A Utah Thanksgiving

I am fretting that Amelia might have withdrawals from 10 days of playing with her cousins...she has asked to be called Kate since we have returned home.  She was in kid heaven.

Our first stop was to Cabela's where they had a mini museum that included some of our Arctic friends.  Lunch at In and Out Burger where a mighty tasty shake was had.

Then...dinosaurs...

...at the Ancient Museum at Thanksgiving Point.  How appropriate as it was, after all,Thanksgiving time :)

LOTS of hands on activities even for the Amelia and Sir Collin.  Then Amelia had sand dripped on her and that was the end of that.  Dad had to carry her thru the remainder of the AWESOME exhibits...and I think she was a bit scared.

Back for some quiet time with her new turtle (it is what she picked out from the museum) and her new best bud Kate, whom I believe we owe tons of babysitting money too as she literally took care of her the entire time - no playing Barbies with Mom for 10 days.

Amelia and Kate were "sisters", Bryce was the best big brother ever and poor Collin was her annoying little bro apparently.  He tried and tried to join in, but was pushed aside each time...even when he was playing with Barbies with the girls!  Secretly, I think Amelia really wanted to just squeeze him :)  

When Jonah and Jacob arrived, Jonah was welcomed into playing ...maybe not with Barbie's, but when playing puppy.

Jacob and Bryce were excluded, as big brothers can do what they want and they would rather play Mindcraft and catch up on old times.

Before a family dinner at Buca's  for the best salad ever (seriously, that was all that I needed), we headed to Salt Lake for some family pics.  Even though the photos came out so so, as one kid was frowning, crying or running off in each, we had quite a bit of fun. 

My favorite photo...

as you know who is boss.

After a scrumptious Thanksgiving dinner with kid activities at the kid table (maybe that would have helped when I had to sit at the stinking kid table) and celebrating Christmas together, the Bellian's headed back to Denver and we headed to Antelope Island.

Antelope Island had quite a few Alaskan views, except Buffalo instead of Bears and Antelope instead of Moose.  

We stopped at the Visitor Center where I snapped a slew of distant buffalo photos...then headed to the working ranch where the previous photos were null and void as we encountered these.

Nothing worse than to be late for work due to Buffalo crossing.    On the way out LeeAnn was stared down by one ferocious looking mother/crossing guard waiting for the heard to pass once again.  Too dark for a photo of that.

The ranch offered Amelia a chance to try her hand at roping cattle and a horse.  She would have been happy just staying there.

However, dusk was coming.

and the Alaskan Guisingers had to think about packing and heading home. 

Thanks again to the Utah Guisinger Clan for all you did to bring the groups together.

Goodnight Utah...will see you again.