Labor Day Trip

Over Labor Day weekend, we had a great whirlwind trip.  We really packed it in.   Friday after school we loaded up and started the drive down South to John and Jamie’s (Brennan’s Mom).  On the way, we stopped to see his Dad, LeRoy, and Janet at Mike and Terri’s gorgeous cabin.  We only spent an hour there, but it was a wonderful visit and great break from the car.  The kids got reacquainted with their cute cousin, Matthew, and with the horses.  We all just love it there.

We arrived at John and Jamie’s around 9, after a quick stop at our favorite frozen yogurt place.  We let the kids say hi for a minute and then we all went to bed.  The next day Jamie and I took the kids to the park for a carousel ride and to play in the water.

We met Brennan across the street at a darling old fashioned candy store, obviously one of the kids’ favorite stops when we’re there.  We grabbed lunch and headed back to the house to escape the 100 degree temperatures.   Josh had a little nap and there was lots of football on.  The kids hunted for lizards.  Jamie and the kids and I ventured out again for more frozen yogurt, shopping and pizza while John and Brennan enjoyed more football.  Then we took the 4 big kids to Kung Fu Panda 2.  I LOVED it, and so did my kids, although Abby was sobbing at the sad part and I came very close.  What a fun day.

The next day we got up and went to Sacrament meeting and then went back to the house to pack up and give Joshy a quick nap.  We loaded everything back up and spent most of the day in a gorgeous national park. 

When we left the National Park, we raced to meet my parents in a small town for a divine dutch oven dinner and to hear my Dad speak at a special patriotic fireside.  We were late and it was definitely an adventure having Nate pass up our church clothes from the back and changing in the car, including Brennan while he drove.  It was well worth the craziness though, the dinner was so good and it was held at a beautiful little historic home the kids loved exploring with my Mom.

It was a beautiful program, with lots of gorgeous music by two different choirs and a really moving slideshow of the men who are serving in the military from their town.  My Dad is a wonderful speaker and gave a great speech about how those in the military shouldn’t be the only ones sacrificing for our freedoms.  It was a thrill to see him do what he does so well. 

After the fireside we drove up the mountain to a beautiful little mountain resort.  The highlight of the trip, for my kids besides getting to stay overnight with Grandpa and Grandma, was that there were 3 sets of bunk beds at the cabin!  The only problem was that everyone wanted a top bunk.  We finally negotiated so that the crazy sleeper kids were on the bottom, but they loved hanging out up there.

We woke up and drove back down the mountain to be in the parade in a horse drawn wagon!  Poor Natey got carsick on the way down and so he and Brennan missed out on the ride.  Sweet Brennan stayed with him in the car til it passed and then took him to old fashioned car show and for a hotdog, so he was happy.

I’m not sure why Joshy is looking so grumpy, he loved it.  He LOVES his grandparents.  After riding in the wagon, we got to enjoy the rest of the parade with a sweet family, friends of my parents.  After the parade they hosted a scrumptious lunch.  Their yard was incredible and we all had such a nice tme.  After lunch we caravan-ed home with my parents.   Nate and Abby were both a little worried about being carsick, so Anna and Ben were thrilled to ride the whole way home with Grandpa and Grandma.   When we got close to home, some fellow drivers told us we had a flat tire.  We pulled over and pumped it up and thankfully made it home.  We stopped and grabbed dinner and my parents joined us at our house for takeout.  It was such a fun trip.  We love our parents and loved the chance we got to spend such fun time with all of them.  Thank you to all of you for hosting us!