Utah Vacation

We recently returned from a wonderful week in Utah.  Bethany, Morgan and I set off on my first road trip on June 12.  First stop- Phoenix and a visit with Mom.  While there we also were able to visit with Andy and his family, Kathy and Randi Sue.  Tuesday we traveled to Provo Utah and our long awaited visit with Alison.  Wednesday, Alison had to final exams to study for and take.  While she was busy finishing her semester the three of us wondered around the BYU campus.  In the evening Alison and Bethany played a round of golf in Orem.  Morgan and I played miniature golf.  Afterward, Morgan got behind the wheel of our car and just drove around town.  The plan was to drive anywhere and everywhere, then type the address of my hotel into the GPS and head for "home".  On the way we pasted the Provo Temple and the MTC.  With more time to pass while Alison and Bethany finished their golf game we parked the car at the hotel and walked around Provo.  We found SAMMIES, a shake and burger place.  Shakes in Utah are not the same as Arizona milk shakes.  They are more of a thick soft serve ice cream.  Always eaten with a spoon, never sipped through a straw.  At SAMMIES they serve a pie shake.  1/3 of the cup is filled with soft serve ice cream, a slice of pie is added, topped with more ice cream and then mixed together.

I asked Morgan before we started our vacation adventure what she wanted to do in addition to visiting with her sister.  Morgan's response, "Go to a temple everyday."  Thursday Alison had one more exam.  While she was testing Morgan and I went to the Provo temple.   

   

 That afternoon the four of us went to Mount Timpanogas temple.

Friday was Oquirrh Mountain Temple. 

On the way back to Provo we stopped in Lehi for a late lunch at Emmett's and Ethel's. (Burgers, fries with Utah fry sauce and Utah "Shakes") Since we had a late lunch, when dinner time rolled around we just walked over to the BYU Creamery on Ninth and had ice cream for dinner/dessert. YUM!!!!

Randy was able to take a little time off from his work and join us.  He awoke very early on Saturday drove to the Tucson airport and boarded plane.  We picked him up in Salt Lake City with the plan of doing baptisms at the Salt Lake Temple.  Sadly, when we met him at the airport I realized that I had left his Sunday clothes at the hotel in Provo.  We decided to go clothes shopping.  Randy is a quick shopper, but we were all getting hungry.  It was time for lunch.  We programed the GPS with the address for Ruth's Diner.  Drove through Salt Lake City and up emigration canyon road, pasted "This is the Place" monument, pasted the zoo and into the parking lot of Ruth's Diner.  Ruth's was featured on the food network.  I enjoyed a Reuben sandwich, Morgan and Randy had sausage sandwiches, Alison, baked mac and cheese.  Bethany had the pulled pork.  It was all delicious.  The pulled pork had a Pit BBQ smell and flavor.  We plan on eating there next year after Alison's graduation.

 In the afternoon we were all able to go into the Salt Lake Temple.  What a blessing to have a family that wants to attend the temple.  Randy and the girls were able to do baptisms for family names (provided by Mom.  Thanks!) 

 Alison, Bethany and Morgan were sitting patiently in the temple waiting for their Dad when Elder Christofferson walked by, smile and waved!  After the temple session we walked around Temple Square and took a tour to the Conference Center.  The girls could not resist getting a picture of them standing with (a picture of) Elder Christofferson.

 Sunday we attended church services with Alison.  Alison's request was that her Dad give a chocolate dipping lesson.  After church they made peanut butter balls and cake balls.  The three girls took the treats and attended Ward Dessert Night.  Monday it was time to head for home.  But before leaving we took Alison grocery shopping and enjoyed breakfast in Orem at Joe's Cafe.  The food was wonderful.  My request was that we not waste our eating out money on chain restaurants.  We were not disappointed.  Joe is a very friendly person.  The food was good ole home cooking!  He spices his biscuits and gravy much like Randy with plenty of pepper.  Just right!  The omelet, loaded with bacon, onion, peppers and mushrooms was more than Randy could eat.  Alison took our leftovers home with her.

 It's a LONG way from Provo to home.  We checked out Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on CD from the library before leaving Sierra Vista.  We got through most of the book.  Some people missed parts of the book due to "snoozing." 

 Morgan was the only person that Randy relinquished the wheel to during the drive home.

 We stopped for lunch in Kanab at a cute little place called Three Bears Creamery Cottage. Still in Utah, still Utah type shakes.  All the menu items had storybook names.  We would also eat there again. 

We stopped at the Dam in Page and walked around the visitors center.  (I had a picture, but was distracted by a phone call while working on this blog and didn't get it added)  Randy really enjoyed this visit.  I was a little uncomfortable there. I am afraid of heights, or is that depths? 

So glad that we were able to visit Alison! 

Since returning home Morgan has finished Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows and watched five of the movies in preparation for the soon to be released final movie!