During our week in Utah we went up to the Dinosaur Quarry with our family, Wayne's family, Ginger's family, Hunter and Rachael, and Grant's mother. We were able to see Dinosaur bones still in the side of the mountain. They built the Quarry over the mountain to preserve the bones. They have several dinosaur skeletons too looks at as well as dinosaur facts. The kids had fun looking around and exploring. Afterwards we went on a hike outside of the Quarry. Grant and Madeline went up high enough to see some more dinosaur bones and the rest of us tried to keep up with Anthony. The kids enjoyed running and burning off some energy. I never saw Anthony or the rest of the gang as they were way ahead. It was nice to be outside and away from the city. After our hike, our family went off to the dinosaur museum that they had in Vernal. It was fun to see all the dinosaur and to learn more about the history of the dinosaurs in that area; most of all it was just nice to be spending time as a family.
Thanksgiving was spent in Utah with Grant's family. This year all but one of the siblings and grandchild were able to make it to Utah. With mostly everyone there we were able to get a family picture, which was nice. While everything was cooking on Thanksgiving, Grant took the kids to a local park and I stayed behind to repack and to do a little reading. It was nice to have some quiet time. After the park, Madeline got on her chef hat and apron and helped out a little in the kitchen making deviled eggs and gravy for the potatoes. Madeline loves to cook and help out in the kitchen, so she was excited when an opportunity presented itself for her to play chef. Dinner was great and the company was great too. All the cousins played really well together and for the most part we didn't see much of them, we heard them but didn't really see them. Our room turned into the playroom and the kitchen table turned into the art studio for the girls. It was nice to see all the cousins playing together. After things digested, Grant and I went for a walk around the neighborhood. The weather was pleasant and it was nice to get out for a bit. I have to say that my lungs were sure not use to the elevation, walking up the hills was sometimes a challenge. I was able to close off Thanksgiving day with a little football, it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without watching the Dallas Cowboys. Grant's parents recorded the game for me to watch later. Since I already knew the Cowboys lost, I didn't watch the whole thing but it was nice to watch some football.
On Friday we packed things up and headed over to to Salt Lake. Prior to arriving in Salt Lake we made a stop in Bountiful to take the kids to the Bountiful Temple. Grant and I were married there 12 years ago and we wanted to bring the kids to where our Eternal Family started. I also wanted to get a picture of our kids in front of the temple. It was nice to walk around and to reminisce with Grant about our day 12 years ago. The temple is gorgeous and the view is breathtaking. I am so glad that I followed my dream and was able to be sealed to Grant in the Bountiful Temple and it was neat to bring our kids back to the very Temple where it all started. We were able to talk about Eternal Families and blessings of being an Eternal Family as well as the blessings that come from being able to attend the temple.
While in Salt Lake we wanted to show the kids Temple Square and to see the Christmas Lights on Temple Square. Grant's brother and his family were going to meet us there too and spend the afternoon/evening with us. I think every plan has good intentions and this is one of them. waiting for Wayne we decided to walk in the Family History Library and see if Grant's Aunt who is serving a mission there was available. We figured if she wasn't at the front desk then we wouldn't hunt her down. Well she was at the front desk and so it was nice to have a visit with her. After her shift she joined us at the Church History Museum. The kids enjoyed playing around in the children's Book of Mormon exhibit and then we all enjoyed looking around at the different Church History stuff, especially Anthony. After our time at the Museum, we headed over the conference center. I was really looking forward to going to the roof, but we missed it by five minutes. We enjoyed walking through the place anyway and seeing where Conference is held and looking at all the the pictures. There is one room that has pictures of the past Apostles on the walls. One of them was Parely P. Pratt who we are related to on Grant's Maternal side. I took a picture of the kids with their fourth great grandfather. After our walk around the Conference Center we saw that the lights were on and off we were to see them. This is where every plan has good intentions. Friday happened to be the day they turned on the lights coupled with Black Friday shopping at the nearby mall, made it impossible to see anything. There were so many people there and keeping a group of ten or more together was challenging. It was hard to walk around and enjoy the lights because you felt like you were being herded like cows. I thought about going inside the Visitor Center but that looked like Walmart during early morning hours of Black Friday shopping. Instead I just showed the kids the Christus statue from outside. After we were herded around the lights we were hungry, but finding a place to eat was a challenge. The mall was impossible and we didn't want to leave our hotel and lose our parking spot in the crowds of people. We decided at this time we would split up and each family would go their own separate way for dinner. I was glad when the evening was over and my back especially was glad when it hit the bed for a good nights rest. I am glad that we were able to go and see the lights, but a lesson was learned...never go on the day after Thanksgiving.
Saturday morning we were up and out for the drive home. We stopped in Provo to get BYU shirts and to refill Anthony's book collection, three books was not enough for Anthony. Because we had to be home by Sunday night so Grant and the kids could return to work/school we just had to drive and not really stop and do things on the way home. We tried to make it to four corners, but we were 30 minutes late. The kids did well on our trip home which is pretty good when all you have time to do is drive. We wished we had time to explore southern Utah, but instead we made plans for when we go up for Christmas next year.
We were so glad that we made the impromptu trip to Utah and that we were able to spend Thanksgiving with Grant's family. It was nice to take a break from our busy lives and to have some time with our little family. However, it did take me a week to unpack and it is now after Christmas and the car has yet to be washed and cleaned out from our Thanksgiving trip. Yeah life has been really busy for us, but we are floating along.
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