I was asked to share some ideas at a Relief Society activity for fun ideas or things to see, do, and explore here in Utah during the summer. I am splitting the lists into different categories to try and keep things organized...here is a list of fun places to go play in the water...splash pads, pools, and reservoirs! (And please, please feel free to add any I've missed in the comment section! I love hearing others favorite places!)
Creekside Park Splash Pad: 100 South 600 East, Alpine.
www.alpinecity.org
Highland Town Center Splash Pad: 5400 West Civic Center Drive, Highland
www.highlandcity.org
Mountview Park Splash Pad: 1651 East Fort Union Boulvevard, Salt Lake City
www.cottonwoodheights.com
Old Farm Splash Pad: 13680 South 3250 West, Riverton.
Large farm-themed splash pad!
www.recreation.rivertoncity.com
Pioneer Park: 500 West Center Street, Provo
www.provo.org
Rosecrest Park: 14070 South Rosecrest Road (5600 W.), Herriman
www.herrimancity.org
Shops at Riverwoods: 4801 North University Ave., Provo
www.shopsatriverwoods.com
Umbria Splash Park: 12790 South Brundisi Way (5230 W.), Herriman
www.herrimancity.org
Western Springs Park: 4570 West Goshute Drive, Riverton
www.recreation.rivertoncity.com
Willow Pond Park: 6059 South Murray Parkway Avenue, Murray.
www.murray.utah.gov
Dimple Dell Rec Center Pool: 10670 South 1000 East, Sandy
www.recreation.slco.org/dimpledell
Gene Fullmer Rec Center Pool: 8015 South 2200 West, West Jordan
www.recreation.slco.org
J.L. Sorenson Rec Center Pool: 5350 West Herriman Main Street, Herriman
www.recreation.slco.org/jlsorenson
Lehi Legacy Rec Center Pool: 123 North Center Street, Lehi
www.lehi-ut.gov/discovery/legacy-center
Provo Rec Center Pool: 320 West 500 North, Provo
www.provo.org
American Fork Rec Center Pool: 454 North Center St., American Fork
www.afcity.org
Scera Pool: 701 South State Street, Orem
www.oremrecreation.com
Seven Peaks: Provo and Salt Lake City
www.sevenpeaks.com
Blackridge Reservoir: (15000 S. Ashland Ridge Dr. (5390 W.), Herriman
www.herriman.org
Manila Creek Pond: 900 West 3300 North, Pleasant Grove
www.plgrove.org
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Experience Some History: Banning the Summertime Blues, 2016
I was asked to share some ideas at a Relief Society activity for fun ideas or things to see, do, and explore here in Utah during the summer. I am splitting the lists into different categories to try and keep things organized...here is a list of fun places to go experience Utah history! (And please, please feel free to add any I've missed in the comment section! I love hearing others favorite places!)
Cathedral of the Madeleine (SLC)
Fort Buenaventura: History of mountain
men in Utah
Fort Douglas Military Museum (SLC)
Gardner Village (West Jordan)
Temple Square
This is the Place Heritage Park (SLC)
Utah State Capitol (SLC)
Wheeler Historic Farm (SLC)
Camp Floyd/Stagecoach Inn: This is a fascinating piece of Utah history located in Fairfield, just 22 miles southwest of Lehi on State Route 73. Our family has been out to explore several times and I have even taken a troop of Cub Scouts. There are lots of fun camps and activities going on throughout the summer. Be sure to check out their website. Their camps are amazing and fill up fast!
http://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/camp-floyd/
Saltair: Did you know there used to be a HUGE beach resort here in Utah? It is a truly riveting piece of history and a fascinating place to go explore now.
http://www.historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/statehood_and_the_progressive_era/saltair.html
Saltair: Did you know there used to be a HUGE beach resort here in Utah? It is a truly riveting piece of history and a fascinating place to go explore now.
http://www.historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/statehood_and_the_progressive_era/saltair.html
Find a New Playground to Play On and Take a Good Hike: Banning Summertime Boredom, 2016
I was asked to share some ideas at a Relief Society activity for fun ideas or things to see, do, and explore during the summer. I am splitting the lists into different categories to try and keep things organized...here is a list of fun Utah hikes to take and playgrounds to explore! (And please, please feel free to add any I've missed in the comment section! I love hearing others favorite places!)
