Summer Travels-Part 2, SLC UT & Boise ID - July 25 - Aug 2, 2017

For part 2 of our summer trip, I rented a car for the day and the girls and I drove from Colorado to SLC Utah to meet up with James, who had driven to SLC from Seattle.   Along the way, we stopped for a quick picture at church rock

and for a tour of Hole N the Rock just outside of Moab.  Hole in the Rock is a home built into the side of the rock. The girls were fascinated by the fact that it was a house and people actually used to live in it.

It's an 8 hour drive to SLC and during the drive my girls taught themselves to blow bubbles.  They were quite proud of themselves.

On Wed (July 26th) we went to Lagoon and spent the entire day in the park.

The girls loved all the rides.

I even got the chance to go on the "white rollercoaster" of my youth.    Although its no longer painted white.  I forgot how jerky old wooden roller coasters can be.  (side note: When I was growing up we went to Lagoon almost every summer while visiting my cousins.)

We went to Lagoona Beach for a few hours in the middle of the day when it was the hottest. But I forgot my GoPro.... so no pics.  The girls had "the best" time at Lagoon and asked to go back the next day.

On Friday we hung out and spent the night with Aunt Leina and her family.

We introduced the girls to In and Out Burgers (two thumbs up from both)

and played lots of games with Ella and Noah.

The next day, Saturday July 29, was Elin's 7th birthday. We started the day with donuts, singing and flowers from Daddy

presents

then pizza lunch.

After lunch we headed back to Aunt Julie's house for a few more presents and ice cream cake.

Saturday evening, our prior nannie, Katie Mitchell  (who Elin calls her big girls best friend and we call our 3rd daughter) got married and we were lucky to be able to attend her wedding.  We got all dressed up to go.

 Two little girls fell asleep on the way there.

It was a beautiful ceremony and reception.  It was the first wedding our girls had attended and they were wide eyed the whole time.

On Sunday we started our trek back to Seattle.  We stayed a few nights in Boise ID to break up the long drive.  I was able to see my friend Molly and meet her cute boys.  In fact, Finn loved James so much he wanted to come home with us.

We also got to play and spend a night with our friends the Argyle's.  The girls had so much fun playing with Avery, Adelynn and Aliah.

Another great trip in the books.

Maija

Summer Travels, Part 1 - Ignacio CO July 18-25, 2017

As we do every summer, my girls and I traveled to my hometown of Ignacio CO in late July to visit with my parents and my brother's family.  We had a SUPER early flight out of SEATAC (5:15 am) which meant we left the house at 3:30 am.  Long day....my girls handled it like champs.

Colorado is always one of my girls favorite summer trips because they have cousins that are across the street.

They played and played and played all day.  And of course had popsicles everyday because that is a requirement when we are at Grandma's house.

This year was EVEN better because Uncle Oscar had an above ground pool in his backyard.  So, every afternoon (except one) we went swimming.

After swimming, they would get on the warm trampoline and dry off/warm up a little.

This summer we also decided it would be fun to go to the Bar D Chuckwagon for dinner and the show.  I hadn't been there in about 16 years.

 The kids had fun looking around before the dinner/show.

We even panned for gold and took a little train ride around the property.

The food was pretty good and the show was excellent.   Although it was a little bit of a late night for the kids, they had fun at the "cowboy dinner" (as Anikka called it).

My girls were also treated to a "Birthday party day" by their Grandparents while we were home.
We started off with happy meals at McDonald's.

Followed by a fun park, although we didn't stay long since it was so hot.

Shopping for presents at Walmart.

Taco dinner.

A big afternoon rainstorm prevented us from swimming, but it produced some great mud for squishing toes in.

Then we had chocolate fudge cake....

and presents.

They had the most amazing day.

One afternoon, we had a water balloon fight and the kids used my GoPro in the pool.  Hilarious pictures.

We also did a few other fun things.  The ice cream truck came by one evening, which is always exciting  (and PS:  can my girls rock the 80's side pony or what?).

The girls went bowling for the first time.

We went down to 7-11 for ice cream...

 and on our last night there, we played Pie Face.

As it is every summer, we had a great trip with lots of amazing memories.

Love you Mom and Dad.

Maija