Spruces and Snowbird with Blanchards

We had a fun few days with Blanchards from all over the country who happened to be in Utah at the same time during the last week of June into the first of July. Ryan's family came from North Carolina, rented an RV, and spent a few days touring the Utah National Parks. They were back in the Salt Lake Valley on the afternoon of Wednesday, 30 June. We met them, Paul and Kim, and the Wihongis in Big Cottonwood Canyon at Spruces Campground for a couple days of mountain fun. Laurel's fam was also in the state from Connecticut for various family and friend meet-ups, and they met us Thursday, 1 July at Snowbird for the day.

The RVers ready to hit the road from
Grandma and Grandpa's house on Sunday, 27 June.

Wednesday, 30 June 2021

We had the best triple site in Spruces - kind of on the edge, 
tons of space, trees that smelled SO GOOD! It was perfect!

Climbing cousins.

Muscle Man!

Home sweet spruces - I loved this campground! It
was HUGE and beautiful and I would definitely come
back again.

The beginning of the bracelets, a constant
activity for the rest of our time here.

I also got to introduce everyone to the Taco vs. Burrito
card game. So fun!

A walk through the woods of the campground with my dishy
was perfectly delightful!

Magnet fishing from the bridge.

We got back from our walk and realized someone left
the cookies out on the table - a squirrel was helping itself
to my treats! I was so bummed!

Thick as thieves, these two.

 

Thursday, 1 July 2021:

Most of Thursday was spent at the summer activities at Snowbird. We met up with the Farrers there and played hard on the mountain coaster, alpine slide, trampoline, rock wall, inflatables, ropes courses, wrecktangle, tubing, and tram. When we originally bought our passes for the day, we thought our kids would last maybe till 2:00 and then we'd be worn out and head back to camp. Wrong! It turned out that the youngest ones lasted longer than anyone else! They played hard till 6:00!! We all met back at the campground for dinner (everyone just did their own thing for meals, so it didn't matter if we were later getting back), s'mores, and Grandpa's Unique Food Tasting Challenge.

Watching the tram from the Mountain Coaster line

Almost our turn!

Cal loved getting to ride with aunties on the coaster
and alpine slide - way better than riding with mom!

Cal and Sam both made it to the top
of this giant climb, but only Cal
made it down the slide - Sam got freaked
out at the top and ended up coming down
the way he went up instead.

Cohen in heaven on the coaster!

Thumbs up from grandpa!

Climbing Cal.

Hugs!

Riding the Chicadee Lift to the Wrecktangle
and Alpine Slide.

Kim's one request from our day together was a picture
and here it is!

Riding the tram with gram. ;)

Love these views.

Hi, Heber! (Waaaaay over there beyond the mountains.)

Cal got pretty good at the bungee trampoline.
By her second turn on it, she figured out how
to flip around 3 times!

This tubing thing was kind of lame - it wasn't very slick
so you only went down half of the hill - but Cal lapped it
four times in a row, mostly, I think, because she was the
only one playing on it and felt pretty special.

Melia joined her for a lap or two.

Beneath the checkered tablecloth,
Grandpa reveals the unique foods he's
chosen for the kids (and parents) to
taste test.

Cal and Liz made signs around
camp for their girls only fort.
The boys were not impressed.

One more group pic, suggested by Laurel, and wholey
endorsed by Kim. (I just crack up when I see these of
Kim calling the family to gather for a photo.)

Good sports and excellent humans, all.

Snowbird shirts!

Friday, 2 July 2021:

On Friday morning we lazed about, took our time breaking camp, and eventually left the Spruces. The original thinking was to spend the day in Salt Lake at a museum or getting pedicures or something. But we were all so tired and hot that we ended up just hanging out at Heather's in Murray. Heather and Lea did get their toes done, but everyone else napped and read and watched soccer and movies and and made cookies and vegged. We grilled burgers and ordered meat pies and Lolo's Hawaiian food for dinner. After we ate, we said our farewells to the NC fam, and drove home with Paul and Kim. 

Before we left the coolness of the canyon, our little fam
drove further up to Brighton to eat our lunch and play a few
holes of disc golf (check new course off our summer bucket list!).

Cookie making with Heather!

On Saturday, the Farrers were back in West Haven so we met up with them again for Happy China takeout for dinner. (No photos were taken that evening, I guess!)

It was so great to all be together after a couple years (the last time we were all in one spot at the same time was for Ryan and Lea's wedding in 2019)! We packed in as much fun and food and family as we could into those hours together. Till next time!