FUN times.....PRICELESS Memories........

This past weekend was Conference Weekend, so we took the opportunity to go to Utah as a Family. Troy took Thursday & Friday off, which made the weekend even BETTER---an extra long weekend is ALWAYS nice!!! (he needed to get away--it was great!!)

I had things pretty well packed Wednesday night, our plan was to get away at 9 or 10 Thursday morning. We got up and had breakfast and then Troy had to work for a couple of hours---yes he had the day off, but he just has one of 'those' jobs!! :) It all worked out fine though. We got loaded up and left about 10:30 and we of course had to make a quick stop at Walmart in Meridian!! We had to get some last minute food and snacks to take with us!! You can't sit in a car for 5 hours with 5 kids--without some Mt. Dew and MILK chocolate Easter eggs!! These Cadbury Eggs are so dang addicting it is ridiculous!! I really don't get into too much Easter Candy---but I can't leave these yummy eggs alone and yes, I got Troy addicted to them too!! Nice we like the same!! :)

It was of course lunch time, so I made the kids some quick sandwiches and they ate on the go--nice thing about driving a company vehicle!! They were soooo excited to be going to "UTAH!" We were on the Freeway passing the Temple and Kara said, "Mom, I don't see Robert's house, where is it!?" Oh my--long trip ahead!! Overall they really did travel very well!! There were of course times when we wondered what we got ourselves into! Tyler played his leapster most of the time, Brandon and Emily played (and bugged each other--they are quite the pair), and Kara just chatted to herself--she wasn't sitting by anyone--well Brooke, but not close enough to play!! They all slept off and on and that of course was WONDERFUL to our ears!! Brooke slept and played the ENTIRE trip--she never got out of her car seat---NICE!!!

Kara, still smiling---trip was just beginning!! She was looking for Robert's House!!

Awe....SWEET sound of SILENCE!!!

Brooke was AMAZING---she did not make a peep the ENTIRE way there!! "The Perfect Child!"

Kara was soooo excited to show Robert her PINK nails!!
Our only stop was at Snowville to gas up and let the kids go to the bathroom. 15 minutes and we were back on the road!! We had some rain and snow going down, but nothing terrible. At one point, when it was snowing pretty hard, Kara asked me if I brought her snow boots. When I told her no--she had a little melt down but I explained to her she probably wouldn't need them! Funny girl!!

Tyler, sleeping oh so soundly!!

See, Brandon didn't pick on everyone the entire trip---he took a break!!

Emily, so sweet when she's asleep!!

We are almost there!! YIPPEEEE!! Look at those smiles!!

In the car for FIVE hours and still smiling!! We made it!!

Brooke woke up a couple of times, but never made a peep!! VERY NICE!!
We got to Jamie's around 5ish and the kids were oh so HAPPY to be out of the car!!! Near the end of the trip, Emily kept saying, "Mom, ME OUT!" It was quite cute!! We hung out at Jamie for about an hour and a half getting ready for our Easter Party at Kristol and Terry's. Our kids were SOOOO EXCITED to be out of the car and see Gavin, Alyssa, Rylan, and Cambrie. Gavin was not feeling well--so it was a bummer for him. Our kids had fun playing with all the cool toys!! Kara especially had a BLAST with Alyssa in her dress up clothes!!

We then headed to Layton, to Kristol and Terry's just in time for the Easter Egg Hunt. Kristol and Terrellee hid eggs all over their yard for the kids to find---they LOVED it!!! Thanks again, Kris, Terrellee, and Grandma Sage for ALL you did to make the evening such a success!! We went inside and ate some yummy dinner and then just visited!! It was AWESOME!! We had fun just chatting with everyone. Jeff and Melanie were there with their kids. We hadn't seen everyone in quite awhile so it was fun!! Kris, Terrellee, and Grandma Sage made each kid the CUTEST pillow case. Luckily, the kids had their pillows with them because we had to put them on as soon as we got to Robert's, before bed!! The pillow cases are super cute---thanks again!! They even have their names on them!!

We left the Easter Party around 9:30 and headed to Robert's--he lives less than 10 minutes from Kris and Terry's so it was nice!! His phone was having 'technical difficulties' so we could not get a hold of him for directions, so we called Dad and he got us there in a flash!!! He has a BEAUTIFUL home in Kaysville---the kids were thrilled to be there and not confined to the car any longer!!

