Let me first say, I must have brain damage to have forgotten what it is like taking care of five kids--seriously, my admiration for Kevin and Angie went up by leaps and bounds. They both do such a great job taking care of their beautiful home and participating in church, community, and school activities, but mainly, they just do a tremendous job teaching and taking care of their kids. Oh, and don't forget--Koda, their little dog--now, that was a real challenge--I'm not an animal lover and forgot what life was like when you had to arrange everything around a dog, but Koda seemed to really like me, and I started liking that fact.
I definitely had some big shoes to fill with all these responsibilities!
On Saturday morning, after everyone got off (Kent and Natalie were driving back to Washington, Kevin and Angie were flying to Hawaii) Kade, Lauren, and I went to the Alpine Days Parade. George joined us a little later after he took Kevin and Angie to the airport. Of course, we took Koda with us. The kids gathered so much candy from passing floats and cars. They will be eating it for a month!
Afterwards, we met Kim, Carter, Jenna, and Brady in the park for the rest of the festivities. The kids had so much fun on the many bouncing games and water activities, plus there was lots of food.
This picture is for Cassie and her dad. They love Dale Murphy--and we just happened to see him at the festivities in the park.
On Sunday, we went to church at Kyle and Kim's ward and ate Sunday dinner together. Then we all drove up to Park City and met John and Alison and their family there. The scenery was just breath-taking. Of course, we had to stop at our favorite ice cream place for big ice cream cones and shakes.
(Of course we had to take the dogs again--Harley and Koda.)
Monday morning, we sadly took George to the airport to go back to Florida. Then we took the kids to the Kids' Museum at Gateway. Those kids just never tire of all the fun things to do there.
After we ate lunch, the kids played in the Centennial Fountain. It has little water spouts that jump here and there, but then it finally warns you and the whole thing becomes a giant shower. That's the part the kids really love!
The rest of the week is just a blur with taking kids to practice, having picnics, going to movies, cleaning house, making sure Kevin's manicured lawn didn't burn up, etc., etc. But I loved it! One day Kim, Alison, and I took the kids to Cowabunga Bay. What a really fun place!
I was so sad having to say "Good-bye" at the end of the week. I had, also, been able to see Carter, Jenna, and Brady a lot that week, so when I said "Good-bye" to Brady, he just laid in my arms and cried for 10 minutes. It made me cry, too. He is my little building buddy. He loves to build things!
Kim said he cried another 45 minutes after I left. Lauren and Hannah, also, made me cry. They kept saying they wished I didn't have to go. It is just too far between Utah and Florida!
I drove to the airport which worked out great--except there was so much road construction, I was late picking up Kevin and Angie. I turned the car over to them and then they dropped me off at the airport. There I met up with John and Alison and their family who were going back to Shanghai. We all had breakfast together before they had to leave. Now if I thought Utah is far, Shanghai is way too far! I always have a hard time seeing them go so far away! Thank goodness we can call them easily now and have the convenience of e-mail. That really helps!
When I got home, I was very excited to see (besides George, of course), Jeff, Amy, Garrett, Isaac and Baby Lola. Baby Lola had really grown in two weeks, but the biggest surprise is when Garrett showed me he had learned to ride his two-wheeler!
When I was making such a fuss about him learning, Isaac took off on his skooter to show me he had many skills, too.
School started on Monday, so it was soon back to work again. All I can say is that the "vacation" was much too short!
