Salt Lake City

 Hey, we went on an end of summer vacation! We stayed up in SLC for two nights- no, I'm not calling this a staycation because we actually went somewhere, and to the kids we may as well have gone to another state. We packed, we drove away from our house, three of the four slept on the way, we did not sleep in our own beds, and I think we spent just as much as if we left the state. I think Jon would agree to this last part because by the end when I asked to stop in at a gas station so I could get a drink and a treat for the ride home he started chanting under his breath: spend-spend-spend-spend-spend. And yet he gobbled his treat and downed his drink.

We headed out around 2 so Jon could finish up some work that morning. The kids are always so excited to pack up their backpacks- in fact Paisley would not let me suggest anything to her to bring, she wanted to do it all herself. But I did catch her re-packing some undies, jammies, diapers etc. after I would suggest them. Just sayin'. We were all ready for lunch when we arrived in the sparkling clean, hot city- and we couldn't check in yet. After a brief reminder about restaurant manners we filed in to Sizzler. The kids did great- they were very hungry and they loved the all-you-can eat fruit options.

I still chuckle when I picture how excited everyone was when we checked in to our room. We stayed at the Little America- which is a great place. Upon entering the room I think every nook and cranny, drawer, cupboard, phone, curtain, faucet etc. was explored and handled while everyone shrieked with glee. "Look! We have two sinks! There's a phone in the bathroom! We have a deck! We have a TV! We have three garbage cans!!! Once they were satisfied they had noticed everything there was to notice they remembered the promise of a pool and we were off. My only criteria in hotel searches was a pool, and this one boasts an indoor and an outdoor so I figured we'd be safe despite what weather came our way. We pretty much spent the rest of the evening in the pool. It's hard to get the boys out!  That evening we loaded everyone back into the car and headed to ShopKo to get snacks, milk and some pool toys. I mentioned to Jon the great thing about staying somewhere you know is you don't spend any time wondering where things are. I know this city like the back of my hand. I was real handy! Jon also had the great suggestion we drive up to the State Capitol. It looked so pretty all lit up on the grand hill. We walked around it and enjoyed the pretty city all lit up below us and the kids loved running all over the great lawn dodging the sprinklers. 

Saturday was the big day of adventure, even though the boys just wanted to stay and swim. We promised there'd be plenty of that later. We took Trax to Gateway (another exciting thing to ride a train!) and spent several hours at the Children's Museum. This place was awesome! So much to do! I felt bad that Zeke was napping and missing out  but awoke soon enough and was able to have some fun. By the time we made it upstairs it was well after lunchtime and Paisley had had it. She was so tired and hungry- as we all were. We were debating if we should brake for lunch and come back, or finish up and press on. We decided to press on. We lunched at the Food Court and all felt much better. Paisley was a new gal! I told the boys how I used to work there and showed them my store. They were fascinated. 

After lunch we headed over to the Planetarium. Some movie with the title "Attack of the Space Pirates" was about to start and the geek-bomber behind the counter promised it was totally awesome. It totally wasn't. But I was glad the kids got to experience that cool dome screen. I was also glad when Eli had to use the bathroom and we took our time getting back. After the movie we explored all there was to offer- it's a great place and the kids loved it. We found some little treasures in the gift shop to remember it. We wanted to let the kids play in the fountain, but it was temporarily closed (wa waaaaa) and it was so HOT! Big mamma don't like the heat so we ducked in for some air-conditioned surroundings and ice cream to cool off. At this point the boys were dying to get back and swim and try out the goggles and floaty kick-balls we'd got so we headed back. I always feel like pushing a stroller around with all the needed paraphernalia on and off of Trax, in and out of stores etc. is so draining. I look forward to the days when it's just my small purse with some gum and chapstick and the kids can fend for themselves.

As soon as we started swimming a storm started blowing in with lightening that was making me nervous so we headed to the indoor upstairs pool. It was so pretty and the kids were giddy to see there actually was a hot tub after all. I chatted it up with a couple enjoying her birthday get-away. They asked where we were from and I asked them if they knew where Provo was- they did- they were from Cottonwood Heights! Little Zeke fell asleep right in my arms in the pool. I loved carrying his little body around in the water. He loved it, too. Each time we left our room he'd immediately start running down the long hallway in the wrong direction. It looked so cute! That evening we got the kids McDonald's and Jon and I enjoyed some room service from the downstairs cafe. Mmmmmmm. It was nice just hanging out in the room while the kids played with their planetarium toys. I started a game with one of the Happy Meal toys- a little action figure of some comic book guy. We'd all go in the bathroom and close the door while someone stayed out in the room and hid the man. It had to be in plain sight. When they'd yell "ready" I'd start singing "Wacky Maaaaan" over and over. Soon everyone was singing with me until we found it. He'd be found under the lamp shade, on top of the mirror, next to the radio, hanging on the chandelier, tucked in Zekes bed etc. Everyone found real good spots and it always took some hunting before we'd find him in plain sight. We'd chuckle when it was Paisley's turn, because she didn't want to hide the man, she wanted to hide her pink kitty that was in her meal. We'd hear her say she was ready and as soon as we'd open the bathroom door to start looking she'd be so excited she'd run right to it and say "found it!"
Each night I slept so great and was a little sad to wake up to our last morning Sunday. I'd packed Sunday wear for everyone (well- Sunday shirts and shorts) and it took us a little while to get the room packed up and not looking like a hard core rock band had been partying there for a week. We had a nice breakfast at Village Inn- again, the kids did great because they were so hungry- then headed off to Temple Square. It was so gorgeous! The flowers were so colorful and huge and fragrant everywhere. We were able to spend a lot of time watching the videos, roaming around as we wished. Adren had wanted to get a close-up view of the statue of Christ so that was neat, and they loved the small scale replica of the temple. Afterwards Jon humored me and we drove around the avenues looking at all the great houses. I just love SLC! I like it better than any city I've visited. I love roaming around downtown, I just have such great memories of living up there.

It was a treat to arrive home and get Daddy's message that Will and Eliza's new little baby boy had arrived safe and sound. Little Christian William Whitmore was born Sunday, August 1st. I met up with my family at the hospital that evening to help welcome him into the world. He is soooo sweet. Such a Whitmore stamp on him. He'll be a handsome little guy.
All in all, it was a success! Now we have school to look forward to and get ready for. Hooray for the summer of 2010!