We got all settled and he gave us a little tour of his home and Emily of course LOVED the fireplace--he turned it on and she went running up to it and tripped and cut her lip---lovely!!! There was plenty of room for the kids to run and play---they were in Heaven!! It was 11:00 and they were still just playing away--that is pretty late for our kids--so I finally got them all settled down and the second I got them to slow down--their heads hit their pillows and they were out!! Robert, Troy, and I stayed up and visited for another hour or so--it was a lot of FUN!!

Robert had to work the next morning, so we just hung out at his house and got ready for the day!! It was snowy and cold outside---did NOT look like it was April!! One minute it was snowing, the next minute it was sunny!! A little disappointing--but we survived!! Robert came home from his appointment and we went to lunch--Taco Time--YUMMY!! Quick and easy lunch---good for EVERYONE!! :) Robert then headed back to work and we headed to Jeff and Shauna's to borrow a stroller---thanks guys!! Ya, I forgot my Bjorn at home and and so we just had one stroller and needed something else--Emily is still a little young to WALK the whole time at the Zoo!! Off to the Hogle Zoo we went!! Why we went to Zoo to see animals---we have five of our own!! :) No, the Hogle Zoo really is a NEAT place!! We were going to meet up with Mike and Jamie and their kids and go to the Zoo, but their kids still were not feeling well, so we let them relax for the day and we went out on our own. The kids slept on the way---Robert only lives about 30 minutes from the Zoo---perfect little cat nap!!

Thank goodness for GPS on our cell phones---we drove straight to Hogle Zoo with no difficulties!! :) It was a little chilly, but we figured we are not in Utah very often, so we bundled the kids up and it really wasn't too bad!! We stayed at the Zoo for about 2 hours!! It was just chilly enough that it was not crowded at all-which was kind of a pain because some of the animals would not come out!! We pretty much saw everything except the elephants though!! I really wanted the kids to see the Elephants but they would not come out!! We will have to go again---dang it!! There were fun little statues and then some playground equipment that the kids of course had fun playing on. They really like the Giraffes--they were inside and it was two levels--we went upstairs so we were right at the giraffe's head--it was awesome. The kids also liked the Tiger--it was roaring and growling like crazy. It scared the kids at first, but then they realized they were safe and thought it was cool. The Penguins were also a big hit and they liked the Zebras too. They had lots of Snakes, Birds, Monkeys, and the Camels were really neat too. The last 20 minutes it started snowing and getting windy so we decided we had had enough--plus we had pretty much seen everything. The Hogle Zoo is an awesome place--we really had a fun time.

This is the Place Monument is right across the street, so off we went, to the next adventure. We drove up there and sat in the car and ate a little snack and waited while my battery for my camera charged--yes, I went through one battery at the ZOO!! Couldn't stop at the Monument without taking a few pictures--so we relaxed and warmed up in the car while it charged. We talked to the kids about how Brigham Young had arrived there and said "This is the Place." Tyler stared at the statues for quite awhile and then said, "Why aren't they moving, is he going to stand there all day?" Funny boy!!! We had our little Mt. Dew and snack and then out to see the monuments and take a few pictures!! It was chilly but the kids still had a fun time!!

Then on our way back to Robert's were drove around Temple Square a couple of times. Everyone was asleep except Tyler--so we just drove around the block a couple of time and took a few pictures. I love the Salt Lake Temple--I think it is Beautiful!! We showed Tyler the Conference Center where General Conference would be that next day--he thought that was neat. After a few times around the block, we headed back to Kaysville to relax. (The pictures were all taken from the car as we were moving!) We had a full and eventful day--and were ready to just chill at home!! The kids had fun at the Zoo, but they were very excited to get back to Robert's house and play!!

What a fun and crazy day!! It was dinner time and we were all hungry and tired so with a quick, easy phone call and 18 minutes later---we were eating!!

Scott, Carol, and Megan got there while we were eating. They brought some things down to Robert, so the guys unloaded that stuff and we made up some beds for them. Tyler, Brandon, Kara, and Emily of course had to try out Robert's cool jetted tub---they LOVED it!! Kara asked me if her Dad could make one of those in our house! (That'd be nice!) Robert has a huge empty wall and a projector--he has a regular movie theater in his home. It was way cool--the kids were quite impressed!! It was like a REAL THEATER!!! We all watched a movie and the kids of course fell asleep!! They all slept on the living room floor that night----quite the party!!

