Dallas to Salt Lake City to Logan, Utah

 Waiting for our plane at DFW

We were on a regional jet with two seats on each side so both of the grandkids had a window seat and a grandparent.

 In line to take off

 Ally made herself a little fort with books and airline safety cards, pulled up her hood and went to sleep.

 After a good flight to Salt Lake City, we got our rental car and the kids conked out.

 Driving through Utah

We had decided to spend the night in Logan, UT, rather than pushing ourselves to drive all the way to Jackson Hole, WY.  Figured it would be better to take our time and relax rather than wearing everyone out.  After checking into our hotel, we went downtown for supper.

 Colorfully painted bulls stood along various streets

 Flowers were blooming

 The Logan Tabernacle

We had a nice dinner at the Bluebird Restaurant and Fountain, which was founded in 1914 and still has a soda fountain.  Meals were much less pricey than the Hyatt and the guys each got a home made cream soda, which even came with free refills.

 After dinner, we had to try the ice cream sundaes.  Yum.

 This tree was knit-bombed.  Cute!

 The Bluebird

 Outside a knit shop

 Downtown

And more swimming!

Tomorrow--Jackson Hole!

Aidan and Ally's Summer Adventure

July 14, we loaded up the rental car and headed for Dallas in advance of our flight the next day.  The kids were great in the car and we made good time, didn't get lost even once!  Aidan is fake sleeping in this photo and Ally is being silly wearing her swim goggles.

 Passing the time working on word searches and puzzles.

 Yes, we're having fun!

 Passed this truck carrying caskets and a message "Please drive safely. Heaven can wait."  :)

 

We'd reserved a room at the Hyatt Regency at DFW so we wouldn't have far to go the next day.  The kids had been looking forward to swimming so we found the pool soon after checking in. Unfortunately, some storms started rolling in and we had to get out pretty quickly when we saw lighting and heard thunder!  I learned that Ally is quite frightened by thunder and was nearly in a panic till we could get back inside.

After our brief swim, we changed and ate dinner at the hotel.  Wowie, even kids' meals are pricey at the Hyatt. After adding in our drinks and two desserts to share, our bill was scary!

We had a view of the runway and the kids enjoyed standing out on our small balcony to watch the planes take off and land.

All along I'd been saying that our flight was at 2:30 the next day.  As we were lying in bed that night, I started thinking, "Hmmm, no, I think we ARRIVE in Salt Lake City at 2:30.  Wonder what time we are actually leaving!"  I got up to check our itinerary and sure enough, we were scheduled to leave DFW at 12:45. OOOPS.  Thank goodness I checked that night or we would have been in a panic the next day...if we'd even thought to look before it was too late. Whew!

Quick Visit with Friends

Ally and I had lunch with some of my best girlfriends while Susan and Corey were at work and Aidan and Rich went to run errands.  Above, Karen and Connie

 Ally

 Kelly, Karen, Connie
Jane with Kelly's grandson Blaise (cuteness deluxe!), Kelly's daughter Audra and Ally

 Always fun to see these friends. Hard to believe I have been gone from Abilene for 10 years now!

 Saying goodbye to my girl on her lunch break

Susan and her precious kids.  Our big summer adventure is about to begin!

A few days in Texas

 Susan and I had pedicures one day

 Aidan and Grandpa played a mean game of "Battleship"

 The kids rode bikes some more

 Susan and Corey's cute house

Corey's a hard working guy. Came home and had a short sleep, then got called out to work again! Sorry we did not get to see more of him!

The Joy of Summer

We left on our long-awaited vacation on Thursday.  Three flights later, we arrived in Dallas before 6 AM.  Not much fun flying all night and not being able to rest very well, but I'm happy the trip was uneventful and we arrived safely at DFW.  It took us forever to find our rental car in a huge lot with a poorly marked signs and we headed out with the intention of going to Sarah and Miles' house for a shower and a nap before meeting our property manager at our new house (that we are presently renting out).  We were also going to meet up with my niece Alana and her son Oren because they were traveling through Dallas about the same time we'd be finished with our appointment.  However, after seeing the horrendous traffic at 7:30 AM (everyone on their way to work, I guess), we made a quick decision to change plans and drive directly to Susan and Corey's in Clyde.  I should say that Sarah and Miles and their kids had already left on their road trip to Jackson Hole, so we really were just going to be using their house, not ditching them!

Aidan and Ally on their trampoline

I texted the property manager that we needed to reschedule, texted my sis to get her to send apologies to my niece, checked with Rich to make sure he was up for the drive, then we turned around and set course for I-20.  About halfway into the trip, Rich was feeling the exhaustion so we pulled off into a truck stop, napped for about an hour, grabbed some breakfast, and then continued the drive.

We finally got to Susan and Corey's at noon time, so Susan came home from work for lunch and Corey was home at the time (since he works odd shifts).  It was great to see them and catch up on on the happenings!  Susan went back to work, we hung out for the afternoon, and then I rode with Susan to go pick up her kids who had been with Corey's grandmother in Brady.  We had fun chatting on the way and, of course, I was super excited to see Aidan and Ally at the pick-up point!  They have grown up since I last saw them, but are still my little sweeties!

We came home and played outside for awhile.  Oh, to be young and have this much energy!

Bike riding in the sunshine

We ordered pizza, played games, and stayed up way too late, but it's vacation, right?!  I slept really well last night after not much rest the day before.  Today we've been out shopping for some much needed summer clothes for Rich, a few more items for the kids, and a dress for me to wear to my niece's wedding.  We are about to meet some friends for dinner tonight.  We'll be here till the 14th, when we'll overnight in Dallas and then take the kids with us on a plane to Salt Lake City. From there, we're renting a car and driving to Jackson Hole for my niece's wedding and a bit of a family reunion.  A couple of days after the wedding, we're borrowing my brother and sister in law's RV and taking the kids on a little road trip to Yellowstone and environs.  We're looking forward to making lots of great memories!  I'm not sure how often I will be able to post but will try to keep up with it as best I can.  I don't think I ever even finished posting our last vacation so I am not making any promises. haha  Happy summer, everyone!  Now that I am finally back in the hot country, I feel like summer has begun in earnest!