Utah Get Away

With summer winding down, I was itching for a last hurrah.  Something different (therefore in my mind a bit more memorable.)  We started off my attending the Martin Harris Pageant in Clarkston, UT.  Our valley families enjoyed us for a nice evening.  After climbing in the crowded bleachers, we opted for a patch of burnt up grass just right of the stage.  This way the kids had a bit more room to roam and we weren't having to hold sleeping kids.  It ended up being for the best, although it was nearly impossible to see the angel appear in the trees on the left of the stage.

Millie's family recently returned from living in Indiana, so everything is fun with cousins!

We spent the night in Logan and headed down to SLC the next day.  I mean, what kids have never been to the Hogle Zoo for goodness sakes?!  It just so happened to be one of the hottest and most crowded days of the summer (in my opinion.)  The kids were exhausted, the animals were lethargic and completely inactive, Brent was sick and completely unamused and upset.  You see, this whole trip was kind of my idea and he had no buy in at all.

The giraffe was spectacular as we walked in to the zoo, but it went down hill after that.

We all agreed that it was a bit disappointing.  We ate our packed lunch and continued on.

Elephants in real life are just so fascinating.  I can't help but feel connected by the way our skin is so leathery and dry.

The gorilla amused us.  He was the only animal that put on any type of a show for us.

The little coastal splash pad was drawing the biggest crowd.  The two littlest ones decided to get their feet wet before we hightailed it out of there to find some relief.

Once back at the car a huge wall of emotion came crashing down and I was ready to go home.  Brent was not feeling well, add it to the fact that it wasn't his idea, it was his birthday, and it was crowded and ominous harvest was looming right around the corner.  He was emotionally charged and I was defensive.  I felt personally attacked.  We worked through things and he was allowed to sit in the car and nap with Delsie while the older kids and went to to This Is The Place Heritage Park across the street.