Utah Visit [First Stop: Salt Lake]

We had a whirlwind trip to Utah these last two weeks. It all started when Sam, Daniel and I drove down to visit my parents (Bill had to work). I was really nervous about traveling alone with them, but I timed it so we would leave right after lunch in time for their afternoon naps. Everything was going great, and maybe I was getting a little too cocky because when we got to Ogden, it all fell apart.

Traffic slowed to almost a complete stop because of an accident and suddenly, Sam started screaming. I turned to see what was wrong just in time to see him throw up...twice. Because of the accident, I couldn't get off the freeway for almost 10 minutes. Fortunately, I had just talked to my friend, Sarah and we had arranged for us to stop at their house in Farmington for a little break. I pulled off at the next exit and cleaned Sam up as best as I could and then quickly headed to Sarah's. Sam seemed fine playing with his friend, Drew, so I decided it was just motion sickness. Then, as we were getting ready to leave, Sarah asked if I'd like to take a bucket just in case. A few minutes after she gave it to me, Sam started gagging again and, luckily, I caught it all in the bucket. I threw the boys and all our things in the car and headed to my parents. We hadn't been there more than 20 minutes when he threw up again. So I just got all our stuff from the car and put the boys and me in bed.

I wasn't sure what was wrong with Sam, so we just took it easy Friday and hung out at my parents house. It was my brother, Dan's birthday, so we had a bbq with them and played outside.

Daniel and Noah became fast friends

My sisters family was also visiting and I took my boys and her kids to the Church History Museum on Saturday. It was pretty crowded, but they still had a great time checking out the children's exhibit.

Sam enjoyed playing with (and putting stickers on) my brother, Dave.

Sunday afternoon I took my boys and two nephews up to Silver Lake near Brighton Resort. I love it up there and the walk around the lake was beautiful.

Sam helping Grandpa mow the lawn

Cousins: Asher, Noah & Sloane

We also went to Hogle Zoo (forgot my camera), had lunch or dinner with lots of friends and played in the fountain at Gateway. It was a great visit. Bill flew in Tuesday evening (thank heavens!) and we drove down to St. George Wednesday afternoon for the Whitaker family reunion. More pictures to follow...

Hoops

Bill played basketball in a city league this weekend. It was 3 on 3 and they blocked off most of 8th Street downtown and had over 40 half courts, one right after the other.

Bill's team played two games Friday night and then two games Saturday morning, and then they were out.

The boys and I drove down to watch the last game Saturday morning. It was already quite warm, but since we found a place in the shade, it was very pleasant.

After the last game, we walked up toward The Grove where the fountain is to cool off a bit.

Of course, no outing would be complete without a nice collection of sticks. He is such a boy!

And Daniel has learned how to do "so big"

Banks Beach

We spent a beautiful afternoon along the Boise River at Banks Beach on Saturday. We drove up with our friends, the Wilsons and splashed around in the freezing water and watching the rafters float by.

Daniel wasn't sure what to think of the sand at first, but got comfortable pretty quickly and was all over the place. Sam loved building sand castles and playing catch with Joshua and Bill.

Just before we left, Bill dunked me in the water. Sam, concerned at my screaming, started crying and still reminds us of what Daddy did to Mommy. I will get my revenge!

BBQ

The cutest family shares our back yard fence and we have loved getting to know them. Aimee and Reganza (Sam calls him Gonzo) have 5 kids from age 3 to 12. They escaped from the Congo a few years ago. We had them over for a BBQ the other night and had so much fun eating and playing.

Bill and I had planned on grilling a few hot dogs and hamburgers and had some fruit and chips to go along with it. But when the knock came on the door and we saw even more hotdogs and 8 different pots filled with other African food, we knew we were in for a feast!

Aimee even taught me how to make "foo-foo" (sp?) that made from corn flour and becomes the consistency of mashed potatoes.

Sam loved running around with all the kids

I couldn't believe all the food. It was a fun night.

Horsethief Reservoir

We spent the last four days with my family at Horsethief Reservoir. It's two hours north of Boise, just a few miles east of Cascade and absolutely beautiful!

Relaxing on the porch

Me on a zip-line

Daniel rarely took a nap, but was still his cheerful little self!

Making s'mores

Sam was never without a stick and loved running around with all of his cousins and fishing with Daddy.

The whole Ellison clan (minus my youngest brother, Dave)

Oh, Say Can You See...

We love you, America!

Watching an early fireworks show with the Mannings.

Teach a boy to fish...

Bill has been dying to take Sam fishing with him, and to go himself since it's been over a year. There is a little pond stocked with fish just a few miles from our house, so Bill took Sam in the bike trailer and Daniel and I followed in the car to take some pictures.

Sam thinks any stick is a fishing pole, so I think he'll be his daddy's best fishing buddy in no time!