Dinosaurs, Guns, and Falcons (aka Trip to UT)

The kids were off school Feb 27 & 28 for the Regional Basketball Tournament (a tradition around here), and I'd been itchin' to get outta town.  So, I packed up the boys and we headed to Utah at noon on Wednesday.  Unfortunately, Reid didn't get to come with us.  We've got the 8 hr drive down to a system.  We rent 2 movies from Redbox, load up on snacks, stop 2 times, and we're there.  The drive is actually pretty pleasant.  Not much traffic to deal with, so it's not very stressful.  I listened to the audiobook Midnight in Austenland, by Shannon Hale (Sequel to Austenland).

Sunset near Evanston, WY

Middle of nowhere, WY (through the Wildlife Open Range)

Heading up to South Pass, WY

We stayed with Megan's family in Sandy on Wednesday night.  The cousins were so happy to see each other.  Megan had kept our visit a surprise for her kids.  Megs and I went for a lovely walk after the kiddos were in bed.  We had a huge snowstorm come through Cowley right before we left, so to walk around without a coat, or boots was thrilling.  We stayed up WAY too late talking in her front room, like sisters do.

Thursday, we chilled at Megans.  It was super rainy!  While Avery was at school, I took the boys up to Ogden for a quick visit with our friends (Parkers).  It was great to see them in between their move from CT to WA.  Rhett won over Alissa's mom pretty quick.  Their girls are so adorable, and girly!  I love it.  Robbie and Alissa continue to inspire me in so many ways.  My mom came up to Megan's after work, and we got take-out from The Cheesecake Factory, since I've been sitting on a bunch of gift cards I earned from mystery shopping in Oregon.  Yum.  Later, mom and I took all the kiddos down to stay at their house in Orem, since Megan had a Girls Camp Mtg to go to.

Millie Vanillie

Friday morning we met up with Megan and Millie at the Museum of Ancient Life (a.k.a. Dinosaur Museum) at Thanksgiving Point.  I think the boys liked the Tinkering room the best this time.  We got yummy artery-clogging food at JCW's for lunch afterward.   Hello onion rings, fries, fry sauce, bacon burger, and a chocolate peanut butter milkshake!  Mmmm.  When we got home, the babies took naps, and the older kids played the Xbox connect and out on the swings.

Digging for fossils

Don't worry, they're dead.

After everyone else got off of work, we all met at Grandma and Grandpa Jackson's house up at Sundance for dinner.  Rachel and Jordon made the trip down from BYU-Idaho, so all 5 of us siblings were in town together.  It was awesome!  I took the kids on a ride up and down the in-house elevator.  They thought that was SO COOL.  Grandma sent me home with a bunch of old photos of her ancestors to add to FamilySearch.org.

We had fun playing games and chatting back at Mom and Dad's house all together after the kiddos went to bed.  Rachel, Megs, and I stayed up way too late (again) talking, painting our nails, and laughing at inside jokes.  I love my sisters!!

Saturday morning started off with the traditional Saturday Morning Music playing while Mom and Dad made us a lovely breakfast of eggs, bacon, and Dad's famous pancakes.  We also had some Daylight Donuts and dancing in the kitchen to top it off.

I remember most Saturday mornings growing up starting this way - it was a super happy atmosphere that just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy to think about.  I love these traditions, and find myself continuing them in my own home.  Of course, Saturday was also a day to work hard so after we were all nice and full of happy endorphins, we were put to work.  (Luckily, I got out of mowing the lawn this visit).

We made a stop into our family favorite Mexican restaurant, Los Hermanos, for lunch.  (Thanks for watching the kids mom!).  Then, Dad took us all out to some fields in Vineyard to shoot guns, ride ATVs, and watch one of his falcon's fly. We had a blast!  It was the first time that the boys have seen the falcons in action.  The sky was stormy, but looked really cool to me.  Thankfully, the rain held out until we were finished.  I am always in awe of the mountains there. (More pics on next post)

Dad, me, and peregrine falcon Shockanah

Saturday night we had pizza and then played Guitar Hero after the kiddos were in bed.  It's always a party with the sibs.  Mom and Dad were both wiped out and fell asleep on the couch (pretty much a nightly occurrence) while we rocked on.

Sunday we went to church.  It's always fun to see old neighbors, Sunday School teachers, and YW leaders from the ward I grew up in.  Many of them had such an influence on my life, and I just admire them so much.  We had a yummy dinner of Hash Tacos, a family tradition that a lot of people think is nasty. My cousin Alli and her family stopped by for a visit.  And, lucky them, they got to try some.  :)  I think they actually liked them.

We had to say goodbye to everyone Sunday evening.  It breaks my heart to see Avery cry about saying goodbye to my boys.  I'm glad they like each other so much.  I hope my boys stay close to their cousins.  I grew up close to my cousins, and they are still some of my very best friends.

The drive home on Monday  was uneventful UNTIL between Worland and Basin.  I got pulled over.  Lol.  In the exact same spot I got pulled ov
er last summer.  You think I would have learned!  Luckily, he gave me a warning, and sent me on my way.  I think I've learned my lesson now.

South Pass, WY

We came home to another 8 in. of snow covering Cowley.  Crazy!

Our home is at the end of this road.

Overall, it was a fabulous trip!  More pics to follow in separate post.

Sunset when we got home.