Absolutely Awesome Eight: Education Week & Myrtle Beach

While Jantzen and Anna were enjoying their time at Especially for Youth programs in Utah, Elsie, Quinn and I participated in Education Week at BYU-I campus for two days. Along with spending time in their age group activities, I took them to the planetarium and swimming at the campus pool.

lunch on campus at the Crossroads

We met Brinley for lunch one day in between her shifts. She's been working quite a few hours (3 jobs) since she returned from Thailand in July. It was nice that she could join us before we headed back to our classes and she went back to work.

Elsie, Brinley, Heather, Quinn

The orthodontist's office held a customer appreciation day at the local waterpark one evening. Aaron took Quinn and Elsie while I shoveled bark into the front bed. It was actually my preference - haha!

Aaron, Heather, LaVerne at Lexi Walker concert

In conjunction with Education Week, each year there is a family-friendly Friday evening concert. Aaron and I took LaVerne with us to be inspired by the talents of the 16-year old singing sensation, Lexi Walker. That girl knows how to sing!

Lexi Walker sings at BYU-I

Ainsley, Anna, Jenna wet in grocery store

Meanwhile, Anna had a fantastic time at EFY. She didn't seem to mind being completely soaked when Hilary drove up to get them one evening. I guess there was a torrential downpour while the girls were walking to the designated area for their pick up.

Avery, Rachel, Anna, Brynn, Ainsley, Piper

Anna's EFY company

Jantzen & Ethan in Provo, UT

Jantzen with his new peeps

Saturday (Aug. 4) morning Quinn, Elsie and I were on our way to the SLC airport to catch a flight to Myrtle Beach, S.C. when I was notified that our flight had been canceled. We would have to fly out Sunday morning instead. Although initially disappointing for Quinn and Elsie who were anticipating this special trip with Mom to visit Libbie and Jeff's family, we made the most of the change. I took the kids to tour the UT Capitol Building - it was a first for them. They were impressed with its grandeur.

They also found it "cheesy" that my name was announced as I walked down these stairs to meet up with my high school Jr. Prom date (nearly 30 years ago). Quinn and Elsie could hardly believe we then did a promenade dance while parents and others looked on. Times have changed!

Playing at the Gateway in downtown SLC

The Children's Museum

It was a very hot Saturday afternoon in SLC. The kids were interested in checking out The Children's Museum. I was surprised how long we stayed while they played and explored. After grabbing a quick bite for dinner, we headed to G-ma and G-pa P's house in Murray where we met up with Taylor & Jen's family. They were catching a flight to China the next morning also. We enjoyed chatting and even visited with Uncle Steve for a few minutes as he stopped to change the water outside.

Uncle Steve K., Heather, Taylor, Jen holding Preston

Steve K. Elsie, Heather, Taylor
June, Quinn, Will

June, Elsie, Quinn, Will

While Taylor and Jen ran last minute errands in the USA, I watched the kids/cousins and took them to the nearby park. It was early to bed and early to rise the next morning for us. After a long day of travel, we were greeted at the Myrtle Beach Airport by smiling faces.

rocking chairs in front of the state beach gift shop

After Sunday dinner, we enjoyed a leisure walk along the beach and let the cousins get acquainted. Living so far apart, they only see each other every few years. In short order, the kids were all best of buddies again! Along the boardwalk, we watched an Asian woman pull in a very cool eel-like silvery fish. She was one happy (and aggressive) fisherwoman.

Sadie & Elsie in giant chair

Xander, Quinn, Benson

Elsie & Sadie at the beach

Monday we hit the beach. We played and played and played some more. The water was SOO warm. The waves were just right for body surfing and boogie boarding. The kids were in heaven (and Benson endured -haha!).

Libbie & Heather

Xander & Quinn

Kayaking at Pawley's Island - Sadie's birthday

We celebrated Sadie's 11th birthday in a special way by going 'crabbing' (and paddle boarding & kayaking) at Pawley's Island on Tuesday (Aug. 7). It's something she and Jeff get serious about. I was surprised by how intrigued Quinn became throughout the day as he helped check the cages. He scampered back and forth with the best of them - very interested in the 'catch'. It was a record-breaking day as we brought home 25 blue crabs!

Quinn holding blue crab - they were too cold to move.

Jeff knows his stuff. He caught, cleaned and cooked the catch of the day along with some fresh shrimp for a delicious southern "low-boil" for Sadie's birthday dinner. Aaron would have LOVED this meal!

Sadie & Jeff

Happy Birthday Sadie!

Picked an OREO ice cream cake for her treat.

Sadie was one very happy birthday girl with the activities of the day and the special gift basket Libbie put together for her (think treat basket). Quinn, Elsie and I were glad to join in the celebrations.

Sadie & Elsie - holding 5lb gummy bear

For whatever reason, Elsie was convinced she wanted to visit the candy store she'd seen pictures of from times her older siblings had visited the area. Jeff was a good sport and took us while Libbie was at work. We walked around Broadway at the Beach, fed the gigantic sucker fish, felt refreshed with a free ice cream sample, took a few pics, and headed for the car. It was a HOT and HUMID day (and still morning).

Elsie at Elsie's Playground

That afternoon, I took Quinn and Elsie to enjoy the Dolly Parton Pirates Voyage meal/show.

At the pirate show.

Pirate ship theater surrounded by spectators

They were mesmerized by the talented acrobatics of the pirates as we watched while being served a pirate-sized meal. We were part of the Sapphire pirate crew and loved every minute of it. Afterward, Jeff and Libbie's family picked us up and we checked out Jeff's exhibit at Coastal Carolina University where Jeff is a professor. He created an impressive display of Thai influenced 3D shadow art.

Benson, Xander, Quinn, Jeff

We fed the turtles, enjoyed Happy Hour at Sonic and made it back in time for the kids to swim at the neighborhood pool before Jeff, Libbie and I headed out for our evening working at the Free 2 Be Fit gym. Libbie does a great job motivating her class participants!

Liberty & Heather at the gym

group pic at front door

Thursday morning it was time to head back to the airport. Anna made sure to text me several times asking for us to bring home a box from the Donut Man. Libbie calculated just enough time for us to grant Anna this wish. Too bad the return trip lasted extra long with flight drama on every hand. I was surprised the donuts survived as we sprinted through the Atlanta airport to catch our connecting flight after being delayed two hours at the Myrtle airport. The Atlanta flight was also delayed then we sat on the tarmac an additional 90 minutes before take-off. The kids were troopers all the day long. I was completely exhausted by the time I drove 4 hours (stopped for dinner) and pulled into the garage late that night.