THE MANGUM FAMILY: Utah

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Road Trip!

Earlier this month my baby brother got married and gave us the perfect excuse for a ROAD TRIP to Utah. We haven't been there since Don's baby bro got married 4 years ago, so we were all excited to go visit some of our favorite people & places!

The kids did great in the car. We passed the 23 hour drive with lots of games, books, naps and snacks.

Michael got to help co-pilot about half the time while I was the entertainment in the middle with Luke.

Thank goodness for Sonic Happy Hour between 2-4 pm...did you know just about every small town in Texas, Colorado & New Mexico seem to have a Sonic on their main street? Good Times :)

The hotel in New Mexico was one of Jake's favorite parts of the trip. It was so great, we stopped at the same one on the way home. Swimming in their fun pool and then off to bed.

Luke's view of the back of the seat was a little boring at times, so Jake helped him out and gave him some balls to play with :)

While in Utah, we hiked up to Bridal Veil Falls with my family to show the kiddos where Don & I got engaged (awww, so sweet!)

And Luke ended up getting his first sunburn here...sorry sweet baby!

We had to get some famous cheese fries and dipping sauce at the Training Table!

And take the kids to BYU

And hit the Creamery of course for some delicious ice cream and chocolate milk!

We went to a fun water park with our cousins

Cousin Sam & Hayley

And visited Temple Square in Salt Lake City

We caught up with old friends

The McCanns...just like old times!

And the Andres family!

Luke met all his Utah cousins and Aunt & Uncles

Cousin Bria and our gang at Temple Square

Cute Aunt Jenny & Luke

And his Great Grandmother Mangum too!

We had so much fun with our family

Hayley & Ronnie

And then of course, the real reason for the trip -

The Wedding!

Sweet LeeAnna and my cute brother Ben

Always the favorite uncle...having fun right before the wedding!

Ben, LeeAnna, Abby & Hayley

Our family in front of the Manti Temple where Ben & LeeAnna were married

We had a blast at their fun reception that evening!

Abby & Luke

Anna & Jake watching the new couple dance

Yummy desserts - Cousins Becca, Jake & Anna

Michael trying to teach his mom how to salsa!

Uncle Ben dancing with his nieces

Michael & Luke

Happy Trails (& Road Trips!) to the Happy Couple. We love you guys!

Monday, June 30, 2008

Michael's Back!

Michael flew home today after spending 10 fun-filled days in Utah visiting friends and family by himself. He started off the trip at his friend Will's house up in Farmington. They did all sorts of amazingly fun things, like going to Lagoon, a SL Bees AAA baseball game and Cherry Hill Waterpark. The Andres' family lived in Houston years ago and Michael and Will had their first sleepover together when Michael was just 2 & 1/2! They were pretty inseparatable as Batman and Superman until Will's family moved when Michael was 5. It is always so fun to spend time with them!

Michael continued his Utah adventure by spending a few days with his friend Bear. The McCann's just moved to Utah this spring from Virginia, so it was so awesome that Michael was able to see them too. We got to know and love the McCanns during their stay in Houston a few years ago. They have 5 great kids, one of them being Trevor's best friend, John. Trev and I are already plotting a trip for us to visit! Michael loved being with Bear, looking out their window and seeing Y mountain, and going to their grandparents awesome cabin for a night. I think he also like having the other kids around to remind him of his siblings :)

MICHAEL AND HIS COUSIN ISAAC

It was then on to my brother Scott's house. It was a week-end of Bowman fun with the baby blessing of my beautiful nephew Isaac. All of my brothers, my parents and my sister and her kids were able to be there. Michael was the lone representative from our family thanks to the astronomical plane ticket prices :(

Michael had tons of fun with the family, riding in the convertible Uncle Bob had rented, playing ball with my "little" brothers, eating awesome food (and sending me text messages while he did it, so my mouth would water...so mean!), playing with cousins, shopping at the BYU bookstore, and of course, attending the blessing and festivities! Scott and Jenny have such a cute little family and were the perfect hosts!

We were awfully glad to get him back today, and I think the tired kid was glad to see us too! Hayley and Trevor had made him a sign to hold up at the airport. Unfortunately, I just had one piece of posterboard, so Hayley's was on 1 side and Trevor's was on the other and they just flipped it over so Michael could see each side.