Utah Summer Trip

Apparently I didn't get enough of vacation so what else is a girl to do but beg her husband to let her take the kids to Utah and play for a couple of weeks! And, Ben (being the awesome hubby that he is) sensed my need to get away and spend some time with my family so he very sweetly obliged. It was very spur of the moment and we had nothing planned, but that was the beauty of it--a vacation where the main objective is to have fun and relax! I also talked Nikki into driving down with us for moral support so that was nice. She got to visit her family and stock up on stuff for the new baby so it was a win-win situation. Anyway, we packed loads of fun stuff into two weeks and had a great time. Here are some of the highlights:

Playing in the water in Grandma and Grandpa Shelton's backyard

Taking baths in Great Grandma Lofthouse's BIG tub

A picnic at the park for FHE

Gelata at Zeppe's!

Swimming at North Shore Pool

Cafe Rio with Rachel and Steve Kelson and cute baby Will (I wish I had gotten a picture!)

Visiting our Barfus Family in Cache Valley (Again, did not make good use of my camera...)

We also did the Dinosaur Park, the Hogle Zoo and the Treehouse Children's Museum , but they each get their own post because there were just soooo many cute photo opps and, consequently, I have dozens of pictures to share! More to come!

Shelton Family Reunion: Random pics

Some of my favorite random pics from the reunion:

The girls with their fans.

Cousins holding hands. This picture just makes me happy.Lots of time at the pool.
And, of course...THE BEACH!Fun!

Shelton Family Reunion: Old Town San Diego

Friday was probably one of my favorite days of the whole family reunion. We visited Old Town San Diego, including the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. The whole day was a little more low key and the tour at the historic site was very family friendly and something we could actually all do together (that is quite a trick when you are such a large group).

Sam got to dress as a member of the Mormon Battalion.Rachel was dressed as a washerwomanThere were lots of fun interactive activities for the kids.Panning for gold.Making bricks.

Emma, Eliza and Brie bought matching purses and fans.Rachel got a purse too.

Shelton Family Reunion: Sea World

We took a break on Wednesday and the did some guy and girl activites. The girls went and got pedicures and had a baby shower for Nikki and the boys went to see the movie Green Lantern. Very fun!

On Thursday, we were off again. This time to Sea World!

The kids got to touch a starfish at the tide pool. Brigham liked the shark exhibit.

Rachel loved hanging out with her Uncle Mic.Mic helped her pick out this turtle souvineer. Rachel currently has a thing for turtles. She also got a stuffed turtle as a souvineer from Disneyland.

Emma, Eliza, Ben, Rich, Becca and Brienna went on Shipreck Rapids and got sooo wet!Brigham and Grandpa watching.The Shamu show was cool, but I was sad we missed (the older girls saw it) the dolphin show:( We did catch a show later just with the acrobats from the dolphin show. It was pretty cool.Hazel enjoying the Pet Show.Fun times!

Shelton Family Reunion: Disneyland

We just got back from a super fun week with my family in San Diego. We had planned to go last year, but because Marcus was diagnosed with cancer, we postponed it. Unfortunately Marcus didn't live to go to San Diego with us. It seemed a little strange and we all missed having him there, but I know he was there with us in spirit and that he wouldn't miss out on all the fun. We love and miss him. Love you Marc!

On Tuesday it was off to Disneyland!Brienna, Emma, Eliza and Rachel on the teacups.Cute Hazel enjoying the teacups.Emma and Brienna on Autopia.Brienna and Rachel on Dumbo.The Jungle Cruise--Eliza's favorite!We were pooped by the end of this very fun day!