Summer Vacation part 1: Utah

I drove to Utah so I could take all the kids out to Utah while Karsyn was at her gymnastics camp. I knew there would be no way that they would let me go without them! We stayed very busy while we were there. Here a few highlights from the week:

The boys got to take swimming lessons from their Uncle Blake. Then, when they were done swimming you could find them on grandma and grandpa's indoor basketball court learning some new moves from Uncle Blake. If they needed some down time they would play video games with uncle Blake. As you can see, Uncle Blake is their favorite thing about Utah!

Aunt Heather and Uncle Gavin had a hotel for a couple of nights up in Park City. When Kennedy asked, "What is Park City?" we knew she must go! So they took Kennedy and Cassidy up for an overnight stay. The got to visit Olympic Park where they did the Alpine slide and Alpine Coaster. They also showed off some acrobatic skills on the bungee trampoline. And what trip to Park City isn't complete until you hit the outlets? Aunt Heather said she really felt the pressure of shopping with two teenage girls! Lots of opinions and analyzing goes into every purchase!

We were treated to a VIP preview showing of the new blockbuster movie "Eclipse" courtesy of Gavin Seal and Allstate. We were definitely in good hands that night! We got to the see the movie a day before any other previews were shown, we got free popcorn and drinks, goody bags full of awesome stuff and free raffle tickets! This movie is one of the "Twighlight" series and it is the biggest rage with teenage girls (and their moms, shhh). Kennedy was thrilled when Uncle Gavin told her she could take home the cut-out of one the stars, Taylor Lautner! Now she has a life-size Taylor to stand next to the posters of him that adorn her walls!

We had a family cook-out at Uncle Jamie and Aunt Brittany's house. This was really fun because 1) the food was amazing, 2) the entire Stewart family was there, and 3) most my kids had never been to their house before!

What is a LDS family to do when the 4th of July falls on a Sunday? Why go to Utah of course! There they celebrate it on Saturday, July 3rd! I got tickets for myself and the girls to go to Stadium of Fire with Heather and Gavin and their oldest three kids. This is held every 4th of July at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo. It is always a major production with a big-name headliner. This year Carrie Underwood was performing. We got there a little early to fight the crowds and then wandered around the vendor booths snatching everything free they were passing out! The show was amazing! Carrie surprised us by coming out and singing the National Anthem complete with fireworks and a military fly-by - best part of the night! There were several opening acts and performances on the field before Carrie came out. Carrie sang for about 50 minutes and then the fireworks began. What a show! I thought I was seeing the finale about 6 different times and then they just kept going!

Since we are not coming back out ot Utah in August this summer, we will miss our annual cousin day at Lagoon. To try and make it up to the kids, I took them to Seven Peaks water park in Provo. After being rained out on our first try, we had a fun and successful second try at the water park. With gymnastics camp, our trip to Stadium of Fire and the water park, I drove to Provo, at least once, 7 of our 8 days in Utah!