Train Day!

One rainy day in Heber we decided to run through a rain shower to wave to the train as it pulled out of the station. We wanted to stay and look at the steam engine and other cars they have around the station, but it was too rainy, so we went to the DK (where else?)

We got ice cream and watched the model Harry Potter train until the rain stopped. Incidentally, Bear rejected his ice cream in favor of my onion rings. That's my boy! Then, we went back to the station to have a look around.

The girls got to explore the steam engine a bit. This pose was their idea :)

I think we can safely pinpoint Bear's new found love for all things train to this very day.  He started out (predictably) terrified when the train honked it's loud horn and pulled out of the station.  He wouldn't let me put him down pretty much the entire time we were exploring the station. Apparently train cars sitting perfectly still are pretty scary.

Eventually, he warmed up (although he wouldn't let me put him down, still.) I took the picture above while I was holding him so that I would have evidence that we were there :)

I think he finally decided that since the scary train hadn't eaten his sister's by now, it was OK to pose for a picture, as long as it was FAR away. 

Finally, a picture all by himself. He's even smiling!  We eventually were able to get pretty close (like 6 feet away) and he had fun making all of the train noises.  As I'm typing this, he is shouting "Train, Train! Choo Choo Hug! Ding Ding Ding! and trying to crawl on my lap so I think it is safe to say that the initial terror has been fully replaced by true love.

Ute-Tah Bucket List

I realized while emailing Cynj that our Utah trip is like a trip to Disneyland, we've been talking about it, planning it and getting excited for all the things we'll do and see for a while now. It deserves it's own bucket list. 

This is in no way a complete list of the things we are dreaming about doing when we are in Ute-Tah (That's how Birdy says it...).  Anyone and everyone is invited to join us in doing any of these things. Also, they are in no particular order (I'm not that crazy yet :>). 
Provo Stuff

• Provo Freedom Festival- kid crafts, Tater Twisters and all the other fun stuff!
• Play with the Baileys- Emmie and Abbie
• Play on the new playground near our old house
• Spend lots of time at Cyndi's house
• on her porch
• running around the cul-de-sac
• eating stuff (there's always eating stuff at Cyndi's!
• Eat Dumplings at Four Seasons
• In-N-Out Burger (I need to confirm my suspicions that the Provo one tastes the best)
• Eat a Regal Burger bacon cheeseburger
• Steak and Egg breakfast burrito at Rancheritos
• Go to Church in our old Ward
• Seven Peaks (or the veteran's pool)
• Play at the Shady Park
• Go to Maceys for an ice cream (and to drool over all the stuff that I can't buy in TX, like peanut butter bars)
• Bean Museum
• Picnic in Provo Canyon multiple times
• Drive the Aspen Loop and go to Cascade Springs

Heber Stuff

• Go to the DK for shakes, and to blow the Boy's train-loving mind
• Go to the HHR Station (see mind-blowing above- actually, it'll probably terrorize him...)
• Bowling Alley Burgers and Fry Sauce. Can't decide what I'm looking forward to more...
• Feed the ducks
• Laze around Grandma and Grandpa's house (and help put stuff away)
• Crabdaddy Fishing
• Watch the Gockenspeil (how do you spell that?)
• Scout the antique stores in Midway for beehive and/or spools
• Go to the cheese factory
• Drive to the top of memorial hill
• Take the kids to play in the lake
• Yard Sale-ing with Mom
• Go to the Thrift Store

SLC Stuff

• Hogle Zoo
• This is the Place Monument (with just the big kids)
• Temple Square
• Church History Museum- BOM Exhibit specifically
• Tour the Lion House & eat Lunch
• Hang out with Kim (lots!) and meet her girl (who will be almost 1! I can't handle it!)
• Tour Welfare Square (I hear it is cool)
• DMP and I do a live session at the SLC Temple

Logan Stuff

• Take our kids to USU campus- show them the quad and Old main. Likely get ice cream
• Get a picture of my kiddos on the "A"
• Eat Tiny Spicy Chicken
• Eat a Logan's Hero
• Visit the Jensen Historical Farm
• Chill with Ed & T and Family until they are sick of us
• Drive up Logan Canyon

Other Misc.

• Philips Family Reunion! Tennille! Kathy! Susanne! Email me and let's pin this down!
• Have a sleepover in Clinton to chill with those cousins one on one and play on their turf!
• Have a birthday party for Bear (the big #2!)
• DMP and MAK get 24 hrs (ish) without kids. We want to go to SLC to the Temple, have dinner and stay overnight kid-free. Any volunteers to take them? Haven't asked Gma and Gpa yet.
• Have Bek take some family pics somewhere mountain-y (please?)

I'm sure there will be more, but this is the list for now!  Dates the kids and I will be in town are abt. July 1- about July 20 (not sure what days we are driving back). DMP will be in town July 14 through whenever we drive home.