I know we don't seem too creative

when it comes to family vacations but Utah just calls to us. My parents have a beautiful home in a beautiful locations so Paul can get his "mountain fill". We have three of my siblings living there that we get to see and hang out with, many friends that we love seeing, the BYU bookstore and just lots of memories to relive.

The car ride was smooth sailing both there and back
Spent some time on Temple Square (which I love) but realized I will never get the compliments my parents got when we were growing up on how well behaved their children are. Seriously, what crazy monkeys. You can't necessarily yell on temple grounds when your kids are so far ahead and scaling the gates so you have to patiently drag all the other children to them and then tell them that this is not a park. But my weakness lies in the fact that I get it. If I were a young boy I'd want to scale gates too, regardless of where I am.
Explored the HFAC on BYU campus and had my kids freaking out that we were breaking rules. You better believe that I milked that one. Also found the crazy stage room where my good pal Melissa and I got into trouble. Took some pictures but I'll leave that story for Melissa to tell. The cool part is that I was telling my kids the story as we were sneaking around the basement and we found the actual place mid story. It was very effective!!

Many hours spent on the swings. How beautiful is that! I'm so lucky!
Once again, so lucky!! I needed some proof that I actually do vacation with my family too.
Always have to make a stop at the Orem Krispie Kreme. Not only because Paul has a weakness of the "HOT NOW" sign but because this is the place where we learned that Ty would be ours. Great memories to talk about and all the kids have their special moment when we celebrated.
One of my highlights is that we hiked the "Y". It's a tough hike and even Eli made it up all by himself.

To help Eli along we'd repeat over and over, "Eli, how do you eat an elephant?" With head down and focused on his step, "One bite at a time." "Eli, how do you climb a big, big mountain?" "One step at a time."
A little kite flying on a windy day with my sister Anna.
This is reality. Forget the fab family photo you see at Christmastime because this is what we look like most of the time. Dirty, scrubby, mismatched, holes in socks, very little order, but stinkin' cute!!
Hangin' with the UT cousins!
We were able to meet up with some Boston friends this time around and it was so great to see them. Nobody is aging except the kids.
Always have to go bowling at BYU.
BYU basketball camp with the Greer cousins.
Alpine Slide was a blast. Charlie and I did the Alpine Coaster too and I didn't get enough. I woke up the next morning wanting to go back.
End on some photos of my pretty Rubes. If I see a cool field or spot for a photo Ruby's my gal. I guess it's a good thing my boys don't want to participate in photo shoots but that leaves Ruby being my only subject. I hope she doesn't get too sick of it. Good thing she's so dang pretty. People say she looks like me, I'd be so lucky!!
It was a great trip and now I'm trying to adjust to the AZ heat and get back to the fact that I don't see Paul much. We were spoiled having him with us for 2 1/2 weeks. Love that man!!