FIND A NEW PLAYGROUND TO PLAY ON:
Liberty Park (600 East 900 South, SLC): Be sure to take the kid's swimsuits and a picnic. We love to explore to Tracy Aviary and then stay and play in the water and eat. There is a huge playground, splash pad, Seven Canyons Fountain, that children are allowed to play in, Liberty Lake, carnival rides, and other fun amenities.
www.slcparks.com
Memory Grove Park (375 North Canyon Road, SLC): I love this beautiful park! It is right below the Utah State Capitol and would be a great place to have a picnic after visiting the Capitol.
www.slcparks.com
Neptune Park (452 West 400 North, Saratoga Springs)
www.saratogaspringscity.com
Novell Children's Discovery Park (1550 North 100 East, Pleasant Grove)
www.plgrove.org
Wild West Jordan Playground (1985 West 7800 South, West Jordan) The public library sits right next to this park and is amazing. When we get hot, we go sit in the children's sections and enjoy a few books!
www.wjordan.com
TAKE A GOOD HIKE:
One of my favorite websites with lots of family friendly hikes is found at www.wanderookie.com.
Battle Creek Falls Hike (1700 East 200 South, Pleasant Grove) 1.2 miles out and back
Bridal Veil Falls (Provo Canyon) 0.5 miles to the actual waterfall. Paved trail the whole way so we love to ride bikes, roller skate, take scooters, or put the little kids in a stroller.
Cascade Springs Nature Trail: There are 3 different loops that go around the springs. Each loop takes about 15 minutes to walk. We have seen moose several times while visiting here and it is beautiful!
American Fork Canyon, 7 miles off of the Alpine Loop
Cecret Lake Hike: Little Cottonwood Canyon, Sandy. About 2.5 miles round trip.
Donut Falls: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Sandy. 1 mile round trip. We hiked this with all our kids, including our little ones, and it was great!
Ensign Peak Hike: 166 Ensign Vista Drive, Salt Lake City. 1 mile round trip although it is pretty steep and uphill the entire way up. This is where Brigham Young and other church leaders hiked two days after entering the Salt Lake Valley and surveyed the area for the building of Salt Lake City. It has an amazing view of Salt Lake City.
Hidden Falls: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Sandy. This is along side the road and an easy walk to the falls.
Lisa Falls: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Sandy. 0.5 mile round trip and fantastic for families with small children since it is level and almost completely shaded.
Grotto Falls: Nebo Scenic Loop. This is a great hike for families with young children. It is quick, easy, and has a great waterfall at the end.
Utah Fairy Forest: Hidden Fairy Forest just east of Kamas along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway.
I am SO excited to go visit this area with my kids this summer. The following are tips for visiting from the blog http://www.enjoyutah.org/2013/07/we-found-fairy-forest.html
Here are a few tips that we learned from our first visit there:
Silver Lake Trail: Brighton Ski Resort, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Sandy. We love this beautiful lake and serene trail. It is especially wonderful in the heat of summer because it is always cooler up the canyon. 0.8 loop around the lake.
Stewart Falls: Provo Canyon, Sundance Mountain Resort. 3 miles from the Sundance trailhead or 3.5 miles from the Aspen Grove Trailhead.
Temple Quarry Nature Trail: Little Cottonwood Canyon, Sandy. We accidentally discovered this gem last fall and fell in love. It is a paved trail with lots of rocks and trees for climbing as well as evidence of a unique piece of Utah history. 0.3 mile loop.
