Gateway, Grandfather, Temple Square...

Wednesday, August 25 we got to take things a little slower in the morning.  We decided to head to the Gateway Children's Museum in Salt Lake.  Dan's sisters Michelle and Heather and their kids met us there around 10 am (sadly, Ali and her kids were sick that day). We got to enjoy the museum for free because it's a partner museum of the Children's Museum here and we have a membership!  Woo hoo!

Megan fell asleep on the way there and didn't wake up for about 40 minutes--I think her sporadic naps and late nights were catching up with her!

Michelle's kids, Isaac and sweet Sarah

Heather's kids, Jakey and Lily

See, Brooke was there too :)

The kids explored and played and had a great time.

These blocks with a light under them were a favorite attraction.  I'm so glad we drove all that way so they could play with blocks.  Isn't that how it always is?  The simplest toys are the favorite.

Dan and two of his four sisters:  Michelle on the left and Heather on the right. 

We enjoyed a picnic lunch outside on the roof pavilion and then headed down to the nearby splash pad. 

 

Splash pad:  Megan LOVED it.  Jake liked it.  Isaac...he looked at it :).  

I love that look-back smile.

Brooke's turn to nap...

Dan and Michelle kept an eye on the kids so Heather and I could go buy some shirts.  Right after we got back, Jake took a dive off some rocks and got a sweet bloody nose--poor kid.  He was very tough though.

We headed back to Dan's parents in the late afternoon and got ready to go to the Bountiful Temple that night.

Megan helping Papa pick tomatoes Wednesday afternoon.

Dan's Mom works in the temple on Wednesdays and she was able to do a session with us, Michelle and Robby, and Ken.  Being together in the temple was such a nice, peaceful time during our busy week. Thanks Kaitlyn (Dan's cousin) for watching the kids--and refusing payment!

Thursday was another quiet morning.  Our first agenda item was a visit with my Grandfather and his wife, Mama Laney (they live in Salt Lake).  I love the way Grandfather's face lights up when he plays with his great-grandchildren.  His memory isn't what it used to be, but when we called the night before to tell him we would be visiting, he made a special trip to the store to buy cookies just to share with our girls.  Megan remembered where the toy cupboard was and she and Brooke had a great time playing while we chatted.  They even warmed up to their great Grandfather enough to give some hugs on our way out.

We then drove over to Temple Square to walk around and enjoy the beauty of the temple grounds and visitor's centers.  As we walked around, Dan mentioned that he wasn't feeling so great (as you can see from his grimace face!).  More on this to follow:)

Yay for digital retouching--I removed Megan's awesome scabs from her run-in with Wills earlier in the week.

Anyway, we cut our Temple Square visit short to let Dan get some afternoon rest before we had friends over for a barbecue that evening.  We spent the afternoon getting food ready for our get together and other than Dan not feeling well, we had a great dinner.  One of Dan's high school friends, Josh, wife Lisa, and their four adorable blonde kiddos and my former roomie, Maren, husband Brian, and their two handsome boys were able to make it.  The kids ran around like crazy, played on the swing set, and watched some Cinderella while we got caught up.  Bedtimes came too soon and our friends had to hit the road.  Thanks for making the trek up to Bountiful to see us!

Maren and Brian...awesome face Brian--Maren, you look lovely!

Josh and Lisa and their sweet little Camryn...