Summer Fun in Utah

Xavier driving from Texas to Utah somewhere in WY :D

We made it home safe and sound from another fun trip to Utah to visit our dear family and friends. Here is a brief recap of our many adventures over the past two weeks.

We drove out again this year and decided to share the burden of driving a bit more evenly this year. Everyone had to take their turn at the wheel. It was the first year we drove in our van. It was much more comfortable and roomier than our beloved Camry. The extra leg room was appreciated by all. The best quite from the drive came from Loyd. Hoping to distract the children for a few minutes we began asking them questions about the Oklahoma landscape. When we asked Loyd why he thought the dirt was red in Oklahoma he authoritatively said, "Because it's angry." Dustin and I laughed pretty hard. :)

After two long days in the car and an exciting hotel stay (Hotels are terribly fun places when you are a kid and they have an indoor swimming pool.) we finally made it to Grandma and Grandpa P's house.

Grandma Phillips, Xavier, Grandpa Phillips, Audrey, Rebekah, and Loyd in Morgan, UT

Xavier, Aunt Jenny, dog Zena, and Cousin Kaleb

We were lucky enough to overlap our trip with Aunt Jenny's visit. The kids loved to play with Aunt Jenny and tell her little dog to, "Go to bed, Zena!" I'm thinking Zena didn't mind all of the bossing around because she got first dibs on all food that fell on the ground. With little kids running throughout the house there was a lot of food to clean up off the ground.

Cousin Kaleb, Aunt Jenny, Xavier and Loyd on Grandma P's backyard porch swing.

All of the cousins live in Utah. We were lucky enough to see all of them and spend some very valuable time playing. The kids played and played and played and played some more. I don't know that they have ever had so much fun and so many friends at one time to keep them busy.

Loyd practicing for his first General Conference talk behind a replica of the podium inside the LDS Conference Center.

On one morning, all of the cousins and aunts got together for a trip to Temple Square in Salt Lake City. We saw the interesting and fun exhibits at the LDS Church History Museum, ate lunch at the food court in the new mall, and then rode the train to the planetarium. The kids had fun and it was great to get everyone together. Sadly, it was a rainy day so we didn't get to walk the grounds of the Temple and we all forgot to get a picture of everyone together. All told, we made a group of 19 happy, chatty people. All of the cousins were there except for Anthony. He had to work. It was a fun day!

Cousins Delaney, Olivia and Walter, and Xavier, Loyd and Rebekah in Mapleton, UT


Cousins Kailyn, Skyler, Jayden, Marisa, and Madison, Cousin Kaleb, and Xavier, Loyd and Rebekah in Morgan, UT

When we weren't having fun with our cousins, aunts and uncles we were driving to visit with friends. We were happy to have a fun picnic with our friends the Hintons in Orem, UT and enjoyed a yummy hotdog cookout with several of my dear friends from high school at our friends the Newton's lovely home in Croyden. Of course, while the adults chatted and caught each other up on the latest and greatest in our lives the kids enjoyed playing with new friends. There is never a shortage of playmates in Utah. :) We even got to take a day and drive to Kemmerer, WY to visit with our dear friends the Whitbecks. Bekah wanted to bring all of her new friends home with her. I can't say that I blame her. :)

Kaden, Kabrie and McKenna Whitbeck with Loyd, Rebekah and Xavier at the park

Loyd, Xavier and Grandma P jumping on the trampoline

When we weren't busy driving around to visit with friends and family we enjoyed playing in Grandma and Grandpa P's beautiful backyard. The boys adored jumping on the trampoline and Grandma was a great sport to join in with their fun.

Rebekah in Grandma P's sweet pea garden patch

There was also an abundant sweet pea harvest in Grandma's garden when we arrived. Rebekah headed up the picking crew and the kids had a ball helping Grandma bring in all of the lovely, ripe peas for snacks and meals.

Xavier showing off one of many great big handfuls of picked peas on route from the garden to the kitchen.

Rebekah, Loyd and Xavier during bath time

After a busy day of playing and getting dirty the kids enjoyed playing in the jacuzzi tub and seeing how many bubbles they could make. Besides, tub toys are always more fun when they aren't yours. :)

Two Pregnant Ladies - Audrey and Liz

Lizzy was a trooper and came up to visit with us quite a bit while we were in Morgan. It was fun to see her and her cute family. Here is a picture of the two pregnant sisters together. I guess this is our shot to take fat pictures and get away with it. ;>)

Grandma Cornelius, Great Grandma Cornelius, Loyd, Xavier, Grandpa Cornelius and Rebekah

Dustin's parents were also troopers and drove from CA to meet us in Utah. We had several fun days where we got to hangout and play with Grandma and Grandpa Cornelius in real life and not just over Skype. :)

We went to a double feature at the Riverdale drive-in movie theater, went on several fun shopping trips, and ate a yummy dinner at Grandma "Grape"'s house with Grandma and Grandpa C. It was a lot of fun. :)