FHE and Temple Square (Monday's Utah Adventure)

We met up with the Richen's Family at their new FHE spot of choice. The Temple Visitor Center. This was perfect for many reasons, but also for the proximity to the airport. We were going to be picking up Fernando Monday night. After a bite to eat at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building Nauvoo Cafe, we strolled across the plaza of Temple Square to the North Visitor Center. We self guided ourselves around the wax figurines of Moses, Joseph Smith, Mormon, and others.
Tiago took a strange fancy to all the Books of Mormon in various languages. Not that I mind the subject, but I really didn't want to purchase an accidentally ripped Arabic version. Of course we went to see the Christus. This was my kids favorite part of the DC Visitor Center and it is much the same in SLC, but on a larger scale.
Tiago wanted to share his car with the statue, insisting that Jesus wanted to play too. On the way down, Tiago let the McQueen stand in race down the ramp. Mia found some plant and was making up some song. When questioned about it, she replied "This middle flower is me and all these other flowers want to be just like me." You go girl. For dessert we enjoyed a Lion House Cinnamon Roll.
What a fantastic FHE.


We were only a little late to pick up Fernando. Part of this had to do with my kids who were less then desiring to walk quickly to the car and the other part had to do with the sign argument in the car. I noticed a big sign directing all pick up traffic into the short term parking garage and my parents didn't. I conceded to a blatant proof of my point which forced us to drive around again. Fernando was a sport though.

Aunt Angela's house of fun (Sunday's Utah Adventure)

The first part of our Utah stay was spent at my sister and brother's-in-law house in Bountiful. Angela and I always have a strange amount of fun together doing all sorts of things. When we are too wrapped up or tired to play, we simply reminisce. Such past memories we giggled about this time was the "Higgs Mobile" and our famous A&R Surprise Cookies. The Higgs Mobile consisted of Angela and I making sputtering car noises around the house as we pretended to be in an old jalopy. Why Higgs? For those who don't know, wait until I post my tag response. As for the purpose. . .cheap entertainment.

A&R Surprise Cookies came about one day when Angela and I were hankering for some good old fashion Snickerdoodles. (bytheway, I am still looking for that perfect recipe. . .hint hint Tami Kamerath) We found a recipe and proceeded. Unfortunately, we didn't know or didn't apply the good rule of double checking your ingredients with your pantry. Because of this lack of foresight, we had to improvise. For example, instead of cream of tartar which is a staple for this type of cookie we had baking soda. Vanilla Extract? How about lemon juice. Eggs? Who needed them anyway. Besides a little time in the oven and then in the freezer should make them firm enough to eat. Trust me when I say, no amount of sugar cravings made these cookies palatable. Luckily, Angela (and hopefully I) have redeemed ourselves in the cooking department.

Angela and Josh made some deliciousness. Angela helped the kids make some yummy Chocolate Peppermint Cookies and Josh made some fantastic chicken on the bbq. Thanks for being great hosts. Josh staying up with me to watch You've Got Mail online while Angela slept on Josh's shoulder. (thanks for telling me to go to bed) Both a big thanks for letting my kids explore every toy option in the house. Angela singing "It's time for Some Campaigning" from memory. Also, being willing to sneak Tiago and Mia into the Sunbeam class you were substituting for since Tiago still isn't too keen on nursery. And much much more. Your both fantastic and your little boy Liam too.

It's Greek to Me (Saturday's Utah Aventure)

Due to the large-ish population of Greeks in the Salt Lake area, every year they hold a Greek festival. My dad took us long ago. I remember my first taste of gyro and loving it. There were dancers and artisans and Phyllo dough delights. So when I saw that we made it in town just in time for the last days of the festival, I jumped at the chance to go. You know, for the sake of teaching cultures to my kids.

We managed to find curb side parking and got cute little hand stamps. How could you not love a little toga wearing man dancing across your palm. I felt like we stepped into a scene from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The people and the conversation style was uncanny. We enjoyed the music and dancers from a distance. The kids joined in the fun at least for awhile.



Never again. Or at least I will never go on a Saturday night. We stood in a line long enough to give one the impression we were waiting for a brand new ride at 6 Flags. The food was ridiculously overpriced including the $1.50 pint of chocolate milk! My kids were half fascinated half alarmed by the lamb turning on the spit. That's right, a whole lamb. I am all for good bbq, but it was a bit much seeing the whole animal. I only noticed after Mia kept telling me about an animal that had eyes and stuff, but looked funny. Poor thing. I was choking on the smell of cheep beer and wine. When we finally serpentined our way through, I did find my gyro. The complete melt down of my kids though made it difficult to enjoy. Scratch Greek Festival off the repeat list.
Thanks to my sisters refusal to go (smart woman) Talia was saved from the late night fiasco.