Our Utah Trip

We just got back from a big ol' trip to Utah. We were busy and we liked it that way! Here's what we were up to...

I ran the Salt Lake City Marathon!

The last marathon I did was in 2008. 

It rained. 

The. whole. time. 

I didn't love that. 

I didn't want to end on that note, but hadn't decided when my next marathon would be. I got inspired to go for it last October and I've been prepping. I'm a pretty casual runner so I wasn't training to win it or anything, but it felt good to have a training schedule and to get back in shape. 

I ran slower than I wanted to, but close enough! I finished feeling great. It was a fantastic experience. I definitely prefer the St. George marathon after comparing the two, but I'm glad the timing worked out so well for this one.

I had the best cheering section waiting for me at the finish line. That made it all worth it. Thanks family!

I also had my Cadbury Mini Eggs waiting for me, thanks to my fantastic husband. Yes, I'm still obsessed with Mini Eggs, and yes they were a delicious reward post-race.

And I got my post-race massage. Ahh!

Here's what Shelby thought of the adventure.

...We had family pictures taken!

I've never braved formal family photos. But now I have a house itching for something on the walls besides wedding photos. Enter my talented photographer sister. She got us out there and caught some shots that I'm now obsessed with. Collage wall, here I come!

...We celebrated Easter!

For such a special reverent day, all I have is this slightly irreverent bunny shot. But seriously, how cute are these glasses!

It was wonderful to be with our family at Easter.

We went to my parents' ward, which over the last nine years has felt like a second ward to me. My dad spoke and shared some beautiful thoughts on the Savior (and even quoted my cute Shelby!). That tied with the beautiful musical numbers made for a very uplifting church day.

Combine that with my mom's scrumptious ham dinner and german chocolate cake for dessert? Yes, please!

...We visited a farm!

Shelby and Haylie bonded and played.

Cameron had a fun pony ride!

...We went to Kangaroo Zoo!

This little Utah County gem is full of bounce houses and inflatable slides. The kids were in heaven, even Cameron who is usually averse to all things bouncy.

After so much bouncing, the kids wound down and gave grandma some snuggles.

...We went to an aquarium! In Utah!

Fishy faces!

We laughed that we'd come all the way from California to go to an aquarium in Utah. But this place just opened and it was pretty darn cool. I'd go again.

...We went to the mountains!

We started our day one day up at Tibble Fork Reservoir, a quick drive from my parents' house. The kids were perfectly content playing in the water. We told them it was snow at some point, and they thought that was pretty cool.

...We found the waffle truck!

This is the latest thing in Utah County - the Waffle Love truck. My sister is always in the know and she found it for us. We got sugary, chocolatey, fruit-covered waffles. 

Best lunch ever.

There was so much more that I didn't take pictures of (why did I not snap a photo with Jessica, why???). We had lots of fun, photo ops or not.