(More than) Fourinarow.net

Well, in case you didn’t know it, we just returned from a trip to Salt Lake City.  Yes, we took the WHOLE family.  Yes, we DROVE.

10 Days.  3,703 miles.

We survived.  ALL of us.  And, we had fun!!!  Seriously.  I only considered homicide once.  In the hotel in North Platte, NE.  It was our first night away from home, first night in an unfamiliar location.  We were halfway to our destination.  The kids were wound up, to say the least, despite a late-night swim in an effort to wear them out.  But, after much threatening, yelling, stomping, snickering, pushing, changing beds and rearranging bodies, we made it through the night.

We arrived in Salt Lake the following day and our very shy gregarious children met up calmly with some of their cousins and went berserk with them on the playground.

After a wonderful dinner, prepared by Chef Kevin, we headed to Ogden, UT where we were presented with luxurious accommodations, compliments of brother No. #2.  An unlimited supply of Diet Dr. Pepper, Blue Moon and a shower to die for.  (I almost didn’t make it home.)

The kids went on a hike with Dad and uncle while the baby and I stayed back.  Jack came home disappointed that he didn’t quite reach his goal, but not to worry!  Uncle John took him out again and without siblings to slow them down, they made it.

Saturday afternoon, we headed into the mountains for a cookout at Brother #2′s friend’s cabin.  Shrimp, prime rib, beer, soda, raspberry cobbler and popcorn.  Mmmmmm!  Those Garcia’s sure treated us well.  Not only did they provide food and drink, but there was plenty of entertainment for the kids – BB guns, other kids, a creek, and s’mores.  Lukie woke me the next morning begging to go back.

On another day, as you know from this post, we floated down a river with Brothers #2 and #4 (and family).

Another day found us at Thanksgiving Point where everyone got to ride a pony.

On Tuesday night, we celebrated Dan’s FORTIETH birthday (don’t worry – you didn’t miss it.  It’s not actually until September, but we had to celebrate with family while we could.)  We went here, where we were treated like royalty.  Really.  Brother #1 knows how to throw a party!  We’ve never been wined and dined like that before.  (The kids stayed home with an awesome babysitter, thanks Brother #2′s girlfriend.  She fed Andrew his very first bottle, which made me a little sad…  Until I was out in a fine restaurant with other adults, anyway.)

We visited the Children’s museum on Wednesday where the kids all had the most fun in the construction zone.

On Thursday, we headed back toward Chicagoland via Denver, and stayed a night with my wonderful friend, Joan, whom I’ve known since sixth grade, but hadn’t seen in 10 years.  She may very well be my oldest friend.  When Maria found out how long we’d known each other, she thought that was soooooo cool.  She told me she hoped she and her classmate, Lucy, would stay friends that long.  After a long night of reminiscing (and drinking) we said goodbye and headed out to breakfast with another friend of mine – Julie, from high school.  The visit was great, but way too short.

Rather than drive the whole 16 hours, we chose to stop over in Omaha for the night.  We enjoyed a late night swim and some pizza, before catching some zzzzz’s.  The kids were MUCH better this time around.  Guess we figured out the formula.

The next morning we had breakfast with Grandpa’s cousin before making our way back home.  (Yes, we know people everywhere!)

Our arrival home was was bittersweet, as the kids were teary-eyed because they missed their cousins, but were also happy to be back in their own beds.

Cheerio was happy to see us, and when he saw her, Luke was sure he’d grown.  He even wanted me to measure him.  Nope, he hadn’t grown.  It was just that Cheerio looked much smaller in comparison to Uncle John’s labs!

Speaking of Cheerio, our dear dog-sitting neighbor left us a note.  Earlier in the day, Cheerio discovered a bunny nest under the pumpkin leaves in our backyard.  Before it could be prevented, she had a little snack, so our neighbor called the vet.  Yep, Cheerio would be fine.  Wish we could say the same about the bunny!  EWWWWWWW!