Timpanogos Caves: American Fork Canyon. Amazing experience but a very steep hike and no "guard rails" along the path for younger children.
Timpanogos Falls: Provo Canyon, along the Alpine Loop. About 2 miles out and back.
Y Mountain Hike: East side of Provo near BYU campus. This is a switchback, steep trail with absolutely no shade. I would recommend this hike in the spring or fall and in the early morning/late afternoon.
FIND A NEW PLAYGROUND TO PLAY ON:
Liberty Park (600 East 900 South, SLC): Be sure to take the kid's swimsuits and a picnic. We love to explore to Tracy Aviary and then stay and play in the water and eat. There is a huge playground, splash pad, Seven Canyons Fountain, that children are allowed to play in, Liberty Lake, carnival rides, and other fun amenities.
www.slcparks.com
Memory Grove Park (375 North Canyon Road, SLC): I love this beautiful park! It is right below the Utah State Capitol and would be a great place to have a picnic after visiting the Capitol.
www.slcparks.com
Neptune Park (452 West 400 North, Saratoga Springs)
www.saratogaspringscity.com
Novell Children's Discovery Park (1550 North 100 East, Pleasant Grove)
www.plgrove.org
Wild West Jordan Playground (1985 West 7800 South, West Jordan) The public library sits right next to this park and is amazing. When we get hot, we go sit in the children's sections and enjoy a few books!
www.wjordan.com
TAKE A GOOD HIKE:
One of my favorite websites with lots of family friendly hikes is found at www.wanderookie.com.
Battle Creek Falls Hike (1700 East 200 South, Pleasant Grove) 1.2 miles out and back
Bridal Veil Falls (Provo Canyon) 0.5 miles to the actual waterfall. Paved trail the whole way so we love to ride bikes, roller skate, take scooters, or put the little kids in a stroller.
Cascade Springs Nature Trail: There are 3 different loops that go around the springs. Each loop takes about 15 minutes to walk. We have seen moose several times while visiting here and it is beautiful!
American Fork Canyon, 7 miles off of the Alpine Loop
Cecret Lake Hike: Little Cottonwood Canyon, Sandy. About 2.5 miles round trip.
Donut Falls: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Sandy. 1 mile round trip. We hiked this with all our kids, including our little ones, and it was great!
Ensign Peak Hike: 166 Ensign Vista Drive, Salt Lake City. 1 mile round trip although it is pretty steep and uphill the entire way up. This is where Brigham Young and other church leaders hiked two days after entering the Salt Lake Valley and surveyed the area for the building of Salt Lake City. It has an amazing view of Salt Lake City.
Hidden Falls: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Sandy. This is along side the road and an easy walk to the falls.
Lisa Falls: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Sandy. 0.5 mile round trip and fantastic for families with small children since it is level and almost completely shaded.
Grotto Falls: Nebo Scenic Loop. This is a great hike for families with young children. It is quick, easy, and has a great waterfall at the end.
Utah Fairy Forest: Hidden Fairy Forest just east of Kamas along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway.
I am SO excited to go visit this area with my kids this summer. The following are tips for visiting from the blog http://www.enjoyutah.org/2013/07/we-found-fairy-forest.html
Here are a few tips that we learned from our first visit there:
- Paint rocks beforehand, or bring paint and paintbrushes to create your own part of the Fairy Forest. (Make sure the paint is not washable! You will want, permanent acrylic paints that will last through rain and snow!)
- Bring a camera, and take plenty of pictures! My kids like having their picture taken in front of their favorite rock collection.
- Because it's in the forest, you will want to bring bug spray and sunscreen!
- While driving there, make sure you watch out for deer and other wildlife along the road.
Silver Lake Trail: Brighton Ski Resort, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Sandy. We love this beautiful lake and serene trail. It is especially wonderful in the heat of summer because it is always cooler up the canyon. 0.8 loop around the lake.
