CRUZ'S PARENTS VISIT...part 1

Cruz's parents visited us for a month! We had so much fun with them. It was really great for me to get to know them better, laugh together and spend time with them. It was so great to see how excited Cruz was to show them. This is PART ONE of their adventure with us. :) 

warning: long post with lots of pics.

We picked them up from the Las Vegas Airport and then staied a few days hanging out and showing them the sights of Vegas. Cruz's Mom wasn't that excited about Vegas at 1st. Not much of a gambler, so she didn't really feel like she needed to see Vegas. Vegas is however one of Cruz's favorite places. His Mom quickly learned why. They loved seeing all the hotels, and their designs. We took lots of pictures, and walked pretty much the entire strip. We also went to Le Reve (The Dream) show. It was amazing! We all loved it.

One we got back from VEGAS, Cruz and I worked for a few days, and over the weekend we took them to the GRAND CANYON!

They loved it. Cruz's Mom was Freezing!! But the views were spectacular! Worth the drive, is what we all agreed on. 

On the way there we also drove through Zions, which was Cruz's Mom's favorite National Park that we visited. The Sunset was very pretty. Oh, and on the way there we saw a tumble weed go across the road. Cruz's Dad was thrilled. Something he'd seen in movies of the WEST. So, Grand Canyon and tumbleweed were crossed off of the list of must see things...

We then went to St. George for a few days, before heading to OREM for THANKSGIVING!

We meshed his family with mine. It was a great chance for them to meet each other for the 1st time.

HAPPY THANKGIVING!! 

We had lots of yummy food. Got to hang with the family for the day. It was fun. Cruz's parent are kind of hiding in the picture but they are behind Gerald. :) Thanks to my family for making them feel welcome. Now, let's all learn Spanish so that next time they feel even more welcome. ha ha.

They both loved the views of Timp. Whenever we were driving place to place they were pointing it out. Drove up to Bridal Veil Falls and through Provo Canyon.

On the way home we stopped and enjoyed the lights at RIVERWOODS mall.

The lights at Riverwoods were awesome! I think better than I've ever seen them.

Krispy Creme was a huge hit with the parents. We visit it often for their morning coffee, and some donuts too! I was pretty donut-ed out by the time we left orem.

next stop was the DINO museum at Thanksgiving Point. We have lots of funny pictures from this adventure. They have nothing like this, with all the full dinosaur skeletons where they are from.

Every time we were driving in the mountain areas we said to look for deer. My Dad was telling them maybe they could see an Elk. We never did, except for some dead deer on the road. :( So, we took them to Cabelas! A first time visit for me as well. And... you guessed it, they loved it.

Then we visited Salt Lake...

 Lights at the Gateway, and some shopping too.

 Lights and more shopping at City Creek Mall.

 Then to Temple Square!

They loved it, even though they were freezing! And it was actually pretty warm. We got them some hot chocolate to help them not turn into icicles.

Then we took them to Park City to see SNOW. A first time sight for Cruz's Dad.

 We had fun riding the lift up to the Canyon's Ski Resort. Had lunch at the lodge. 

We also took them to main street. 

Seriously, it was like a spring afternoon in Park City. We also visited the Olympic Park.

The Next day we took them to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

 It was amazing. They wished the singing lasted more than a half hour. After we all went to the little America for Brunch.

Tour of the Conference Center.

Back to St. George!

Well, the next week was in St. George. Cruz and I had to get caught up on work, after being gone. So it was more relaxing for his parents. His Mom (with the help of Dad) made us delicious lunches and dinners. We played lots of Rummikub, phase ten and uno. All games that aren't english based. :) oh, and see those silly pics of us with Christmas on the heads... that is at Walmart. Cruz's Mom LOVED that place. We went there often, and filled up many carts of food, and stuff. They did all their Christmas shopping while they were here! It became a joke.... well, we could go to Walmart! Oh, and they helped us with our Christmas tree.

St. George temple/visitor center. Had a great time there. Also, went to the tabernacle there... where they got free copies of the Book of Mormon. The other picture is when we tried to go to a Christmas concert at the tabernacle, ended up being a rehearsal only... Cruz's Mom was the youngest one there by at least 20 years... not counting myself. Funny story. Too bad Cruz was at work and he missed it. 

Live Nativity at Tuacahn. Short but fantastic!

St. George temple lights and frozen custard. 

more shopping.... at pier one.

Cruz took his parents while I was working to Zions and Virgin. They had a good time. Filled up the memory card with hilarious pics. :)

Little road trip to Arches National Park.

We did the little tiny hike to see the arch. Kinda far away. But we had a good time anyway.

Whew! Know wonder we were feeling exhausted. 

They love Utah, and all of it's sights. 

Part 2 is our California adventure!