Great-grandparents

Thursday we spent the day with Jason's grandparents, Don and Janeen. We took the kids to the Dinosaur Tracks museum in the morning, then went to lunch and drove around in the afternoon. We drove over to the ranch they used to live at in Virgin, and stopped at a tourist trap/petting zoo down the road, then stopped in Hurricane to visit Jason's aunt Laurie, uncle Steve, and cousin Matt. We got back home in time to grill steak and watch the VP debate.

Lots of time in the car

Wednesday morning we packed up and headed out of Salt Lake. On the way we stopped by Ashley's work and Rob and Mandy's one last time. We stopped for lunch in Alpine with Jason's aunt Kris, uncle Mike, and cousins Taylor and Brooke. Brooke's two boys are the exact same ages (within just a few weeks) as our two boys. Luke and Ethan hit it off and attempted to plant a grape and strawberry garden (using grapes and strawberries) in Kris and Mike's gorgeous backyard. Kris made us an amazing lunch. We were reluctant to leave their fun house and get back on the road. I somehow didn't get any pictures of Brooke, but here are Kris and Brooke's boys (and one of Colin loving the swing). 

Kris and Brooke talked us into taking the Alpine Loop to Provo. We are so glad we did. It was gorgeous! 

We finally pulled in to St. George around 8:00 pm exhausted and dirty. That drive down I-15 is not as fun with kids as I remember it being in college. We did stop in Fillmore for the world-famous potato log. I'm still not sure how I feel about it. 

Children's Museum and the Cabin

Tuesday we joined Kristen and her kids for breakfast (the 3rd meal she made me in 24 hours), then Jason and Rob went golfing while Mandy and I and the kids met up with Jill for lunch. Mandy and I then took the kids to the Salt Lake Children's Museum for the afternoon. Such a cute place! Mandy's kids are about the same age as ours and Evan and Ethan are very much alike. They had a little bit of a rough beginning, but quickly became friends.  We picked up takeout from Tucano's (thanks, Ann and Randy!!) and went up to Jill's cabin with Jill, Rob & Mandy and their kids, and Mike & Jennie and their son Carter. Carter and Ethan were the best of friends in Boston but didn't really remember each other. It was so great (and unexpected!) to see them, even if I didn't get to see their twin 1-year-old girls. 

Evan, Ethan, and Carter. All born in 2004. So cute!

Jennie entertaining all the boys. Poor Carter had just gotten injured.

Colin trying to show Lily how much he loves her.

Jill, Mandy, Jennie, and me. I love these girls!

Jason (with Mike) discussing the pros and cons of Celine Dion.

Rob and Mike.

Thanks for letting us crash your cabin, Jill. It's always so fun up there!

Hogle Zoo

Monday the boys and I joined my sister Kristen, her husband John, and their daughters Trea and Adia for breakfast and a trip to Hogle Zoo. We had such a fun day! 

Ethan and Trea hit it off (I had a feeling they would), Colin loved the animals, and Adia loved the carousel (I still feel bad we made her get off). As an added bonus, I ran into a friend from Boston (who still lives in Boston) who is in town with her family for the next couple of weeks.  While the boys and I played with cousins, Jason was playing on the Green River with his friend Dave. 

We Know People

When I told a friend I was going to the west coast for 2 weeks, she said, "Oh, do you know anyone out there?" Yes. We do. I have 3 sisters in Utah. They're all married and have 3 kids between them. Jason has 2 brothers in California. They're both married and have 5 (and a half) kids between them. Between myself and Jason, we have 12 aunts and uncles. They are all married, and all of them live in Idaho, Utah, and Nevada. They have lots of kids between them, and most of them are married with kids. On top of that, many of our closest friends from Boston have for some reason chosen to settle in Utah and California. So we know people. And we're trying to see as many friends and family as we can. It's going to be a busy (and fun!) couple of weeks. 

On Sunday we started by visiting Jason's aunt Julie and then went up to North Ogden to see our friends Dave and Heather and their adorable 9-month-old twins. Dave's parents have a great property and let Ethan feed their goats and attempt to fish (although the dads were more enthusiastic about that than Ethan was). 

Dave and Jason headed off to fish the Green River and the boys and I stopped by to visit Jill, then headed back to Ashley and Greg's to sleep. Ashley and Greg were so great to stay with. Greg kept the kids entertained and Ashley cut my hair, got stains out of my clothes, bathed my children, made me dinner...I could go on and on. Thanks, guys! 

On the Road Again

We left town on Saturday morning and flew to Salt Lake City through Chicago. The first leg was great. Colin napped and Ethan watched his DVD. The second leg was not so great. Within 20 minutes of takeoff the flight attendants were asking for anyone with "medical training." Jason was the only doctor on the plane, and spent the next 3 hours taking care of a 9-year-old having an anxiety attack. Turns out she was flying with her estranged parents from her home in the midwest to Boise to find a new place to live with her mom once the divorce was finalized. Luckily there just happened to be a pediatric respiratory therapist onboard who was happy to help. I felt sorry for the little girl but more sorry for myself having to manage 2 kids solo. Ethan was completely bored and over the trip by then and Colin was tired but refused to nap. But we all survived. We arrived at my sister Ashley's late and threw the kids at her while we hurried to unload the car and get the kids to bed. We're spending 16 days traveling from Salt Lake City to St. George, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. We fly home from San Diego on October 12. So far we're having a great time!