One less brace face around this place. Sleeping Beauty is done with braces! She is so excited. I am, too...except, I think she looks too old without them. What a cute, smart girls she is. More grown up every day.
August 30, 2012
August 24, 2012
Learned
Here is a sampling of things I learned on our trip west this summer. Definitely not a full list, but you will get a small picture...
1. I love the mountains.
2. I love the rolling hills.
3. I love the flowers.
4. I love the daffodils.
5. Boom-dee-ah-dah. Okay. You get the picture. But really, I love the mountains and hills and rock formations in Utah. And I wish that where we lived there was some of that. Even just a tiny bit. I miss them terribly. They make me feel all safe and tucked in to my living space. It's so, so flat here. So flat.
6. But we have great sunsets here, and I love them.
7. My bed is nice.
8. My family is awesome. All of them.
9. God is good. We saw so many of His creations that are awe-inspiring. I don't think one can visit Yellowstone, Zion, or Bryce Canyon National Parks and not marvel at His greatness and power. We were so blessed to enjoy it.
10. We have many wonderful friends.
11. If you replace your regular breakfast of a green smoothie with other delicious options, say, all-you-can-eat French Toast, whipped cream, donuts, orange rolls, and muffins, you might gain just a teensy bit (ahem) of weight. But it will be worth it.
12. On that note, it is possible to stuff yourself sick with Kneaders French Toast but still somehow manage to want it again a couple of days later. Oh my heavenly breakfast.
13. Sinus infections and driving up to 8,800 feet above sea level do not mix so well. I wouldn't recommend it. I also wouldn't recommend a migraine at 8800 ft. Or at 100, for that matter. Stupid head.
14. I have the cutest nieces and nephews that ever lived. I really don't think there should be that much cuteness in our extended families. It's really not fair to all the other families out there.
15. I miss my sisters. And my brothers. And my parents. And my in-laws. But mostly, I miss my sisters. I need to live closer to them someday. (Before we're neighbors in heaven, preferably.)
16. I like the summer time.
17. I managed to shop way, way less than I have on any other trip to Utah, yet still came home with almost a suitcase full of new clothes. I guess that's what happens when you have three growing teenagers that are getting better and better at spotting a good deal. And generous grandparents.
18. I need a clone. I really wanted to see so many more people and talk more in depth with some that I did see, but my body just wouldn't let me. I think I am still recovering, two weeks later. All worth it, though.
19. If you manage to make it to a family reunion at the park, it is probably a good idea to not just sit yourself on a chair and not move around. You may not even see some of your cousins and aunts and uncles. Whoops. (Well...see #18.)
20. It is a very, very good idea to send your girls to an amusement park with their aunt and cousins. You get to nap, and they get to ride roller coasters. Perfect.
21. Did I mention my family is awesome?
22. I love that the Church is the same wherever we go. Same doctrine. Same format. Same Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just different people. What a blessing it is in my life.
23. Cafe Rio is still the bomb.
24. I should take more pictures. I took some, and the girls took some, but I think we always forget when we are having fun. Some of our greatest memories...just playing games and hanging out with family, never get recorded. I hope that our siblings will share their pictures.
25. Speaking of pictures. Even when you trespass on really cool property, family pictures are pretty fun.
26. And if you make tie-dyed shirts for a picture, make sure you wear the gloves. Unless, of course, you like having your hands blue for a week. I kind of don't.
27. Once your teenagers reach their tired, grouchy, been on vacation a while selves, they could care less what grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins think of them. It's quite unfortunate. They really can be sweet when they are rested, fed, and kept away from each other.
28. If you think that running downstairs at a hotel in Las Vegas to use the free internet in the cafe is a nice, relaxing idea, you'd be wrong. Unless, of course, you like breathing second-hand smoke and enjoy the constant chorus of slot machines. I kind of don't.
29. If you plan to hike up to the "Y" on the mountain near BYU, be very clear about where you are going. It's not actually a "YMCA" like some may assume. (Ahem..Sleeping Beauty.) (I still smile whenever I think about this mix-up.) :)
30. I need to visit the west more often. Imagine what I would learn if I went to Utah more than once a year?! It would be astounding, I tell you. ;)
1. I love the mountains.
2. I love the rolling hills.
3. I love the flowers.
4. I love the daffodils.
5. Boom-dee-ah-dah. Okay. You get the picture. But really, I love the mountains and hills and rock formations in Utah. And I wish that where we lived there was some of that. Even just a tiny bit. I miss them terribly. They make me feel all safe and tucked in to my living space. It's so, so flat here. So flat.
