In our final week in Utah, we tried to cram in as much time with family as possible. Colleen came over with the kids one afternoon, to just hang out and play. Then Pete, who was working in Provo that day, came over after work and we had dinner together. Very casual, it was pizza eaten on the front lawn, until the automatic sprinklers came on and chased us into the house! But any time with cousins is a good time, according to the kids.
Not sure how much fun Elle is having here, however, but Alexandra was laughing nonstop!
I really do miss having this nice front yard for the kids to play in. Even if the sprinklers did surprise us on more than one occasion.
Pete and Colleen stayed for scriptures an prayer as well. Which was really fun. I like the specialness of doing regular things with family we don’t see very often.
On our last Friday, we got to see them again. Well, Pete and the kids. He dropped them off at our house in the morning, and then came and got them in the afternoon. Colleen and George had gone to North Carolina to visit her grandma and he needed to work and take care of their flooded basement. yuck!
That evening we went to Danny and Somer’s for dinner. It was our first time seeing their new house, other than the Googlemap’s streetview! haha. We got the grand tour, and Johnny and Alexandra had a pretty good time out in their backyard. And in the garage, which the kids all thought was the coolest part of the house. Their reactions to it really surprised Danny. Who knew a garage could be so fascinating? 🙂
The food was really good, and the conversation was even better. The kids enjoyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in Danny’s home theater, complete with comfy recliners, as well. On the way home, Chris said to me “That was a really nice evening. I am so glad I came.” Compliments don’t get better than that, guys! Good on ya!
On the way to the freeway from their house, we decided to stop at a Walmart to pick up a couple more pieces of luggage. And guess what we passed on the way there? Stampin’ Up!’s headquarters! The mother ship! Too bad they were closed, or I would have gone in and begged for a short tour! heehee.
We also saw Steven and Cristie one more time, and then just Cristie one final time. She came over the very last night we were in Utah and graciously helped us clean out the fridge and cupboards of their contents. No sense throwing all that stuff out, right? They have such a great family, too. I am so happy my kids love all their cousins. I much prefer them to be sad we have to say goodbye, than happy that we don’t have to see them anymore! 🙂
Oh, and what does luggage for 7 people who have been shopping nonstop in Utah for 4 weeks look like? This.
Although there is even one more large suitcase missing from this photo. But it does contain all the carry ons. Chris’ brother, Jake, had to come over in his Subaru, fill it up to the brim, including the front seat, and we barely fit it all in. We pulled up the curb at the airport, waved down TWO skycaps, and had them unload it all and transport it for us to the check in area. Best money we ever spent!
Goodbye Utah! Goodbye, Family! Thank you for a wonderful visit and we hope to see you again soon!