Florida trip, etc

Ok here is the update from our fun family trip. We had a great time with my family. We started our trip in Orlando. We flew in Thursday evening (September 3rd) and the next day my brother, Jonathan, went through the temple. Here is a picture of our family in front of the temple. (These obviously were taken after we went back to the hotel and changed).

Then we stayed Friday night at my Grandpa's farm in Northern Florida. Savanna had a great time hanging out there and visiting with my Grandpa's horse, Tarvun. The next day we headed up to North Carolina. My Grandpa owns a house there and we would go there every summer as kids. He is selling it and we wanted to see it one last time. Our Nana passed away about five and a half years ago so going back brought back memories of her. We were so close to her and it was hard to lose her and we still miss her. I am so grateful for the wonderful role my Nana and Grandpa played in my childhood. Here are some pictures of us at the cottage in the mountains.

This is my grandparents' old car. Pretty snazzy huh?

That same day we also went ruby mining. We did this a lot as kids. Pretty much you just get a big premade bucket of dirt that has some rubies and other jewels in it. You pour some of the dirt into this screen little by little and then swish it in this dirty water and try to find the rubies and other stones. It is a lot of fun. The next day we went to an amusement park called Ghost Town that we used to love. We enjoyed our time there though it rained for a part of the day. There are chair lifts that you ride up to the park and we were a bit nervous about taking Savanna on them so we were going to do the alternate transportation method which was a bus. She wanted to go on so bad though she was begging us, saying "Please, please!" so we did. She wasn't scared at all. She is one brave girl!

TC, my mom, and Spenser rode this ride. I do not attempt to go on rides that spin because I will throw up everywhere.

Savanna was scared of the guns in the Wild West show.

We went to an Indian dance show and participated in an Indian Friendship Dance. The next day we ended our stay in North Carolina by visiting the Biltmore mansion in Asheville. This is a HUGE home that the Vanderbilts built in the 1800s. It is really cool. We then drove to Jacksonville where TC flew out the next day (he had to go back to work). We met my Grandpa at The Cracker Barrel on the way down to southern Florida where I grew up. We were only able to stay there a couple days but it was a lot of fun. Savanna loved going to the beach and playing with our dog, Isaiah. We had a great time. We drove a total of 1,800 miles. Crazy huh? It has been a long time since our family has taken a road trip together and we are grateful to my parents for making it possible.

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We came back to Utah on Saturday and my parents and brothers joined us (well the one lives here). My brother, Jonathan, went into the MTC yesterday. We are excited for him and know he will be a great missionary. My parents are here until tomorrow morning. Savanna has loved having her Nana and Papa around!

Farewell to Jonathan!