6. But we have great sunsets here, and I love them.
7. My bed is nice.
8. My family is awesome. All of them.
9. God is good. We saw so many of His creations that are awe-inspiring. I don't think one can visit Yellowstone, Zion, or Bryce Canyon National Parks and not marvel at His greatness and power. We were so blessed to enjoy it.
10. We have many wonderful friends.
11. If you replace your regular breakfast of a green smoothie with other delicious options, say, all-you-can-eat French Toast, whipped cream, donuts, orange rolls, and muffins, you might gain just a teensy bit (ahem) of weight. But it will be worth it.
12. On that note, it is possible to stuff yourself sick with Kneaders French Toast but still somehow manage to want it again a couple of days later. Oh my heavenly breakfast.
13. Sinus infections and driving up to 8,800 feet above sea level do not mix so well. I wouldn't recommend it. I also wouldn't recommend a migraine at 8800 ft. Or at 100, for that matter. Stupid head.
14. I have the cutest nieces and nephews that ever lived. I really don't think there should be that much cuteness in our extended families. It's really not fair to all the other families out there.
15. I miss my sisters. And my brothers. And my parents. And my in-laws. But mostly, I miss my sisters. I need to live closer to them someday. (Before we're neighbors in heaven, preferably.)
16. I like the summer time.
17. I managed to shop way, way less than I have on any other trip to Utah, yet still came home with almost a suitcase full of new clothes. I guess that's what happens when you have three growing teenagers that are getting better and better at spotting a good deal. And generous grandparents.
18. I need a clone. I really wanted to see so many more people and talk more in depth with some that I did see, but my body just wouldn't let me. I think I am still recovering, two weeks later. All worth it, though.
19. If you manage to make it to a family reunion at the park, it is probably a good idea to not just sit yourself on a chair and not move around. You may not even see some of your cousins and aunts and uncles. Whoops. (Well...see #18.)
20. It is a very, very good idea to send your girls to an amusement park with their aunt and cousins. You get to nap, and they get to ride roller coasters. Perfect.
21. Did I mention my family is awesome?
22. I love that the Church is the same wherever we go. Same doctrine. Same format. Same Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just different people. What a blessing it is in my life.
23. Cafe Rio is still the bomb.
24. I should take more pictures. I took some, and the girls took some, but I think we always forget when we are having fun. Some of our greatest memories...just playing games and hanging out with family, never get recorded. I hope that our siblings will share their pictures.
25. Speaking of pictures. Even when you trespass on really cool property, family pictures are pretty fun.
26. And if you make tie-dyed shirts for a picture, make sure you wear the gloves. Unless, of course, you like having your hands blue for a week. I kind of don't.
27. Once your teenagers reach their tired, grouchy, been on vacation a while selves, they could care less what grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins think of them. It's quite unfortunate. They really can be sweet when they are rested, fed, and kept away from each other.
28. If you think that running downstairs at a hotel in Las Vegas to use the free internet in the cafe is a nice, relaxing idea, you'd be wrong. Unless, of course, you like breathing second-hand smoke and enjoy the constant chorus of slot machines. I kind of don't.
29. If you plan to hike up to the "Y" on the mountain near BYU, be very clear about where you are going. It's not actually a "YMCA" like some may assume. (Ahem..Sleeping Beauty.) (I still smile whenever I think about this mix-up.) :)
30. I need to visit the west more often. Imagine what I would learn if I went to Utah more than once a year?! It would be astounding, I tell you. ;)
August 14, 2012
And So It Goes
It's almost impossible to believe that summer is already over. We blinked and it was gone. And speaking of blinking, I think last time I blinked a couple of times, the girls grew! I really can't believe that they are in the 8th and 10th grade.
