a little trip south

WHOO HOO...THIS POST HAS TAKEN ME 1 WEEK TO GET POSTED.
BOY, AM I GLAD IT IS DONE!

we just returned from a 10-day trip down to utah. i was reluctant to go, however my kids were anxious to see grandparents and so i relented. we spent a few days in slc, orem and petersboro. it was a very hot trip with the temp. hovering around 100+ many days. it was almost unbearable BUT we survived and did some fun things while we were there, despite the heat.

on our first day we hiked timpanogos cave, a must while visiting utah. i realized i had not hiked timp since i was very young, which led me to request this activity for my own children. it is a short hike, only about 3 mi. round trip, however, it is quite steep. i carried william's 35 lb. body on my back and needless to say, it was a great sweaty workout! the coolness of the cave was a welcome retreat from the 95 degree weather. we enjoyed the tour inside the cave, learning many things about the stalagtites and stalagmites.

preparing for the hike, me and will, hunter,
issy, grandpa gurr, emma and grandma cindy

issy graced us with her undeniably cute episodes of tears. she would say she was scared of the dark and grandpa was quick to console her and calm her fears. what a little manipulator!

there were 2 tunnels on the way up to the cave, here is one.

kids standing in front of some water that dripped into the cave
and some stalagtites hanging from the ceiling.


after hiking up timp, we went over to kennecot copper mine and saw how they mine the copper they had these huge dump trucks that drove to and from the open pit mine and the tires alone were bigger than a house. it was quite fascinating.

by the end of the day we were tired and hot, so we cooled off in the little swimming pool in the backyard of grandpa's house. it was very refreshing. actually, we spent every afternoon in the pool trying to stay cool. the kids had a blast.


my dad took hunter and emma up to ensign peak one morning, this the view from the top(picture taken by emma).

one day we went to antelope island. you can take a salty dip in the great salt lake on antelope island(which we have done before and believe me once is enough). you can also go to a ranch and see animals(namely buffalo and anelope). there is also all the original equipment/houses/barns etc. from when they ran the ranch many years before. it was a very hot day and you can tell by the rosy red cheeks all the kids seem to be wearing.

william with his happy smile!

this is inside the old home on the ranch.


william loved the chickens.

my kids have never been to a temple open house, so i asked my dad and cindy to round up some tickets for us. the oquirrh temple was having their open house while we were in utah and so we were able to take a tour. it was very nice. the kids particulary enjoyed the bottled water and cookies afterward!!


we took a quick trip up to logan to see some of our old stompin' grounds. one stop was to the cemetery to see great grandpa/grandma hemmert's grave. william is named after grandpa hemmert(my mom's dad). we stayed with my friend bonnie in their new home in petersboro. it was really great! i will admit i was a little jealous....new home on 5 acres in the country, gotta love it!! we did drive up to hyrum to see our old home and friends...no one was around!! we knocked on several doors to no avail. maybe, next time!!

emma and becca eating treats while shooting off fireworks.


we celebrated will's 1st b-day with grandparents a month early. we celebrated grandma gurr's 82nd b-day with her too.


grandpa gurr died last year and so i took the kids
to see his grave in pleasant grove.

on our way down and back up to moscow, we stopped in boise to see my friend angie. she was a great host and we had a lot of fun catching up on moscow, law school stuff and life. it made me sad though thinking that we will be moving from moscow, just like they did, very soon. but, i will save an update on that for a future post!!

cuties!!
carter and issy having one last kiss goodbye!!