In Utah With Sam

Sam was able to stay in Utah with us until the 10th of July.  He worked some and played some, but we wanted him to be with us through the 4th of July weekend, and didn't buy a ticket for him back to Atlanta till flights were a bit more affordable, which meant he got to stay with us in Utah longer than we originally thought he would.  It was fun having Sam with us, especially since the entire Miller Family was in Utah for the 4th of July weekend.  We loved getting in some good Miller time -- we haven't been with all the Millers since our Yellowstone Trip three summers ago.

Our first day in Utah we headed to BYU.  We hooked up with a couple of our favorite babysitters from our ward in Georgia who are just starting their Freshman year at BYU.  We love Morgan and Haleigh and loved seeing them.

Then we met up with Sam and Grandpa for lunch and a visit to the bookstore.  We love visiting Grandpa at BYU.  

 Sam worked that afternoon and the kids and I drove to Pleasant Grove to visit Aunt Jo.  I didn't any good pictures with Jo, but did snap a pic of Cal napping on Jo's floor.  This trip was killer on Bennett's sleep schedule.

That night we went with Brad and Winnie's family and Grammie and Grandpa up the Alpine Loop to American Fork Canyon for hot dogs and smores.  It was wonderful to be back up in the mountains.

 After our cookout, the big kids went and had a sleepover with their cousins.  We took Cam and Cal and did the rest of the loop and came out near Sundance in Provo Canyon.  Such a beautiful drive.

Wednesday we drove up to Bountiful and spent some time with Grandma and Grandpa Allen.  That night they watched our little kids for us while we took Elle and Bennett and attended Laura's 40th Birthday party that Derek planned.  I didn't get any pictures that night, except for this one of me being the Baby Whisperer for baby Zella, who had just flown into town from DC and was super sad and tired.

Thursday was the 4th of July.  We spent Wednesday night in Bountiful, so that made it possible for us to attend the Centerville Parade to kick off our 4th of July celebration.  It is always fun to see Justin and his family in the parade.  This year we got to watch it with the Allen's cousins on Lisa's side, which was fun.

 Best part of a small-town parade -- the free candy being thrown.  Even Cal enjoyed the spoils.  Nothing like salt water taffy at 10:00 am!

 Us with the Talmage and Allen cousins

After the parade we packed up our stuff to head back down to Provo to spend the rest of the 4th with the Millers.  But we stopped at Pace's and had lunch with Grandpa Allen before we left Bountiful.

We spent the rest of the day with the Millers at Grammie and Grandpa's house.  We loved being with everyone, and Grammie provided a delicious meal like always.

We attempted a family picture.  This was taken as we were getting situated, but it gives you an idea of the finished product sort of!

But we got a darling family picture.  I love my family so much!

 Friday we had lunch with Dan and Abby and their girls and Grandpa Miller at Five Guys before we headed up to Snowbird for the weekend.

These four were SO cute together all weekend.  They are stair-step cousins -- Lucy is 7, Reagan is 6, Kate is 5, and Campbell is 4 -- and they really got along well and had a lot of fun together.

 Sadie and Cal -- two cuties.

Snowbird was a lot of fun.  The weather was a bit strange, but it had been so hot in the valley so it was nice that it was cooler up the canyon.  We spent Friday afternoon at the pool.  

 Saturday involved more pool time, and then some hiking with Dan and Abby's family.  The girls put on an impromptu talent show.

 Love hand-holding cousins, and beautiful scenery.

 Then Grammie and Grandpa joined us and took us up the Gondola.  It was a fun ride, and the views at the top were breath-taking.

 Cal was thrilled to be out of his stroller!

 My cute boys.

 Cutest cousins, I am telling you.

 That night we drove down the canyon and back to Bountiful so we could have a picnic with the Allens while Sam was still in town.  Grandpa Allen was leaving the next day for a business trip and wasn't going to be back before Sam headed back to Atlanta.  It rained and rained during our picnic at Rocket Park, so we spent most of our time under the Bowery, but still enjoyed being together.  How wonderful to be with our family!

We went to church with Grandma and Grandpa Allen on Sunday, and then it was back up to Snowbird for some more Miller time.  Sam wanted to spend as much time with his family while he was in town, which was understandable.  The kids loved their time with all their cousins at Snowbird.  We were with them on Monday and Tuesday, and their was lots of hot-tubbing and pool time.

 Cute cousins all lined up in a row in bed for a viewing of the classic film "Rio"

 Twinner swimming suits!

 Cam realized that she could swim all around with her life jacket and ventured off of the steps!

 Cal with Grammie and Grandpa.

 Cal loved swimming around in his puddle jumper.  Cutest thing ever.  I am heartbroken that this was left in our hotel room in St. Louis on the way home.  So sad.

We had so much fun at Snowbird.  Sam and I actually spent part of our honeymoon there, and we haven't been back at the Cliff Lodge since Bennett was a baby.  It was so fun to have that time there with our family and Sam's extended family.  

Tuesday afternoon we headed back to Bountiful.  Sam so graciously watched Calvin for us so my mom and I could take the big kids to see Despicable Me 2.  It was so cute, and a lot of fun.

 We had Mandarin takeout for dinner, and then Sam and I got a Rainbow at Pace's that night.  That was Sam's request for his last night in Utah.  He left to go back to Atlanta to work early Wednesday morning.  It was so wonderful of Sam to drive us out to Utah so the kids and I could visit our family.  It was an added bonus that we got so much time with Sam in Utah with us.