I think the twinners, especially, have grown a lot this year. (They look so much older to me than they did at this time last year.) When we went to their school physicals, for the first time in many years (or maybe ever), they were the exact same height and weight. When we measured on Grandma's measuring board this summer, it appeared that in a year and a half that both twins had grown nearly three inches. And Cinderella is now just as tall as me! All of them grew out of every pair of jeans they owned over the summer. So, they all got lots of new school clothes. Which was great for them, but bad for my pocket book. (Please ignore all of the dead spots on our lawn. We have a drought this year, and all of it used to look brown like that. It's kind of a miracle any of it is green, actually. Remember, no one here actually waters their lawn...including us. We just pray for rain. For reals. (Yes, people that don't live in the desert pray for rain, too.)) :)
Anyway...so, they've grown. And summer is over. And it's back to another school year. I suppose time flies when we are having fun! (And, we're sure having lots of it. Hopefully some day I will be able to pause in the fun and take time to update you on our summer adventures!)
I think the twinners, especially, have grown a lot this year. (They look so much older to me than they did at this time last year.) When we went to their school physicals, for the first time in many years (or maybe ever), they were the exact same height and weight. When we measured on Grandma's measuring board this summer, it appeared that in a year and a half that both twins had grown nearly three inches. And Cinderella is now just as tall as me! All of them grew out of every pair of jeans they owned over the summer. So, they all got lots of new school clothes. Which was great for them, but bad for my pocket book. (Please ignore all of the dead spots on our lawn. We have a drought this year, and all of it used to look brown like that. It's kind of a miracle any of it is green, actually. Remember, no one here actually waters their lawn...including us. We just pray for rain. For reals. (Yes, people that don't live in the desert pray for rain, too.)) :)
August 2, 2012
Some "Low Key" Fun
We left Idaho after our visit to Yellowstone, and stopped on the way down to visit several people. First stop was my Grandma in Pocatello. The girls marveled at her collection of Nativity Sets. They really are beautiful, and since it was July, she only had a few of her extensive collection out on display.
Next stop was at Arby's to visit our friends that moved west a couple of years ago. It was so fun to see them again, even if it for a very brief while, and in a grimy restaurant. Their girls are adorable, and growing up so fast.
We then settled back into my aunt and uncle, D and D's house. They are the most gracious hosts. I think I took a nap while they fed my family. It had already been a long day for me. They even found me a basement room in their home and blocked out the window so it would be a dark resting place for me. I have such a wonderful extended family! The few days we spend there I was able to rest and gear up for more adventures, and that was so, so nice.
That evening, we met an old friend of King's for ice cream. Nielsen's Frozen Custard, actually, which shouldn't be called ice cream, it's too yummy. It was fun to meet their little girl for the first time. She was darling, and our girls were in love.
Next stop was at Arby's to visit our friends that moved west a couple of years ago. It was so fun to see them again, even if it for a very brief while, and in a grimy restaurant. Their girls are adorable, and growing up so fast.
Then it was a quick stop to see some more friends that now live in Chicago, but were also visiting Utah. It was so great to catch up for a little bit. And, again, their kids are growing so much. When I see these little ones only once a year, I feel like I am living in a time warp, because surely, I am not getting older so quickly....right?
That evening, we met an old friend of King's for ice cream. Nielsen's Frozen Custard, actually, which shouldn't be called ice cream, it's too yummy. It was fun to meet their little girl for the first time. She was darling, and our girls were in love.
The next couple of days we sort of chilled. Well, I did. My sister, K, and her kids were staying at D and D's house as well, and she took my girls to Lagoon with her and I stayed home to sleep and rest. King went flying with his friend Charlton, who has a small plane. We met up with my friend from college and her girls at the new mall in SLC, City Creek Center.
We had some time to just hang out with the ladies on my side of the family. It was a great time. Good food, good talk, delicious pie for dessert. And seriously, I think my belly button still hurts from laughing so hard. ;)
King and I also enjoyed a nice dinner out with Mom and Dad, some aunts and uncles and a concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Pioneer Memorial Concert. It was fantastic. I only wish we could have convinced the girls that it was a good way to spend their time. But, roller coasters called, and Mom and Dad were glad to fill in for our girls.
August 1, 2012
Yellowstone
We flew into Las Vegas and Grandma and Grandpa picked us up. We headed straight for St. George and Em's house to bed. The next day, we went to church with half our cousins and then celebrated our cousin, E's, birthday before we headed to Kaysville to stay a night with D & D.
 |
| The four oldest grandkids. |
We enjoyed our few days with the J family. Lots of laughing and talking and playing games and great food. They are the best.
And we had a lovely time on our day in Yellowstone.
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