Stewart Falls: Provo Canyon, Sundance Mountain Resort. 3 miles from the Sundance trailhead or 3.5 miles from the Aspen Grove Trailhead.
Temple Quarry Nature Trail: Little Cottonwood Canyon, Sandy. We accidentally discovered this gem last fall and fell in love. It is a paved trail with lots of rocks and trees for climbing as well as evidence of a unique piece of Utah history. 0.3 mile loop.
Timpanogos Caves: American Fork Canyon. Amazing experience but a very steep hike and no "guard rails" along the path for younger children.
Timpanogos Falls: Provo Canyon, along the Alpine Loop. About 2 miles out and back.
Y Mountain Hike: East side of Provo near BYU campus. This is a switchback, steep trail with absolutely no shade. I would recommend this hike in the spring or fall and in the early morning/late afternoon.
Go See Some Animals & Visit a Garden: Banning Summertime Boredom, 2016
I was asked to share some ideas at a Relief Society activity for fun ideas or things to see, do, and explore here in Utah during the summer. I am splitting the lists into different categories to try and keep things organized...here is a list of fun places to go see some animals and some beautiful garden areas to explore! (And please, please feel free to add any I've missed in the comment section! I love hearing others favorite places!)
GO
SEE SOME ANIMALS:
·
Puppy Barn: 364 E State Rd, American
Fork, UT 84003.
Lots and lots of snuggly, adorable puppies that you and your
children can hold and love…and then leave behind for someone else to clean up
the poop.
·
Local Pet Stores: If your young
children are anything like mine, a trip to Walmart to see the fish is a huge
thrill!
·
Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point
·
Tracy Aviary (SLC) Amazing zoo of all
types of birds from condors to flamingoes to eagles.
www.tracyaviary.org
·
Hogle Zoo
VISIT A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN: Take along a sketch pad and a fun "medium" (crayons, markers, colored pencils, pastels, etc) and have your kids sketch the different things they see.
Antelope Island (Syracuse)
Cold Springs Trout Farm (Ogden)
Gilgal Sculpture Garden (Salt Lake City): Combine this with another field trip to Salt Lake. It is a bizarre, interesting, fun hidden gem in the middle of the city but it isn't very big and won't take you very long.
The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve (Layton): This is a world renowned bird migratory habitat. The land on the Preserve is a system of marshes, mudflats, ponds, pools, and sloughs. There is a mile long boardwalk that circles through the entire area allowing you to visit each of the unique spots.
International Peace Gardens (Salt Lake City): This is a large, gated garden located inside of Jordan Park. The gardens feature 26 different nations through the use of plants, structures, flags and monuments. Check their website for different festivals that occur throughout the year. My family has attended the Swedish Midsummer Festival several times and it is wonderful!
Ogden Nature Center: This is 152 acres of land that include walking trails, live bird exhibits, a tree house, observation areas, three ponds, and other wildlife areas.
Red Butte Garden (Salt Lake City): This beautiful garden is located on the University of Utah campus. There are 11 themed gardens and nearly four miles of hiking trails. One of the themed gardens is a Children's Garden with a splash pad and lots of fun things for the kids to see and do. At the information desk, be sure to check out a children's backpack filled with fun activities (and all the supplies you need) as you explore the gardens.
Thanksgiving Point Gardens (Lehi)
Explore a Museum: Banning Summertime Boredom, 2016
I was asked to share some ideas at a Relief Society activity for fun ideas or things to see, do, and explore during the summer. I am splitting the lists into different categories to try and keep things organized...here is a list of fun Utah museums to explore! (And please, please feel free to add any I've missed in the comment section! I love hearing others favorite places!)
EXPLORE
A MUSEUM: Most museums offer all kinds of
classes and programs for children, especially during the summer. Many also
offer special scavenger hunts, guided tours, or other activities for kids to do
as they visit the museum. Also, be sure to check and see if your scout can earn
a merit badge or fulfill a Cub Scout requirement! Always, always check with the
information desk when you visit to discover some wonderful opportunities you may
not know about ahead of time.
