{A quick trip}

This weekend, my cousin, Heather, was married in the Manti LDS temple.  Her reception was Saturday evening, and because I think the world of her, I wanted to make sure we at least made it to the reception. I knew I wouldn't be able to convince Ryan to go all the way from Idaho Falls to Provo (a short 4 hr drive, one way) just for a 30 minute visit, so I threw in some bonus activities for the weekend.  And lets be honest:  He needed a break from his thesis as it HAS TO BE FINISHED by the 18th...yeah...he moved his defense date back two weeks, but that's another story for another post.

Okay, one, really.

We went to the Hogle Zoo, which I had read was fabulous to attend in the winter because the animals were more active and the grounds were less crowded.  I've been numerous times, particularly on Elementary School field trips, and when Tanner was just 6 months old, but I thought the boys were the perfect age to take right now.

Keith and Tricia were kind enough to provide a bed and food for us from Friday night through Sunday morning.  Thanks guys!!!

Saturday morning, after fixing a picnic, we headed out.  After actually finding the zoo (the exit is TOTALLY not marked!) these are some of the animals we got to see.

 

  

  

  

  

  

 

  

(Sorry, Keith.  I just couldn't resist.)

A quick recap of our zoo experience:  Tanner hated to go into the buildings, where all the animals were (why would they want to be outside in six inches of snow again?) because they were a bit stinky...clean, but animal smelley.  I didn't blame him, but he was a stinker about it.  Keith and Tricia were troopers.  Ryan was 'hummm-haw' about the whole thing, and I was just expecting more...like it was when I was a kid. Tanner and Taylor (and I) were pretty disappointed that there were no penguins, hippos, or kangaroos, but we did get to see a lot of wild life...being it winter or not. 

By about noon, we were all hungry, cold, tired of walking, and ready for naps.  We drove over and up (across the street) to the "This is the place" State Monument, and Deseret Village.  We didn't want to pay another hefty fee for something the kiddos wouldn't care much about, so we settled on just eating lunch by the monument.  Lets just say we underestimated the coolness of the day, and by the time we had driven up the mountain, the combination of wet snow on the ground and cool wind made for a very short picnic.  It was yummy, with meat samwhiches, carrot sticks, cut strawberries and apples, ice cold water and banana bread (without a knife to cut it) and other goodies.  However, the only thing really eaten was the bag of giant Cheetos I bought for the kids.  And honestly, they were the warmest thing to eat, which is why I suppose they went first!

 

  

  

Do we look cold?  Because we were FREEZING.  

We were all really wishing we had thought to bring a thermos of hot chocolate, or gloves, or hats, or ANYTHING to keep warm!

Our family (on both Ryan's side and mine) has a rich pioneer heritage; meaning we both come from Mormon Pioneer stock...not that they were rich, but there were a lot of them, and they were wonderful people.  I have a special place in my heart for pioneers of any kind, but those who crossed the plains in their various circumstances hold the biggest spot.  I couldn't help but think what they might think of us, with our cooler packed full of food, with saran wrap, ziplock bags, ice blocks to keep food cold, and bottles of water; for one meal.  I have been to the monument numerous times, and have read the plaques, and looked at the statues, so I didn't take the time to actually walk around it again this time, as I was cleaning up after our 'feast' (and I thought of my mom, who always played the role of the clean-up person on trips like these).  I regret not taking at least one walk around the monument to remember and tell stories to my children of those great ancestors.

 

 

While Ryan and I attended my cousin's reception, Keith, Tricia, Reed, and Stephanie watched the boys.  I didn't know it took four adults to watch two children, but whatever works.  I think they had a good time of it...and if not, maybe my parents will only have three grandsons, and that'll be it.  Who knows.  :)

The initial plan was to come home following the reception so we could attend our church meetings on Sunday, but Katelyn and my mom needed help with a dress (oh, the drama of Jr. Miss) so we decided to hit up my parent's house Sunday.  This enabled us to spend time with Reed and Stephanie Saturday night at Keith's which was pretty fun. 

On our way home Sunday morning, I popped in a few Primary Children's Songbook CD's to help us have a pleasant drive to my parent's house.  And you know what?  The only time anybody complained, was when the "Popcorn" song came on...Tanner was tired of it, but it happens to be Taylor's favorite song right now.  We made it through four of the five CD's of music.  It was very calming, and very nice to have minimal outbursts of arguments and complaining from the back seat (and driver's seat, for that matter).

This is what happens at 11am when you are up at the crack of dawn and forced to listen to calming music for three hours:

And this is what you get to do if you're quiet, while Daddy is driving, mommy is sleeping, and little brother is taking his nap:

A little conversation I overheard while 'sleeping' between Tanner and Ryan:

T:  Dad, there's two of us awake, and two of us asleep.
R:  uh, huh.  That's right, Tanner.
T: So, dad, me and you are awake and mom and Tawor are asleep.  Cool, huh!
R:  yup.

Me:  Wow...he has some pretty good deductive reasoning skills...I should give the boy more credit!

My parents graciously fed us a delicious Sunday Dinner and Apple Crisp for dessert.  My mom, Katelyn and I got a lot of decisions made about 'the dress' and Ryan got Katelyn's iTunes working.  Bless my sweet husband, the IT man of the family.

The FINAL ride home was very dark (low clouds and no stars) and very foggy...something that isn't unusual, but we could. not. see. the lines. on the side of the road, it was so thick.  My mind wandered back to my ancestors, in their soggy, wet clothing, sore feet, and frozen extermities.  Tanner was complaining the defrost in the car was too hot and he couldn't breathe.  Yeah.  Wishing I had talked to him a bit more about the sacrifices our families had made back in the 1800's.

All in all, we had a nice little quick trip.  It made my heart happy.