Nelson Family Vacation No. 1

As hinted in Muad'Dib's blog: we are home from our FIRST vacation. We went to Midway Utah, where "Swiss" is not just a theme, it's manditory! The first day there, we braved a very (very) rocky road to Cascade Springs. Thanks to Tristano and Nicoletta for taking us. It was chilly . . . but we muddled through somehow.
Little Fists was sure cute with her mother . . .

And Tristano improved the scenery in his own way though
it was nothing compared to how my Muad'Dib did! ;)
Lemur wasn't too excited to be there at first, but as I let him "choose which path" he 'warmed up" to the expedition and soon was enjoying himself. Though you can't tell from the picture . . .

Cascade Springs is made from water deep below the earth's surface that just bubbles up. Oh, it was beautiful. Yes, so beautiful I cried. The rich colors and heavy scent of rain was healing the wounds gathered from spending too much time indoors. *Sigh in rememberance*

Then there was an excursion to the Outlet Stores in Park City. They should just call it "Highway Robbery." I mean, $32 for a pair of 12mo old JEANS?! Especially when Rivulet is just as cute in a $2 Dora hat and glasses. Am I right?

Sunday, Trailblazer and Dreampacker stayed with us, relaxing and enjoying my mashed potatoes and newly aquired grilling skills (yay Fluffy, the grill who only loves!). Late in the day, The parentals set off toward MRR and called back to tell us to check out the Zermott resort just down the street. Here is what we found.

"I'm like a kid in a candy store!" I exclaimed. Wait . . .

Then there was the "life size" chess set.

A Queen and her pawn.

The Next day we just relaxed and went for a drive in the colorful hills. But it rained most of the day, so we stayed indoors watching movies and playing. The day after that, however, we went to Thanksgiving Point where we encountered-

Ravenous Dinosaurs
A Lemur and a Sayyadina who couldn't leave the Erosion table alone. "Welcome to the Nelson Dam . . ." Muad'Dib and I actually tried to re-route all the water to one lake. I could have stayed and played there all day.

See, Even Rivulet was having fun!
We also saw a 3D movie, which was AWESOME, before going back to the condo for games and rest. The kids were tuckered, and the canyon was beautiful.

Ahhh, the Historic Heber Valley Railroad.

Lemur kept saying, "I like Harry Potter? I ride a train to school?" How cute. My favorite parts were riding in the cupola, seeing my children's faces alight with wonder as we rode in the open boxes and in particular this:

If you click, you can see the foundation of a pioneer home that was revealed by the reservoir being drained. It was very interesting for me.
Muad'Dib was a picture taking maniac on board, but the above is his favorite: "Doesn't it just say 'I'm on a train?'"
And this is how Rivulet reacted to the train horn. Poor little monkey.

Ahh. the ride back.
Rivulet enjoying the fresh breeze through her hair while looking out the caboose window . . .
And this last pic really sums up the trip. Weary. Fun. A thousand more words I dare not take time to type or even think.

As Muad'Dib pointed out, this was the most time we have spent together since . . . ever that we didn't have a distraction like new baby or work or a play. It was . . . wonderful. I would say "interesting" but that just isn't right.

Yes, the kids were loud. Yes, things were expensive. Yes, I personally got little in way of REST. But my soul was still fed. I made meals for as many as 8 people (and it was good), I cooked, I cleaned, I made the bed and all that. And I realized that what I have always thought is actually true: I would rather spend time with Muad'Dib than anyone else. I made a good choice. I have great kids and a family. That's a weird thing to understand when I still feel 17 inside.

Shoot. I'm so happy it should be illegal. Luckily, my "pursuit of happyness" is in the Constitution, in God's plan, and in my sights.

Happy Vacation!