·
BYU Museum of Art:
Offers amazing art classes for kids of all ages. Van Gough to Play Dough,
Adventures in Art, and open studio time for kids who want to create on their
own!
·
BYU Museum of Paleontology
·
BYU Museum of Peoples and
Cultures:
·
Monte Bean Museum:
Exhibits, drawing classes, reptile shows, story times, junior naturalist summer
camps, wilderness adventures, etc.
·
Clark Planetarium
(SLC)
·
Discovery Gateway Children’s
Museum (SLC)
·
Museum of Natural Curiousity
(Lehi)
·
Hill Aerospace Museum (towards
Ogden)
·
John Hutchings Museum of Natural
History (Lehi)
·
LDS Church History Museum
(newly remodeled with some incredible new exhibits and interactive areas) (SLC)
·
Museum of Ancient Life at
Thanksgiving Point (Dinosaur Museum)
·
Natural History Museum of Utah
·
Ogden Dinosaur Park and Museum
(Ogden)
·
Royden G. Derrick Planetarium
(on BYU campus) This is located in the Eyring Science Center which also has a
large number of interactive, hands on exhibits on the main floor.
·
Treehouse Children’s Museum
(Ogden)
·
Utah Museum of Fine Arts (SLC)
·
Utah Pioneer Museum:
(SLC) Amazing museum with some remarkable artifacts including the carriage
Brigham Young rode into the Salt Lake Valley on, John Moyle’s artificial leg, etc.
Take a Class: Banning Summertime Boredom, 2016
I was asked if I would present some ideas at a Relief Society activity for things to do this summer...especially in Utah. As I started researching and writing down some of my favorites, I suddenly realized this list wasn't going to fit on a concise, 2-page handout. So I am resurrecting the blog to post some of my favorite ideas and hope if you are here, that you will take a moment and add your favorite places, ideas, etc. in the comments below. There is nothing I love more then a plethora of good ideas to keep the summer happy...especially keeping mommy happy!
I am going to break this into several different blogs just to keep things somewhat organized. Here is my first list...taking a class!
I am going to break this into several different blogs just to keep things somewhat organized. Here is my first list...taking a class!
TAKE
A CLASS:
1) Swimming
lessons (private or at a local rec center)
2) Learn
how to sew:
· 3) UVU
Continuing Education Classes for Youth and Adults:
Huge number of classes in everything under the sun!!! UVU has an amazing
theater program for children interested in any aspect of the theater: costume
and makeup design, backstage essentials, acting, musical theater, puppetry,
etc. Check out their summer catalog or online at:
· 4) BYU
Writing Camp
· 5) BYU
Sports Camps
· 6) BYU
Dance Camps
· 7) BYU
Independent Study
· 8) BYU
Continuing Education: Conferences, workshops, classes,
symposiums, camps, and more for all ages (youth and adults). Some are online
and others take place on BYU campus.
· 9) BYU
Continuing Seminars and Workshops (youth and adult)
· 10) Scera
Theater: They offer a HUGE variety of summer classes for
adults and children in dance, theater, puppetry, art (pottery, oil painting,
animation, drawing, etc), Shakespeare, musical theater, photography, movie
making, etc.
· 11) Thanksgiving
Point: They have classes and summer programs for adults and
children in a huge variety of areas: fashion design, robotics, gardening,
cooking, dinosaurs, art, crafts, etc.
· 12) Harmons
Grocery Store Cooking School: They have amazing
cooking classes for youth and adults that teach all types of cooking and
recipes.
· 13) Merit
Badge classes: American Fork Recreation Center offers
more than 75 merit badge classes in a year-round program to help scouts
progress on their journey through the scouting program. They also offer free classes to help parents
understand the advancement process and the eagle paperwork.
