Family & Friends

In addition to all the other fun outings and activities we had while in Utah, we also spent lots of time enjoying our family and seeing good friends.  Going through these pictures makes me miss everyone so much.  I can’t help but put ALL of my favorites on here. 

  

  

My mom was always so good to help me with bed time and read the kids stories.  Many a nights she fell asleep in bed with Jade while reading to her.  It was too sweet.  My parents were also very understanding about us taking over the basement and constantly having toys strewn about (like the picture on the right below).

 

One of the things I was most excited about being in Utah was having my dad meet my son.  He was the only grandparent that hadn’t met Ridge yet.  They formed a special bond during their time together.  Which is exactly how I would have it, because my dad and I also have a special bond.

 

It was so fun to see how much Becca loved the babies.  Hopefully that means she’ll be having one soon!  ;)

Ridge and Jade had lots of opportunities to meet and play with my friends’ kids.  Good thing making friends is one of Jade’s strengths.  As for Ridge… he may need to work on his social skills a little bit... 

 

    

The night before we flew back to HK, we had a BBQ at my parents with both the Lemons and the Rowlands.  I felt so loved that everyone would take the time to come see us off.  Thanks for the great vacation!!!  We love and miss you all so much!!! 

Land and Sea Animals

During our stay in Utah we were able to hit both the aquarium (with my mom) and zoo (with my in-laws).

The aquarium is in Sandy, so I was trying to imagine where it was located.  When we drove up to the building, I immediately thought it looked like a grocery store.  I asked the ticket person about it when we got inside.  Sure enough, they had converted a grocery store and adjoining shop(s) into the aquarium.  Though it was quite small, I still thought it was really neat that someone had the vision to open an aquarium in Utah.  It even had animals from Utah in some of the exhibits—I thought that was great they had some Utah roots on display!

 

 

Ridge enjoyed getting up close to the exhibits.  He was really excited about the animals—or maybe just standing—and liked to bang on the glass.  So much for “do not tap on the glass!”

 

As for Hogle Zoo, we have been there lots of times, but it is a must for the kiddos, right?! 

 

The zoo has improved the elephant display quite a bit, and the new polar bear, sea lions, and otters exhibits are super fun. 

 

 

My kids have such awesome grandparents to take them to do so many fun things!!  They really get spoiled when we visit Utah.

On the Farm

Aunt Betty had the great idea of taking the kids to Wheeler Historic Farm. 

This was especially good because Grandpa Rowland had been worried about our big city children knowing what cows and horses are because they never see them.

Aunt Betty is a retired school teacher and her class would take field trips to Wheeler Farm.  She knew everything about it and gave Jade a wonderful tour.

  

 

Jade even had the opportunity to milk a cow!  I had never even done that!

I love that the first thing she says afterwards is, “I need to wash my hands.”

After the kids had a turn, the farmhand asked if any of the adults wanted to try.  I figured I can’t be from Utah and never have milked a cow, so I gave it a go.  The udder feels warm and soft.  It was pretty weird.  I felt the same way as Jade:  “I need to wash my hands.”  At the end Jade also got to pet the cow.  She thought that was pretty cool.

 

I’m not exactly sure why, but I thought the day at the farm was an absolute blast!  It probably has something to do with it being the complete opposite of where we live.