highlight of our summer

An incredibly vague catch up post like my last one wouldn't be complete with out the highlight of our 2014 summer.  Raphael, our foreign exchange student from France.  He stayed with us for 3 weeks in July and we had thee best time.  My kids loved hanging out with him, Ryan and I enjoyed talking to him and having him around and we did a lot of fun things while he was here.  We had to show him what America was all about.

First stop, Sodalicious.  A soda shop with more flavor mix- ins and soda concoctions than you would think possible.  He loved it.  

 Since he is in Utah, the Mecca for Mormons, we showed him our heritage and I'm sure he's seen more than most Mormons in France.  (He is Catholic) 

 What's more American than a rodeo?

 Camping because the French don't camp.  He enjoyed himself and we went to a beautiful spot on the Nebo Loop.  There was no one around us so it was quiet and the kids could play and run around without distracting people.  My mom, niece Persayes, Stacy and her kids, Gavin and Tiana and Ryan's dad camped with us.  It was a lot of fun and I camped 2 nights without taking a shower, that was a big accomplishment for me. 

 We made him drive our big Suburban

 Seven Peaks.  Our family had season passes and Ryan's brother was able to get him a season pass as well.  Which was great because we could get into Seven Peaks, Laser Tag and a baseball game all for free. 

 We spent a day up in Park City and rode the roller coaster.  It was so fun.  I didn't know what to expect, but you go down a track on these cars and you aren't really supposed to use your breaks so it is all gravity.  And you gain a lot of speed.  My age really showed because I was scared but still really fun.

 We also rode the Alpine Slides.  

 We took Gavin and Tiana, our cousins with us to Park City and after taking them home, I remembered that it was Tuesday, kids eat free at Ikea on Tuesdays.  Dinner was served.  Free.  Catching on to all the free?  He was a bit surprised with how many things we did for free.

 Baseball game.  I've never had to explain the rules and concepts of a baseball game before :)

 More camping.  Brody loved sharing his room with Raphael and having another boy in the house.  He was also very tolerable of all my kids but especially Brody.  Brody was always wanting to rough house with Raphael.  While camping, we also took him shooting.  He shot a .22, 9mm and a shotgun.  He loved the shotgun. 

Sad, sad day.  We sent him on his way back to France.  Hopefully sooner than later we can visit him over in France.  We loved having Raphael and want to host again but would be worried we won't get someone as cool and easy going and just all around good kid as Raphael.