Well Hey Hey! I’m back from our super fun trip out west. It was supposed to be all business (moving TheFirstChild and his cute little family to Utah for a year), but we had lots and lots of fun instead. The move went great — MyDadLovesMeBestSister, MeMum and I (along with Winston) drove the kids’ cars out without a hitch. No traffic, no construction, no mess! Winston was in my car the whole time and he was the perfect travel companion.
After the kids were pretty much moved in, we played. A Lot. Here are just a few of the highlights:
Horseback riding in the mountains (the mountains don’t look very big, but that’s because we’re already waaaay up there ;-D ) —
Checking out teeny little cemeteries for my ancestors. In all the times I’d been to the little town where my grandfather grew up, I’d never been to the cemetery. I found lots of ancestors — as far back as my g-g-g-g-g-grandmother who was born in 1780. I Love these old pioneer cemeteries — it’s so interesting to see the really old ones that don’t even have grass anymore. So many stories to tell.
A ridiculously fun 4th of July in MeMum and BigDaddy’s hometown. My very favorite place to be on the 4th — they have the perfect small-town gathering with activities ALL day long — starting with a pancake breakfast in the park and ending with fireworks at dusk. This little doll couldn’t have been more cute —
Three-legged races —
Potato Sack Races (MAN DOWN LOL!!!) —
Egg Toss —
Watermelon Bust —
Greased Pole — it used to be only the boys who loved to do it, but the girls are all in now too. That pole is VERY slippery — the objective is to grab the greasy flags at the top. Look at all those spotters there to protect the girls in case they slip and fall —
And just all-round fun ALL day with family that we don’t see very often. Being the only small child around, our little FinallyAGirl was very popular —
There was more fun after the 4th too. It was SUPER hot in the valley, so we escaped to the mountains and hiked to not-so-secret Cecret Lake (where we actually saw a skier on those glaciers — in July!) —
Saw the largest flying US flag, hanging in Pleasant Grove canyon —
And the day before I came home, we did a 5k in lavender fields (luckily we took cell-phone pictures because my camera settings were WAY off and the pictures didn’t turn out — ooops!) —
And now it’s back to real life. Going back to work was Hard. And Depressing. Thank goodness I can sew and quilt and spend too much time on the internet for distraction LOL.
Have a Great Week!
XOXO,
Anna
wow looks like you had a great time – I have not seen a 4th of July like this but always read about them of course – love the mountains, love the mountains I can never get enough of them. Yes now you are back to reality again huh –
Sounds like you’ve had just the best family time xx
Glad that the family have got settled in to their new home. Certainly looks as if you had lots of fun – no wonder you don’t want to be back at work!!
I can imagine that it’s hard to be back at work after your holidays and especially after all the fun you had. Maybe it’s time for retirement ????? I can really recommend it ;).
It looks like you had a fab time, Anna. Going back to work is the worst feeling. I remember a fellow teacher always knew exactly how many days it was until our next holiday! Way too many! LOL
WOW!!!
Now that is what I call FUN! I loved to play those field games when I was young.
Loved her star sunglasses – what a super cutie!
the mountain photos are beautiful. I love the west and haven’t been in years.
great venue for a 5K – wee!!
Anna! What a great trip! Thanks for sharing your wonderful moments. I can’t imagine going back to work after that. Boo. But I have a feeling you will be going back again soon.
It does sound like a wonderful time. It is great when you can fun with family. Love that you have quilting to take away the going back to work!! We need to have our vices!
If you ever drive through Colorado let me know and we’ll “do lunch!!!”
love your header update! so glad you had a lovely trip. ;p
Looks like you had a ball and I’ve heard about that huge! flag! You just wait tho’ —until you come to Idaho…you ain’t seen nothin’! :)
p.s. talk about moving…my Arizona daughter is moving to Boston! eek! first tho’ they will be with Utah daughter for this week, then here to Idaho! :) at my house for 2+ weeks. I’m so excited to see them AND excited to make a couple of trips to Boston over the next year–they will be there one year, also.
Well, you’ve been busy! We’ve been walking (not running) through lavender fields in Norfolk (the English one). Heavenly scent. FinallyAGirl is very cute!
As the genealogist of the family…I love cemeteries…last year we traveled from Ohio to Montana to check out a little cemetery where my ancestors are buried and also met a 4th cousin I only had met on the internet! I also met a 4th cousin in South Dakota and one in Utah. So nice to meet them in person!Glad you had a great trip…the west is so awesome!
Sounds like a great time! I love to go to the cemetary when I visit the cousins in Ireland and climb around all the really old family gravestones. It’s in a tiny village but I’ve heard it’s the highest elevation of any cemetary in the country. Finally a girl is adorable! Love her movie star sunglasses….
What a brilliant trip! Fancy seeing all those ancestors at the cemetery. Your girl is soooo adorable. Such fun!
What a lovely time! Glad you were able to enjoy some down time and not “work” all the time. Utah seems so beautiful. Perhaps one day I will visit! Thanks for sharing! Cheers!
ridiculous fun is the only kind to have!!!
p.s. – tell Auntie MeMum that i love her…
when i grow up i want you to be my vacay planner. is that cool? thanks annabanana, you’re my fave.
What a wonderful time! It all looks such fun and your little granddaughter is so adorable! Lovely to see your pictures….the mountains, the lavender, the HUGE flag…and tracing your ancestors back so far!! Hope you can settle back into work ok after this lovely break. xox
You really packed a lot of fun into a relatively short time. What wonderful memories. That is what I have always admired about you and your family – your memory making skills!
This looks like so much fun, Anna. I’m glad you enjoyed yourself and I’m glad you’re back.
Amalia
xo
Oh what a fun trip! I love small towns. And the 4th of July. And old cemeteries. And lavender fields!! Thanks for sharing. :)