Trip to Utah

I can't believe it's been a whole month since I posted last. I guess I should because it took almost an hour just to load my pictures. Everything takes longer than you think it will. We've been so busy with a ward split and new callings to the kids being sick, traveling, trying to decide what doesn't get done when you have laundry to fold, bathrooms to clean, sewing, people to email, an exercise goal, books you are reading, children who need you, and the chance to blog. Unfortunately it's not just putting off one thing, but picking one thing I can do and putting everything else off for at least one more night.

Well here are a few pictures of our fun trip to Utah. The kids and I went so Joe could study. My parents picked us up from the airport and then turned around and left the next day for 3 weeks in Europe. When we went to the airport, I didn't let the kids have anything to drink because I didn't want to worry about loaded diaper, Rook needing to go, etc. So I totally talked up the whole bringing us whatever drink we want and snacks on the plane. Well I still got soaked from Alexa's diaper while we were waiting for our late flight and then the ride was so bumpy they didn't do drink service. My kids were so mad. Alexa was screaming for a drink and nobody could help us. Finally I pulled out all the suckers, candy, anything I could find to try and calm her down. Needless to say, the trip home was easier...and they got spoiled with drinks and snacks.

We had a nice day with some of Joe's family. Tom entertained Rook for at least an hour in the backyard so we could get dinner ready. Rook LOVES Tom. He played baseball, soccer, tag, whatever and then they would take periodic "rests" like the one shown here.


We got to see our friends the Pauls who used to live here but then moved back to Salt Lake for work. Rook and Benjamin are so much alike. Here they are being Darth Vader and Jedi Knight.


After some time in Salt Lake, we flew home and went with Joe to St George to meet my brother Brittyn and his family for some hiking in Zions and a quick visit to the temple. I love this picture of the kids "touching the temple".


We did the longest hike first to the 3 pools, or something like that. We brought our back pack carrier for Alexa and she would NOT ride in it. So she walked about 3 miles and never complained...unless we tried to put her in it or carry her. This hike is only about 1/2 mile to the Weeping Rock. By this time the kids were tired and ready to eat.

While I was in Salt Lake, we tried to create the ultimate cousin experience by spending time with all my siblings and their kids. We did it. And had so much fun, and took no pictures. We did movie night with Rustyn's kids and then Rook played at their house one afternoon. We took Kirstyn's kids to see Dragon and then had dinner with them. We went to church with Brittyn's family and got to see him in action conducting Sacrament Meeting. That was a treat. Plus Becky had a surprise talk...Rook got to go to Sunbeams with Isaac. Then we did FHE the next night with them. With Lauryn, I got to hold Layla 2 times. Alisyn came over several times and my kids got to play with her kids alot. Then right before we left we surprised Corwyn's family at home and my kids jumped on the trampoline, played in the boat, and just had fun being silly. I love my family.

When Alisyn came over, we figured out how to make these car seat covers. She's having her first boy this summer.

It stays on and you can open a flap to see the baby, but don't have to worry about a blanket falling off. Everyone has them down here. It's reversible too.

I made a nursing cover too for Lauryn who had a little girl last month. She is just starting to go out and wanted a cover for church, etc.

Alexa is the best Model.

Then I made these little "tag blankies" for both Lauryn and Alisyn out of the same fabric for their other stuff. Lots of babies LOVE these little blankets with lots of tags around the sides. Unfortunately mine didn't.

Rook's pulling a Vanna White in the background.

Once again, everything I made was super easy. I can teach you how if you want to learn.

I have like 5 more posts coming...but I have to space them because this one would already be archived if I kept going. One of them is our family pictures...finally! It's taken me at least a year to get something scheduled. I LOVE THEM. Angela Salazar did a great job.