We love the MALLOTTS!

Our good friends the Mallotts came to visit us in Utah.  We first met them in Texas and we have both since moved many times and they ended up in Minnesota.  We have stayed in touch over the years and they came to visit us in California when we lived there but since then we haven't been together.  One might worry that after all that time it would be awkward but we were laughing in no time just like the good old days.  We did a quick Utah tour... Park City, Café Rio a couple times, a weekend trip to Zion, and Temple Square.  I can't say enough how much we LOVE the Mallotts.  John kept trying to talk them into moving here.  I don't think we quite convinced them but we're hoping to visit them soon in Minnesota.

 

The kids with Chloe in a bobsled at Utah Olympic Park

Esther after the Ropes Course (she was my my only kid that didn't cry and chicken out)

 

Isaac melted down on his first attempt at the rope course and backed out.  Bennett was sweet to go with him for his second attempt and walk him through each obstacle.  Isaac ADORED hanging out with Bennett. 

 



Wesley was a big fan of Chuck.  This was a comforting hug after his mean mom refused him gum.

The whole crew enjoying our picnic lunch.  One of many made and eaten together.

 

Lucy wanted to take many tadpoles home but I told her we could only take a picture of them.  Treasure the memory.

We did this short hike to a small cliff jumping site that was a favorite for everyone.  The thrill and coolness of jumping into a river on a 100 plus degree day.  Lovely.

 

 Did I mention Zion is BEAUTIFUL! 

 

 Our hot hiking crew.

 

 Hiking in the Narrows.  So awesome!

 

 Most of the crew worked really hard to climb into this cool hole in the cliff for this photo opp.  Big thanks to Cori for all the cool pictures!  She has a much better camera and skills then I do.

 

These boys had a good time hanging out.  They especially enjoyed lots of xbox time together.

These girls were three peas in a pod.  So fun to have Chloe to visit!

 

This was the Emerald Pools hike.  Our least favorite but still scenic.  John and Isaac stayed behind at the lower pools because Isaac wasn't feeling well after throwing up on the drive to Zion that morning.  The girls and I just barely made it there with more than a few complaints.  Poor Lucy was wearing flip flops because she got blisters from the Narrows hike.  But we made it. 

 

One of the best parts of Zion National Park is that we left this guy home with Auntie Ju.  She was so sweet to watch him and he had a pretty good time hanging out with her and Uncle Jer Bear.  He got some good Papa and Nanny time too.  Every thing we did in Zion we said, "This would be so hard if we had Wes."  So it was a pretty nice relaxing road trip.  My sister was pretty glad and exhausted when we came back.

Nertz.  This is the Thompson/Mallott game of choice when we get together.  My kids were so excited to learn a new game and still want to play it every night.  The adults played it almost every night which is funny if you knew that the same person (not naming names (Cori):) would win EVERY SINGLE TIME but we still kept playing.  Probably because we laugh a lot when we play it.  This is part of the tradition.  Losing at Nertz to Cori.  The rest of us take turns getting close but no one quite ever makes it .

 

We are so so glad the Mallotts came to visit.  The saddest part was the night before they left Chloe and I came down with the "barfs" and then that day my girls and Wes ended up throwing up and Chuck got sick too on the plane ride home.  That's what we do when we vacation.  We usually get some sort of sickness.  Ugh.  It was horrible. 

So sorry about that Mallotts and we can't wait until we get together again.  Thanks for the good times and the LAUGHS.