Summer Trip: July 25, Day 6

Monday we watched a Pioneer Parade on Grandpa Bailey's front porch. The girls were particularly excited that candy was thrown at them!

I then buckled in the four girls and we drove to pick up Travis at the airport. I was SO happy to see him again! and so were his four daughters!!!

We then drove (I did that a lot this trip) over to visit (Great) Grandma Welling. We enjoyed talking with her, and playing with her toys, and swinging in her back yard. We even got to visit a little with Uncle Tom (so sorry we couldn't come to the cabin!).

Grandma and Grandpa arrive and after saying our g'byes we ate lunch at Crown Burger (Yummm! GO THERE if you're ever in SLC, and order their burger and gyro. I had to hold the cheese and onion, respectively, but they were delicious!).

I had promised Miranda that we could go swimming on Monday afternoon. Thankfully, this worked out (because Aunt Becky is awesome!), and Miranda got to show her aunt how she could jump in and swim to her. Megan showed off how she could jump into the DEEP end and swim! Zoë was a little fish and went where she pleased. 'Nica just liked being carried and splashing everybody else.

That wasn't the end of our day, tho! Travis' "little" sister, Amy, was amazing and drove the 12 hours from Arizona to Orem with her 3 children (ages 4, 2 and 9 months!). Even more amazing is that she had just made this trip 2 weeks ago! I was so grateful that she put so much expense and effort to come just so we could see each other. It made it so much fun for our kids, too!

After swimming we met up with them that and ate dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house. The kids then played in the back yard, and when it got darker, Travis lit off some fireworks. It was crazy! Why? because it was raining while he tried to light them! Since it was raining pretty hard (I love summer rain in Utah- it's WARM!) the kids scrambled up onto the porch and watched from there. Travis go soaked, but he said it felt great.

Watching the parade from the safety of Grandpa's lap.

Yay! Dad's back!

Dad reading books.

Grandma reading books.

I was glad to be able to get these awesome pictures of our family with (Great) Grandma Welling, or Grandma Great.

Swimming at Aunt Becky's:

Miranda would grab on to her dad to relax for a while. She earned that rest with all her jumping and swimming.

Megan splashing out of the water.

Veronica took a while to warm up, but she loves the water!

My little fish! Zoë didn't stop moving except for me to take this picture.

Aunt Becky was awesome to let her nieces splash her.

They jumped in a lot.

She also has some really fun pool toys!

Nica was happy in my arms or next to her dad. She was happiest if she also had a toy.

Fireworks:

We first meet Annie!
and playing in the backyard.

It is obvious that Ella has a special bond with her Grandpa.

Travelling in the van for 12 hours can do a number on anybody's hair. I loved Ella's hair! (although I'm sure Amy and Ella were not too happy when it had to be combed out).

Annie tries to converse with her Uncle Travis.

These animal masks are a favorite with all the grandkids. Zoë had fun playing a mouse.

The cousins were holding their hands out for snaps- you know those little paper-wrapped rocks that pop in a flame when you throw them on the ground. They loved throwing, stopping and popping them all over the sidewalk.

When it started to rain in earnest, the kids hightailed it for the front porch- they could still watch the fireworks, but were able to stay dry. They all lined up along the railing...

Until they found more comfortable seats like 'Nica did.

Or a better view like the older 3 girls discovered.

Megan's mask face. She giggled through this entire shot. I was surprised it turned out so well.