Fall Break

Last week, along with every other school-aged child in Utah, our kids had their Fall Break.  Andrew and I debated for awhile about what we wanted to do while the kids had a few days off school.

At one point we considered making a quick trip to California.  We could hit Disneyland, the beach and come back home.  It would be quick, but it could be fun.  The more we talked about, the less enthusiastic I became.  I wanted to do something fun but lacked the energy that is required for even a "quick trip."

After further discussion, we decided to stick closer to home.  Instead of a 12-hour drive to Cali, we opted for a 20-minute drive to Park City and had an amazing couple of days up there.

We spent one night at Hotel Park City which was so fun and pretty fancy for this family of seven.  The weather could not have been more beautiful.  The sky was the most spectacular color blue, the sun was shining and all around us the leaves were brilliant shades of yellow, orange and red.  It was warm enough that the kids spent several hours swimming in the hotel pool while all around them were signs of autumn.

Not a bad place to spend a couple of days.

Love the expression on her face.

Unfortunately, I forgot to pack Lucy's swimsuit (totally typical of me) 

so her pool time was spent in a onesie.

After a fun day of swimming and a "relaxing" dinner with our friends and their four kids,  we went back to our hotel and all the kids piled into the huge jetted tub for a family bath.  Unfortunately, none of those pictures are appropriate for this blog, but believe me, it was a great time and the kids felt like they were living in the lap of luxury as they soaked, floated and swam in the tub.  

Peter was quite comfortable in his plush surroundings and following the bath, 

he spent much longer than necessary walking around our hotel room wearing only this towel.

After the bath, we all snuggled in bed under a big down comforter and watched a movie.  It was so cozy and fun as we enjoyed a night together with no distractions.  

The next day was much of the same.  Swimming in the pool, a picnic at the park with friends, pizza party with friends and more friends, and then a sleep over at our friends' condo.  On our way home after just two nights away, we drove up over Guardsman's Pass and ooohed and ahhhed at the glories of fall.

After all the discussion that had gone into our Fall Break plans, it ended up being perfect.  We didn't have to travel far and we were able to relax, spend time with great friends and enjoy being together as a family.  That's what taking a break is all about and sometimes there really is "no place like home."