Back in April, when the lockdowns were still raging, Shelley proposed the idea that we get out of dodge this summer. Their Texas trip had been canceled but it seemed Utah was opening up sooner than other states, so she suggested we go there. Plus, it has great weather in the summer, so even if we were outdoors everyday, it was better than being in Arizona! I was a little nervous to accept, because financially, things were dicey with just merging the new practices then having to be shut down for weeks, but Travis said it was ok, so we booked it! It's a long story about the house arrangements, but she ended up renting an Airbnb just south of BYU campus and I rented a house more to the west of campus. It was Dr. Cook's daughter's house. Our places were about an 8 min. drive. It ended up being perfect! Lots of cleaning, laundry and prep work leading up to it! I felt bad, we left on Father's Day, so we celebrated Trav the Sunday beforehand. I couldn't sleep at all the night before. I was so nervous about the drive! Shelley had Casey drive them up the day before. Travis was willing, but I knew I could do it, and didn't want to make him suffer the journey too, haha. Wonder of wonders, it went great! I was a water nazi so we wouldn't have to stop and use restrooms. We made it 7 hours to Beaver before needing gas or bathrooms. A miracle! Tanner was a champ! He didn't hardly make a peep. The kids watched their movies and I listened to my book... White Fragility (tried to have a really open mind, but did not care for it, btw).
My great, great, great, grandma (maybe there's one more great in there), Lousia Barnes Pratt, is buried in Beaver. With Leah's help, we found the cemetery and her headstone! I had the kids gather around while I told my favorite Louisa story. When she was complaining to a friend that none of the brethern had asked if she needed help crossing the plains. Her husband was on a mission in Tahiti and she had 4 daughters. The friend replied, "They expect you to do it yourself and even help others on the way." You would think Louisa would have bristled! Where's the compassion? But instead, she gathered her grit and replied, "Well, I'll show them what I can do!"
I honestly get tears in my eyes every time I think of this story. I cannot WAIT to meet her.
Next, we heard good things about the Beaver Creamery. I was FLOORED when we saw it. Looks more like an accessory to Disneyland than a stop in a sleepy, old fashioned town like Beaver.
It was hoppin! We waited quite a while for our creamy mac n' cheese, but it was worth the wait! Every single thing we ordered was delicious. Even down to the fruit cup. And talk about ice cream! A hundred flavors and all divine.
Driving into Provo was a little surreal. I haven't really been back since I went to BYU. I loved, loved, LOVED my two years in Provo. They honestly feel a little sacred to me. It was so long ago it feels like an actual dream, but so many memories came flooding back. I remember playing Enya in the truck with my dad, when he dropped me off all those years ago. Those songs still embody BYU to me.
We had no idea what we'd find, but our rental was the cutest house! They had remodeled the entire inside and kept the yard looking immaculate. The neighborhood was a little run-down, but it felt safe and we were perfectly content.
Best part was the creek running through the backyard! The kids were obsessed with it!
Our first, full day I did all the grocery shopping then we went to the Provo Recreation Center. Um, whoa. This place was amazing. How could it be run by the government?? It was better than the Great Wolf Lodge. Huge outdoor kids pool, a wave pool and two, high, twisty, fast slides. The indoor pool had big slides too, a lazy river, a rock wall, kiddie area and jumping platform. The rest of the center had basketball courts, racquetball courts, a gym, fitness rooms, large locker areas with showers, a concession stand a kids indoor climbing gym, and an outdoor skate park. And for my whole family to get in for the day it only cost $21. Several times, Shelley and I registered for the child care and put our two youngest in while we did High Fitness or Zumba classes. The kids loved it. We loved it. All around win. And how wonderful to be surrounded by green grass and trees and warm weather instead of scorching concrete and blazing hot temps.
The creamery was around the corner! You couldn't sit inside but at least it was open. Yummy dinner!
The creek is even more fun with cousins! I can't believe I didn't take a picture of the trees laden with fruit! They were covered in these little, hard, green balls. Nothing we had ever seen before. Shelley took a bite and declared them delicious! I text the owners to ask about them and they said it was called a flowering plum, not edible. I laughed out loud and told everyone. They all spit them out, but upon further research the internet claims they CAN be edible! Shelley's favorite treat while we were there. It was so nice to stretch out on the lawn while the kids played and enjoy the beautiful weather.
