family craziness part 1

We loved spending some good quality time with our families during the month that we were in Utah.

We only had about a hundred different activities.

And I only took about a thousand pictures... :)

Jaden did great on the tube. Until we went over a huge wave at a slow speed. We all stayed in, but he was NOT happy.
Um, whoops :)

I wish I could describe what a tender mercy huge blessing it was to attend Education Week in Rexburg with my mom this year. We've gone to Ed Weeks and Women's Conferences at least a dozen times together, and they are always uplifting and timely, but I really needed this experience and it came at exactly the right moment. (I had gotten called to an incredibly overwhelming new calling the day before.) We stayed at a friend's home who has horse property. What started as a riding opportunity for her great grandchildren turned into a ride for everyone, ages 2 to 80+. And yes, of course I was in my pajamas :).  

I was excited to take advantage of some of the toddler-friendly things to do in Utah. I don't know who loved the dinosaurs more, Jaden or Ally ;). And I love the picture of Jaden's downward dog pose, but don't worry, he wasn't doing yoga...just picking himself up from a fall, haha. 

Picture bottom right: Jaden's face when he heard the train's whistle as we crossed the road.

Riding diesel (Frontrunner) and electric (Trax) trains with Granddad! We traveled to City Creek, had lunch at Chick-fil-a, bought some socks for the wedding, and came home! Jaden and Granddad had the time of their lives! (I had fun, too :)) We also had a short stop in at the visitors center on Temple Square during a brief rain storm where Jaden had a cute missionary experience. A tourist asked him what the building was when we were looking at the model of the Salt Lake Temple. Jaden confidently told him it was the temple. Which sparked a conversation between the man and me where I got to answer some of his questions about temples and the church. Thanks Jaden for being a member missionary :)

Borrowed a bike trailer and went on a LONG bike ride, hit up the Davis County fair, took Jaden to the new Planes movie, went to the temple for Britt's first time through, spent a good amount of time in the resource room of the Relief Society building (I didn't even know that existed?!), and had an AMAZING extended family dinner (the good food and good company never disappoint).

I wish I had the time and patience to write down all the stories that accompany these pictures. But for now I'll just be glad that they're on the blog :). Other events to note that I don't have pictures for include: 

A Simple Grace fireside in Logan

 (our favorite place--we sing there probably 4 times as often as anywhere else)

Steve and I got to spend a night in Logan at Anniversary Inn

Lots of wedding prep and shopping

Time with extended family, including my grandma

Walks to the park

A couple of trips to Costa Vida, Cafe Rio, and Zupas

I only have about six more posts to feel caught up on this blog journal...life is just so fast paced in the summer and it's not slowing down! I can't keep up!