Temple Square and Mini Reunion

This summer we learned that you technically can fly without a driver's license. We were most of the way to the Phoenix airport when Aaron realized he forgot his wallet at home. We would have missed the flight if we turned back for it. Some frantic googling told us that some alternate  forms of ID may be accepted. We did manage to get him through security with insurance and other cards in my wallet that had his name on it, but it took way longer to get through security. It was not an experience we wished to repeat. 

Fortunately, Stephen and Claudia were driving up to tour Salt Lake City before spending a few weeks at Elizabeth's house. They broke into our house to grab Aaron's wallet and took it up with them. We met them in Temple Square to pass it off. It was good to do a tour with the kids, even if a big chunk of temple square is closed for renovations. 

 

Once I learned that I would be in Salt Lake for an afternoon, I texted my BYU roommates in the area and asked if they were up for a last minute meet up. Laura and Kristy were. It was so good to see them! Yet another example about how the best friendships are ones where you can pick up right where you left off, even if its been years since we saw each other. 

The best part of the mini reunion was when Laura sat in some dog poop and had to wash her shorts in the stream. Classic. 

Kristy immediately won over my kids with her humor and snail catching skills. 

We had an hour to kill before we made our way to the airport, so I found a park called Liberty Park on google maps. Elliot claims that this last minute stop was his favorite part of the whole trip and that it was "more fun than Minecraft," which is the highest praise that boy can give. 

In his defense, the playground/obstacle course was pretty boss

It is fair to say that good times were had. 

All the Lakes with the Allsops

 We got to go on an awesome trip to visit the Allsops who moved to Syracuse last year. It was great catching up with them... and mooching off all their adventure equipment! Alyssa's parents have a boat with wakeboards, tubes, and all that fun stuff.  We dodged rainy weather and got a half day of boating at Willard Bay and a half day at Pineview Reservoir. 

Aaron managed to get up on a wakeboard on his first try and stayed up for like 3 seconds, but then wasn't able to do it after that. The first day was a total flop for me, but by the end of the second day I could get up in a crouch- just not all the way up to standing. We were not completely shocked by our lack of strength and coordination. We got to watch Erick do some awesome jumps, and we assume that Alyssa tears it up when she's not 7 months pregnant. 

Elliot was so brave on the boat. He was the first one to go out on a tube, and he went all by himself!

Buoyant boat boy 

Look at him go!

Annie's face expresses the perfect balance between joy and terror. She was laughing but also freaking out the whole time, but then asked for another turn as soon as we were done. 

What do babies do on the boat? 

They tumble around when the boat rocks. Fortunately life jackets make great padding. 

This little guy worked diligently to push the stereo buttons and try to drive the boat whenever the driver's seat is vacated. 

When they are lucky, babies get to eat the silt and rocks by the shore.

The storm cloud that forced us off the lake early. Also pictured is Elliot rocking the tube. 

Annie hasn't napped for a few months, but boy oh boy did she have some awesome car naps. When we got back to the Allsops house, Aaron could lift her hand and drop it and open her eyelid without her waking up. 

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! Alyssa's parents also have a timeshare on a cabin in the Uintas that we were able to use for a night. It was so peaceful and beautiful up there. 

Lunch on the deck

The garage was full of 4 wheelers and skimobiles. Erick and Aaron managed to get one to run after jump starting a battery and developing a vigorous rocking technique. 

Annie was the only kid who wanted to ride on one of the vehicles that actually turned on. 

I love the roar face phase she is in. 

A very scenic slide

The kids spent an hour gathering lambs ear to make a bed. Perhaps it would have been more comfortable if it wasn't directly on gravel. 

Another day, another lake... this time with paddle boards! Paddle boarding has been on my bucket list for years and I was super excited to finally try it out. 

Me pretending to be strong enough to pump up the board

It was all sorts of serene

Proof that I stood up, although I decided it was overrated. Kneeling was more comfortable and faster. 

Aaron's turn

A very friendly family offered to let us take out the kids in their extra kayak. Utah is a great place. 

We ended our trip with a Quiznos trip that was years in the making! I always thought of Quiznos as the lowest tier of sandwich places after having a couple of gross sandwiches. Alyssa's dad owns a franchise where Alyssa worked for years. She kept telling me that if we were ever in Salt Lake together then she would take me to her Quiznos where she knows they do it right and prove to me that their sandwiches are delicious. 

The best of all Quiznos joints

The verdict? I had a tasty sandwich. Alyssa, I take back all those mean things I said. 

It is hard having friends move away. There is something special about having friendships that last past the point where you live close by each other. The Allsops sure are keepers.