We drove up and stayed in Vegas to break up the drive and give the boys a chance to be apart of the place that Emma spends a week every summer. We stopped at the Hoover Dam first - not because of how amazing it is that people could build it but because that's where Bumble Bee and Optimus Prime live in the first Transformers movie - the boys think its pretty awesome they got to see where they are! They might believe they are there now - ha ha! (We caught Tyler dancing to some music - that never happens!)
They LOVED Vegas - thought all the hotels were awesome, the pools, the lights! We ate a California Pizza Kitchen which is me and Emma's tradition every year when we stay at the Mirage. Afterwards we took the boys down to Bellagio to see the water show and then ended up eating frozen hot chocolates from Serendipitys!
The next morning we got up and headed to Provo..making a much required pit stop at Swig - Stephanie said we had to because they had the best sugar cookies and it was home of the original Dirty Dr Pepper - you don't have to twist our arms twice...
We got to Bryant's house and hung out for a bit and then headed off to the Block Party - literally the streets were shut down, neighbors came out and brought food to share, they shot off rockets that the kids could make, a tractor pulled them in little rides, balloon animals, face painting, a dance party - basically the whole reason for going to Provo - my dreams right there!
After staying up way to late we headed back home to go to bed. Me, Jared, Bryant and Taryn got up to run the 10k in the Freedom Run and Jacob and Bart saved spots for everyone for the parade. I really thought I would beat Taryn and Bryant - that higher elevation kicked my butt....I lost....
After we the race we went home and grabbed some breakfast and the kids and headed off to go watch the Provo Freedom parade...the kids loved that too!
After the parade we headed back home to pack a picnic lunch and took it to the park at the end of Bryant's street. When we were done eating the kids and the dads started a game of baseball - we literally were there for about 3 hours!
Jared and I decided after that we needed to make a run over to Swig but Bryant told us about a different place called Sodalicious - I didn't think he could compare but it turns out I liked it better and it was fun to ride bikes there to grab a drink!
Then it was time for a traditional 4th of July BBQ and Taryn was super cute with her backyard decorations and we all got to sit around and pig out - it was perfect!
During dinner Stephanie came by and we hung out for a bit - she drove up to Provo this day to pick up Whitney the next day from EFY
That night we opted to do our own fireworks - the kids loved it - they were loud, high and almost landed on a few roofs - what more could we ask for :)
The kids LOVED the slimy slugs that were always out at Bryant's house
The next day we spent it at the Provo Rec center and the kids ran around and swam inside, outside, slid down the water slides, ate food and drank - merry good time had by all! The next day we headed over to visit Ashley and Blake and stay with them. As soon as we got to their house Ashley took us to a really cool park she has been dying to take the boys too - it was for sure a hit!
The next day was Sunday so we decided to take the kids to see some church sites. Before we visited the sites, we had a picnic in SLC and while we were there the Votaws swung by and said hi and Joel let Jared drive his dad's new Tesla - Jared was giddy as a school girl. We visited the SLC Temple, Temple Square, the Conference Center and there was an old lady outside of Temple Square begging for money and everyone walked passed her and ignored her. Eli was really bothered by seeing her - it was really upsetting him - we gave him some money and he ran back to give it to her - he is such a sweet spirit - I hope he stays like that his whole life.
After dinner we decided to go hike/walk Provo Canyon!
Monday morning we had to say goodbye and make our way back to Vegas for Emma's Nationals...
It was such a great trip and many wonderful family memories made !
