Week 6- The Final Fun

Our last week in Utah was just like the ones before it- packed with fun! We started off with a weekend visit from Grandma Morales and Emily. The kids loved playing with the dogs and splashing through a creek near Auntie Sarah's house. And I loved the adult conversation while Uncle Matt wrestled with the kids- they sure have missed their Daddy!

The next day we met up at the dinosaur museum, which was a nice cool alternative to playing out in the 100 degree heat. 

We met up with the aunties for dinner in Provo, followed by a generous soak in the splash pad, ice cream cones and a ride on the carousel. 

It was so nice to see them again, and we went home exhausted- some more so than others.

The next morning we were back to Thanksgiving Point, this time at the Children's Garden. 

There was so much to explore.

The grown-ups also went to Thanksgiving Point to see the Utah Symphony and some fireworks. I loved these larger-than-life bronze sculptures of Christ.

And before we knew it, it was time to celebrate Independence Day!  We braved the crowds in Provo at the Freedom Festival. 

 Thanks to our sweet Indiana friends that have moved there we had great seats with no fuss at all.

Emma reminded me so much of Leah at this age-not about to smile until she fully understood what was going on around her.

Adam, as usual, loved it all and wanted to make friends with everyone around him.

This picture makes me think not much has changed with Leah... 

My parade-loving dad went with us and was even brave enough to take the kids on the 'berry-go-round' at the festival. I love using pregnancy and picture-taking as an excuse to not have to go on those rides anymore. 

We spent the afternoon in the pool at my parents house 

and that night at my sister's house, setting off fireworks, eating tasty food and visiting into the night.

If Jason had been there, the night would have been perfect. Still, we had a great time celebrating the Fourth.

The last few days of our trip were filled with more visits with friends, a shopping trip or two and lots of playing with cousins.

A few days before we left, Leah commended to me that "It's almost like you and Daddy are divorced.... you know, because he's in Iowa and we're here."  I replied quite emphatically that divorced people don't like each other and Daddy and I like being together very much, then listed off all of the ways that we stayed close during our time apart- nightly phone calls, daily texting conversations, letters in the mail, updating the blog AND a surprise visit in the middle of our trip... but by then she had moved on.  Clearly, it was just time to get our family back to some semblance of normal.

When it was time to pile into the car to make the two-day trek home, we were all ready! We made the trip rather uneventfully, thanks to my mom's amazing driving skills and the kids eagerness to get back to their daddy.  Before we knew it, we were back to life in Iowa again.  So glad to be back with Jason, but also so grateful for the wonderful time we had in Utah this summer!  I'm grateful to my parents for putting up with our noise and messes and for my siblings, in-laws, and friends that made so many efforts to visit with us and help us make so many wonderful memories.  It was a perfect summer vacation.