We packed up our bags and headed out for what has become our "Annual July Utah Trip." We had a great time reconnecting with family and we were even able to bump into a few friends. We didn't get in nearly as much visiting as we would have liked to, but as always, better luck next time.
We started out the trip on Saturday morning and drove straight through instead of stopping in Elko to stay the night, like we have in the past. It caused us all a major case of numb-bum, but we made it just fine. We packed alot in both figuratively and literally speaking....visits with Grandma Rowene and Grandpa Billy...visits with Grandma Shawny and her kids at home....quick hellos to our friends from Grandma and Grandpa's ward, where we lived for a few months....an appt. for new glasses....our favorite "monster" car wash (Supersonic)....J-Dawg's...shopping at Deseret Book and the Distribution Center....the opening of Cousin Nate's mission call....lots of playing with cousins....the flu mulitplied by4...."Singin' in the Rain"....Fiesta Days Parade....picnic at the reservoir...a Fiesta Days Rodeo....a service project with the Vest Family....4 days in Park City....lots of playing with the Vest cousins....hiking around Bridal Veil Falls...BBQ at Emily and Stephen's house....lots of swimming....hiking to Ensign Peak....visiting the cemetery where President Hinckley and many other prophets and prominent church leaders are buried....Gabe's Mission Farewell...playing with all the Lee cousins....Good-bye to Gabe....a toe painting session with Meg :)....a trip to Fairview to see the Blaine and Alyson Lee's....more school shopping....Playing with the Wride cousins....swimming at Scera Pool with Chad and Jenn's family for his work party....It was a great trip and left us with pangs to be closer to family.
Abby and the rest of the kids got to wear ponchos for the "Singin' in the Rain" production because they had real water coming from the ceiling.
We had a bounce contest and Grandma and Grandpa's.
Aaron wasn't so sure about it.
Okay, he really didn't like it.
I think it was a tie between McKenzie and Sara. I pulled out my camera too late and didn't get Kenz.
I love Utah for the mountains and the "at homeness" I feel when I am there. Sometimes I miss feeling "normal." Where we live, I'm often asked about our family size, my extra layers of clothing, our commitments on Sundays, what I do and don't drink, etc. Most of my daily associations through the kids' school, and dance, etc. are not with people who share my beliefs. While it can be great for gospel sharing and letting people know about our beliefs, sometimes it's nice to go somewhere where people just simply understand. Even if they don't quite live or believe the same, they just seem to get it. But, the real reason I love and miss Utah is because of the the people there that I feel most connected to....family!
We started out the trip on Saturday morning and drove straight through instead of stopping in Elko to stay the night, like we have in the past. It caused us all a major case of numb-bum, but we made it just fine. We packed alot in both figuratively and literally speaking....visits with Grandma Rowene and Grandpa Billy...visits with Grandma Shawny and her kids at home....quick hellos to our friends from Grandma and Grandpa's ward, where we lived for a few months....an appt. for new glasses....our favorite "monster" car wash (Supersonic)....J-Dawg's...shopping at Deseret Book and the Distribution Center....the opening of Cousin Nate's mission call....lots of playing with cousins....the flu mulitplied by4...."Singin' in the Rain"....Fiesta Days Parade....picnic at the reservoir...a Fiesta Days Rodeo....a service project with the Vest Family....4 days in Park City....lots of playing with the Vest cousins....hiking around Bridal Veil Falls...BBQ at Emily and Stephen's house....lots of swimming....hiking to Ensign Peak....visiting the cemetery where President Hinckley and many other prophets and prominent church leaders are buried....Gabe's Mission Farewell...playing with all the Lee cousins....Good-bye to Gabe....a toe painting session with Meg :)....a trip to Fairview to see the Blaine and Alyson Lee's....more school shopping....Playing with the Wride cousins....swimming at Scera Pool with Chad and Jenn's family for his work party....It was a great trip and left us with pangs to be closer to family.
Abby and the rest of the kids got to wear ponchos for the "Singin' in the Rain" production because they had real water coming from the ceiling.
We had a bounce contest and Grandma and Grandpa's.
Aaron wasn't so sure about it.
Okay, he really didn't like it.
I think it was a tie between McKenzie and Sara. I pulled out my camera too late and didn't get Kenz.
I love Utah for the mountains and the "at homeness" I feel when I am there. Sometimes I miss feeling "normal." Where we live, I'm often asked about our family size, my extra layers of clothing, our commitments on Sundays, what I do and don't drink, etc. Most of my daily associations through the kids' school, and dance, etc. are not with people who share my beliefs. While it can be great for gospel sharing and letting people know about our beliefs, sometimes it's nice to go somewhere where people just simply understand. Even if they don't quite live or believe the same, they just seem to get it. But, the real reason I love and miss Utah is because of the the people there that I feel most connected to....family!
4 comments:
It looks like you had a great trip!! We also went to the rodeo, Singing in the Rain, and the reservoir. Too bad we didn't run into you. :(
I remember when we lived in AZ it always felt SO good to see the mountains as we drove into the valley. It always made me feel at home. It's crazy now that we live in CO I feel that way when we come over the Rockies to our new home here. It's great to be in a place I can finally call home even if it isn't around family. Plus it's nice that it only takes 7 1/2 hours to get back to family! :)
Those pictures of Bosty are so funny. It is totally him! I love to see the he and Aaron havinag such a great time together. They are total joy for Dad and I. Cute kids!
We loved seeing you guys! I'm glad you had a great vacation, and after a trip to Priest Lake I can definitely understand the numb bum thing.
Oh Amy, that looks like it was a great trip. Now don't get too many ideas about heading back to the valley, we would miss you guys terribly. There is something about those mountains, they kind of caught my breath in the first picture. Plus, I love a good rodeo, I grew up in a ranching family and for some reason, the smell of manure reminds me of home.
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