A Few Malihinis: Summer Vacation 2019

No one anticipated the summer trip as much as Owen. After crying desperately after getting left home when I took Kate to Oahu, he was anxious to "go on a aya-plane high in the sky." We gave him the window seat and he gazed out for ages until the flight attendants requested we close them so people could sleep (in the middle of the afternoon).

Getting to Utah was nothing short of a disaster. Thinking we dodged the red-eye bullet and would have a better trip as a result, we booked a flight that left in the day and stayed overnight in LA. LAX was a hot mess, and it took over an hour to get our bags off the carousel. It took another 45 minutes until our hotel shuttle arrived. By this time, it was midnight, and we were all tired of standing around and pretending to be patient. We saw our shuttle a little ways down the road, and Brady took off after it. The kids followed, including Owen, who darted into the road. I hurried to catch up and guide him to a safer walkway. We all made it to the shuttle and breathed a sigh of relief--that is, until we got to the hotel and realized my bag was still on the curb. Brady immediately left to go back to the airport while I called security, the airline, the shuttle bus company, and anyone we could think of. Brady was given hopeless looks when he explained the situation to airport security, and came home two hours later defeated. Since losing the bag, we have identified $2000 of gear and clothing. Any other bag lost would have resulted in a few hundred dollars lost but this bag was a gold mine with brand new hiking gear, workout gear, shoes, gifts, etc.

We tried to put a happy face on the next day as we went to breakfast with the kids and finally made it to Salt Lake City. Just days before, I commented that on this trip to Utah, I would love to avoid any shopping that was not for groceries. It was ironic that our first stop--aside from fresh fruit at the gas station--was to the Park City Outlets to replenish a few necessities. The backpacking trip to Glacier was only days away and I had a sum total of zero bras, socks, pants, and shirts.

We rushed back from the outlets to meet our kids in canyon with the Edwards cousins. They felt immediately comfortable, jumping in on frisbee games and spike ball and running non-stop. The adults talked and laughed for hours as we celebrated Tanner leaving for his mission in the coming days.

Kate begged for a sleepover with Brynlee and Audrey, and they stayed up giggling until well past midnight. The best thing about traveling east is staying up late is no biggie.

The next morning, we had a fruit and veggie tasting tour of Grandma and Grandpa's garden. Owen was delighted to pick and eat berries and tomatoes.

Grandpa introduced Kate to Mario Kart.

We all met at Angela's for a Pioneer Day breakfast, with French toast and fresh fruit. She stocked me up on tees and shorts, and we headed to Cory and Kristen's for their annual neighborhood party.

This picture makes me so happy.

The kids played for hours on the bounce houses and especially loved the obstacle course and dunking machine. They ate ice cream cookie sandwiches and food truck taco. Logan picked up where he left off with Owen and never left his side. Logan and Rachel have made Owen's prayers ever since.

Zac was in full Zac-mode, blazing down the stairs and doing flips over the bottom barrier.

Next stop was of course another run to the outlets for gear. I scored big and knocked out some major items.

Thursday morning, we met up with Zachary's birth mom, Erin, for the Bean Museum with all the kids. She has four children now and baby Rainn was Kate's instant baby crush. Zac gushed over his half sisters. He has saved for a Harry Potter lego set for almost a year now, exercising self-discipline in every money setting. He asked the girls to each pick out something they liked at the museum and bought it with his own money. It was so sweet to see his excitement--he talked to them constantly and wandered around with them.

After hours at the museum and lunch together at Zupas, we parted ways and stopped in to see my grandparents. Grandpa was cheery and happier than I've ever seen him, singing and cracking jokes. Grandma is suffering from advanced dementia and recognized us, but only barely and between naps. I had several tender moments with her holding her hands and walking with her, and I think that it was likely goodbye.

We squeezed in another desperate shopping trip and then went to dinner at Robin and Rick's home where I saw Michelle for the first time in years! She has been teaching university English courses in Morocco but has moved back to the United States. Kathie and Lee were there, too, and we loaded up on fresh fruits and veggies, laughs, and stories.

Rick's retirement gift: a pac man arcade game.

We booked it back to Cory and Kristen's in time to pack our backpacks and be on our way. Mom and Dad graciously agreed to watch all the kids at Cory and Kristen's house which was a giant party for my kids. I love the picture with Mom and Dad and the abandoned children.

One shot while we are clean:

Kristen planned activities options for Mom and Dad to do with the kids while we were gone. I loved the pictures they sent. When we got back, Ellie described the time as "the best five days of my life." My kids felt the same.

Early morning with Grandpa:

Zac and Walker come from the same mold:

Owen in his old man jammies:

Kate and Ellie with American Girl Dolls:

The Curiosity Museum was crowded but a hit:

The park my kids described as "like Lydgate but more fun!"

Rachel and Ellie taught Kate some new braids and she has begged me to do her hair every day. Gasp!

Rachel's birthday was on Saturday, and they celebrated by going to fancy waffles. Each kid also picked out a present for her at the dollar store. Owen bought Rachel some dog treats, then asked for them back so he could feed the dogs.