Trip on a budget

Due to time and financial constraints, our planned camping trip to the Grand Canyon got axed. But that doesn't mean the Barlows are giving up on fun! We put together a creative weekend getaway on a budget and came up with a great family trip.
Friday we went to Sandy to a TNT firework selling orientation. Let me explain a bit here. We signed up to sell the fireworks in the stand in front of Gunnison Market this year. One week of long hot days, but it should be fun and it will bring in some extra cash. Now, you may not think that an orientation sounds like a great family activity, but you would be wrong. Brats, chips, drinks, popcorn, cotton candy, door prizes galore, music, cheering, etc. These TNT people are serious about making their business fun. I won a garish American flag sun hat and a water bottle just for waving my arms and hooting. The kids were so excited about all the free food and cotton candy!

So after the orientation we spent the night with Dad and Jan. It's always nice to visit there, and we all enjoyed their fabulous last-minute hospitality.

Saturday we woke up with the thought: "What should we do today?" After throwing out a few ideas we settled on the zoo, and the copper mine. The boys have been looking forward to seeing the dinosaur displays, and were thrilled to get to go so early in the summer. Mike got online and discovered buy one get one free coupons at Les Schwab. So we stopped by the tire store for the coupons and hit the zoo. The weather was perfect! We enjoyed the animals, but the anamatronic dinosaurs stole the show! If you get a chance to see them, we recommend it!

after an ice cream stop at arctic circle we drove west to the Kennecot Bingham Copper Mine. I had never been there before, and neither had the kids. What an amazing site! I'm a nut for museums, so this was a real treat for me.

Lots of random pictures here. The kids were so cute and I just have to share.

After the mine we went back to Sandy for the TNT firework show. Again, BBQ with all the trimmings. Then some fire extinguisher training (Joshua needed help pulling the trigger, but loved putting out a real fire) and an AWESOME firework show. Don't know if you've heard, but aerial fireworks are now legal in Utah. That means we will be selling the "big ones" that rocket into the sky, and let me tell you , they are amazing! It's like stadium of fire in your own back yard.

After the show we drove straight home and hit the sack just after midnight.

Awesome weekend with fun at every turn, and the whole thing for less than $70 and a little gas. Nice!