Utah Family Vacation (part 1)

 After two weeks of a great family vacation we are now home. It

feels good to be home, even though our day so far has consisted of stocking up our fridge, unpacking, and spending TWO hours at the car wash getting our car "sand free" and "throw up free". Things 

are finally getting back to normal life..

Although going through all 400+ pictures I think I could spend

a few more weeks on vacation! 

Our vacation started out with driving up to Utah...

with a quick pit stop in Kingman for lunch and  some work for Ryan

we ended up getting turned around a little and ended up on 

Route 66. We found a cute little train park which ended up not

being so cute. After only a few minutes there we noticed that

every homeless person in Kingman also like this cute little 

train park. So a few pictures of the train and we were 

back on the road!

 

After A LOT of "our we there yet's?" we FINALLY 

arrived in Midway!! Bob and Jeanne were both on

the front porch ready to take us down to the hot tub

to relax after our long drive! 

We then went home to have some warm pizza

and get kids in bed!

Tuesday morning Bob and Ryan went golfing

so Jeanne and I took the kids swimming and 

took advantage of a lazy morning.

That afternoon we pack overnight bags and

headed to Provo to stay the night in a hotel.

On our way, we stopped by 

Thanksgiving Point... which was SO cute!!

We started at the dinosaur museum which was

so neat! Blake LOVED it!

Peyton is at the age where she wants to be doing whatever

her siblings are doing... so when she saw

Kenzie get her picture taken she knew she wanted

one too! :)

Weighing themselves to see what

dinosaur weighs the same! 

Then it was time to dig in the sand and water and

look for dinosaurs!

Blake thought the "shark room"

was the coolest part!

Here is his best "scared" face. ;)

We then went to dig for fossils! Such a cute idea that

the kids loved!

When then walked over to the Farm area.

Here is a picture of the Alpine Fire! On our way to

Thanksgiving Point Ryan spotted flames on the 

mountain... sure enough a huge fire had

started in Alpine! 

Peyton loved these little baby chicks.

Weighing to see what animal weighs the same!

Then it was time to ride the ponies!

Peyton waved as the kids circled around... until 

she found little flowers to pick.

All three kids in Jail!

We took a trailer ride around Thanksgiving Point.

This girls in the Dance Hall.

"Yee-Haw!"

After Grandma bribed Blake with some $ he got

in line to milk a real cow!

He didn't want to squeeze the cows "weenie." I had

to explain to him that its not a weenie but he still

didn't like the idea of it. ;)

The next morning we went down to the Provo parade.

I LOVE parades and this one didn't disappoint! 

Bob and Jeanne were able to get good bleacher seats

so we didn't have to wake up super early (or camp 

overnight like some families we saw!!)

Stephanie Nielson and her cute family were the

parade marshalls.

Some of the Disney Princesses were in the parade.

Also Alex the lion and one of the penguins of

Madagascar! Such a cute float! 

After the parade Blake took his cow milking 

money and got his face painted...

like a pirate! :)

Here are the kids and Grandma in front of the 

new Provo temple... still being built.

On our way back to Midway we stopped by a 

few firework stands to get some to light off that night!

Back at Bob and Jeannes house it was a

"hot" afternoon so the kids got their swimsuits on

and Jeanne turned on her sprinkler...

                                     

the kids LOVED it!! Although they got cold as

soon as they got wet. They are use to 100+ degree 

weather! ;)

Peyton liked to just sit and watch the fun.

Then grandma brought out otter pops!

The sprinklers kind of messed up his face painting. :)

Blake was throwing some Pop-its and Peyton 

thought that was so funny so she joined in. 

Then it was time for our All-American 4th of July

dinner! Bar-b-que ribs, corn on the cob, baked potatoes

and watermelon! YUM! Peyton enjoyed the ribs. ;)

Then Grandpa taught the kids a few songs...

one about the 12 apostles and one about colors.

After bath time, it was time for the Firework show to start!!

 McKenzie enjoyed the sparklers...

 while Blake enjoyed lighting all the big fireworks!

This picture is Ryan and Blake having a 

"Tank War!" 

 This poor little Az. girl had to get Blake's jacket on...

she got too cold. ;)

 After our show was over we went to the backyard

for s'mores and our own private firework show! 

Midway's fireworks were let off on the hill right by

their house... our view was AMAZING!! 

I'm convinced that Utah's 4th of July is the way

to celebrate!! Parades and huge fireworks!! 

Perfect! :)