Provo, Utah

After our overnighter in Vernal we headed to Provo to see G&G Harris, Jen and her crew, and all the cousins attending BYU. Jen is always a great host and it was so fun to have round two with these people for an evening. The boys were introduced to all the wild life that is kept at her house and a fun game called something like Liar's club where three people had to convince the group that the story they were telling was their own. Grandma's was the best when she tried to convince us that she had tried smoking a leaf when she was a child. The description was spot on which meant she got the most votes and left us all in stitches watching her tell the true story.

Caleb loves little people so he buddied up with Cole right off the bat.

The beginning of the Liar's Club game

Here comes the smoking story. I was unsuccessful in convincing the group that it was me after hearing Grandma's experience, but in the beginning I just kept thinking that Grandma is a really good liar as I could never imagine her really smoking a leaf.

Liam trying his hand at convincing us of a story that was submitted by one of the boys. I think it was Gavin whose story it was and it was Gavin who got the most votes in the end. Although Liam was surprisingly convincing. Gavin was just factual and ended with "it really was me, really".

The night ended with some singing from Ben and Marissa, who both have great voices and sound amazing together and then Jared pulling out his oldies but goodies. A few fireworks were let off, but we didn't have the crowd we really wanted to show these babies off, so they went back in the box for another time.

We had another couple of nights in Provo before heading to Island Park, ID. The boys got up extra early the next morning and hit the golf course. It was Liam's first time golfing and Caleb's second. Liam had a par on the second hole, but no one could come close to keeping up with Grandpa!

Afterwards, there was then a stop for candy bars and chocolate milk and then a visit to the cemetery where James and Amy Loader are buried.

Grandma of course is always keeping us busy with puzzles. This was a  tricky one that we had to leave unfinished. Maybe we can pick it up again over the winter break.

We did manage to get in some more Cole time while the boys were golfing and then went to visit cousins Julia and Mark at the Bean museum where they work.

Jonah trying out yet another new smile for Jared as he was pulling off some strange ones. Two years ago, Jonah dressed up as  Liger, so was beyond thrilled to find this one.

Our time in Provo was perfect. Seeing cousins, being with Grandma and Grandpa, playing with the toys in the basement including foosball and ping pong and finally, swimming at the Provo Rec center which has this amazing climbing wall over a 10' deep pool of water. The boys spent two days on that wall and Jared and I just watched in amazement as they all scurried up the different routes and jumped back into the water. There are photos of that somewhere, that will need to be added later (note to self).