We had the best summer vacation! School got out on Thursday, May 27 and the next day we loaded up the car and took off for Utah. Jared got a speeding ticket on the way, kind of freaked out the boys, but it was totally fine - other than the few hundred dollars it is going to cost us - ha ha! We made it to Utah that night and then the boys stayed the night with Emma in her apartment so they could see it. The next day we went and packed her up, made lunches and then Jared took the boys to Bryant's and Emma and I went to Whitney and Ben's flower shop! We met up with them afterwards at the Provo Rec center and all the kids played and had a great time. Then we ended up at Bryant and Taryn's for pizza and hanging out. The next day on Sunday, we took the kids to UVU so Emma could show them around her campus and we also figured out where her health classes would be. The boys loved the tour and walking on the new bridge over the freeway! Then we took the kids to the Provo Temple (the one by the MTC) and Jared told a few stories of going to the temple on P days, we found a quiet spot there that Emma loved to go on Temple Tuesdays with Maddie and said a family prayer. After that we headed over to the Provo City Temple and met Bryant's family there. We hung out for a bit and then went back to their house for a BBQ. Monday was Memorial day and so we took our kids hiking in a beautiful area of Utah with a waterfall and everything. Then we headed back to Blake and Ashley's for some Café Rio, smores and watching Cruella. The next day, Ashley took all the boys with her and her kids to the science museum in Thanksgiving Point while we took my car and Blakes truck and headed to Alpine Village to load up Emma's apartment and move her to the Green on campus. It was an all day afair - literally. Jared got ANOTHER ticket today - only this time it wasn't for speeding it was for a parking violation - ha ha! We finally sent Jared back to Ashley's to help with the boys, eat dinner, etc and then Emma and I finally made it back there around 9pm. We were exhausted! But I didn't want to leave Emma's apartment until it was all set up and ready to go. I didn't want her flying back to Utah and having to come into a messy room, bathroom, etc and being overwhelmed. We bought her a few things from Costco, got her some new furniture and got it all set up for her! It's very cute and Jared and I have high hopes this will be the best place for her! Then on Wednesday we loaded up the car again and headed off to Yellowstone. On the way we stopped at a gas station and I noticed some street signs that said "Lava Hot Springs 15 mi". The only thing I know about Idaho is growing up I remember one time stopping and doing Lava Hot Springs, going to Grandpa Rodgers cemetery and going to the Idaho potato museum. I went into the gas station to use the bathroom and then decided to ask a clerk how far away Lava Hot Springs was and then I went out to the car to try and sweet talk Jared into taking a detour - and he HATES driving and detours are NOT his thing. I got the big old sigh and eye roll and some annoyed remark from him, but then he let us go when he saw how much I wanted our kids to experience what I had experienced. They loved the detour and the hot springs and had the best time playing in 110 degree water. Tyson and Eli had a contest to see who could hold there breath under the hot water longer and Tyler collected rocks from the bottom of the hot pools in a water bottle. We got back in the car and I thanked everyone for appeasing me on this little excursion and how glad I was they all loved it. Then Jared said, how far away is Tuffy's grave, we looked it up and it was on the way and he said, "we are here, I think we need to stop and check it out!" We made it to the cemetery, stopped and paid our respects and then also stopped at the potato museum. I told the kids the only things I remembered about the museum was the giant potato out front and then eating a free baked potato at the end. Emma and Eli were most excited about the baked potato and ordered themselves up a lovely loaded baker at the end and Eli swears its the best potato he ever did have. I couldn't believe it - I think I added an extra 2-3 hours to our trip that day, but everyone loved it and had a great time and the best part was Jared's willingness to stop and do all those things. I do love this family of mine!
