Our Utah Trip

I finished school on Friday, May 29th. We didn't waste any time. We left for Utah on Saturday, May 30th. Our friends Todd and Felicia were kind enough to watch our fur children for us. And Grandma and Dad came along with us.

We only went half way the first day. We stayed in Las Vegas. I found a "good deal" online for our hotel room. It was not such a good deal... Our room was a DUMP!!!

There were holes in the wall:

And this was the view out our window:

Luckily, construction workers still take Sunday off; even in Vegas.

And, luckily we only had to stay there one night. It was...interesting...

We woke up Sunday, packed up our stuff, desperately tried to avoid touching the mysterious stains on the carpet of our room, and headed for Utah.

I love doing the Utah/Phoeix trip in two days because there isn't such a rush to get there.

We got to my sister's house around 4 pm. My sister had dinner waiting for us (bless her...I was already tired of road food!).

We ate and then headed to my nephew Austin's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. It was great to get to be there for that. He (and his mom) worked really hard!

Then Tuesday was the Main Event (so to speak). It was my brother David's birthday, my great-neice Teagan's birthday, and...MY birthday!! Also, it was our late Grandma Bullock's birthday, and my nephew and neice-in-law (Teagan's parents-go figure!)'s anniversary!!
So it was a pretty important day!!

My sisters (being the wonderful sisters that they are) threw us all a big party!! It was great! Teagan got to eat her very first birthday cake, and I got some great presents (including the ones from Dan that I picked out).
The best present, however, was just being there all together with my family.

The highlight of the next couple of days would have to be the field trip Dan, Dad, and I took to the Bingham Copper Mine. Did you know it's the World's Largest Open Pit Mine? It is. Now you know.

We also got to go to a couple of my nephew Parker's baseball games. He's on a Super Team (I think that's what it's called...) and he's pretty good!It reminded me why I like summer in Utah so much. There's nothing better than a warm summer night at the ball park.

We also went to the This is the Place Monument.

I didn't realize how moving it would be. The monument tells the story of the pioneers who settled Utah. One of my direct ancestor's name is actually on the monument!

We also went to Park City. Dan had never been there. I thought this was a funny sign....probably just because I've lived in the desert for too long...

Then Dan and Parker rode the Alpine Slide. Dan wasn't sure if he was going to make it, (Not because of the slide part...but the ski lift ride up to the slide. He's afraid of heights.) But he made it.

Friday we got to go to my neice Olivia's graduation from 8th grade. I can't believe how grown-up she's getting!
She's beautiful, inside and out.

What a great family!

We also got to go up and spend some time with my sister Dana and her family. We drove up Ogden Canyon and found a great place for a little hike.
It was a magnificent day:

There was a great looking little path. I didn't hike as fast as everyone else because I was wearing flip-flops (and because I was too busy taking a billion pictures!).

I got some really great ones: There was a peaceful little stream next to the trail.

Lexie made sure to mark our path for us, so we wouldn't get lost.

Dan, Dad, and Grandma left on Sunday to go back home, but I stayed another 9 days. It was great to have some extra time with my family.

My sisters and I got to do a session in the Salt Lake Temle (first time doing a live session!). Afterwards we went out for a sisters' dinner.

We also got to have lunch with some of my aunts and girl cousins. I forgot to take any pictures, we were all so busy talking! But it was fun to see everyone again and catch up.

Also, I got to go to my grandparents' old house. My cousin and his wife live in it and have fixed it up. It is darling! (I would have taken pictures, but that probably would have seemed a little weird...)

I did some (too much!) shopping, saw a movie, and just generally had a great time!

I would have to say that all in all it was a fabulous trip. I was so happy to be able to see and spend time with my sisters and their families. They are all such great people, and I feel lucky to be able to count them as family. I am thankful that, even though we can't live as close to everyone as we would like to at the present time, we still get to see everyone on a fairly regular basis, and when we do get a chance to visit we are always welcomed into their homes and their lives with open arms. We are truly blessed. :)