Summer Vacation

We took a small family vacation the first week and a half of July. Tripp spent the previous week and a half in Scotland so it was nice to have him back and. We started off in Duck Creek at the Marz cabin. Everyone was there and we enjoyed our second year celebrating the 4th up in the mountains. Then it was off to Salt Lake City for several days of fun, family and friends.
At the cabin we: went fishing (Kyle caught the first fish), rode 4-wheelers, played on the rope swing across the street, made crafts (thanks Aunt Sam), attended the Fire Fighter's Pancake Breakfast, watched the 4th of July parade (Ali, Tripp, Lindsay, Sam, Wes & Ryan) participated in the 4th of July parade (Grandma, Papa, Abbie, Nate & Daisy (in the cabin car) and Kyle who lead the parade), made and threw paper airplanes off the loft, played lots of Sequence, generally got to hang out and have a nice time.

In Salt Lake we: stayed at Aunt Tina's house, swam in her pool, went to the Zoo with the Butler girls (we miss them again already!), Kyle FINALLY rode the zip line (although I'm still not sure he weighs enough), visited Wheeler Farm, fed the ducks (at Wheeler Farm), went to the Aquarium in Sandy, spent the evening at Lagoon, made a trip to IKEA, had a family BBQ at Aunt Leslie's house and generally had a great time.

On the way home we stopped by MamaThom & PapaThom's house for a short visit. PapaThom taught Kyle how to make the ammunition for his 12 gauge rifle (I think). Kyle figured it out and got really good at it really quick...still not sure how I feel about that.

A few items to note:

*Kyle was asked to wear his Boy Scout uniform and lead the parade with the other scouts. I told him it was his choice. He decided to do it then ended up being the only scout there when another one drove by, saw he would only be one of two, then bailed. Kyle did it all by himself. I was really, really proud of him.

*Abbie really didn't know what we were doing when we went fishing. When Kyle caught the fish and she saw it squirming in the net she screamed her lungs out and ran as quick as she could to the back of the boat. It took her awhile to calm down.

*Abbie loved playing with and reading to baby Ryan...she is smitten.

*My Aunt Tina is great. She was such a fantastic hostess and really got to know the kids and went a bunch of places with us. My kids really love her (and all her toys - especially the air hockey table).

*Seeing the Butler girls was so much fun but it just reminded us how much we miss them during the summer.

*Abbie got startled by a monkey at the zoo then really didn't want to be around the animals. She spent the majority of our trip to the aquarium hiding behind my back.

*My cousin Jen had a friend visiting that joined us all at Lagoon. Thanks Theresa for bringing Connor (age 11)...Kyle had a blast and can't wait to see him next summer!

*Abbie's first ride at Lagoon was the "Egg Drop" (not sure what the real name is). Abbie hated it and struggled with rides the rest of the night.

*Kyle made friends with Tina's dog Sandy. She slept with him the second night we were there.

*My Aunt Tina and Aunt Leslie have beautiful gardens.

*We got to see Paul and Patricks' families on the way from the cabin to SLC. Unfortunately, we didn't know they were in Cedar so we couldn't stay for a long visit and playdate.

*The kids enjoyed hanging out/seeing their cousins (Nate, Ryan, Isabelle, Seth, Cooper, Preston, Saige & Garrett) and I loved seeing mine (Rick, Ryan, Nolan, Ashley, Jennifer, Michael + spouses + kids).