We all slept in Saturday morning--well thanks to Emily, we were all up by 7:30---LOVELY little girl!! She loved just wandering around Robert's house!! Carol and I fixed a yummy breakfast---hash browns, eggs, and ham!! Robert's kitchen is beautiful and awesome to cook in--he is just lacking in a few cooking utensils. It made cooking fun and very entertaining though!! The kids had a blast playing downstairs while we made breakfast---there is an unfinished basement and Scott and Carol brought a couple of couches and a TV so the kids were entertained!!

Troy, Scott, and Robert polished off their breakfast and headed to Salt Lake. They went to the Conference Center to see if their was a possibility for them to sneak into the Priesthood Session that night. Their odds weren't too good so they ended up going to Robert's Stake Center.Then they went to a Race Car Track and had fun racing in go carts!! Carol and I stayed home and organized the things she brought down to Robert and of course hung out with the kids!!

Sherri and her kids had been in Pocatello with Clint and they decided to head on down and spend Saturday evening with us. They got there about 4ish!! Then the REAL PARTY began!!

Sherri, of course came unprepared--without her wax!!!(we forgive you Sherri--everyone makes mistakes!) Hello--Carol, Amber, and I all NEEDED our eyebrows done!! We were in quite a predicament!!! The boys headed off to the Priesthood session and we were left to plan dinner, get ice cream for the after Priesthood Session tradition, and most importantly GET WAX!!!! Amber and Libby (her friend) stayed home and watched the kids--with the help of Heather and Megan. (Thanks guys!) Sherri, Carol, and I headed off---with my GPS--we found Sallys Beauty Supply and we were oh so thrilled to find Walmart right next door. We got the wax, got ingredients for dinner, and of course purchased the ice cream!! We tried to get a movie from Red Box but was unsuccessful--couldn't find the one we wanted!! We then headed back to Robert's and made dinner!! Yes, we found our way back even without our new found friend--the GPS lady!! Our little outing was full of laughs---it was AWESOME!! FUN TIMES!!!! The kids just ran wild while we were gone and had a BLAST playing downstairs.

We got home and quickly got dinner going--everyone was starving!!! We all ate and then Tyler, Brandon, Kara, Emily, and Corey got into Robert's 'hot tub' as Kara called it! Then we all settled down and had our ice cream and then watched another movie at 'Robert's Theater.' Some of us of course fell asleep during the movie.

Sunday morning we had breakfast, listened to conference, and then we of course got our eye brows waxed!! Brooke even got her nails painted!! Robert also showed us a few tips to see if dishes were clean---filling a wet cup with salt. The salt stuck to his entire glass---that means we did a good job at keeping his dishes clean for the weekend.

It was lunch time---we made lunch, ate, and of course goofed around and just visited!! We then cleaned things up and packed everything up!! The kids were very disappointed when they saw me packing things up. They did not want to leave! We really did have a really FUN weekend!! The kids LOVED LOVED LOVED playing at Robert's--they loved his stairs and of course the basement!!

Sherri and her clan headed out a couple of hours before we did. We finished cleaning stuff up and then looked at a few homes in Robert's subdivision--he lives in a BEAUTIFUL area!! It was then time to hit the road---the kids were not thrilled to get on the road again--but we ALL survived.

Scott and Carol traveled home with us!! We made one quick potty stop, but other than that~we kept the freeway hot!! The kids traveled pretty well. Emily had a rough start-but after about 15 minutes she fell asleep. I had lots of snacks for the kids to eat--they were all pretty happy!!

Overall, it really was an AWESOME weekend. We had a TON of fun and created MANY priceless memories!! Thanks Robert, for letting us invade and move in for the weekend!! We were not even out of Kaysville before the kids asked when we could go back to Uncle Robert's house!! FUN TIMES! FUN TIMES!! Thanks Robert for opening your home to us and being such a terrific host!!

We got home Sunday evening about 9 pm and our vacation was over---back to work for everyone!! We had a TERRIFIC time, but we were all HAPPY to be HOME!!!

Ages of the kids for our FUN VACATION~
Tyler~5 1/2 years
Brandon~4 1/2 years
Kara~3 years
Emily~22 months
Brooke~6 months
We definitely had our hands full, but we had LOADS of FUN!!!