Trip to the Botanical Gardens

Lexi at the Bronx Botanical Gardens 

Lexi, Mabel & Ian taking a rest at the Botanical Gardens

Our Vacation

So, here they are ... finally. Pictures of our wonderful trip to Utah and California this August. We began with a reunion for Matt's grandmother Klea Worsley descendents. That includes 4 children (Matt's mom, Joan, and her 3 siblings) and their families. There was a total of 85 people there (including babies, but they are people, too, right?) and turns out only 1 couple was missing!! It was a great time. We got to do lots of fun things- swimming, horseback riding, paddleboating, crafts, and chatting with relatives. We can't wait to do it again!

After the reunion, we headed to some suburbs of Salt Lake to spend several nights with friends- first Scott & Lisa Russell, and then Brandon & Emilie Campbell and daughter Katie. It was so great to be with our old friends and to see our old stomping grounds of Utah County www.utahcounty.com).

Then we packed up the Copes van and headed south to California. We did the 10 hour drive in one day and only had to stop twice! Lexi was a trooper on the ride!!

We got to spend 2 wonderful weeks at Grandpa & Grandma Cope's house in Glendora, CA. Everyday after breakfast Lexi would run over to the back door of the house and practically beg to be let out in the backyard. She loved the grass to play in and her new playmate (aka. Grandpa). We spent lots of time with family and friends and just relaxed. Matt & I left Lexi for the day (my first time away from her for a whole day) to go to Six Flags Magic Mountain with friends Scott & Lisa (www.sixflags.com/parks/magicmountain/index.asp). We also took Lexi to DisneyLand (www.disneyland.com) and the J. Paul Getty Museum (www.getty.edu/museum/) where we met up with friend Natalyn & Jeff Jacobs.

In the end, it was kind of hard for us to come back to the city. Although we love the city and all it has to offer, there are so many wonderful things about suburban life that we love. It was a really wonderful trip- so great to see family and friends. We are seriously considering making this an annual August trip.

DISNEYLAND!!

One of Matt's friend's (from high school) husband works for Disney and they offered us free tickets. Who could pass that up?! We went with friends Jason & Tiffany Smith and their son, Trevor. Trevor loved showing Lexi around the park, holding her hand and taking her on the lines to the rides. We got to skip some of the longest lines thanks to Tiffany's handicap pass! Free tickets and no lines... the only way to see Disney with a toddler. Thanks friends!!

Here we all are outside the Tiki Room.

Uncle Lewis and Lexi

Trevor Smith driving the firetruck with Lexi on board.

Great-Grandpa & Great-Grandma Portlock

At the Newport Beach Temple Open House in Orange County, California.

At the J. Paul Getty museum in Los Angeles.

Sierra, Aunt Lari & Lexi donning some homegrown daisies.

Dave took Lexi for a spin on the Vespa!

We always wondered what Lexi would think of the 2 big Newfoundland dogs that Dave & Lari own. Turns out, she loved them!

Lexi & Katie taking a bath.

We spent some time at the Gateway in Salt Lake City. They have a great Olympic Plaza with this giant in-ground water fountain. Every hour on the hour the Mormon Tabernacle Choir blasts through the square singing the Olympic Theme, "Call of the Champions," composed by John Williams. "Citius! Altius! Fortius!" (Faster, Higher, Stronger) as the water dances to the music and slowly reaches for the sky. When the water/music show is not going on, there is a continual array of jumping water that shoots up from the ground. All the kids loved running through it.

On our way back from the reunion, we stopped off at Uncle Todd & Aunt Amy's house. We let Lexi out of the car to run around on the grass with her cousins for a little while. Lexi got a bit curious about the sidewalk and the iron slab that covered the gutter at the end of the driveway and ended up stepping right onto the iron that had been baking all day in the HOT Utah sun. Startled by the sudden heat and pain, she was frozen in panic. So her little feet just kept right on cooking. Cousin Cole ran to the rescue and swept her up into his arms. Thank goodness he was there and reacted so quickly! As it was, Lexi formed several little blisters on the bottoms of her feet and was in too much pain to walk for the rest of the day. Over the next 3 days, she gained back all her walking and running capability after lots of first aid and tender loving care. Here she is with her feet all bandaged up (Neosporin to the rescue!)

Dad, Mom and Lexi on a paddle boat

Lexi loved this little goat. At one point she tried to throw her leg up and onto its back so she could take a ride.

Taking a rest in the bouncy air castle

Grandpa & Grandma Cope with Lexi

Lexi riding a mini-horse at the reunion.