We decided we would take three small vacations this summer rather than one big one. Because it was Ammon's last summer at home, we picked trips that we knew he would enjoy.
The vacation we took at the beginning of June started with the idea of going to Top Golf in Salt Lake City with Uncle Bryce and Aunt Tawna before their baby was due in July. Aunt Tabbi joined us, too, and it was so fun! We had never been to Top Golf before, but it's a large driving range with targets that you try to hit the ball to. Every ball has a computerized chip in it, and the computer at each station keeps track of the different players and what targets they hit, as well as their scores. It was a fun idea! We drove down on Friday the 10th to Utah. We took the boys to Trader Joe's store, and then met up with Tawna and Bryce at his parents' house, and then drove over to Top Golf where Tabbi met us. There are multiple levels in the building; we were on the ground floor in our own little booth area. We snacked as we played, and had a good time, and went out to eat afterwards, too. Driving in Utah always makes Josh irritable, so driving down there coupled with spending money, meant he was stressed out that night, but the rest of us had a fantastic time and the twins were genuinely interested in playing golf for the first time!
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| Isn't she so cute?! She is the first sister I've had the chance to see pregnant (my older sister Lisa didn't live near us when she was pregnant). I was so excited for her and Bryce! |
We spent the night at Amanda and Ryan's house in Ogden. They weren't home, as they were on their own vacation, but it was kind of them to loan out their house to us. It felt like we were staying at an Air BnB rental! We all got to sleep in beds, and we slept well that night. The next morning, we stopped at Josh's friend Sam's house while they chatted for a bit, before heading to Thatcher (west of Tremonton) for the annual Tolman Reunion. This year, Uncle Ben's family hosted at Glade and Debbie's ranch. When we drove up, Ammon said "I remember the last time the reunion was here--they had the BEST homemade root beer!" And guess what?! They had their homemade root beer again! We ate lunch, played games outside, visited family, guessed amounts in candy jars (and won several!), and had a pleasant afternoon. We left early that evening, drove to Pocatello to watch the new Star Wars movie "Solo" and then spent the night at my apartment in Mud Lake.
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| We gathered for lunch in Glade's shop |
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| Debbie and her daughter Stephanie made quilts for each of Ben and Rosie's kids made out of Ben's overalls and Rosie' shirts. They were beautiful and the kids were so surprised and overjoyed! |
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| I thought it was funny that for a bit, Josh was the only guy at the table of Tolman women (Jack & Wanona's kids). |
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| All the first cousins that came, as well as Uncle Joe & Aunt Louise. Louise is the last sibling alive of the 10 kids (she is Josh's grandpa's sister). |
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| Kala Tolman and Kayla Tolman Cook |
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| These were the candy jars that the boys won! |
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| It felt like Christmas being at the theater with our whole family! |
On Sunday morning, we drove over to Heise Hot Springs near Ririe. We took the boys zip-lining for the first time. We did the 3-line zip with them that morning. It was cold and windy at the top of the hills where we were zipping, and Kanyon forgot to pack a jacket, so one of the tour guides was kind enough to let him borrow his. We had so much fun! We went miniature golfing next--the course was so unique, and I loved all the farm implementations on it! It was a close game--Josh won, beating Ammon by 1 point. I came in 3rd beating Jonah by one point, and Kanyon beat Micah by one point for 5th place! We ate at the local pizza place for lunch. They had gourmet pizza, and it was fabulous! While we were waiting to eat, the boys played the arcades downstairs. After lunch, Josh, Ammon, and Kanyon played 9 holes on the golf course while I took the twins with me to the hot springs to soak and swim. After the guys were done golfing, they joined us at the pool. The pool wasn't too busy that day, which was nice. I loved soaking! We went down the waterslide a few times to break up the soak, too, and left that afternoon to drive back to Salmon.
It was a great way to start the summer! The first vacation was a good mixture of family, fun times, and relaxing!