- Tatum graduating high school.
- Having enough money to budget for a trip.
- Emma writing as an "unknown fact" about herself for a game at mutual, that she's only been to 4 states in her life. (The ones we go to over and over and the one we live in- Utah, California, Nevada, and Arizona).
The conclusion (after discussion with spouse): We will hit at least one new state this summer to add to the list and take our very own family vacation. A trip that's new. Unexplored territory.
After some discussion we decided on Yellowstone. We would already be in Utah for the 4th which is half-way there, we could stay with family members along the way to cut costs, and it'd be an added bonus to check out BYU-I and see what it's like. We were both excited that it was all brand new to both of us.
We had such a wonderful trip! We planned ahead a lot- looked up websites and got tips from anyone that had been there. I finally have all the pictures from 3 phones and 1 camera put into my computer so I'm finally ready to post! :) I'll be doing it in segments the next few days. I tried to think of fun ways to post about it (like all the restaurants where we ate in a post), but just decided on chronologically. More boring, but my brain likes order.
So. We left for Las Vegas Thursday evening, July 2nd after Dana got home from work.
We had been checking for what the weather was going to be like up north and this is what the forecast was showing...
The rainy days were pretty much the exact days we were planning to be there. Needless to say, we bought 3 new umbrellas, ponchos, a new tent (since our old one had leaked the last time rain had hit it), and an easy up- which we'd been wanting anyway.
We realized we should have added a rooftop luggage carrier to our purchase list because we were so packed in, inside.
But the kids don't know any different and we were all happy to be going our our much anticipated trip. And hey, they could all see the DVD player which is really what counts anyway! ;)
First stop that night was Vegas which held a very special treat of it's own. We would finally get to meet our new nephew/cousin! Sweet little Benson!
And of course little Berkley too! She's become such a little chatter box and so much fun!
Our visit was short and sweet but we were happy to know we'd be back the next Sunday for Benson's blessing:)
Friday the 3rd, we arrived in Mt. Pleasant. We did stop at a yummy restaurant on the way. Totally brought me back to my days being a hostess at the Orem location way back when.
This is the one in Cedar City. Yum!!
Eli popped those rabbit ears up at the last split second. Little stinker:)
Once we got to Utah alot of the family was up at some property of some family friends which we usually visit when we're there. The kids love going up there. Especially jumping in the water hole!
Oh, and this super fun swing...
The next day, Saturday the 4th, Dana woke up early and went and ran in the 5K in Moroni. He actually won a camping chair for getting 1st in his age group (6th overall).
Grandma made 4th of July "jams" for the little girls.
And we all went down to the parade:)
Drew and his girlfriend, Haley.
Eli talked the ears off of his big cousins he looks up to :)
Emma and Lacey
Holly and a grasshopper friend :)
By the looks of that bag of candy, the parade was a success!
After the parade and some lunch, we headed over to the Mountain Man Festival. The kids had all earned different amounts of money based on their attitudes in completing their job chart that week. Sadie bought a harmonica, Eli bought a civil war hat replica (they only had the Confederate side :( but he got it anyway), Emma and Holly got some cool handmade beaded bracelets.
Then that evening we had an awesome BBQ at Dean and Kris' house. The kids love their house and their huge TV with their Wii.
Late that night was the amazing fireworks show. The field was more crowded than usual, but we found our spot and enjoyed the show.
Fireworks are magical.
Sunday morning we went to church and then took off for Ogden to start the next part of our journey! Dana's Aunt Virginia was kind enough to let us stay with her for the night. What an amazing lady! It was so fun to get to know her better. She raised 8 children and several foster children in a 1900 something square foot home. Five boys in one bedroom! Makes you really think about what we think we need nowadays. She seemed genuinely happy to have us there and even offered to have us stay there again on our way back. We were happy to accept. We broke out our selfie stick for the first time ever (forgot to mention on purchase list) for this picture...
Love this lady! She's a kind, happy soul.
Next stop...Yellowstone!
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