Summer Vacation - Part 4

Our summer vacation took us to many different places including Spokane (Washington), Lacey (Washington), Las Vegas (Nevada), Bear Lake (Idaho), Paris (France), Amiens (France), and our home town of North Salt Lake (Utah).  Although our home was occupied with renters, we still had a place to call home at Grandma's and Grandpa's (having a home 2 doors down the street from Grandma and Grandpa has lots of advantages including a home away from home - thanks again Mom and Dad for letting us stay for the summer).

While in Utah we got to see many of our friends, family, and neighbors and participate in some typical summer activities.  I loved going to lunch or dinner with friends, watching fireworks, having BBQs, attending the temple, visiting with neighbors on walks and fun get-togethers, going to movies with friends and family, swimming and hiking, and just hanging out with loved ones we haven't seen for almost a year.  Each of the kids also had some great play dates with friends and Cade got to go to day camp with his Cub Scout group.  Here's a few other summer activities we enjoyed in Utah:

   

A trip to the zoo is always fun but

with life-size Lego animal creations it was even better.

We spent many days playing at the new park that was built in our neighborhood while we were gone.  The kids loved the rope climb and often pretended to be orangutans.  

We also explored the hiking trails along this park and enjoyed the great views looking out over Salt Lake City.

Visiting great-grandma Lillian, at age 94, is a treat because she's always overjoyed to see us.  She couldn't believe how tall the kids had gotten and she told us repeatedly (at least a hundred times - no exaggeration!). 

Hanging out with Uncle Tyler makes the kids super happy.  They missed him so much when he and Marisa moved to Hawaii.

We spent lots of time at the cousins' house in Orem, Utah and you can see why:

cousins + water + trampolines = lots of FUN!

We attended our first Days of '47 Parade which celebrates the pioneers arriving in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847.

We spent a fun day at Boondocks, a family activity center, with Grandpa Ted and Grandma Gloria, who came down to Utah to visit us before we left for Macau.

Some of the fun activities included arcade games, miniature golf, jungle gym, roller ball, and bumper boats.

We went to the new, popular shop in town that makes authentic island treats -

Hawaii shave ice - YUM YUM!

My kids LOVE Kid's Camp.  Every summer, teenage girls in the neighborhood earn money by organizing a 3 day Kid's Camp, where younger kids come to play games, make crafts, do activities, eat treats, and just have fun while the parents get a 3 hour kid-free break (a win-win for everyone!).  

We celebrated Leah's 4th birthday with a princess party.

The girls had a blast playing a game where they put on high heels, jewelry, scarfs, and crowns.  There was lots of giggling and dancing and beautiful smiles. 

 Leah was excited to share her special day with friends and cousins. 

And, with the miracle of technology and Skype, even Kyle was able to watch Leah open her presents from the other side of the world in Macau.

It's been a fantastic summer!  We packed lots of trips and activities into our summer vacation but most importantly we spent lots of time with loved ones.  We have many wonderful memories that will fill us during our next year abroad.  We love and miss all our family and friends already.