Utah trip '08!

Guam doesn't have a monopoly on fun in the sun, the kids were happy to put on the swimsuits in Utah for a change, with cousin Jaden at the Gateway in Salt Lake.

Our trip to Utah was outstanding for many reasons, the best of course was spending time with family. Here we are with James' fam at Wolf Creek. Pictured w/ Shell are James' parents, his sis Court, and nephew Brandon

We got to spend time with almost all of Shell's fam too (her little bro is in grad school in Ohio and couldn't make it), but everyone else was reunited. Here we are at the entrance of Timp cave.

James' Dad celebrated a birthday up at Wolf Creek. All his kids are pictured: left to right: Mike, Court, Jeff, and James (youngest to oldest).

Shell was way excited to meet her 2 new nephews, who live in Utah but

were born after we moved to Guam. Shell's mom Kathy holds Landon and Memphis

Jordan and uncle Mike up at Gram & Gramp David's in Holladay

Shell's little sister Christy w/ hubby Sterling and Shell's older brother Aaron in the background

The girls with cousin Audrey

Shell w/ James' sister Michelle.

After family, the next best thing about Utah is the mountains! We couldn't get enough, but we tried to go on many different hikes up several canyons around Salt Lake.

Here is Emma up Milcreek canyon.

Mount Olympus is always a great sight to see when we come home. James and his fam grew up at the foothills of this mountain as the Davids have lived here (w/ Jordan pictured here in the front yard), at this home in Holladay for almost 35 years.

On the Timp Cave hike in American Fork Canyon

More of the Timp hike

Andie riding a horse in American Fork. This was at the parent's place of some good friends of ours from Ohio State, Jeremy & Erin Lamb. It was great to see them and many other friends on our trip.

Finally, what's a Utah trip without Lagoon?

Well we can't say enough how amazing our trip back home was. This summer marks half way through our Navy obligation, and after 4 years of grad school in Ohio and 2 of our 4 Navy years in the bag now, it's exciting for us to think that we may be returning to Utah (or at least a neighboring state) for good in just 2 short years. Until then, it'll just have to remain our favorite vacation spot!