Summer Pilgrimage to Utah: Visiting the Bohman Bunch

We drove through the night and got to Grandma and Grandpa Bohman's house at about 9:30 on Saturday morning. As we drove into Logan I pointed out the temple to the boys and reminded them that Nathan I had been married there 12 years ago. A few blocks later Daniel got excited to point out Charley's malt shop (I guess between the temple and ice cream, we were surrounded by celestial material).

The boys were so excited to get out of the car and play. All of the cousins came over for our traditional 4th of July breakfast. It was so nice to have all of our family there (except for Heather and her family in Germany, whom we really missed). Nathan and I were tired, but I was excited to meet and hold Heidi Jensen (Emily's baby) for the first time. What a sweetie.

(Shortly after breakfast Andrea, Paul, and Jonas left for the airport to meet his family in Florida, it wasn't nearly long enough, but I'm glad we got to see eachother.) The kids found lots to do. They jumped on the trampoline, rode bikes, teeter-tottered, played ball, and found a mound of dirt to play in. Grandpa even gave the boys each a tractor or truck to use in the dirt. Caleb liked the miniature tractor, but what kid wouldn't love playing on the real thing even more?

That afternoon the boys helped Grandpa pick up some branches and each earned $1. They were really excited. Then we set up the swimming pool for all of the cousins. They enjoyed it for a little while, but the weather was unseasonably comfortable--warm with a cool breeze. The kids took frequent breaks from the cold water to bounce on the trampoline.

Finally, the cold was too much and they all decided to move the pool party to Grandma and Grandpa's Spa Tub. They warmed up with bubbles and jets all together! Then Grandpa added bubble bath to the tub...It didn't seem like a lot, but the bubbles filled the whole tub and went over the edges! It was a kid's dream come true. Very fun. The kids had a blast. We had to rinse off their bubbles in the shower. It all reminded me of the Shel Silverstein poem that used to hang in our bathroom when I was a kid:

There are too many kids in the tub.
There are too many faces to scrub.

I just washed a behind that I'm sure wasn't mine.

There are too many kids in this tub.

The whole family went out to Hamilton's for dinner. It is a nice restraunt. My miso salmon was delicious. The kids were a little rowdy, but not bad considering the number we had there. Caleb really enjoyed his veggies--or rather his veggie dip (he drank his ranch dressing). Quentin L. Cook was at the table next to ours. As we were preparing to leave, Daniel threw up into Nathan's hands, all over the table and chairs, on Daniel's stuffed animal wooly mamoth and the floor. (I had taken Liam to the bathroom and missed most of the excitement. --Thank you to Aunt Emily who cleaned up the chairs and table to help out. She should have gotten the tip for the night. Uncle Jeremy told me he was so sorry, because he knows how embarrassing it can be when your kids do things like that--especially in such a nice place, but actually I didn't feel too bad. I think most people would likely have guessed Emily was Daniel's mom. Also, Nathan caught it in his hands and washed out the wooly mammoth in the bathroom sink--so I sidestepped most of the disaster.) I don't think the food was the culprit for the upheaval. Daniel had eaten all of his dinner and liked it. I guess it was just traveling + heat + no sleep + food. Life with kids is never boring! Quentin L. Cook had left before the incident, so at least it won't be mentioned as an analogy in some General Conference talk. Daniel felt fine afterward, and upon our arrival back at Grandma's, he climbed directly onto the trampoline with his cousins without further complications. As we did some laundry, we all discussed the need for a vomit cycle (or a chunky wooly mamoth cycle) on the washer. That could be a selling point for moms everywhere!.........Oh the memories!

On previous visits we've had to really beg Daniel to ride the 4-wheeler, and he wouldn't ride unless Nathan or I went with him, but this visit Daniel loved the 4-wheeler! Caleb and Liam love it too. They couldn't get enough. They begged us over and over to give them rides. Nathan took us on rides through the sprinklers! Grandpa and Grandma gave lots of rides too.

The next day we went to church with Emily's family. Mikayla and Conner are the same ages as Daniel and Liam, so primary was fun for the kids. I went to Sunday School and Relief Society for the first time in years. I love being in Primary in my ward, but it was fun to be with Nathan for Sunday School and Emily in Relief Society. Heidi curled up in my arms and fell asleep in RS. What a sweet baby girl.

That evening we played lots with family and had a delicious dinner (as always--I love when my mom cooks). Grandma and Grandpa took some pictures with the grandkids. We tried to get a good picture of the boys, but I've nearly given up getting three smiles in the same picture. Caleb was being a big grump and cried and screamed. Why would we torture him with pictures when he just wanted to jump on the trampoline and ride the 4-wheeler?

That night we did fireworks. The kids loved them. From sparklers to bottle rockets--everything was fun. We also had fun watching the neighbors' supply of illeagle fireworks. I'm not brave enough to buy them and be responsible for them, but they sure are gorgeous.

The next morning Grandpa took us all fishing at a pond in Smithfield. The trout taunted us for quite a while until we figured out their bait of choice (worms and fish meat). Daniel caught the first fish.

Uncle Jeremy, Grandpa, Uncle Jared, Nathan, and Ryan caught fish too. (When Jared went to put his fish out of its misery, his son Matthew got very upset. Apparently, he thought he was going to bring the fish back to his house to live.) Nathan caught the biggest trout (about 5 lbs). Liam also got one in the end, with Nathan's help. That is a lot of trout! We called Grandma and Grandpa Brady to let them know we'd be bringing dinner with us.

Before we took off for Orem, we went to Charley's malt shop (tradition!--besides, it's where I worked when I was in high school). Nothing in this world beats the fresh strawberry-banana frozen yogurt shake! My mouth waters just thinking about it! Grandma let us put some quarters into the juke box and the kids got to boogie.

What a sweet end to a quick but great visit! We did so much that it seems impossible that it was only 2 days! Thanks for letting us come so last minute. We love you guys.