We are finally home after a very long 16 days of vacation. It was such a long time to be away from home, but I was surprised by how well my kids handled it.
First we stopped to see our friends who moved away a few months ago. My kids have done nothing but ask for them and plotted to bond our families through marriage ever since they left. I was a little worried that friendships wouldd have weakened in the 9 months since they left, but the minute those kids saw each other, they disappeared together and we didn't see them again for 2 days. Emily and Kate have been best friends ever since the moment they met. They are very proud of the fact that they have never ever had a single fight. Emily intends to room together and BYU and find some brothers to marry.
The whole gang -- plus 2 kids that they were babysitting.
Evan and his future wife. He had been planning on having 100 kids and getting 50 motorcyles with sidecars to transport everyone around. Anna said she only wants to have 5 kids, and Evan pretty easily agreed to that change. Now the only thing holding them up is that he wants to live with me and Anna wants to live with her mom.
After our little reunion we swung swung through Omaha, picked up Daddy from the airport and continued on to Utah, where we played with our little cousins, Cael and Rhees and our very fun aunts and uncles -- most notably Aunt Lauree and Uncle Chris who were very devoted and tireless in their willingness to play with my kids -- and the kids completely loved every minute of it. Various pictures of the Utah leg of the trip:
At the Dino Park in Ogden -- "The World's Most Dangerous Creatures!"
Evan adores Rhees. He is very sweet with him, taking him by the hand and helping him and playing with him all the time. Brendan also likes Rhees very much... he also really likes beating the crap out of Rhees. I think its how he shows love, but we are trying to teach him to show it in better ways. Rhees was almost able to give as good as he got... he's already taller than Brendan even though he's 9 months younger, so Bren better watch out!
At the Treehouse Museum in Ogden -- Emily was able to envision her dream of become the first woman president. Boy, was she relieved when Hillary dropped out of the race! She was ready with a backup goal -- the first redheaded woman president!
The boys, especially Brendan, didn't really want see anything in the museum other than this firetruck.
Dani also loved the fire truck. She is putting out a fire here.
Evan and Emily both thought this children's museum was better than the one near us becuase they had so many dress ups. They are dressed up as Mexican children here (note that Bren is a little Mexican girl, there was only one boy outfit), they also dress up in clothes from England and Germany and also as American Indians.
The Utah leg ended with our now nearly-traditional August Half Marathon. We ran the Provo River Half again this year, this time with my brothers, who, to my frustration didn't train and yet STILL beat me. I ran my worst time ever and Jason, as always, beat all of us. Ryan and Chris seemed to have their whistles whetted on the whole 1/2 marathon experience, so I guess we're doing it again next year!
