The Utah Visit - Treehouse Children's Museum

Part of the reason that I really don't want my kids to grow up, I don't want to stop going to children's museums. I LOVE them. And I especially love the Ogden Treehouse Museum. I was so excited to take the kids back today. Anna didn't want to come, but I did take Kate, Alice, Fiona and Ben. There were a few disgruntled moments, but for the most part everyone had an excellent time!

One of the views of the museum. The stairs are beside a treehouse which also has stairs and bridges so you can get up and down between the two floors.

This is a fun map of Utah. When we went in 2009, we took a huge group picture standing on the map. It was fun today to think about taking pics of the building to add to my memory bank.

EEK! I love side by sides. The bench was in a different place - or the wall got painted, but it's the same bench!

Alice took a bunch of pictures of Kate and I on the little bench, and she also gifted me a whole bunch of selfies!

The obligatory photo in front of the Ogden temple after visiting the children's museum. The temple is across the street from the children's museum.

After the children's museum we had a late lunch at Chik-fil-A. I wanted to go there because of the gluten free options, and it did not disappoint! Kate had nuggets - grilled, just chicken. I had a grilled chicken burger on a gluten free bun. Their fries are also made in a dedicated fryer. The packaging of the gluten free options was also awesome - it seemed like they were actually trying to avoid cross contamination! It was great! And of course there was a play place, so more play! Fiona and Ben had fun checking out the play place.

I needed one more side by side comparison!! My not a baby anymore baby!

The Utah Visit - BATES! - Wednesday and Thursday

I'm not sure how many separate posts to do?! We're planning to stay here in Farmington with the Bates until Friday next week. Do I do the daily thing? Then I can find things? Or do we just do one thing at a time. Or do I do two days at a time?! Or does it even matter even a little bit?!

Wednesday - Farmington the beginning

We got here four o'clock ish? I don't even know. Fiona was so excited to give Ben his present.

Fiona totally put the whole thing together with Ben's help it was so cute!

Thursday - Wing Visit, Ally, Swim Fun, Dinner

My friend Emily, that used to be one of my YW when she was 17/18 and I was 27/28 - can't remember exactly when came to visit this morning. She lives in Bountiful with her five kids and her husband. Thursday morning they had to head up to Kaysville for Evelyn's harp lesson, so she came here first with the kiddos for a visit. We had a fun time chatting and visiting. And the kids enjoyed the toys. Ben was really taken with the baby - Liam. Fiona wanted alone time, and kind of came in and out, and might have cried a bit trying to figure it all out. 

Utah mornings are beautiful. Fiona and I sat out on the porch swing and enjoyed the coolness of the morning - before the visitors.

Baby Liam is SO cute!

Emily and her oldest baby Rose.

I'm sad Fiona didn't come to be in the picture, but at least Ben was there. Kate and Alice did come in to say hello, but that was about it! And that was okay lol.

After they left Fiona cleaned the toy room, it was awesome. She was so proud of herself, and the toy room looked fantastic.

Joey was going somewhere to do something and Ally watched Ben today. And Ally being the sweetest in the universe took Fiona, Alice, Kate and Ben swimming! YAY Ally!

Which meant I sat on the coach in Suzanne's lovely sitting room and blogged. And I also watched the funny doggies.

Ally took the kids out for fancy-pop (aka soda) after swimming. 

Matthew picked up pizza for everyone on his way home from work. And just before he got home I left to go downtown Salt Lake to meet Suzanne. I went and met her at her office. She gave me a little tour, I saw Sarah Jane Weaver again, we had pop from the pop machine, and I took some pictures.

Then we went to a restaurant - well we tried to get into the restaurant upstairs, but it was full with a 30 minutes wait, so we went downstairs and ate in the wine bar, which is connected to the restaurant but in the basement. The waiter was really awesome, and my food was really awesome, and hopefully won't make me sick. This was Suzanne's treat for my birthday this year.

We had ginger beer to drink and it was SO yummy!

It's always good to be with my sister and in her home and with her family. The cousins are all getting along so far and having fun!

The Utah Visit - HEIDI IN AN AIRPORT

When I came to Utah in 2018 and 2019 it just didn't work to see Heidi. I hadn't seen her since 2016 when she moved to California. I had hoped that she might be able to swing a trip to Utah in one of those years but with girls camp and other trips and commitments it just didn't work out. Last year I was able to go to Maggie's wedding in Cedar city and I got to see Heidi for the first time in 6 years. This year I was really hoping that we could do a 50 trip. But it just wasn't meant to be. Heidi now lives in Rexburg Idaho. I think she moved there in 2021, but I'm not exactly sure. She works for BYUI now. 

I texted Heidi on Monday night, not assuming that I would be able to see her. I texted to say hi, see how she was, and ask about the Barbie movie. And she says, you going to be in Salt Lake on Wednesday? And I say yes, and she says, want to meet at the airport? 

Heidi and the team she was traveling with were leaving the Salt Lake Airport today to travel to Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia. They were doing a trip to meet people who have completed the pathways program - a program through which older/adult students can finish university. They are filming interviews with students and graduates - at least I think I've gotten that all right. 

The girls and I got to the airport, helped carry in camera equipment and got to laugh and hug and visit. And extra fun - Heidi's younger sister Joh came to see her too because Joh lives in Salt Lake. We didn't have very long, and Heidi spent much/most of the time we were there getting organized for her flight, but it just didn't matter. It fed my heart and soul and it was enough!!