While the older girls were in Europe

 If Rebekah and Ana got to go to Europe for a summer trip, it only seemed fair that we find some fun times to spend with Miriam and Winnie. 

First we had to finish the softball season. That meant I didn't have my extra dugout helpers during the tournament. Grandpa Scott and I had to manage with Rebekah and Ana, but I think that turned out okay. We celebrated the end of the season by letting Miriam choose where we should go out to eat after our final game on Wednesday, July 6.

She chose Hokkaido Ramen House.

Usually I take whichever girls are available when I visit Grandma Hendricks in Rexburg. We drove there on Thursday, July 7, only to find out I was there on the wrong Thursday. (I usually go on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays). So Miriam, Winnie and I had some time to kill in Rexburg.

First we went to D.I.

Then to Kari Anne's for custard and Italian ice.

Seth and Winnie slept out on the trampoline on Saturday, July 9, but came in early the next morning (we're talking, like, 4 a.m.) when a multitude of demonic roosters roused them from their slumber.

Posing before snoozing.

We only thought it fair to ask the younger two if they'd like to go on a little trip while their sisters were away, and they unanimously decided on Lagoon. We spent Thursday, July 14 at Lagoon, then Friday, July 15 at Hogle Zoo and watching a movie before picking up the older girls at the Salt Lake airport that night.

Miriam and Winnie on the train. Last time we went to Lagoon, we waited in line FOREVER to ride the train before giving up and moving on. We learned that if you go to the train first thing, the line hasn't had time to build up. 

Andrea and Seth on The Bat.

Rattlesnake Rapids before picture.

Rattlesnake Rapids after picture. Because Miriam's feet were to the point that even standing for extended periods of time hurt her, we rented a wheelchair and pushed her through Lagoon so she didn't have to be on her feet while moving or waiting. And then we learned that, if a member of your party is in a wheelchair, you have a separate entrance to the ride (usually going up the exit ramp). And that you usually get right on the ride. And that the ride operators usually ask if you'd like to go twice in a row. It was a pretty sweet system, and we're wondering who can be disable the next time we go to an amusement park so we can enjoy the system again. ;-)

Eating at Red Robin that night.

Breakfast at the hotel the next morning. We were trying to decide between Hogle Zoo or a water park, but we woke up to rainy, overcast skies, so the zoo was the better choice.

Watching the sea lions at the zoo. We rented another wheelchair for Miriam.

The cheetah.

Enjoying the rain. Miriam didn't like it as much when Winnie pushed the wheelchair.

Riding the conservation carousel.

Posing by/on the elephant statue.

Watching the dog show. Usually the dogs perform more tricks than we watched, but with the wet ground, the trainers didn't feel like it was a good idea to do their entire routine. Still, it was entertaining.

At that point we still had an afternoon/evening of waiting around in Utah until the older girls' flight came in, so we found a theater and watched Minions: The Rise of Gru. 

In our seats at the theater. It took us a little while to realize that we were sitting in electronic recliners. It was luxurious.

Winnie and Andrea walking around the airport waiting for the sisters to come home.