Utah- Part 3

Sunday was a hard day. We had to drop the husbands off at the airport after dinner. I was so sad to see Travis go. The past week together had been so much fun.

Monday we decided to try Thanksgiving Point. I had heard so much about this place, but never really understood what it was about. Well, it's basically several different museums. We bought a pass to all of them and started at the Museum of Ancient Life which is the dinosaur one. Then we met Christopher for lunch at a little park nearby because his office is right next to Thanksgiving Point. Then we went to the Museum of Natural Curiosity which is basically a children's play museum. I wish I had taken more pictures there! It really was so cool and thankfully, not very crowded. Grandpa treated the older boys to the rock climbing/rappelling feature which they loved.  

It was very, very hot outside and everyone was bushed and hungry, but Grandma was really excited to show us the sculptures created by Angela Johnson. It was part of the Ashton Gardens, which is 50 acres of lawns and gardens. Grandpa pushed the stroller and we huffed it all the way out to see them. Angela used to be in our ward growing up. Her husband and sons were our home teachers for years. She was known for her opera singing back then, but now she is into sculpting and is well known for her art. It really was a cool exhibit, with at least a dozen, larger than life scenes from Christ's life and church history. It would be nice to go back in cooler weather when everyone isn't so tired. We ran out of time for the Butterfly Biosphere, but thoroughly enjoyed Thanksgiving Point! Now for food! It was Cubbies to the rescue! YUM!

Tuesday, we drove an hour to Doughnut Falls which is in Big Cottonwood Canyon. This was a bit harder of a hike for the little ones, but not too bad. You have to walk through water at the end, so it was nice to have on hiking sandals or water shoes! The boys wanted to climb up the waterfall so badly, but I knew it would stress Grandma out, so I think that took some of the fun out of it for the older boys. 

Loved watching this scene of Grandpa training Tanner in the ways of throwing rocks. 

After the hike, we drove maybe 15 minutes further up the canyon to Silver Lake. It's in the same area as Brighton Ski Resort. I guess this is a place Jael has been interested in going so we met her there. A walkway surrounds the entire lake, so we took our time, making our way around it. Saw a mama duck and all her ducklings at one of the fishing points. 

How cute is my Mr. Fix-it Man?!

Sadly, Wednesday morning, Grandpa flew home. It was a lot of fun to have him here! He's usually so busy with work and phone calls, but he was so present this week and helpful and cheerful and all the good things! We spent the day at the Provo Rec Center but didn't take any pictures.

On Thursday morning, Grandma left to spend some time with Christopher's family so it was back to just me and Shelley! I wanted to go back to BYU to see a few places we didn't have time for last week. I was really curious to find the second apartment I lived in with Tasia, but my memory wasn't as good this time! I really think the brown building on the left were the boys apartments in our ward.

I'm thinking the brown building in this picture must be it, but I don't remember that enormous building to the right. Maybe it was built after I left?? This time, I lived west of campus. I had to walk past the lacrosse fields and the Smith Fieldhouse and up the forever long flight of stairs to get to the main part of campus. As we were walking past the Fieldhouse, a door was propped open and we could see girls practicing gymnastics inside. We peeked closer and one of the girls came over to chat with us for a bit which was nice of her. 

I hated those stairs!

The dreaded Heber J. Grant, testing center! 

I remember one test in particular, I had studied hours and hours for. It was a long test with many essay questions. Any test for any class was extremely hard, but I remember this one in particular was a beast. I was near the end when I read a question I knew I had studied for, but could not recall the answer. I thought and thought, but it was no use, I didn't know how to answer it. Then I remember saying a heartfelt prayer. I asked for help. I had done my part. I had prepared and studied so much. I just couldn't remember this one thing. As I was praying, it felt like my mind opened up and I could see as clear as day, the page in my notes with the answer. I could read it in my mind as though I was looking at it in person. It was amazing. I gratefully answered the question and finished the test. As I was walking home I called my mom to tell her what had just happened. I still remember walking past the fences surrounding the lacrosse fields, tearfully recounting my experience to my mom. It was one the most poignant answer to prayer I had ever received. One that was undeniable and one I knew I'd never forget. Heavenly Father granted me a tender mercy.

Unfortunately, all the buildings we tried to visit, were closed! Boo. The Kimball Tower, the Knight Building. Some construction was going on, but it was all closed because of dumb Covid. I was really disappointed. It was still really fun to walk around with my kids and show them all the places I loved and remembered. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't secretly hoping one of them would be inspired to come here one day!

The Goodmans had gone to quite a few places downtown since they lived up the street, but we hadn't explored the area at all! We started at Bianca's bakery so we could try the cronut! Always trying to find another one that compares to the one we had in Nashville. It didn't, but it was still good. So were the macarons and tarts!

