I started blogging a few nights ago and fell asleep in the middle.  Rich saved it, I think, but don't know how to find it....I really wish I was more tech savvy!!!  I guess I'll just have to put the last few days in tonight's post and hope Rich knows what he did, which I'm sure he probably does.

Friday morning we drove down to Salt Lake City with the express desire to go to the aquarium, zoo, and catch some time with my brothers.  Rich had booked a hotel room at the old Hawthorne Inn, now La Quinta, so that we could make wise use of time.  I had called Brittany to see if she was interested in going to the zoo with us but she suggested the aquarium as temps were expected to be near 100.

The kids traveled really well.  It wasn't until the last half hour that Noah started to get restless.  We stopped in Evanston for some lunch and then headed on in to Brittany's.  Noah was glad to be out of the car and to meet Leah, Eli, and James.  He was especially glad to meet their dog! Lol!

We got to the aquarium and really enjoyed their exhibits and the air conditioning!

We met Derk, Julia, Brad, Alexis, and Erika for dinner at the chuck-a-Rama and enjoyed catching up on everyone.  Mike and his brood were at Lake Powell, Jim was in Idaho of course, and Chad and Ronnie had another activity planned.  It would have been nice to see them all but on short notice, it was great!


After dinner we checked into the hotel and Brittany and the kids, and Derk and Julia came over - Brittany and the kids went swimming with Tom and Noah and Rich and I spent the time chatting.

The next morning we tried to get to the zoo but by the time we got there (just 1/2 hr after opening) the line was huge and the temps were already soaring.  We decided to go across the street to "This is the Place" and we rode their train, visited Brigham Young's home, and Noah rode a pony.    We then headed to Costco for gas and a bite to eat at their eatery.   Then drove out to the distribution center and spent a couple of hours...nothing we do is done quickly! Lol!  Since we hadn't seen Brad and Alexis  at the hotel the night before, we stopped in to say good bye and finally headed home.  All in all it was a lovely trip and I was glad to have seen family too.

Yesterday was Father's Day.  It was a lovely day at church, the speakers were great, the lessons were good, and it was nice to commemorate our Fathers.  I find these holidays bitter-sweet in some ways.  I miss my own father and am sad I don't have him here.  And I love the fathers in my life - our sons and son-in-laws, my brothers, and especially Rich.  I don't have words to describe my great love and appreciation for them...they are truly my super heroes.   How richly blessed I have been to have them in my life.  And I can't even begin to describe my love and appreciation for my Heavenly Father and the savior.