We had the pleasure of of driving to visit family and friends in Utah over our children’s week long break. K says that a week wasn’t long enough and that we should go again for Christmas and that Ruby finally really really likes her. I think that is a good sign we had a terrific trip. A huge thank you to our brother & sister-in-law for hosting us two years in a row! and to my parents for staying with our naughty puppies while we were away.
I did a horrible job taking pictures so you’ll just have to trust me that:
1.) We had an easy drive out on Saturday thanks to Disney+
2.) We loved being there for Thanksgiving dinner with the Smiths on Sunday
3.) I actually kept my cool about how much screen time my kids were having on vacation and how late they were going to bed. Yes, I am super proud about it!
4.) Bowling is even more fun with cousins — I actually took pictures of that
5.) Our children are old enough to go play at the park down the street now while I go grocery shopping with my sister-in-law and Hubby and his brother-in-law put sod down in their backyard before the snow came in
6.) I got to eat lunch with my college roommate, Shannon, and her daughter, K, at 6 Sisters Cafe and both the company and the food were great
7.) Our immediate family met my mission friend, Emily, and her family at Mo Bettah’s to eat dinner together and catch up
8.) One night we put the kids to bed early so us grown ups could watch Hobbs & Shaw together and it was just what I expected and I loved it
9.) Another night all the grown up Smiths dropped off our children to have a huge play date with the older cousins babysitting the younger ones & then went over to the P family’s house for playing reverse charades (my new favorite party game), 5 Things and Catchphrase. On the way we stopped at the Giving Machines in Orem and picked out chickens per my mom's request, food, hygiene kits, art supplies, a water purifier and a well. I love how it really makes the children think and makes charity more personal to all of us.
10.) a large group of us took cousins to Labyrinth which had many little escape rooms with different themes for the children to try. We spent two hours and most everyone would have been willing to stay longer but taking over a huge section of the local In & Out Burger cheered them up really well
11.) We got to enjoy eating Thanksgiving dinner again at the P’s house and made it up to Great Grandma W’s house in time for dessert and to see lots of Hubby’s aunts, uncles, and cousins that we haven’t seen for a long time. I have proof of this one too — Hubby’s Aunt Kate took a picture of Carlita and I together because we had matching clothes!
12.) Our children loved having sleepovers with their cousins! It was so hard to say good-bye!
13.) Our friends Eric & Alyssa fed us a wonderful breakfast complete with aebleskivers and wild boar E had hunted in Texas with A’s brothers before we set out for home. There was lots of snow so we had to go slow — sometimes 45mph on the interstate— and were grateful for our all wheel drive mini van and our iPad full of more Disney+ stuff to watch! I don’t think the kids would have survived without that set up!
We are thankful we could spend this wonderful holiday with family and friends this year!
P.S. As we were driving around Utah we found a great podcast the entire family enjoyed called Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids.
P.P.S. M had the Friday before the week of Thanksgiving off of school as well so she and I went and saw the Monet exhibit at the Denver Art Museum and loved it. We highly recommend taking a day to go see it!
P.P.S. M had the Friday before the week of Thanksgiving off of school as well so she and I went and saw the Monet exhibit at the Denver Art Museum and loved it. We highly recommend taking a day to go see it!
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