Summer 2016 in Utah. Also, Megan is a Saint.

Our big trip this summer was an epic excursion to Park City, UT.  Initially, I wasn't super excited about getting 4 small children from Houston to Utah (okay, I was totally dreading it), especially because I knew Rob wasn't going to be able to be there to help.

However my angel sister-in-law, Megan, agreed to send her baby with my brother and be my extra pair of hands for the trip.  I think she ended up getting more than she bargained for...

Plane tickets directly to UT were too expensive (especially when you factor in the cost of a minivan rental for a week!), so we ended up flying to Las Vegas (where we got a pretty good deal on a minivan rental) and then drove up to Park City.

First stop: Lunch at In 'N Out in Las Vegas

Somehow I don't have a picture of all 6 of us in the airport (I probably was too stressed out for a photo-op), but we made the first flight with the help of 3 iPads, a miraculously empty seat adjacent next to me, and lots of knick-knacks and crafts to keep little hands busy.

At 2.5, Caroline could still SQUEEZE into an infant carseat!

In Vegas I went to get the rental car, Megan waited for the luggage, and we all started the 7 hr trip north.  It was long, but with the help of 3 iPads, some candy, and lots of knick-knacks and crafts to keep little hands busy, we made it to Park City.  And Baby Stan was literally the perfect baby--eating when we stopped to get gas, then falling back asleep until the next rest stop.

Happy Girls

Now we could get busy enjoying the BEAUTIFUL scenery, PERFECT weather, and the soft green grass that is all a part of Summer in Utah.

On a nature walk

We went on daily walks and went on (short) hikes in the beautiful mountains.  We visited with some wonderful family friends who now live in Park City.  We spent days at the park, played at the pool, visited the Nicklecade, went to Granny's, and basically had a fabulous time.

Building leaf-boats

Sleeping, swaddled baby.  Not even sweating!

Blockus on the grass--not worrying about sitting in a pile of fire ants!

We named this guy Stanley, the Bear.

For the trip home, Megan and I decided to break the drive up a bit.  We drove from Park City to Draper to see some of our Ellis family and spend the night.  The next morning we drove to Springville to see more family, and then a few hours more to St. George to spend the night in an hotel.

We forgot Caroline's bathing suit top...

The next morning we had some time to kill before making the last leg to Las Vegas, so we stopped at St. George's fun splash pad in their town center.  It was the perfect way to spend the morning.

The kids got to play in the sunshine, get wet,  and run around.  We were even treated to a surprise performance by one of St. George's Glee Clubs!  They taught the kids how to do the Macarena, the Electric Slide, the YMCA, and a few other classic dances.  This little morning in St. George ended up being one of the highlights of the entire trip!

Custard for lunch

The airplane ride home was so smooth I hardly even remember it.  I know that Megan was glad to get home to her ONE child, and I am SO thankful she helped us make the trip, and helped it to be so FUN!

At the airport coming home to Daddy!