· 14) Michaels
Craft classes
· 15) Monte
Bean Museum at BYU: Amazing classes for kids of all ages
during the summer as well as reptile shows, story times, and other museum
adventures.
16) Music Lessons: Piano, guitar, ukelele...try something new. And the open summer schedule allows for more time for practicing!
Sunday, April 19, 2015
So...Where Were We?
So...where were we?
Our ultimate destination was Eureka, UT, a historic mining town located in Juab County about 25 miles from Payson. In the late 1800's, this city was the financial center for mining in the state of Utah. It made the fortunes of some of Utah's wealthiest and most illustrious citizens. It played a significant role in the economic development of the state and paved the way for Utah's financial growth and future.
Today it is home to around 800 residents and a relic of its past. My kids were dumb struck as we drove into town. Jake kept commenting on how it looked like a movie set. The main street remains with such interesting potential but with an obvious lack of resources and funds. We were stunned at what we found. We stopped at City Hall where a woman made a quick call to Lloyd's home and had him come down and open the town museum for us. Lloyd was an "old timer" who answered lots of my questions about the town and let us wander around the wonderful "homegrown" museum. We discovered so many interesting artifacts and odd tidbits. It was a total delight!
As I left the museum, I was struck by several things Lloyd had shared with me. He mentioned the significant role the town of Eureka had played not only in Utah's history but in the individual lives of so many of the state's citizens but felt that the city has been abandoned and forgotten now that it is no longer "useful". He is angry that the current state government has denied their pleas for financial help and support not only in restoring and preserving this piece of unique, wonderful history but in investing in the individuals and families that still call this town "home". I have really thought a lot about what he said and it is something I also feel strongly about. We have a tendency to invest in and use up what is useful and beneficial to us and then when we have exhausted the resource, we move on and look for the next "thing". We don't always possess the respect we should for our history...as a country, as a state, as a family, or as individuals. We build on the shoulders of great men and women, on great acts of courage and bravery and discovery...but then we forget to recognize the foundations that hold us up and make us who we are. Eureka needs to be preserved. They have a great story waiting to be told. They have earned a place in history and continue to make contributions through the families that still live and work there. I don't know what the answer is...but I know we act differently as a nation when we show gratitude and respect for our past and who we are.
See how amazing our day in Eureka was? I left with lots to think about...and grateful to have seen and learned about such an interesting place.
Eureka's main street looks like a ghost town. It literally looks like it did at the turn of the 20th century...but over 100 years older. It really did look like a movie set that people just walked off at some point. The buildings, architecture, and artifacts left inside were amazing. We walked up and down and peeked in all the windows...and my children LOVED this wall. We spent lots of time pretending we were Gap models...it is lots harder than it looks to stand against a wall and look cool. Made for lots of laughs...
Ava was trying to put her foot on the wall like the big kids...but dang, that requires some serious gross motor skill coordination.
The neat Union Pacific railroad car on main street also provided lots of entertainment!
And behind Porter's cabin was this little cemetery...someone in this small town has a big sense of humor!
I think the last time I blogged was in November...and oddly enough, I think the time before that was also a November. I really do like my blog. And I like writing. I like the perspective I get when I take the time to sit down and document what is going on. Perspective puts everything in its proper place and I am a person who needs daily doses of that. I tend to live high on the emotional roller coaster of life so finding perspective and balance and seeing the little picture in the big picture is really good for me. But I also LOVE sleep and I find that sitting in any kind of soft, padded chair these days puts me right to sleep. I believe it is a direct result of a very complex mathematical calculation involving mother's age + number of children + age of those children + number of Diet Dr. Pepper's in a day + emotional stability...or something like that. I've never been very good at math.
So here we are.
Seriously...is that not the best picture ever? I couldn't get Ava to go join her siblings in the picture and then suddenly she marched herself over and plopped herself on the curb and it made all of us laugh so hard.
