A fun day at the Hogle Zoo with our cousins-

I wasn't feeling the best, so I only got a couple of pictures.  But Josh and Melissa live close to the zoo and they have a membership and it was awesome that they shared with us.  The Hogle Zoo is a great zoo, and they are improving it all the time.  A lot had changed since the last time I went there about 9 years or so ago.

Las Vegas on the way back-

For the way home, we decided to stay on the new strip instead of the old one.  We stayed at the Monte Carlo and it was nice.  I would recommend it, even though the candy store there and a couple of other things were a little inappropriate for the kids.  It was still scary when me, McKenna, Skyler, and Sadie ventured out that night to take pictures.  We didn't get very far before we decided to turn around and go back to the room.  The next morning the girls did a little exploring and went to the NYNY and the MGM Grand so that Dad could get some sleep.  Also, the Monte Carlo does have a good food court, and the one at the Plaza isn't bad either.

Las Vegas on the way there-

On our way to Salt Lake, we stopped in Vegas and stayed at the newly remodeled Plaza hotel.  I highly do not recommend it on the weekends if you have children, especially if you pull in around midnight.  We parked on the top floor of the parking deck and there were a lot of illegal activities going on there just in the parking deck...before we even went into the hotel.  I will not go into further detail.  But once we got into the room, it was really nice and clean, so we made the kids stay in the room and if we needed anything, Bryant and I would just go out together and make trips.  In the morning, when most of the crackheads

and prostitutes had gone to bed, we ventured out to Fremont Street and met Elvis and a few other celebrities...

Hanging Out With The Coons-

Skyler and McKenna stayed with Amanda and Jeremy part of the time and they loved it.  Sadie enjoyed having cousin time with Elizabeth and Ryan and we loved holding baby Brandon.  It was strange to have two nephew there - one 21

and the other a newborn.

Slade Siblings Reunion

It was so fun when we were in Utah to have all three siblings together. 

Donut Falls Hike

While we were in Salt Lake this summer, Bryant and Josh took the kids on a hike to Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  I stayed home because I'm in no shape to hike, but they had a great time and the pictures are incredible.  And it is clear to see why it is named "Donut Falls."

I finally got to see my Thatcher...

and I cried like a baby when I hugged him.  I cried so hard I could barely talk.  And since then, when I talk about seeing him, I've cried even more.  I was waiting for him to drive up to Amanda's house, and when I saw him, I ran out to greet him.  When he got out of his car, he was a MAN!  It broke my heart.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm so proud of him, but I still don't want him to be grown up.

Camping With The Skibas...so much fun!

We camped at Airplane Flats near Payson and we loved it!  There was a great little creek and a rope swing and it wasn't too crowded.  Skyler brought her friend Savanna.  Sibley already had her best friend Hannah there and Sadie had her best friend London, so we were in great company. 
It was a good respite for me.  I was able to unwind and not be as upset about Mama's cancer or about my lifelong friend Jared passing away.  It was good to get away.  And Bryant loved taking his beautiful new (to him) Chevrolet truck camping!
It was cold at night, getting down to 40.  We stayed pretty warm, though, with our fire and sleeping bags.  On the last night, all the big kids played Capture the Flag.  John and I stayed at camp with the little ones.  I hear my friend, Jessica, is quick and quiet like a Ninja. They all had a great time playing, and they found a few animal bones too.

Dear Sadie,

We just went on a road trip and you were not happy about traveling.  You screamed at the top of your lungs for extended periods of time...like I've never heard you scream before.

You think you can hit anybody wherever and whenever you want to and just say "Slugbug!".

Sometimes you like to yell, "It feels like a perfect night, to dress up like hamsters, and make fun of our exes, uh huh, uh huh!".  Twenty-two by Taylor Swift is your favorite song.

Even though you weren't a good traveler, you had so much fun playing with your cousins in Utah.

Before we went to Utah, we took an end of the school year camping trip with the Skibas and you had so much fun.  You got so dirty that you reminded me of the street kids from Les Mis.

You and London were really cute on the campout.  One time I looked over and you had both turned your orange buckets over.  You were playing yours with your hands like a bongo and London was pounding on hers with her feet.  It was so cute.

I've been trying to look at traveling from your perspective.  It's hard when you have no concept of time and I tell you, "We will be home tomorrow."  You just long for the comfort and stability of home.  I'm worried about how you will do on our upcoming trip to Alabama.