While we were in Utah we took some fun day trips to visit places dear to our hearts. The first place we decided to visit was our very own Alma Mater: Brigham Young University.
We noticed as we were walking up to campus that Provo has its very own RITAS! Now, let me just share something with you - if you haven't tried Rita's yet - you won't be sorry. This place was hopping when I was a missionary in Pennsylvania. I bet I ate here at least once a week during the summer (if not more), and my mission president decided to franchise Rita's out in Utah. I'm a little jealous that I didn't make this happen first, and I'm a little sad that I've given up sugar to lose some baby weight, but now that I know this is here - I won't hesitate to stop in next time I'm in Provo!
... and of course, I had to take the obligatory photo of my freshman dorms. Seriously, I just look at those front doors and its as if a flash flood of memories comes back to life!
Michal suggested that our first stop be to the MOA cafe. I wasn't going to argue with him. Already my mouth started watering when I contemplated what would be on their menu. Let me just say... they didn't disappoint.
The next time I have a bookclub, or party, or occasion shower at my home - I'll be serving this special lunch that I ordered from here. (And you better believe that I will be keeping the recipe a secret).
And while I was drooling over my food, Lily was in heaven drinking her BYU creamery chocolate milk. Michal was dying to get her some. It didn't disappoint.
I mean... look at that face!
The remainder of our time on campus was spent at the BYU store (used to be called BYU Bookstore) and JDawgs. On my FitBit I put in over 20,000 steps that day and I feel like we didn't even get to see a fraction of what we wanted to! Our trip down memory lane was cut short. Michal and I decided that to get Lily excited to go to BYU we will always be going to BYU anytime we visit Utah. (I secretly think it's because Michal also wants to divulge in their chocolate milk.)
Michal was also dying for Lily to take her first train ride. We looked up the Heber Creeper, but it was a little pricy and seemed a little long for our agenda - so we opted to go on the Front Runner and Trax to downtown Salt Lake.
We arrived and waited for the train to come. Lily wasn't so sure about what she was getting herself into. At first she was excited because it was a new experience. And then after about 8 minutes she said, "Off bus. Go Grammy house." I think it may have broken Michal's heart that she wasn't thrilled to be on a train. But maybe she'll enjoy it a little bit more when she gets older.
Convincing her to get on TRAX was another ordeal. She was grumpy and wanted Grammy. She was done with trains. So we pulled out the phone and took selfies to keep her entertained. These are the only non-grumpy faces that I got.
While downtown, we ran into a few friends - and met up with a dear friend, Heather, for lunch (at only the second best restaurant to MOA cafe) at Blue Lemon. Then, to reward Lily for her good behavior at the restaurant, we decided to visit the Disney Store.
Lily loves to go around the store and see how much she can gather in her hands at the same time. I think that she thinks we will buy her anything she can carry (and not let go of). She is sure cute, but she is sure wrong.
And on a later date, after Michal had flown home... we decided to stop by Temple Square so Lily could see Jesus.
She was very very afraid to approach Jesus. She kept on saying, "No big Jesus." Translation: "I don't want to get near that tall statue of Jesus." But she was also very observant because Lily told me, "Jesus owie. Jesus foot owie. Jesus owie. Jesus hand owie."
Then we decided to walk around Temple Square to kill some time and so that Lily could see all the fun water fountains!
Poor Grammy, she introduced Lily to walking at her height up on the ledge and Lily didn't want to stop. She thought she was the coolest thing because she was as tall as Grammy. You could tell she felt this way because of how her walking changed. It turned into more of a "strut your stuff" swing, than a regular walk.
I may be a little biased, but I sure think that she is hot stuff!
Temple Square is always beautiful whenever you visit. It doesn't matter what time of the year you go, or what time of the day... there is just something majestic and special about visiting here.
We sure wish that we could have done more day trips... but... it's really hard to plan day trips with two children and plan them around nap times. It doesn't seem like it would be a lot of work - but it sure is. Therefore, we kept it simple and only did these three. Next time we go we will try to get in a trip to Grammy and PaPa's Cabin - and maybe a trip to the lake... maybe.
