Random Fun in the 801

This year we were Utah bound at 2am-hoping the kids would sleep a good portion of the way....

they woke up at 4am. Gasp. All was well though-the travel kits & snacks worked PERFECTLY! Seriously folks-it was A-M--A-Z-I-N-G!

Em enjoyed a LOT of homemade chex mix...Bryce enjoyed his "own" bag of surprises!

For those of you who have traveled down I-84 to Utah...you know THIS landmark! :) Something seriously cool about it. Not sure what, but....

Finally we hit Bountiful, UT (ridiculously close to SLC) and BAM-the kids conked out! Are you kidding me? ha ha ha. Later that night it would be determined that they were up for 19 hours straight (minus the power nap)! OH MY WORD.....

So a short 20 minute power nap later-and we made it!!!! 

First thing was first-THE HOT TUB! They'd been talking about it in the back seat for hours. They had a whole plan of attack for what they wanted to enjoy at Grammies! Priorities.

Grammie even had new pool toys this year!

Izzy was pleased as punch to see everyone :)

Auntie Hollie, Auntie Ashley & Jordan came over as soon as they heard the kids were in town....and in true Ashley fashion, they had a bag of goodies in tow for them. :) Cute.

My favorite since childhood-Banana Creamies! Oh how I wish they sold these in WA. :(

One of the treats in the goodie bag was Silly String. They LOVED attacking various family members with it.

Even Grandpa wasn't safe from the rampage of plastic string.

Poor Dad-thought he had cleaned it all off-clearly that wasn't the case. :)

a yummy home cooked meal after eating garbage all day=BLISS....

And then-

Bryce found Grandpa's Super Soaker & a war ensued......

There was LOTS of puppy lovin' this week.....and outings to new places like our favorite SoCal burger joint IN & OUT!

mmmmm. A little piece of heaven-right in your lap :)

And the new splash pad park a few blocks from Grandpas house....

Bryce was MUCH braver this year and didn't mind being splashed at all! Amazing considering last year-where we went to the Gateway & he watched on the sidelines....or how Grammie had to hold him the entire time at the Rec Center so he didn't "get splashed". This year was MUCH more enjoyable for him, for whatever reason.

Grammie got new yard toys too....like the giant beach ball sprinkler and fun BBQ Grill

Emma grilled up "seashell pool toy" picnics EVERYDAY. She loved it. lol

There was ample down time-with lots of movies from Grammies Disney VHS stash-as usual.

Try as she may-Gabby never quite got away from this kid.  He (like his momma) just wanted constant snuggles from her....she on the other hand wanted NOTHING to do with that. :)

There were trips to Cabelas, and to the new City Creek Mall-a very California style mall. GORGEOUS. 

How cute is that face!!!! Kills me.

Like at the Gateway-there were fun fountains for the kids to cool off in. Which they had great fun doing.

Jordan & Ashley were forced in with the kids. They were good sports.

There is literally a creek that runs through the center of the mall-which also has a retractable roof-so the kids followed its banks until we reached heaven....also known as 

RESTORATION HARDWARE! Be still my heart!

I've been eyeing this desk for years.  LOOOOOOVE. But not the price tag.

A stop off at Kneaders in the food court for lunch...YUMMERS! Who's the weird one in the middle??? ;)

We bought this book there for Dadda too. SUPER cute!

 Walks down Dad's block for Hawaiian Shave Ice....

Lots of quality time with Auntie-

and special treats from Grammie.

Before we knew it, it was time to head home :(

The travel kits were packed with new snacks & new activities. Once again-worked like a charm. A fight free, fuss free 11 hours home! Not bad. Not bad at all.