End of Family Trip, Day 10, Utah again

Lynette and I arrived back in Provo from Idaho far after dark. In a move meant to drop friend Annette off at her home in a more efficient way, we actually added a half hour or more to our trip. We got to stop and watch a train, a very long train, make it's way west towards Nevada. It was one of those stops where you open the windows, turn the car off, and hope for the best.

The next morning found me in "close down the townhouse" mode. There were sheets to wash, a kitchen to clean, and floors to sweep and vacuum as well as packing to do and 4th of July decor to pack away.

Mid-morning I got a text telling me of an impromptu birthday celebration for one of my favorite people, Ruby. Now I had something to look forward to.

We were to meet in Draper at the Airborne Trampoline Center. Rain was threatening the original park plan and this seemed like a fun option for all the "older" kids as well. Usually when I think of Airborne I am thinking of this. I swear it really works, just drop a tablet in your favorite orange juice when you feel a cold coming on.

Ruby's was celebrating early so that all the gathered family could join her. Isn't her birthday 'cake' genius. Grandpa stopped at Krispy Kreme on the way to Draper and picked up three dozen Kremes which included a dozen of Ruby's favorite, maple glazed.

Ruby, soon to be 2nd grader and great reader, has been reading "Little House on the Prairie" this summer. I bought her "Little House in the Big Woods" for her birthday.

Remember the shopping trip to the doll store on Day 2? Good thing I had purchased her gift early, pioneer style clothes, so her American Girl dolls could dress as Laura.

I think Sadie was a bit miffed with Ruby getting all the attention and gifts, with hands on hips and all. Good thing her birthday will be here soon.

It was a fun way to end a great vacation trip! The next day we drove home to hot Arizona where they had experienced this.


There was a lot of cleaning up to do once we got home.

The American Girl Adventure

Heather traveled to California with grandma and grandpa for a wedding BUT more important for a visit to The American Girl Store in Los Angeles. She brought her American Girl dolls with her. She was also excited that her cousins were going to join us for the big shopping trip.

She and her dolls turned in early at the motel in Temecula so that they would all be well rested for their big day.


The next morning we headed to Grandma Christy's house to connect up with cousins Ruby, Sadie, Kate, and their dolls, plus Grandma Christy, Amy, and Sally.

The conversation coming from the back during the drive north was delightful. Heather, older and a very competent reader, told the other doll owners the history of their dolls and stories written about them. And then I heard the following:

"You know, it is very interesting. I just noticed that we all have the friends of the main characters and not the main character dolls."

Two little kindergartners looked a bit puzzled as they wondered what "main characters" might be!

As we left the parking garage at "The Grove" in Los Angeles, excitement was in the air. There had been screams of delight as we passed the store windows on the way in.

Oh my, so much to see and so many things to choose from made things almost over whelming.

Sadie stuck to her stroller until she found a twins doll she liked with its own stroller. Then she was ready to do the stroller pushing.

Decisions were made, choices handed off to the grandmas for purchase, and poses made in front of the American Girl Christmas tree.

Grandpa met us in the entrance but did not venture far into the store. Kudos to him for he was the only male family member willing to drive two hours through LA traffic for this unique shopping experience. He told us about a family of four boys who were told by their father to follow their mother inside and to "be nice about it!" as he waited outside for us.

Next stop was the Farmer's Market next door for some lunch.

It was a very busy place (full of Ohio and Oregon fans) so we took turns going for food while holding down our tables.

The girls quickly tore into their shopping bags to try on new outfits.

Comments heard as the crowd swirled around them:

"That's one reason I'm glad that I never had girls."

"Look at those beautiful girls and dolls. I only have sons and grandsons so I feel like I've missed out. Where is that store? I think I would like to take a look."

It was an outing for the memory book and a delightful day with my "American Girls."