Let’s face it. When you have kids, careers, school, loans, moving; life gets in the way and vacation goes by the wayside.
This past August there was a double whammy in our family. The Hood (maternal side to Greg) and Patten family reunions were taking place within days of one another. However….we could not go because 1. We had just moved to MO. and 2. because we would not have enough vacation time at the end of the year to go home for Christmas. boo….
Literally one week after the reunions had extinguished, we got word that as a manager, Greg gets an extra week of vacation (now I would have known that day one, but I’m a woman….)
So, as soon as we had approval, I booked our flights to Utah to visit Greg’s extremely large extended family. I love them so I was 100% ecstatic to go.
At 4:30am we woke the children and began our drive to the airport. It was crazy there, very busy which is not as I was expecting. Morgan did well and Shelby…well…
this smile didn’t last very long, lets just leave it at that.
After arriving to our hotel (aka Grandma and Grandpa Hood’s Hotel of fine food and lodging) we jumped right into the family business. First stop, The Dell, where Greg’s dad grew up.
Aunt Toni and Uncle Kyle Patten
Greg’s cousins Talon and Kathryn (9,7)
The enormous fireplace.
And fun rocking times.
Day two, some horseback riding.
Morgan was thrilled on Cruiser (Aunt Gwen’s)
Shelby, not so thrilled (with Aunt Gwen)
Still not thrilled…
Shelby eventually got the hang of it and Morgan was as natural as they come.
After the riding, Greg and I took a drive up Diamond Fork Canyon (near Mapleton) and drove until the road turned to dirt. Where I proceeded to have a slight panic attack and told Greg to turn around as we were going to slide of the mountain. haha…blame it on the hormones.
We then drove to Sundance to let the girls see some snow. No snow is shown, but it was there.
I love this picture.
On Wednesday, we had a culinary lesson in Grandma’s kitchen on baking bread, breadsticks and cinnamon rolls. I will master it someday, though I just realized Grandma sent me home without the recipe! (Grandma…mail it to me
I made Morgan do all the dirty work.
I did, however, cut the cinnamon rolls and place them in the pan!
The best bakers in the world.
After naptime we met some long-lost friends, Whitney, Carson and Taggart O’Neill, at Greg’s Uncle Dave’s Fire Station. We went for a ride in a truck, climbed in and out, it was a blast.
Carson (almost 3) was in heaven.
Greg played the role of Joel (their daddy) for a bit with Taggart while I wrangled Shelby, who did not like the big trucks (go figure).
So cute and fun!
The cutest family ever!
The next day, we went shopping at Park City where Greg made out like a bandit. Some much needed, new Oakley’s, two new church shirts, new Merrell shoes and for me…a scarf. Lucky guy!
Lunch at the Loco Lizard Cantina was delicious.
Our final play day at Grandma and Grandpa Hood’s house included a circus for the kids! See me for details on this crazy thing Aunt LaDawn did with them.
And that’s a wrap! Another great trip in the vault. Cannot wait for the Utah family to meet baby #3 someday
3 comments:
It was fun to read about the great time we had together. I loved your photos. You have some cute ones that I didn't get. We miss you. Love, Grandmaj
You were in Utah and didn't tell me! We're so sad we missed you guys but it looks like you had an awesome trip.
I LOVE grandma Hoods cinnamon rolls! Luckily I was able to have some this summer while we were there :) Thanks for the post, getting me all Utah-sick. Wish we could have been there with you!!!
Post a Comment