Blanchard Days o' Fun

For Christmas, instead of giving Gregg's parents something tangible and able to be wrapped, we (his siblings and siblings-in-law) decided to give the gift of time and togetherness.  That took the form of a day in February when we could all be together, eating food and enjoying our family.  But while partying for a day is great, we Blanchards just had to take it a step or two further and enjoyed a multitude of Days o' Fun.

First off, the Ballet.  This a favorite tradition of Kim, to treat the girls and women in the family to a fun meal out and a day at the ballet.  This year, Ryan happened to be in town and got to join us, too.  On Saturday the 20th, We rode Trax into Downtown, ate a yummy lunch at Olive Garden, and were wowed by the costuming and music and dancing of Romeo and Juliet at the Capitol Theatre.  What a fun afternoon!

Down at the station.

These cute cousins were darling - so fun to watch
their friendship grow.

Back: Heather, Kim, Kim, Ryan, Laurel
Front: Katie, Melia

(meanwhile, Sam is waiting for his lunch)

***

Next, the big gift: Zoo + Ruth's Diner + Chillaxing + Homemade Cafe Rio Dinner.  On Monday the 22nd, we all met up at the mostly empty Hogle Zoo.  (Turns out a cloudy, cool, Monday in February is a fantastic time to visit the zoo if you prefer your animal to spectator ratio to be high.)  We enjoyed a rain-free (though cool and threatening) wander through the animals.  Highlights included hearing the lion roar at the geese and watching the baby elephant playing with her "toys".  After a couple of hours we made our way to Ruth's Diner in Emigration Canyon for lunch (special Blueberry Streusel French Toast and Pork Burger with Corned Beef and Swiss for our table).  After we were stuffed, we headed to Heather's house for some downtime (and naptime for Callie), which was followed by a stint at the church for some basketballin' and nursery toy playin'.  Back to Heather's for dinner of homemade Cafe Rio pork and chicken salads/burritos/rice bowls plus some amazing molten lava cake for dessert.  (I'll say one thing about these Blanchards - they sure do know how to enjoy their food!  Mmm-hmm.)  Such a fun day together with the whole clan (minus Bret who had to be to work at his new job in California).

When we got there when the zoo opened, we were the third car
in the lot.  This is what it looked like when we left - four of those
vehicles are from our family!)

Grandpa and Grandma with all their grandkiddies.
Sam, Kate, Cohen, Melia, Elisabeth, Callie, Dray, Kage

bonus video!

yum?

Cousins!

A bunch of apes.

Seeing zoo animals up close and in person for the
first time was not nearly as fun as being around
all her fun cousins.

Awkward family photo for the win.

Mid-morning snooze.

Checking out the bear cave.

Grandma and the girls, waiting for our seats in the train car
restaurant.

Cal is a pickle lover.

That's the group.

Callie was making me "lunch".

Callie loves some storytime.  Laurel was kind to oblige.

***

Finally, a ski day at Snowbird for Gregg and Ryan (and Katie and Elisabeth) on Tuesday the 23rd.  First time on skis for the girls, and from what I heard, it was a success.  Always fun to be on the snow with your bro.