From October 10-13 we hung out in St. George. Our cruise was cancelled unfortunately and Erik had that time off, so we picked the kids up a little early from school and drove the 6-or-so hour drive up to St. George. The kids were of course excited, I was too since we had some fun plans that I was looking forward to, namely a massage with my mom and Calvin's birthday party in Cedar City. There were some other fun things we did, and going to see the play "Bright Star" in Hurricane that Makayla was in was one of them. It was a play written by Steve Martin, but it is definitely not a comedy. I think it is loosely based on a true story. I enjoyed the play. Makayla had a small part but it was fun to see her. It was also nice to not have to wear a stupid mask. I think it was a great (albeit simple) production. I should mention...before the play I went to Zion Massage College and got a massage, and I took my mom along with. It was a nice, relaxing massage and it was nice chatting with a girl around my age who did my massage. My mom really liked her massage, too. After the massage we met up with Erik and his mom at Chick-fil-a. I said good-bye to my mom and ate my chicken in the car since we were late for the play. Here are pictures of the play I took:
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The next day was Sunday and we packed up most of our things and headed up to Cedar City where my parents live. Lisa and her family came down from South Jordan to celebrate Calvin's 4th birthday. It was good timing that we could make it. The kids had so much fun together. I had fun too. I guess everyone did! We spent the night there, just one. Gabe slept in the office, Elisa slept in Tom's bed (he was at Cindy and Mark's house for the time being), and Ian slept downstairs in the bunkbeds with my dad. 
Sunday morning breakfast, just before we left
A fun piñata for the kids!
A few years ago, my dad discovered he had a crawlspace underneath the front bedroom of his house. And he finally told us about it this last trip up to Cedar. The kids thought it was a fun place to stay. I sure wouldn't want to hang out down there for too long. My dad uses it to store squash.
Sooo much sugar for the kids. If the candy from the piñata wasn't enough, Lisa decided to make some sugar cookies and have the kids frost them with sugary frosting topped with solid, colored, and shaped sugar otherwise known as sprinkles.
Not enough sugar in the candy and cookies I guess, so Lisa decided to serve ice cream cake just to make sure the kids had enough sugar.
The guys. They need to have their picture taken too!
My and my girlie, with my dad and brother Michael in the back.
Calvin and Aiden enjoying a fun puzzle.
Later that evening, after the Blaylock family left, we all went on a short hike in Kolob canyon, called the Timber Creek Overlook trail. There were a surprising number of people doing the same thing we did...it was perfect weather after all. Later that evening we explored Grandpa Ron's garden, and I got to try some new produce that I've never tired before such as ground cherries (similar taste to the drink called Tang) and tubers (a cross between a potato and kohlrabi), and for dinner I enjoyed a tomato sandwich.
It was a pleasant, scenic hike.
Grandpa showing Elisa his garden produce after our hike.
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The next day was Monday. My dad had to go to work and the Blaylock family left the in the early evening the day before, but the rest of us had the morning free to do whatever. We stopped at the Pasty Pub in downtown Cedar City for lunch. I shared a salad with my mom, and the kids surprisingly ate all of their sandwiches. Except Ian--he spilled his water and Erik yelled at him so he lost his appetite to eat his sandwich, poor kid. For dessert, we walked over to a little French stand next door and shared a delicious chocolate mousse. Ian's appetite was back for the mousse! After lunch and dessert, we drove to Cedar canyon and had a look around. We mostly just drove around for the scenic views, but we did step out a few times for a short look around. We dropped my mom off at the house, and headed back down to St. George because we had to leave for home the next day.
A family picture that my mom took.
Ian all a-snooze on the 45-min drive down to St. George
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Tuesday morning I had my appointment at Amara Med Spa to get another round of Jeaveua (a Botox substitute). It only took a half an hour. After I got back we packed and packed, and decided to give Sakura another go. There was thankfully no wait for lunch. The kids had a great time! This was their first time going to a Japanese hibachi grill. They loved the fire and the shrimp-throwing! They even ate their food.
Looking at the fishtank at the restaurant's entrance
Good family fun!
Cooking our delicious food!
The kids loved the fire!
I ordered scallops.
Throwing shrimp to Grandpa
The kids thought it was hilarious that I was thrown a shrimp and caught it with my mouth. I only agreed to this humiliation for their amusement!
After eating we left for home! It was a pretty uneventful drive back, and we were glad to get home before school started the next day.
