Utah Trip

Ok, I don't know why it's been so difficult to get this post done, but here it finally is! (What, you all haven't been waiting on the edge of your seats for me to post this??) Anyway, we had the opportunity to go to Utah in June, where we saw cousins we've never met, and had a fabulous time with Brian's side of the family (we missed you, Wendy!) Here's the rundown into some of the things we did while we were there:

One of the first things we did was go down to Mt. Pleasant and visit Brian's sister Karen and her family. Brian's dad brought down his boat, so we headed to the (snow-filled) mountains, found a lake that wasn't covered with ice and spent a fun afternoon hanging out while the kids took turns going for rides in the boat with Grandpa. Above: Benson, Kylee, Ila, Tanner, and Makayla scouring the ground for treasures,

Ella hanging out with Mom on the shore.

The 1st group of kids and adults getting ready to take off in the boat.

And they're off! That's Brian crunched in the front of the boat there.

The next day, Brian and his dad went fishing alone while us ladies kept 8 kids happy and busy all day. The weather was totally beautiful and it was great to just sit outside in the afternoon. Ella was happy just to sit and play with her toys on the grass.

Here's the kiddos having a great time on the "waterslide"

Brielle, Ila, Makayla, and Kylee

Brian out on the lake catching our dinner. Too bad they had to throw back most of the fish they caught!

Brian and I took advantage of having some babysitters around, so we went on an overnight date. We ended up going to Temple Square and had a great time walking around and enjoying the scenery (it's amazing how much you miss it when you don't have it around!). We even busted out our cheesiness and re-enacted some poses from our wedding day. :)

What a cute guy! Too bad he's out of focus...

One day we took the kids on a ride on the Trax (the light-rail train that runs through the Salt Lake Valley). When we got to the end of the line and were getting ready to return, some of the kids said they needed to use the bathroom. We spotted a park right near the trax station so we headed over there for a bathroom and playground break. They had tons of fun. Here they are at the park.

Ila, Kylee, Benson, and Makayla

Heading back to get on the Trax. We made it just in time, it started to rain soon after that.

On the Trax headed home.

Brian's dad took all of us out to dinner at Olive Garden one night. No small feat, considering there were about 16 of us! Here's Ella and her look-alike cousin, Brielle.

The whole group. Well, almost.

The kids at the aquarium. L to R: Makayla, Brielle, Tanner, Ila, Benson, Andrew holding Ella, and Kylee. You wouldn't know that Andrew is only 3 months older than Kylee!

Posing in a canoe at the aquarium

Aaaaaaaand.........this is what we hauled home behind our van. That's a piano under there. Crazy, huh? I'm amazing it survived.

Unfortunately, the 2 weeks went way too fast and we eventually had to leave. It was pretty hard to come home, but we hope that we'll end up living around family in the future, after all this school stuff is over. Thanks Mom, Karen, and Sara for showing us the best time we've had in a long time, and letting us trash your houses and eat your food!

So, when's the next vacation?