T-ball, Swimming and Pioneers

Thursday was shopping day. I hate to shop. But I love my daughter. And she needed clothes. She had fun trying on lots of clothes and picking her favorites.

After trips to Old Navy, Ross and Children's Place, she ended up with a lot of new clothes!

My mom figured Jalen needed something as well. This shirt was perfect.

Baylie took this picture of Grandad and Jalen informed him he was too old to ride a bike.

That night, we went to watch my nephew, Nixon, play t-ball. Oh my gosh! If you are ever in a bad mood, you should go to a t-ball game. So hilarious! Nixon scored "40 points." He spent more time sliding in the dirt and limping than all the other players put together. It was so much fun to watch him.

My parents try very hard to support their grandkids and go to as many games as possible.

I get my love of sports from my dad. In high school, I lettered four years in football and baseball because I took stats. I spent a lot of time in the dugout. I always enjoy watching a good game with my dad.

I think Thursday is also when we went to Waffle Love. I had heard a lot about it and it did not dissappoint.

Baylie got a chocolate-filled waffle with strawberries. Jalen just did the chocolate filled.

I don't remember what my parents got. (I get my photogenicity from my dad.)

My waffle was amazing!! It was nutella with whipped cream. The waffles are covered with sugar crystals from Belgium. They are warm and crunchy. So delicious!

Friday we went to the Provo Rec Center. What an awesome facility! In addition to several basketball courts, cardio equipment, weight rooms, rock walls, etc., they also have great indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Best of all, the prices are so reasonable. It was only $5 for me and $4 for the kids. The annual membership is just over $400 - it costs almost that much for just a summer membership in Columbia.

Outdoor wave pool and water slides.

End of the water slides and splash pad.

Snacks!

Lazy river, kiddie play area, open swim area and in the very back - a hot tub!

Another angle of the lazy river, rock wall waterfalls and cliff diving area. There are also indoor water slides that go from inside to outside and back again.

Closer view of the hot tub.

Not the greatest photo, but this is the cliff diving platform.

Can you see Jalen?

Lap pool. I swam here when training for the swim leg of a triathlon a couple years ago.

Jalen was wiped out!

Friday night David and I went on a date. He was in Columbia and I was in Provo, but we went to see Spiderman at the same time. It was a fun idea and a great movie. (Stay until the very end - after the credits.)

David's selfie

Snacks

I always look like I'm in pain in my selfies. (You can see the name of the movie.)

The theater had luxury recliners. Awesome!

Today - Saturday - we went to a pioneer village that is near downtown Provo. My mom had wanted to go here and we finally did. I had been here when Baylie was about 18 months old, but they have added to it and it was really cool.

There were guides in period costume.

We started at the school house.

This particular school had started as a shed so it didn't have any windows. It was heated with a stove like this one.

The girls sat on one side of the room.

And the boys sat on the other.

Recess!

Outside details

Inside details

The outhouse

Look closely

 It was occupied!

This well was the style found in the East. In the West, it was usually just a hole in the ground covered with boards.

The kids learned how to wash clothes with a washing board.

And they got to dress in period costume.

Army wagon

Utility wagon

Doctor's wagon

Pioneer wagon

Handcart replicas

Blacksmith shop

General store

Scythes

Corn crib

I love history. I am descended from pioneers, some of whom crossed the plains in handcarts. My parents' home is full of antiques like these that could be found in a museum. I take great pride in where I come from.

After the Pioneer Village, we bought some corn for dinner. I love Utah corn.

We then headed to the BYU Creamery for some of the best ice cream in the world.

The campus has changed so much since I was a student. It is a beautiful school.

I was shocked to see the changes at the Missionary Training Center (MTC). It is so huge now! They have built a whole new section. I didn't get a picture, but I found a rendering online. I wish we were going to be here for the open house at the end of the month.

I'm not sure if Utah really feels like home anymore, but it is so nice to be here for awhile.