Summertime Vacation to Utah!

The boys and I had a REALLY great vacation to Utah this summer. It was SO amazing. We did the Church history angle this time, and it was so much fun. Growing up in Utah I think I took for granted all the culturally rich things there are in Utah, if you are a mormon. The kids were mezmerized. This was the first time that they realized that Utah was different than the rest of the states in a VERY specific way. It was filled with people like them! They were in Awe that there were so many mormons around and whole parks and plazas dedicated to them. It was so fun to see how happy it made them, to feel like part of a whole instead of on the fringe. Not that they are on the fringe, but sometimes it can feel that way when your friends are all making different lifestyle choices than you are and you are constantly having to stand up for what you believe. It can make you feel like a minority. Calder was by far the most impressed by it all. He loved the spirit there and declared that he wanted to live in Utah when he grew up so he could be surrounded by that spirit all the time. I had to break it to him softly that all the rest of Utah is not like Temple Square and This is The Place Heritage Park. (haha...very UNlike more like) There are regular people making choices good and bad, but the only difference is that a lot of the ones making bad choices in Utah, are mormon too! But I was very happy that he could sense the spirit and feel its presence around him when he was learning about the pioneers and about our Savior on Temple Square. He is such a sweet strong spiritual boy. Love that kid.

Here are some pics from Heritage Park and Temple Square:

This is what Levi did the entire time:

Text his cousin Amanda!

The boys didn't think that the sleeping conditions on the Brooklyn were that comfy:

Panning for gold:

They got to ride the horses at the park, around in a circle..

They were more grossed out than anything else, the horses were just walking around and around in their own manure and urine. See the focus of the boys is all on the ground? YUCK!

One of Brigham Young's many houses:

With Grandma and sporting new arrowhead necklaces:

The view of Temple Square from the Joseph Smith Memorial Bldg:

The ceiling of the Joseph Smith Memorial Bldg:

Amazing!

The boys were fascinated by the miniature temple replica, sliced open so you could see inside, very cool!

This picture just gets me every time. Calder was so caught up in the spirit of this room and the Christus. What a sweet special boy.

The Tabernacle

I loved the ceiling in the Conference center! So pretty, especially with the sun shining.

The boys were significantly impressed to be standing where the prophets deliver General Conference. They marveled at the size of it all and had so many questions posed to our good natured tour guide.

The top of the Conference center:

Levi and Carson! So fun to see the McGarry's!