Annual Trip to UT/ID

Each summer for the past few years, we have made the pilgrimage to Utah to visit Grandma Virginia, Grandpa Myron, and some of my college friends. We then travel on to Idaho for Kevin's family reunion in Downey. This year, I took the kids with me to Utah in the car. Eden flew out so she could see Grandma. We had a lot of fun. As we took of for the trip, we made it to about Troutdale, OR which is about 20 minutesfrom home before Marin asked if we were there yet. She said that she had already done everything she brought to keep her occupied. This worried me a little but it worked out okay. Marin decided to make a fort in the car. This was excellent because it eliminated the whole "Mom, he's looking at me" argument that happens between my kids every 3 minutes or so. We took the trip in two days, stopping in Boise for the night. The kids were really well behaved on the trip there. They love seeing Grandma Virginia and Grandpa Myron. We got there and of course they each just gushed about the trip thus far to Grandma. Eden got there the following day and we had some great times. Eden and I were able to go running together everyday. The altitude about killed us but it was fun nonetheless, and necessary because of all the rich food we ate during the visit. We went to High Tea and Sunday Brunch, both at The Grand America Hotel in SLC, UT. It is very exclusive and Grandma really enjoys High Tea. The kids were amazingly well-behaved. We also were able to see Uncle Steve, Aunt Pat and our cousins, Mark, Ryan, Hollie, and Ashley. It was a great trip. Kevin came several days into the trip, but he cheated and flew to UT. We'll forgive him though.
Our visit to Idaho was equally fun. Kevin and Andrew drove up with Eric a day earlier than Marin and I. We stayed for a day of shopping with Grandma Virginia. (Needless to say, I don't think Myron wants us taking Grandma shopping again. She got a lot of really cute clothes.) Back to Idaho. We went to Texas Roadhouse with most of Kevin's cousins, his Aunts and various other relatives. That was a challenge seating that many people. We took up three tables. Much food was consumed and Kyle sat in a high chair by himself for the first time. The actual reunion is always the same Saturday each summer. They have it at Downata Hot Springs in Downey, ID. This year, Andrew and Felipe said that they would go down the Black Hole slide. I told Andrew that it was pitch black and a straight drop down. He told me that it didn't matter; he was going to do it. Well, he went down two times but said that it was too scary and he would wait to go down again. He did enjoy going down the Aquachute though. That slide is much more tame. Marin enjoyed the smaller slide in the big pool. She probably went down it at least 30 times. It was a great reunion and we got to spend some quality time with Kevin's Grandparents. Andrew especially enjoyed Grandma Janiel's raspberry shortcake that she brings to the reunion every year. We will look forward to next year's trip.