St. George, Again

Is is just me or is summer break too short?  I could have used another month, easily.  The kids and I headed to St. George, UT where my parents live for a visit and a break from the heat.  Sad when St. George is a break from the heat.

We left about 2am.  My car said the outside temp was 97.  Eek!  We met my parents at Pipe Spring National Monument, ate breakfast, explored and stretched our legs before heading down into St. George.  We tried out the neighborhood pool that afternoon.  It had a wonderful, large, wading type pool that was perfect for Lauren.

My little water babies.

My parents A/C broke while we were there so my mom, the kids, and I toured the mall for a bit to have some air conditioning.  This chess set was a big hit.

We spent two days at the Children's Museum.  An amazing place and incredibly cheap.  Our cousin joined us on one of the days.  Lauren is nine months younger but insisted on driving.

Lauren is upset Wesley didn't let her drive.

Lauren tried out the pom-poms.

Wesley did some exercising.

They safely landed the plane on the flight simulator.

Highlight for Wesley is the play mechanic shop.  He could have spent all day working on this pretend car.

Fixing a flat.

My mother and I were able to attend "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" at Tuacahn, an outdoor amphitheater just outside the city.  The play was so-so but the production and the setting were fabulous.  It was sweltering, probably didn't drop out of the 100s the entire performance and I felt for the actors in their heavy make-up and costumes.

Gil had to work but on our way home, he met us in Flagstaff at an arboretum where we explored a bit before heading the rest of the way home.

Texas!

Texas!  Home!  Oh, it's been much too long.  I am thankful my children are good travelers.  We left Sunday afternoon with the intent of Gil and I taking turns driving and the kids sleeping through the night.  I'm getting to old to do that much longer. 

We arrived in Waco Monday morning and spent the day visiting with Oma Judy and sorting through stuff on the property.  Lauren loved the dogs and would sit and watch them.

Wesley was a big fan of this digging apparatus.  Were it the real thing, Oma would have been ready to cement in her swimming pool after our visit.

This little play house was a favorite of Lauren's.  Just her size.

We all went down to the Brazos River to watch fireworks.  The sunset was lovely and the crowds weren't too bad.

After multiple trips to HEB, a handful of sewing projects, and an unsuccessful attempt to locate the homemade telescope, we said goodbye to Oma and headed south.  We were able to stop and see a handful of friends we love and miss.  The kids especially liked riding this cart at a friend's house in Bryan.

When I make friends, I often mate for life.  I've been friends with these wonderful women for over 35 years!  They are the best.

The hotel pools were a favorite as well.  Getting a ride down to the pool after dropping our luggage in the room.

Saturday, we went farther south to Galveston.  Kids loved (!!) the beach and the warm water.  Kate did okay and only had one meltdown.  (No joke, she really doesn't like the beach.)  

It was such a wonderful trip.  The weather was wonderful, the humidity did wonders for the skin, and seeing friends did wonders for the soul.