We are a family of 7. We range in age from (almost) 48 years old down to 18 months. That is a big age gap. Being a mother was physically easier in my 30's. But being a "young" mother is lots of fun in my 40's. I find I am more relaxed about the little stuff...I have to be. I don't have the mental energy to get worked up the way I used to...unless it has to do with the constant state of chaos in the downstairs bathroom...deep breaths.
A couple of weeks ago my "big" kids had spring break. Because we had just spent a week in CA at the end of February, we decided to do a "staycation"...which I prefer at this stage of our lives because it keeps me from dragging main streets all over the country in the middle of the night with screaming, hysterical toddlers. We play but we sleep in our own rooms. Perfect.
On the first day, I dragged my children on an adventure to an old Utah mining town. I am a complete junkie for history. And my children are used to their mother dragging them strange places because they know there will be sweet food involved...it is how I get 5 kids excited about going to old mining towns.
We set off in the car with our Beatles music blaring and drove straight out to Saratoga Springs and decided to take the "road less traveled" around the west side of Utah Lake. It is a really fascinating area...a portion of the Pony Express trail is out there, a really interesting piece of military history can be found at Camp Floyd, and it is desolate and wild and beautiful. In the middle of our drive, we pulled off onto a dirt road because there was a random mountain that I suddenly felt the urge to hike.
It was really, really windy and really pretty. It was a huge rock outcropping overlooking the lake. But it kind of felt like standing on a cliff in Ireland...or at least what I imagine it would all look like. I have no idea where we were but as we were driving out, we saw a decapitated cow body...the head was on one side of the dirt road and the body was mostly decomposed on the other side of the road. I was suddenly the coolest, most fun mom on the planet without even trying! You never know what amazing things you will discover!
Our ultimate destination was Eureka, UT, a historic mining town located in Juab County about 25 miles from Payson. In the late 1800's, this city was the financial center for mining in the state of Utah. It made the fortunes of some of Utah's wealthiest and most illustrious citizens. It played a significant role in the economic development of the state and paved the way for Utah's financial growth and future.
Today it is home to around 800 residents and a relic of its past. My kids were dumb struck as we drove into town. Jake kept commenting on how it looked like a movie set. The main street remains with such interesting potential but with an obvious lack of resources and funds. We were stunned at what we found. We stopped at City Hall where a woman made a quick call to Lloyd's home and had him come down and open the town museum for us. Lloyd was an "old timer" who answered lots of my questions about the town and let us wander around the wonderful "homegrown" museum. We discovered so many interesting artifacts and odd tidbits. It was a total delight!
As I left the museum, I was struck by several things Lloyd had shared with me. He mentioned the significant role the town of Eureka had played not only in Utah's history but in the individual lives of so many of the state's citizens but felt that the city has been abandoned and forgotten now that it is no longer "useful". He is angry that the current state government has denied their pleas for financial help and support not only in restoring and preserving this piece of unique, wonderful history but in investing in the individuals and families that still call this town "home". I have really thought a lot about what he said and it is something I also feel strongly about. We have a tendency to invest in and use up what is useful and beneficial to us and then when we have exhausted the resource, we move on and look for the next "thing". We don't always possess the respect we should for our history...as a country, as a state, as a family, or as individuals. We build on the shoulders of great men and women, on great acts of courage and bravery and discovery...but then we forget to recognize the foundations that hold us up and make us who we are. Eureka needs to be preserved. They have a great story waiting to be told. They have earned a place in history and continue to make contributions through the families that still live and work there. I don't know what the answer is...but I know we act differently as a nation when we show gratitude and respect for our past and who we are.
See how amazing our day in Eureka was? I left with lots to think about...and grateful to have seen and learned about such an interesting place.
The neat Union Pacific railroad car on main street also provided lots of entertainment!
Porter Rockwell owned a ranch outside of Eureka and years ago his cabin was relocated into the center of town. Lloyd told us some real colorful stories about Porter...
