The Great Escape

We packed up the laptops and the school work and escaped our quarantine life for a week.  The boys knew they'd still have to get their schoolwork done so our vacation wasn't a complete vacation from everything, but it was still worth getting out of Washington.  I haven't been to Utah in two years and was thrilled to do normal things like clothes shopping, spending time with other people, and enjoying some sunshine.  Utah did not disappoint, well, except for the first couple days we were there when the temps dropped and the rain poured down.  It bothered the Utahns more than it bothered us.

We brought the hotspot and enjoyed WiFi the entire drive to UT.  Ethan got his homework done on the road so WiFi for the win!

Pit stop at Grandma Greats pool.  She always welcomes us with open arms and plenty of food.  

Toby was in Boise for work so he and his boys met us at the pool for a swim before driving on to Farmington.

 I think one of the highlights of the trip for me, was having church at my dad's house.  Greg and April's families joined us so it felt like a real crowd for once.  Marcus blessed the sacrament for us, Ethan and Max passed it, then Ethan shared a scripture and Marcus gave a great talk.  It felt so good being together and feeling the Spirit encircle us during such strange times.  I could practically see my Mom there, beaming with pride at her grandkids.  Henry was even reverent as he sat on my lap so I know he felt how special the experience was as well.

Ethan preparing the sacrament under Grandpa's watchful eye

Family Church in the basement never felt so good

Marcus had to take a practice ACT test (via Zoom) and needed a quiet place to do it.  My Dad has keys to this church, the first chapel in Farmington and where the Primary was established.  We decided to take a little tour before we walked on the Lagoon trail.

 Inside the chapel where the mural of the Primary was painted in 1940.  My dad is a great tour guide!

 Some things never change like grandkids playing in the backyard

 Marcus still takes Nerf battles very seriously

The longest Fast Sunday in the history of ever

 Sofie was please as punch to have her teenager cousins hang out in her room singing karaoke 

 As soon as the kids finished school work we were off to the park with Greg and Alicia's kids

Toby’s parents Felt so bad for our quarantine life that they asked their neighbors if we could swim in their pool while they were out of town. The water was cold but that didn’t stop us. I finally played pickle ball for the first time. It’s fun and not that hard.

 It wouldn't be summer if we didn't go to Lagoon at least once.  We had to wear masks to go through the gates but after that they weren't required.  There was hand sanitizer at the exit to every ride so we weren't worried about Covid.  

Henry is the cutest with his cute little girl cousins

 Marcus and Ethan got season passes so they can go to Lagoon whenever they want.  Since we plan to go back to Utah again this summer, it was worth the money.

He loved riding the horsie

The teenagers reminisced about the old days when my dad would always throw pirate parties when we came to town and convinced Grandpa it was time for another one. Sage brought a bunch of decorations, the kids put on their pajamas, and then pirate punch and popcorn were consumed in large quantities. When the movie started, the teenagers took off and did their own thing which involved a used and discarded hospital mattress (Eww!), an old recliner, and an abandoned barn full of junk.  They enjoyed their freedom and we enjoyed not trying to keep them entertained.  It was fun seeing a new generation of grandkids experience the pirate party.

Sage's decorations were on point

pure chaos and fun

Kathy wouldn't allow popcorn downstairs so they ate first and then watched the movie.  Turned out they enjoyed the movie without the distraction of popcorn so it was a win.

Henry's first sip of pirate punch

Twinning and proud

 The Johnson's hosted a BBQ for everyone in their backyard.  The food was amazing and it was a great way to finish off our last night in Farmington.  Randy flew in later that evening and then we spent the last part of our trip at his parents cabin in Oakley.    

 The whole Balls family.  I have both the oldest and youngest grandchild of all the grandkids.

 Parker finally let Randy pull out his snuggle tooth.  It didn't even bleed when it came out it was so ripe for the picking.  

 The views outside the cabin are beautiful

 Henry and I spent a lot of time standing on the shore throwing rocks while everyone went fishing.  Toddlers+canoes don't mix, at least not for very long.

 Marcus hates fishing as much as I do but he finally caught his first fish ever so that was a pleasant surprise.

 More Henry playing with rocks.  He kept his Lagoon bracelet on for two weeks.  He really loved that place!

There were a lot of naps happening at the cabin.  The little kids were outside waiting for a turn to ride on the horse that was meant to be in a rodeo, not a petting zoo.  Luckily no one got hurt except Randy's dad :)

 We found a huge rope swing on the other side of the lake and that livened things up quite a bit.  Luckily no one died or got hypothermia.

 Marcus and Ethan went off several times but couldn't take the cold for long.  It was 60 degrees, windy, and the water was cold mountain reservoir water.  I didn't even consider jumping in but happily cheered everyone else on.

Utah, you delivered this time.  We can't wait to go back soon!