The next day we tried out a short hike in Pleasant Grove called Battlecreek Falls. Only 1.2 miles in and out. Perfect spot for lunch and exploring.
How does Weston catch these fish?!
I should have taken more pictures of Shelley's house! It was on Center Street. I loved the old architecture. Reminded me of houses in Buffalo. Farther down the street was the Provo City Center temple and downtown Provo. (Where there happened to be a shooting the Monday after we got there! Crazy people involved in a BLM protest. The world has lost their minds.)
Anyway, the backyard had a playhouse and slides that the kids loved.
On Wednesday we drove to Bridal Veil Falls, then drove farther up the canyon to a place called Vivian Park. Oh my heck, this was a place taken right out of a storybook!! A babbling creek with large, overhanging trees shading lush grass. It was tucked back away from the road and felt like a secluded haven. People were picnicking, throwing frisbees or stretched out reading books. It was so serene and absolutely gorgeous weather. I felt like pinching myself. But I didn't have to because not long after we arrived I remembered that it was my last day to finish my online driving school for this stupid speeding ticket I had gotten in Gilbert! Argh! I wasn't sure how long it would take but I had already paid for it and the deadline was midnight so I spent the next three hours plugging away. Motorcycle cops. You are murderers of joy!
The kids arduously worked at making this dam then were highly dismayed when we said they had to take it down, haha. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to do, but figured we should probably leave nature the way we found it.
Best meme ever. I was snort laughing.
7 Peaks was renamed Splash Summit. We had never been before and oh were we in for a treat! I don't think I can ever happily go back to Sunsplash. THIS is the way to do a waterpark. Nestled next to the mountains with beautiful weather, warmed water and woodsy surroundings. It was on the newer side and best of all, the clientele... well lets just say, you could tell we were far away from the ghetto part of Mesa. I didn't fear getting a foot fungus or hepatitis.
I LOVED this day. Absolute perfection.
The boys even bribed Olive to try the big slides and she DID IT! I was really impressed. I don't think I would have done it.
Spent Friday at the Rec Center again! Not sad about it! Shelley and I split up dinners so we went to each other's house each night to eat. It was a great arrangement! But Casey flew in Friday night so we treated everyone to the one and only Pizza Pie Cafe! The kids love this place and it went out of business in Arizona. High class eatin. ;)
On Saturday, Travis flew in to the Salt Lake airport, so we made the drive out to get him. I've dreamed of Sweet Lake's biscuits since we had it last fall, so that was #1 priority! The kids got Taco Bell. Ha! We found a grassy park to eat. Everything I wanted to do in Salt Lake was closed. So frustrating! Even this huge park that Christopher recommended had all the toys roped off with caution tape. Lame. On the bright side, it gave us time to swing past Christopher's place!
Luckily, a fun park near his house wasn't restricted. How adorable are Olive and Lucy, hand in hand?!
We couldn't leave West Jordan, without a Nielsen's run! It was a very long line since you couldn't order inside the restaurant. We were asking the kids what they wanted and Tanner scrunched up his eye and pointed at the big, pink cone on the store and said, "I want that."
I went to Shelley's house to pick up the kids's scooters she had let us throw in the trailer and thought it might be a good time to try and find one of my old apartments. It was sort of near Shelley's house, directly south of campus. Back then, the street was referred to as "condo row". I don't know if it still is. I found it! If you walked up the stairs, our door was the first one on the left. Really fun memories rooming with JoAnna, Brittany and Lynn here.
My first time making spaghetti. I was a really sad cook back then. Sprayed noodles all over the kitchen because I stupidly broke them "up".
These are the boys' apartments across the street. We spent lots of time in the middle one on the right. And lots of time out on the grass listening to the guys playing guitar.
Saturday night, Shelley generously let our three oldest have a sleepover. I went and picked up the girls in the morning to play at our house for the day. Such a glorious, relaxing Sunday, reading the Ensign by the creek, going on a walk with Tanner and Della and just enjoying the weather.
Shelley hosted Sunday night dinner! Snoring enchiladas! So fun to have a good chunk of us together in Utah!
Uncle Christopher brought some dried bugs to eat. Ewww! Boys will try anything!
