Summer Travel 2017: We fly in an airplane

Our trip came to an end on Tuesday,  June 27.  In fifteen days, we had driven 2236 miles in three states and one province (Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Alberta). We had such a nice time visiting and playing with so many family members. It was sad to say our farewells.

Just a few last photos from our airplane travel days. 

Electronic devices were a lifesaver for the 4 hour flights!

Watching the airplanes during our layover in Phoenix.

 Adam's first time in an airplane (this photo was from our first flight from Orlando to SLC).

Summer Travel 2017: BYU Campus and a visit with dear friends

Monday was our BYU day. We met up with James and Ann and the Bowers family at the Bean Museum and the small dinosaur museum.

Then we said goodbye and headed off to explore the main campus (HBLL and Wilk). We had lunch at the Cougareat, then went the Museum of Art.

This rainbow creation at the MOA was really neat. 

I love this rendition of the nativity by Brian Kershisnik. 

A beautiful painting to ponder.

We spent the afternoon and evening with the Kay family, our dear Florida friends who left on internship the same time we did (us to NC and them to Mississippi). We haven't seen them in five years, but now they live in Provo (he's faculty in the BYU psychology department)! We had a great time visiting and enjoyed dinner with them.

The kids have changed a lot in five years!

Friends forever reunited!

Summer Travel 2017: Family time on Sunday

Sunday we attended stake conference with James and Ann, the Hawkins family, and the Bowers family. The Bishop of our first married student ward at BYU  is currently in the stake presidency of Jared's parents stake, so after the meeting we went up to the stand to say hello and introduce him to our children. That was nice.

We had lunch with James and Ann, then we drove around Provo to see the two temples.

Pretty Provo temple with Squaw Peak in the background.

 The new Provo City Center Temple. The grounds were closed for maintenance, so this is close as were able to get. 

Adam would appreciate the picture with the digger out in front.

Then we spent the afternoon visiting with the Hawkins family at their home. Family dinner for everyone back with Jared's parents, then dessert (birthday cake and ice cream) at the Hawkins home. Then we had to say goodby to most of the families, since the reunion time was ending and everybody was scattering.

 Adam loved the attention he received from the older cousins.

Summer Travel 2017: Wedding day!

Saturday was the wedding of our sweet niece Amberly and Evan. Jared and I were able to attend the sealing at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. It was lovely to be in the temple with so many family members, and Amberly and Evan looked radiantly happy.

The happy couple.

 Beautiful bride!

 Bride and groom and their parents.

In the evening we attended the reception in South Jordan. Again, it was nice to visit with many extended family members, and we enjoyed the yummy cake!

 Cute cousins in pink at the reception.

Summer Travel 2017: Time with the Bybee Family

Thursday evening and Friday we hung out with the Bybees. Katie was so gracious to host us as we kept popping back in and out at their house during our two week trip. The kids had a great time playing with cousins, and spent a lot of time outside on the trampoline. Adam (and all of the kids) had fun playing with their dog, Kal. Except that Adam thought we were calling the dog "cow", so he kept mooing. :)

Friday afternoon we went to a lake in the Daybreak subdivision to splash in the water and play in the sand. 

 Lily found a pet as usual. 

That night we had an early dinner and ice cream to celebrate Kayla's birthday.

Summer Travel 2017: Temple Square

One of our favorite things to do when we travel to Utah is visit Temple Square. There is always so much to see, and so much that is beautiful and teaches us about the history of the Church and strengthens our faith.

We walked around and enjoyed the beautiful grounds, and stopped in the South Visitor's Center, the Tabernacle, and the Family History Library.

We spent a good amount of time at the Church History Museum (the kids especially liked the art space for children in the "I'll Walk Where Jesus Walked" display. 

Our Lily loved all of the lilies on the temple grounds, so we took a lot of photos of them.

We had lunch at the City Creek mall, then went back to see the North Visitor's Center. In the Church Office Building we rode the elevator to the 26th floor observation deck for a spectacular view of the Salt Lake Valley.