My dad had business in Idaho and Utah last week and my mom was going to fly from Denver to meet him. I talked my mom into coming to Colorado and we'd drive to Utah together! Aaron stayed here and slaved away on homework while the boys and I enjoyed seeing family and friends.
My brother and his family live in in Fruita, just outside of Grand Junction, so we drove there on Monday and spent the day with them. I fell in love with Fruita! It's the cutest town.
Hanging out with cousins is the best.
My mom helped us can peaches!
We toured Steele's classroom and left a Spanish note for his students. Our FHE activity was a hike that didn't last long because Eli was standing in an ant hill and got bit and didn't calm down. Poor kid!
Next time we go back we want to explore the dinosaur museum!
We left early Tuesday morning for Utah to stay with Angela and her family.
After arriving in Utah, we spent a few hours resting and then Angela and I hopped in the car with our babies to go to Rexburg. Eli and Khloe hung out with my mom. We haven't been back to BYU-Idaho since we graduated and we wanted to see campus. We stopped in Lewiston and said hi to one of our favorite roommates! :)
The Rexburg temple is gorgeous! We spotted it from the hill right as we drove into Rexburg.
We spent the night with cousins we have living there and then scheduled a campus tour of Wednesday morning. Campus has grown so much! BYU-Idaho will always have a special place in our hearts. We loved going to college there!
I got teary-eyed as we left campus. The four years we spent there were full of so many questions and concerns - what to major in, where to live, who to date, where to go after college, etc. etc. As we walked around campus, I took a deep breath and felt grateful for how everything has turned out. I have a feeling life will be like that once we die. We'll look back and realize how perfectly everything works out when we trust Heavenly Father and the plan He has for us.
On the way back to Utah, we stopped in Idaho Falls and I was able to see one of my dear friends I met in Maryland is that currently battling cancer. She's living with her parents in Idaho who are helping with her two little boys as her husband works in Alaska. She's so optimistic and we continue to pray for her lots. It was a quick visit that was good for my soul.
We got back to Utah just in time to grab our swimming suits and head to Cowabunga Bay for my brother-in-laws' work party that included pizza and entrance to the park. Thanks for the tickets, Mike!
Thursday we went to the Curiosity Museum at Thanksgiving Point and the best part was the kids were encouraged to touch everything. They were entertained for hours.
After the museum, the boys and I headed to Prove to visit Angelica. (How did we not get a picture?!) My BFF lives in Utah now and I love having her closer!
After our Provo visit, we went to Spanish Fork to hang out with the Volk clan. ALL of Aaron's siblings live there with their families!
Babies and mommas and swings.
Again, more cousin time!
Can you believe he's still smiling even after all the time he spent in the car?!
Friday morning we visited Temple Square. Whenever we see a temple, Eli says, "Hi, Moroni!" :)
Friday evening we went to a wedding reception for some church friends from Kansas. Kansas friends automatically feel like family. I forgot how much I love a good dance party!! We danced the night away.
After the reception, we celebrated Karlie's birthday eve with ice cream at Smith's. Angela always talks about the manager at Smith's and he was even nicer than I imaged. And he gave us all free ice and played the trumpet!
We celebrated Karlie's birthday on Saturday morning with donuts and presents and balloons. Happy Birthday sweet Karlie! Thanks for inviting us to your 1st birthday!
We arrived back in Fruita Saturday afternoon in time for the Peach Festival! Eli's favorite part was riding in a school bus for the first time to the park. We ate peach everything.
Eli made me laugh when he showed spiderman his moves. Today Eli said to me, "Mom, I'm Bateman." So the love of super heroes beings!
Sunday we went to church with Steele and then drove to Alex's for a family dinner. We've had Sunday dinner with family for THREE weeks in a row!! Aaron joined us for dinner in Denver and then we all drove back home. We missed Aaron being with us! We arrived home to a clean house, groceries in the refrigerator so I didn't have to go grocery shopping on Monday and little presents. The boys got a new little car and Aaron gave me flowers, chocolates and a card. We love him!
Bye Utah! We love being your neighboring state! See you at Christmas! Or maybe before then if Aaron runs a half marathon in October! XOXO
