The Tangrens

We'd been needing to run away from the chaos that has become our lives for awhile now but could never find the time to get away for even a night...go figure. But when we found a relatively empty weekend we jumped on it and made plans to run away to .... Layton. Oh yeah, I know you're all jealous. What prompted this particular destination was it's close proximity to Hill Aerospace museum. Hyrum was watching a program on PBS about jet airplanes and he was completely fascinated. He was jumping around talking about Blackbirds and other jets completely ecstatic that they were supersonic. So we thought it would be a fun place for him to visit.

When we were looking at hotels in the area Derek suggested we might use some of his points that he's accrued in his business trips to fund this overnight. I was all over that. I loved the thought of using the rewards he got from his work trips (which pulled him away) to give us a chance at a little togetherness. Absolutely free togetherness, mind you. Even better. AND they gave us breakfast. :) When we got there we realized that there was a little kitchenette in the room too.

We picked up Derek at work and headed to our hotel. When we walked up to it we saw the outdoor pool...DOH! The very closed outdoor pool. Anyone with kids knows that it is only a vacation at a hotel if you can swim in a pool. Most of the time it is the only thing they remember. But when we were given the information on the hotel it said that we could use the pool at the two adjoining hotels...which we did. Hyrum got a new swimsuit for the occation ( the other one was a 24 month swimsuit ) and he was beyond excited to try it out. I should have gotten pictures of all the excitement but I didn't crack the camera out until the next morning. Bummer because Hyrum was trying out his swimming chops, doing the doggy paddle and even some back stroking and floating ( all in a life jacket mind you) in the pool.

I was worried that this trip would mess up Noah's sleep schedule which has been actually pretty good these days ( knock knock ) but he slept really good, even with his brother talking in his sleep.

We went down to get our grab and go breakfast and went back to our room. Watching my boys eat thier breakfast at the hotel room table brought me back to my childhood. We'd sometimes go visit my dad when he was away on business and we have pictures of us eating our breakfast in the hotel room.

Then we were off to Hill Aerospace museum.

As we walked to the building Hyrum chattered on excitedly about supersonic this and super cool that. I didn't think to get the camera out fast enough. When we got into the gigantic rooms where most of the planes/jets were kept he quickly found his favorites.

The Shark plane

The storied Blackbird

Noah on the other hand had much less exciting pursuits. His passion was the windowed and camouflaged halls that connected the rooms. Especially the windows that reflected his image.

He really liked those

He is absolutely in the adventuring age. A scary age.

(Yes that is little Noah all the way down there. No worries. I had my eye on him the entire time.)

When he was in the rooms that housed the planes/jets he was bent on getting under the rope barricades. So he was naturally all about sitting in an ejection seat. Hyrum not so much.

After a few times of nearly loosing Noah under the ropes and a worker explaining that this helicopter and that jet were "Decepticons" ( which perked Hyrum's ears up) we headed outside for the really big planes.

True to form Noah decided the step around the flags was the most exciting thing outside. He was determined to master it.

But after falling off it, flipping off it and falling backward over it I decided that, that was enough and hauled him off to see the planes.

It is amazing how big these things are. It's amazing that some of them can get off the ground.

Noah kicking the tires and lighting the fires.

Hyrum got a few close encounters with the jets.

We woke up to puddles from rain during the night but by noon it was warming up nicely and it was beautiful. We said goodbye to the planes and headed south. After a few errands we decided to be tourists in our own town. We headed for Kranky Franks to try out a Danger Dog.

We've always been curious about this place. It's a quirky slice of local color and we figured since we've been here for two years now that we should try it out finally. Part of it's charm is the...well I'm not really sure what they are...cranky...franks?

They ride through parades and are always greeting everyone as they enter.

It was great food if not the greatest service ( it could have just been the day we went ) and Hyrum always points it out when we pass "We've been to that hot dog place!"

Our bellies full but not ready to be done with our vacation we headed up the canyon to Jolley's Ranch for the first time of the season. It was good to be back. Again should have gotten pictures. After that we headed home. Quick but effective. Maybe too effective...it was hard to go back to the grind.