Road Trip to Utah - Part 2

Tuesday night we went to Historic Wheeler Farm. Owen and Caroline had such a great time seeing all of the different animals. They both were pretty apprehensive about milking a cow - I did it though - and Owen was terrified to even touch the cow. He would sit on my lap by the cow but really didn't want to even touch her. Caroline on the other hand wouldn't milk the cow, but she did pet the cow. Once she pet the cow, she was done and went immediately back to Adam for safety.

Because Adam wasn't feeling really well, Wednesday Adam and I took the kids for a drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Alta Ski Resort. It was the first time that the kids had seen snow. They giggled and squealed with joy at the "ice" and loved playing in it. Cari loved eating it - no it wasn't yellow snow, nor was it dirty. Sure enough we had been there for maybe 10 minutes before we heard, "I gotta go potty." Because the resort wasn't open, neither were the bathrooms. Therefore, grateful that it was Owen who said that, Adam took him behind a tree to go potty.

On Thursday, I took Owen and Caroline on Trax to Temple Square. The only thing Owen talked about the whole time we were walking around is the train. He loved the train ride and couldn't wait to get back on the train and ride it home.

We went to the North Visitor's Center, the Church History Museum and the kids walked up the east stairs of the Temple. They had sooooo much fun. Caroline loved looking at all of the brides there on Temple Square. She even said that she wanted to wear her "pretty blue dress" in the Temple. I told her that Mommy and Daddy would buy her a pretty white dress that she could wear in the Temple when she gets married. She thought that was cool and agreed. Sweet! We've got a deal.

In the Church History Museum, the kids loved the "I Am A Child of God" exhibit. They played with the blocks to build a temple, the walked on the straight and narrow path and held to the rod, Owen did a CTR rubbing, and they also liked the Star of David puzzle.

We walked down to my favorite sandwich shop in Downtown SLC, Gandolfo's. We got sandwiches and enjoyed them thoroughly. Before we left the shop, I asked Owen if he needed to use the facilities. He assured me he "was good." We got halfway between the shop and the train platform and then he looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I need to go potty." Seriously!!!! Didn't I just ask him - I should have insisted he go there at the shop. Instead, I beg a gentleman who was working in the lobby of the building where I use to work for a code to the employee bathroom on the main floor. He gave me the code and in we went. After Owen took care of business, we walked out of the building and there was the train. We had to hurry and run to catch the train.

In one foul swoop I grabbed Caroline, took Owen's hand and we took off running. Owen and I bumped into one another and then he crashed and fell. I grabbed him up off the ground and we continued running. We barely got on the train and Owen couldn't have been more thrilled that we "caught the train." That's all he wanted to tell Adam when we were picked up is how we caught the train.

That night, Rebecca, Mike and their kids came over for one last family dinner. Owen and Caroline absolutely loved playing with their kids, Connor and Heather. They had such a great time. Whenever we would see them all of the kids would immediately start looking for each other to play. Finally, they are at the age where they can play together and watch the same types of shows together. Sure, there were the typical squabbles and disagreements over the same toys, or who had what first or who's turn it was, but overall they got along fabulously.

With all of the goodbyes said and hugs given it was time to repack the suitcases and the car and get ready to head out on the long trip home.

Early Friday morning, we packed up the car and headed out back home. The kids did really well in the car and with the exception of Howie screaming for the last 4 hours everything was smooth sailing. We are so grateful for such a wonderful trip, despite having sick kids and getting the rest of the family sick, and for the time we were able to spend with everyone. We'll look forward to the next trip and hope that one goes just as smoothly and this one.