utah trip

We're still way behind on our blog. We took a trip to Utah back in July. We decided to drive since we could expect good weather and since we didn't know when to expect our little guy to arrive in June and if he and/or Laura would be up for traveling. When the time came, all systems were go. Well, until about 90 minutes into our drive when both kids were having epic meltdowns in the backseat and Laura and I were looking at each other wondering what on earth we'd gotten ourselves into.

But all things considered it was a pretty good trip down to Utah. Evan finally got to meet Grandma Taylor!

And Aunt Jenna!

And Aunt Breanna!

And Austin's Aunt Michelle! And lots of other family members on Austin's side of the family.

Evan loved hanging out with Grandpa Taylor.

He just settled right in!

Laura's family came up from California and we met them for dinner the night we arrived. Grandma Self was very excited to see Evan again.

David finally got his nephew he's been asking for!

Evan got to meet Grandpa Self...

...and Aunt Emily!

The next day we were there was a big day -- Grandma and Grandpa Taylor were going to be reporting on their mission service in church that afternoon, so we decided to do Evan's baby blessing at their home in the morning.

Two happy parents, one content little boy, and a little girl that was off camera because she was having yet another epic meltdown. (July was not a good month for Brooklyn!)

He looked so cute in white!

We were very lucky to have so much of Laura's immediate family there...

...and nearly all of Austin's -- with Braden being the only one missing.

Evan got to meet some more extended family, like Aunt LeAnn...

...and Great-Grandmas Carolyn and Carole.

Evan got to meet Uncle Jon and soon-to-be Aunt Lindsey too!

That evening we went over to Laura's aunt and uncle's place in Orem where Princess Brooklyn had everyone laughing.

Evan also got to meet Austin's cousins Nathan and Daniel -- they were very excited to see him!

We got together for a family night with some of our good friends from BYU -- it was so good to see Justin and Anna and Peter and Whitney and to see their adorable kids!

Speaking of adorable...

Carter has another little buddy he can play ball with someday!

We all went to the Monte L Bean Science Museum at BYU -- they have done a remodel and it's a lot bigger and better than it was when we were growing up.

Cousin buddies!

Kitty buddy!

More cousin buddies! They loved reading books together.

Our first date was at Guru's on Center Street in Provo. We like to go back when we visit. Who would have thought back in 2007 that we'd be eating there together nearly seven years later... with two cute kids tagging along?!

We went to another museum -- dinosaurs!!

The week before, we had bought Brooklyn a swimsuit and she was in tears because she didn't like it and wouldn't wear it. So we let her pick one out. Are we surprised that it's pink? No, but Austin was baffled that she chose Hello Kitty over Disney princesses.

Sidewalk chalk!

We got to hang out with Lori the first couple days we were here, but she made a special trip down to spend time with us the day before we left. She went to the dinosaur museum and lunch with us, as well as...

...food truck roundup! We also met more family there too -- it was a lot of fun and too many tasty options to choose from.

We met Laura's good friend and roommate Sarah for brunch on our way out of town -- we had a good time catching up and introducing her to Evan.

We also stopped to see Grandma Carole and Papa John one more time on our way north. It was great to spend a little bit of time with them in their home. One big Piglet doll later, we were off to Washington. No big meltdowns on the way home!!

We had such a great time in Utah. We didn't have enough time to see everyone we would have liked, but don't worry -- we will be back before you know it!