Quick Trip to Utah

Last Wednesday night we decided to head up to Utah (one of the perks of working for an airline are last minute trips) for a long weekend to enjoy the Fourth with family. We had tried to go up the weekend before but encountered some issues at the airport and didn’t make it (that’s a really loooong story and I won’t bore you with the details). We haven’t been to Utah in 11 months and we wanted to get one last trip in before baby boy #3 arrives on the scene.

We had a great time but it was very tiring. I don’t think the boys got to bed before 11:00 the three nights we were there. We always wish we had time to see our friends but with both of our families there it’s hard to fit everything in. Hopefully next summer we can come up for a week or longer.

Here are some highlights from our trip:

Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple Open House (South Jordan)

We made it a priority to take the boys to the open house. We went with my parents and brother. The boys loved it and Landen said it was his favorite part of the trip. It was really crowded though. Phil talked to one of his friends who lives in the area and has been volunteering at the open house and according to him that day was the busiest day so far – doubling their previous busiest day.

Third of July Fireworks and BBQ (North Salt Lake)
Phil’s sister also lives in North Salt Lake and for the last few years has hosted a BBQ before the city does its big fireworks display at the golf course. She lived right above the course so the fireworks seem to explode right in front of you. It’s pretty amazing. We also lit off some of our own fireworks in the driveway.

The boys both enjoy seeing their cousins and had a blast. Nathan was “too busy to eat” and loved playing basketball with the big boys. He got knocked down a few times but didn’t seem to care.

Lately Landen has been asking for things he sees on TV (the Clapper and some toothpaste dispenser are two examples that come to mind). He also asked for the Snuggly. When he found out there was one in the house he had to give it a try.

Fourth of July BBQ (North Salt Lake)
We spent the Fourth with my parents and enjoyed another BBQ and lit off fireworks at their house. We got to meet the newest member of our family – my darling niece Brooklyn Dyer.

It’s a Gillis family tradition to make homemade ice cream on the Fourth. As you can see, someone REALLY liked it.

We also swung by the Gateway to pick up a few things and I snapped these pictures of the boys.