Fun mural on whatever building this is!

The Provo City Center temple grounds were closed. Such a bummer.

Los Hermanos is still there! It was so eery... everything was left the way it must have been on the day of the fire. We peered in the windows and tables, chairs, decorations and even a coffee pot still sat inside. Of course part of the ceiling was collapsed and it was a disaster too. Strange that they didn't just gut it and start over. We ended up getting lunch at a place my cousin recommended, Gurus. 

We met the Goodmans at a park around the corner and Shelley was nice enough to watch the kids for an hour while I got a pedicure. Boy, my feet needed it! It was a very toasty day, so then we escaped to a Penny Arcade place and let the kids play. Would have thought we took them Disneyland they were so happy! 

That included Shelley! Hahah. I introduced her to Deal or No Deal and let's just say, she was hooked.

Had to indulge in a little photo op.  

That one time in Provo...

After getting the kids set up with dinner and a movie to watch, we put Lane and the boys in charge and Shelley and I had ourselves a little date! 

Bombay House is known far and wide. I'm almost certain Dad took me here once when he was in town too. Just our luck, they weren't doing dine in seating! But it was interesting to chat with the owner while we waited for our take out. It also allowed us to see everybody ordering these orange drinks. Well, it had to be good if everyone else had to have it, so we added a couple to our order too! Two Mango Lassi's to go!

Luckily, we knew of a good spot we could go eat. :)

It's not date night without dessert!

Casey surprised the family by flying back for the weekend. And some of their neighbor friends came too. The girls' parents were driving up in a few days. 

We headed to Vivian Park. It was just that magical, we wanted to do it again!

Then we drove 20 minutes further into the canyon to go to Heber and ride the Heber Creeper! That name though! This railroad has been around since 1899. I'm not sure if the actual trains we were on are from that long ago, but they sort of felt like it, haha! It was a 90 minute ride total. We rode down for 45 min. then waited while they moved the engine to the other side of the train, then we rode backwards, back to the depot. It was rather hot and most of the time we were moving next to a lake, watching boaters and water-skiers. I've never been so jealous!

At least we could buy cold sodas and snacks. 

Casey hadn't seen our house yet, so we ordered pizza from the Pizza Factory and ate in the backyard while the kids splashed in the creek and played four square.

Casey was jonesing for more Leatherbys... how could we say no?! 

Shelley had been talking about this holistic spa called Purify Wellness Center since we got here. I wish I had tried it out the first day so knew to go as much as I could! I just signed up to use the Himalayan salt cave. Normally, many people would be in here, but because of Covid (gah... how many times have I had to use that phrase... "because of covid") I was all by myself. Although, I guess in this case, covid helped me out. There was calming, mediation music playing and I had a whole hour to just lay back and relax. It.was.incredible. There is a spot on the wall that blows the salt air into the room and when I was done, I could taste the salt on my lips. 

Pure dry salt therapy reduces inflammation and opens airway passages, breaking loose and clearing out the gunk in your respiratory tract. Pure dry salt air is absorbent, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory.

For our last day, we played at the Rec Center again! But this time, Shelley and I were brave and did the big slides with the little kids. Woah! Watch out if you ever go. Those slides are QUICK! They let you go down with your kids and I was honestly a little panicked I was going to somehow hurt Tanner for how fast we were going! It's a rush!

We had dinner at El Gallo Giro... a popular Mexican restaurant. 

I don't know how to end this post. How to describe the wonderful memories we made these past three weeks. It really was something magical. I had so much gratitude for the safety we enjoyed. That no one got sick or broke a bone or needed to go to the hospital for any reason. Everyone got along and things just seemed to flow smoothly. It was 100% an escape. Just when Arizona was getting ridiculous again, we were lucky enough to drive away from it all. I really love Utah. There's just something about this place, but then Provo in particular is dear to my heart. It wouldn't have been the same without cousins. I don't know if these kids realize how lucky they are! I had a great childhood, but their experiences trump mine, no question! It was so fun to pal around with Shelley without having to worry about any of the normal distractions. We talked and bonded and helped each other and it was wonderful for our relationship. We will always treasure this trip. Even in the middle of something as punch- you- in- the- gut- hard as Covid, good... even beautiful experiences can come.

Goodbye, house! Tanner called it the "pretty house". I don't know if he just heard us saying it was pretty so he started calling it that or maybe he mixed up Provo with pretty?? But when we were out and about, he'd ask if we were going home to the pretty house. 

If I had known how hard the drive to Flagstaff would be, I would have never left. Tanner was not having it. We made multiple bathroom stops. Lots of fighting and whining. Time has never dragged so long. It felt like it was standing still!! If I hadn't known any better, I'd have said we were driving for 15 hours instead of 7. At long freaking last we arrived in Flagstaff around 6pm!