Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Fun times in Utah!



It has a been a week since our family took a trip to Utah (Oct.22-28). Since we never went to Utah this past summer, we were missing family and also wanted to see Utah in October since we hadn't been there during October for 9 years. We squeezed a lot of things into a short trip, but it was a blast!


Our family took a morning flight to SLC. Upon arriving to SLC we went straight to Temple Square where we met up with Grandma Evans. We were happy she could hang out with us that day. Landon and Mason have always been so fascinated with church sites and church history that we knew they would enjoy walking around Temple Square. When we got there they really wanted to take a tour of the Conference Center. We had been in the center before, but had never been on a tour. Since it was in the middle of the week there were plenty of tour guides wanting to show us around.





Jacob discovered his shadow at the Conference Center, it was funny to see him try to loose it. While we were on the tour of the Conference Center, the boys asked our tour guide if he could tell us where President Hinkley was buried. Later that day we went and found the cemetery. What a neat place! There are several Prophets buried there. They give us a map of where they are all buried. It was a really great treasure hunt for my kids.





Along with Hinkleys' grave we found: David O. McKay, John Taylor, Heber J. Grant, and



Spencer W. Kimball (pictured below).



Zeke and the boys also hiked up Ensign Peek that day! What a view! It was a beautiful day!



One day we drove down to Fountain Green, Utah. It is about 2 hours south of SLC. Zeke's sister Trish and her family live there. We had such a nice time seeing them. The kids loved being with their cousins.



Fountain Green is a small town. The Allens live in a great place. The kids had a blast playing on their property. Lots of trees to climb, and roaming chickens. Lydia and her cousin Maddie even found eggs that a hen had layed in a tree.


Jacob enjoyed playing ball with Seth. Seth is a few years older than Jacob, but he's not a whole lot bigger. He was so sweet and patient with Jacob, since Jacob is a ball hog.





On opening day we went to High School Musical 3! My kids saw the other two High School Musicals with their Findlay cousins for the first time, so we were excited that it happen to be released the same time we would be in Utah with them.


Our whole family (Jacob included) went to the show. We were surrounded by other similar families and many screaming girls. We loved the show and the audience made it a lot of fun. Now we hear Landon and Mason sing "The Boys are Back" nonstop.



On Saturday was the USU Homecoming. We headed up to Logan first thing so we could see the parade.





I have been to a lot of parades, but this had to be one of the best. So much free stuff!!! I never remembered getting so many free things in the USU homecoming parade before. The kids stocked up on candy (big bars) and we even got a few shirts. But the best was Zeke was given a half pint of "Aggie ice cream" his all time favorite treat! It was his lucky day!


Proud future Aggies;)





It was also the Homecoming Football game. It had been a long time since we had been to Romney Stadium for a football game. Our lucky day continued when we approached the ticket counter and were paying for our tickets. Someone from a distance yelled "We have extra tickets, don't buy any" I ran over and they gave me 5 free tickets. Yahoo!!!





The game was very close in fact the Aggies were winning the majority of the time. With 2 seconds left, Fresno State kicked a 59 yard field goal, leaving the Aggies down by 2. It was a heart breaker, but we were happy they at least made a great showing.



Our kids loved hanging out right down by the end zone.



After the game we went and saw my Grandparents. They are amazing! We loved seeing them.


My grandpa taught himself to play the organ several years ago. He has played songs for my boys since they were babies. Mason and Landon were excited when they learned one of his favorites "Oh when the Saints.." and wanted to play if for him on his organ.



Let's just say Mason (playing below) rocked the house!!




Then Grandpa played and of course they all danced. It's just that they are so much bigger now!!




We went to a saurkrawt dinner with my Grandparents, my aunts: Jo Ann, Kristie, Louise and Uncle Richard. It was yummy! We enjoyed some fall activities at the dinner as well.



We enjoyed Logan's Pumpkin Walk as well that evening.



The theme was "Everyday Hero's".


Families decorate displays out of pumpkins for the community to walk around and see. This was one of my favorites: Noah's Ark.

At the end we had fun putting the kids faces though these statues.







On our last day in Utah we went to Gil Gard Gardens in Salt Lake, the Beehive House and the church office building. We spent time with several of Zeke's siblings and enjoyed every minute. Unfortunately,we didn't take many pictures of adults.

6 comments:

Michelle said...

Looks like you had a great time visiting family in SLC. I'll be up there over Thanksgiving with my parents. Love all your pictures!

Camille said...

You trip looks like a lot of fun. I can't believe how much stuff you packed into your week. No wonder you came home a little worn out.

Ben and Carrie said...

What a fun week, especially the USU game. It's nice to have some other true Aggie fans living nearby! The game looked like a lot of fun- sounds like we need to go to the Homecoming game next year and get in on all the free stuff. (If only they could just win a game.... go to an Aggie basketball game- they never disappoint!)

Looks like next time you'll have to squeeze in time to show your kids the "A" on campus..... they'll have plenty of time to prep to become True Aggies! :)

Cheryl said...

Hey Steph,
It looks like you had a great time in Utah!! I'm sorry again that we couldn't meet you but hope to see you soon. Did you make it to the Blue Bird?
Take Care!!!

kj said...

Looks like a fun trip. Isn't fall a great time to visit Ut? Wish we could have been there to see you!

Jared McInelly said...

Now that's the way to do a Utah trip. You guys packed it in! Nice work. Utah does have a lot of fun things to offer. Especially for families.