitor center

I love this of Kyndal just walking right up to the Christus and standing there looking at it. A precious moment!

Elliette right up by the doors of the temple

There was a lady playing the piano in the Joseph Smith Memorial building, so the girls started dancing.

At our little camp-out, playing in the wonderfully cold stream!

Chatting! So much fun!

Dawsyn began to walk on our trip. She has gained so much confidence with her walking every day that we were gone and was walking completely before we came home.

My sweet girls!

Glad for a good trip. I think that one measure of a good trip is when you are done and ready to come home. We were there! Had such a great time and ready again for normal life. I love my life! I am so blessed and grateful for it!!