Trip to Utah #1 (Warning LOTS of pictures!)

This summer is a busy one...and we're only just beginning!! First on our list of activities was our first trip to Utah! 

On the drive up we were able to "enjoy" the "fresh" scent of unhappy (or road kill- whatever the case may have been) skunks. 

Chris and Samantha were GREAT! It's along drive and they were such troopers! I think the anticipation of seeing Grandma and Grandpa, Nanna and Poppy, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends helped!

They came up with some fun things to entertain themselves...Chris played with the air freshner...which was long over due to be changed...but still cute!
And they played games! It was a long day that went rather smoothly!
That night we arrived earlier than we expected and were able to unload the car and visit with Nanna and Poppy before we went to bed. 

While we were there we had a pretty full schedule, packed with activities with both BJ's family and mine...but first, Sammy and I needed our hair cut! Sammy LOVES getting her hair cut and is SO good to hold still! 
The first week we were there we had family pictures with BJ's family. We don't have them back yet, but I think they are going to turn out real nice. I'll post some when I get them! :)

We went to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point with Nanna. We'd never been there before and really enjoyed it! The kids really liked the Erosion Table...
...and daddy did too! 
Gotta pose with the Shark!! 
While we were down that direction we decided to go to Cabella's. The kids and I had never been there before and we had fun walking around looking at all there was to see. 

Christopher liked watching the fish.
We had to stop and practice our target shooting!!
And Samantha did a little lounging in the camping chairs!!
We also took a day to go downtown and see the Salt Lake Temple grounds and play in the fountain at the Gateway. Here are some pics from our day!

Riding TRAX downtown. Christopher LOVES riding the train!

At the reflection pond in front of the Salt Lake Temple.

While we were there we met up with Uncle Kevin who works at the Church Office Building. Chris and Sammy were so excited to see him!

Our Eternal Family

Kevin took us up to the top of the Church Office Building so we could see the temple from above! Very Beautiful!

We were able to go to the Hogle Zoo with BJ's family. The kids loved seeing all the animals and spending the day with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Tom. Here are some pictures of our day.

Chris and Sammy LOVE Grandpa!

Yummy corn dog for lunch!

Sammy with Grandma and Uncle Tom waiting the the bird show to start.

After the bird show we let Chris and Sammy donate a dollar each. (Thanks Grandpa!)

The Majestic Bald Eagle

Going for a ride on the Carousel. 

Grandma and Sammy balancing.

Chris sizing up to the gorilla 

Almost there! (I love that she is standing on her tippy toes!)

We went for a ride on the Zoo Train...then let the kids play on the playground.

It was a perfect day for the zoo. The weather wasn't too hot or too cold and the rain held off until we were ready to leave. 

On another day there, we decided to have a "Temple Day". We went with my parents and took the kids to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. Then we went to lunch. After lunch we dropped the kids off at Grandma and Grandpa's house and went to do a session at the Draper Temple. But they wouldn't take our names down for an appointment there so when we got there the session was full and we had to wait. So while we waited we did Initiatories. It was an amazing day in some beautiful temples! Here are some pictures of us at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house.

Chris and Samantha were AMAZED by the piano that played all by itself....Chris asked "Is the Holy Ghost playing it??"

Kevin and Kathy invited us up for a BBQ one of the nights. Chris and Sammy had SO much fun playing with their cousins Zachary and Eliza. 

The boys playing swords

Samantha and Eliza having some girl chat over a bag of potato chips!

We introduced the kids to Miniature Golf too. They had fun and are now constantly asking if we can go to "Putt Putt".

The Sunday before we drove back, we were able to get together with some of our real good friends that had just moved back to Utah from Boston! We hadn't seen them in over 5 years! It was great to catch up and meet their cute kids!

Who knew a hammock could be so much fun??!!?

It was a GREAT visit and the kids and I are looking forward to round 2 in just over a week! :)