Lake Tahoe- Sunday

Our family took our first vacation today to Lake Tahoe. Jaybird came with us and she was beyond excited to ride the train and travel across state lines! (Pretty big things for a foster child). She had many many firsts this trip and it was really fun to see her get excited over the littlest things!

Uncle Ryan came over and helped us finish packing (I'm a little bit of a packing OCDer... ok a lot!) To help her pack for the trip, I printed out all the days that we would be there and what kind of outfits she would need and all the parts included. She also had sheets for all her extras. She did very well, I only had to pull one pair of shorts out of her luggage.... Child we are going in the mountains, you will freeze in shorts! She was also give a little binder that gave our basic schedule everyday.

We left at 9 am on Sunday so we could spend the day in Salt Lake with her. It was her first time in Salt Lake or any type of big city like that. She travels very well in the car on long trips and knows how to keep herself entertained. We stopped in Provo to pick up "Uncle" Leslie and then headed to Draper to eat lunch at Ikea. Yes, Justin and I have an obsession with Ikea, plus we needed some more kid dishes! Sorry I didn't get any pictures of that.... yeah... child excited to be in a new place and in a store as big as Ikea... I think you get the picture!

After lunch we drove up to the Gateway Mall (free parking on Sunday!!!!) and she was amazed that we could park underground! We had our first underground parking adventure!

We had a talk about hobos and people who beg for money on the side of the road. The only downside to the Gateway Mall is the homeless shelter is literally steps away and they were all hanging out around the shelter waiting for the next meal. Uncle Leslie was a good protector!

We wanted to take her to Build-A-Bear because both Justin and I have one and she wanted one too. Figured it would be a good souvenir from the trip she could use a lot.

 

Mom this mall is so huge! (First number 3) 

She picked a My Little Pony stuffed animal.

She putting her heart inside of her stuffed animal along with a wish.

 She didn't let go of that thing the whole trip!!

After Build-a-Bear we rode the tram over to Temple Square. "Mom is this what the train is going to be like tonight??" I giggled inside! No child, we will be able to stretch out, sleep, recline our seats, and the beggars won't be riding it asking for money.

She has been a little touchy with religious stuff but I was surprised how well she did in Temple Square! We were able to go to both visitors centers, the statues around the temple, and the tabernacle before it started getting cold and dark!

She is doing a wishing penny

I snagged her with seeing the wax people! She is starting to recognize the people from her scripture books.

After Temple square we rode the Tram all the way to the Central Station so she could see where we were going to get on the train! After that we rode back to the car, dropped Leslie off at her apt, and drove back to Springville to see GG Lowe for a couple hours. We gave her the choice to pick her favorite fast food (of course Mcdonalds) or try Sonic for the first try. She was very brave and tried Sonic and loved it!! We wound down at my Grandma's (overstimulated child doesn't work well for sleeping), let her watch some TV, change into her jammies. Quinten and Leslie drove us up to SLC again and left my car at Leslie's apartment.

We were lucky that the train was about 45 minutes early so we were able to get on and settle in.

She was very impatiently waiting to get on! She couldn't quite understand that the people had to get off first before we could get on. Once we all got settled and left, she fell asleep. Lucky girl was small enough to snuggle up into the two seats.. I kind of fetal positioned into the two seats and Justin was in the back of the train, but somehow he fell asleep!

Sorry about the ghetto black out of the face! But the picture was too cute not to share! She didn't quite figure out how to use the eyemask until later in the trip. But this is what I woke up to when we were going through Lovelock, NV! Yes, I tucked her feet back in so people could get through!

Part Two coming up when I get home from school!!