Of course there was ice-cream on the way home.
It was a great first day to spring break...my "perfect" kind of day. I love adventures and discovering something I didn't even know existed when I got up that morning. I love the discovery of new people and places and ideas. I love that my 5 children will get in a car and go with me. I love a smashed peanut butter sandwiches for lunch in the car and a treat on the way home.
Stay tuned...maybe I'll be seized on to write more about spring break before next November....
Tuesday, November 04, 2014
One Year Ago...
(Pretend you are reading this yesterday...)
One year ago today...
I woke up on an ordinary Sunday morning in Utah and went to church with my family.
One year ago today...
My husband came and found me during the last hour of church because he had received a phone call from our adoption agency and they wanted to talk to us about a possible situation. We went outside to the car and called them back.
One year ago today...
A baby girl was born in Detroit, MI. The minute we hung up the phone my husband and I looked at each other and the Spirit bore powerful witness to both of our hearts that our daughter had been born.
One year ago today...
My husband and I boarded a plane for Detroit, MI and went to pick up our youngest daughter. It was one of the most unbelievable experiences of my life.
One year ago today...
I woke up on an ordinary Sunday morning in Utah and went to church with my family.
One year ago today...
My husband came and found me during the last hour of church because he had received a phone call from our adoption agency and they wanted to talk to us about a possible situation. We went outside to the car and called them back.
One year ago today...
A baby girl was born in Detroit, MI. The minute we hung up the phone my husband and I looked at each other and the Spirit bore powerful witness to both of our hearts that our daughter had been born.
One year ago today...
My husband and I boarded a plane for Detroit, MI and went to pick up our youngest daughter. It was one of the most unbelievable experiences of my life.
Today is Ava's 1st birthday. And there is so much to celebrate. I want to celebrate her birth parents who made a very brave, very difficult, very tender sacrifice not only to give her life, but to give us a chance to be her family. I don't take that decision they made lightly. It is powerful to feel a mother's love and still have the courage to make a sacrifice that will bless your child. We are honored to share in the journey of Ava' life.
I want to celebrate this little girl with the dimples and chocolate curls and big chocolate eyes. She is joy. I have never met a person who can make people so instantly happy. I have truly felt in my heart that one of her purposes here on earth is to bring happiness and joy to people. Can you imagine having that as one of your talents and gifts? In a world that sometimes feels increasingly dark, what an amazing blessing to have a person filled with light! She is a happy, happy soul...even though she can throw a very dramatic temper tantrum when she wants. But hey...even happy souls have to blow off some steam sometimes!
I want to celebrate the place she fills in our family...she made us whole. I remember a night many years ago when I ached to have all my children "home". Each time one of my children entered this world, they filled my heart with so much love and belonging...but each time there was still an empty spot. The night we brought Ava home to her family in Utah and walked in the door and sat in the family room altogether, I knew. We were all "home". The feeling of relief and gratitude and joy was indescribable.
I want to celebrate forever families and the experience of being in the temple together as a family and being sealed together for eternity. I want to celebrate the angels that were present on both sides of the veil that celebrated and rejoiced in this miracle that was taking place. I want to celebrate Ava's "biological" history and family and the "adopted" history and family and what that represents...the enormity of love and multitude of blessings that come from being watched over by those who adore her and want to see her succeed. If every child could see just beyond the veil...just beyond our mortal eyesight...and see the angels who love and adore them...
I want to celebrate every milestone she has reached in the last year. Ah..there is so much to celebrate. Ava Naomi is a joy...she is sweet and cuddly and spunky and determined and smart and has filled our home with a love and light and joy that is tangible and real and has changed us forever.
Happy 1st birthday my darling, sweet girl! The world is a much better place with you in it! You are so loved and adored by so many people. You are blessed every single day by the prayers and love of your biological parents and siblings. I feel that. I am so grateful to be your mother and to be sharing this amazing journey with you. I love you!
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