Believe it or Not--Vernal Vacate

We just returned from a fun-filled-family vacation to Vernal. At different moments everyone in Scott's family questioned why we chose Vernal as our destination. But it really was fun just to be together and to give some of the newcomers (Kate, Ashlee, and Hailey) a chance to bond with everyone and everyone else a chance to reconnect.

Food is a theme in all of Scott's family vacations. We love it and our activities center around the main meals of the day. Unfortunately, Vernal was not the place for good food or good service. I didn't have a problem with any of my food but it became comical time and again to watch the city fail our family at dining out.

Here are some pics from the trip.

Here's Kate at Daniel's Summit

Jessica, Kate, Gary, Kathy, and Hailey

Kate, Ashlee, and Jessica

Everyone was surprised to learn at dinner the first night in Vernal that Todd and Cherish are expecting numero uno! Even more surprising, the I'm-never-having-kids Todd seemed happier than ever.

While the boys went--I guess you don't call it fishing when no one catches any fish--bobbing in the reservoir, we took the kids to the park, lunch at McDonald's, and the Dinosaur museum.

The third day we took a surprisingly scenic drive to Red Canyon Lodge and then the girls had manicures/pedicures and dinner while the kids hung out with the dads.

Here's Scott and Kate at Red Canyon lodge

Jason and Jeff fishing in the kiddy pool. I guess they were showing the kids how to fish but it was funny to see these men fishing next to the sign that said, "children 12 and under only."

We tried the paddle boats but Kate didn't last long and when we found out the steering mechanism wasn't working on ours, we jumped on canoes and had a grand time on the lake.

The fourth and final day, we went to church and walked around the Vernal temple.

Jeff, Anna, Jessica, and Ashlee had to head out but here's Gary and Kathy with Whitney, Zac, and Kate.

The cousins minus Jessica and Ashlee.

Scott's only sister Kristi with her family: Jason, Hailey, Whitney, and Zac.

Look close and you might see the Swallowtail butterflies Kate and Hailey are enamored with.

This was a special trip because it was Kate's first vacation with Scott's family. She was able to deepen her ties with her cousins, an uncle, and her Grandparents.

The low point of the trip: the moment in the bowling alley when Kate ran lickety-split down the slippery lane and I froze--luckily Scott's fatherly instincts kicked in and he ran to save her before she got to the pin zone.

The high points of the trip: Spending quality time with Scott's fam, finding out Todd and Cherish are expecting, canoe-ing at Red Canyon Lodge, staying at such a nice hotel, swimming every night, and eating those hot Cinnamon rolls from the continental breakfast every morning, and celebrating my eighth anniversary with Scott.