Vacation - Day 6 - Even More Provo!

Having missed a few key elements in our previous visit, we had to return for a bit more fun. BYU campus, Provo Temple, and the Malt Shop. We also stumbled into a really great little mall with Missionary Mall shops, Deseret Book, Distribution, Knee Shorts, and Emergency Preparedness stores. We could sure use some of these in Springfield! On the way back we stopped at Discovery Park in Pleasant Grove. An fun cross of science and playground.

Vacation - Day 5 - More Downtown SLC

While the family visited some more of the church buildings James had a go at the family history library. I've been stuck for years on finding grandparents for Nani and hit the jackpot! Introducing Charles and Justina Hart, my great great grandparents.

Vacation - Day 4 - Provo & Tiffanie's Birthday

We started the day at Olympic Park in Park City. They have some wild training going on there for the olympic freestyle ski jumping. We they took the 'back way' to Provo, through Provo Canyon. Bridal Veil Falls was neat to finally see. Climbing the Y may not be every girl's dream for a birthday (or is that any?), but we had a spectacular view when we all made it.

Vacation - Day 3 - Temple Square & Uncle Matt

On Sunday we visited Temple Square and enjoyed the sights there before heading to church with Uncle Matt & Aunt Marta. They had us over for dinner - and man, can they cook! After winding up the boys the best we could, they went to bed and we played a little Rack-O. Uncle Matt's iphone was probably the biggest hit of the evening.

Vacation - Days 1 & 2

1200 miles of driving don't generate all that much to look at, but we saw some new things for us. The kids were amazed to see what mountains really look like. We had forgotten how bleak Wyoming actually looks. No trees for MILES. Very strange to our eyes.

Into the Depths...

We had a fun trip to Silver Dollar City this weekend! We finally made it down into Marvel Cave below the park (where all the tourism business began for SDC). 500 feet down through a cavern large enough to hold a 20 story building, called 'the cathedral.' They actually inflated 3 hot air balloons inside this space years ago and still had lots of space. Then an hour wandering through passageways and caverns. Not all of the kids were overjoyed at this trek, but it was amazing to see. You might be able to tell by some of the faces in the pictures which kids were feeling a little 'batty' by the end of the adventure.
It all came out okay in the end though, since Hannah got to meet Curious George in the park (and Daddy got to eat some great barbeque!).

Green Acres is the Place to Be!

The Springfield Park Board just opened this great new park called the Rutledge-Wilson Community Farm. It is actually on old farm they bought and renovated for kids to come experience the farm life. A great concept complete with cows, pigs, chickens, goats, sheep, ponies, cats and the works. They even have a fish pond where you can rent a cane pole and try your luck with fishing. They playground is farm themed - and very entertaining.

Blueberry Pickin' Time

While Nathan and Amber were away at summer school classes we slipped off to Ava for some free blueberry picking. Well, not exactly free, but you got to keep half of however much you picked, and we made off with 2 gallons of berries. We took along our niece Molly and nephew Kyle (Meg's kids) and they had loads of fun, or is that 'mouthfulls of fun'? Kyle had the hang of the eating part right away - even without the picking part.

Pride Goeth Before the...

They have this great little park in the middle of town these days called Jordan Valley Park. It has places for the kids to play in the fountains, listen to music, go ice skating, and climb on rocks. The tricky part is that once you are all wet, you really shouldn't climb on the biggest rocks. The last picture is Nathan, returning to the scene after getting his new cast on - yup, you guessed it!

Grandma had a Birthday!

We have discovered a new tradition! There is a great little Mexican restaurant in town that really takes care of you on your birthday. Leslie enjoyed her fried ice cream more than you would believe!

Clown Day at Preschool!

It's not that you can't get high schoolers to do silly things, but there's no way they look this cute.

The Well-Needed Getaway

The last month of school is fraught with need for vacation! We spent a quick weekend in St. Louis enjoying the temple and the zoo. The kids always enjoy interacting with the animals, some even caught some frogs (but it may have gone a bit too far in Amber's case). We're not interested in meeting any 'princes' just now.

Happy Easter!

The annual festivities were a big hit (how can you go wrong with loads of candy?). The egg hunt proved very entertaining, at least until they started flying inside the house. Its all fun and games until someone starts throwing eggs...

Croquet Anyone?

Spring break brought some nice weather and a chance to break out the ever-popular croquet set. The kids enjoyed some recreation, as might be evident. Nathan claims he won the first round. Benjamin had cookies.