Conference is now over for another 6 months and our little family is making our way home from a great weekend.
Because we were on harvest break we wanted to doing something a little extra special and a trip to Utah seemed to fit best. I personally love to visit Utah because of nostalgic reasons and also because we have so many people we love to see and visit with. Stephen likes that part but isn’t a fan of traffic and city life so much, so he was very happy that his brother John threw their bikes (along with Mason’s) in the back of his truck for a ride at Yellow Fork Canyon. He said it was a blast, a great workout going up with a sweet payback coming down. He said he had to work hard to keep up with Mason. John said Mason is as skilled as any adult he has ridden with – that made Mason feel cool.
Michelle P took the rest of us on a fun afternoon to Gardenier’s Village to see the witches. It really got us in a festive mood and gave us fun ideas for home decorations. I love the witch riding the bike over the pond – all of the witches were just so clever! It was UEA in Utah this weekend, which brought out the masses, especially at the Village. We had to park far away, but it really was worth it all (crowd and walk). After visiting the witches we went to Jumping Jacks – a fun bouncy toy place. All of the children loved it from Lexi to JT.
That evening we were able to fit our traditional Friday date in – this week to Cafe Rio! Yummy! Then John and Stephen encouraged Michelle and I to go do a little shopping – imagine that… 🙂 I had fun finding some fun items and Michelle resisted her temptations well.
Saturday we stopped by IKEA (love that store) on our way to visit the Baldwin children and Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin. We couldn’t believe how tall Jed has become, how much facial hair Dallen had grown, how much money Bridget made babysitting, and how fun Abby’s toy room was! It was a VERY QUICK stop, considering we listened to conference and then said good-bye, but great to see everyone. I wish I would have taken our camera in! Lex got to stay a little longer to go shopping with Grandma and Bridget! They met Haley, JT, and I at Jordan Landing where JT had his first shoplifting experience. He threw a bottle of shoe polish in Haley’s bag – we realized the problem when we weren’t too far away. Lex and Haley ran in back in to the store for him.
Stephen went to the Priesthood session with John and then we had a delicious ice cream party!
Today we made our way over to the Babcock home where we were greeted with happy smiles and cute little conference care bags from aunt Michelle B. Kind of funny that on the way to their house Olivia wondered if Aunt Michelle had crayons…well Aunt Michelle got had her covered in that department. Crayons, Conference Packet, and Treats! Livia settled right on Ashely’s lap and we enjoyed conference and the wonderful food for lunch. Ashley made Lily a couple of CDs making her feel special and Jake and Mason had fun teasing Emily and Lex. My sister really makes me giggle – notice the picture of her awesome shoes, usually worn by Jake. She is also just so fun to be around – it would really be great to live close enough to her to go to lunch once in a while. Stephen and Brian loaded up the bunk beds we are toting home for JT and Mason’s room. It has been an adventure in the rain – thank heaven’s for tarp and new trailer lights!
As we listened to conference (particularly Elder Bednar, President Erying, and President Monson) and drove out of the city my heart swelled in gratitude for such a wonderful family – Baldwins and Parkers wherever they may be and who you are, young and old alike, blood relative, and in-law too! Lexi has been crying in the back seat because we have to go home now, and I have come to realize how much of a blessing our good family is to each of us. We have been abundantly blessed with amazing examples of faith, love, and goodness. We are normal families – everything doesn’t always go perfect and minor character flaws are here to keep us learning, trying to be patient, and refining ourselves, but when I stop to look at the grand eternal perspective of things I feel content and satisfied with the prospect of my Eternal Family. In fact, my testimony has been strengthened with the wisdom and understanding of this truth this weekend. We have been learning about Eternal Families in primary this year too- a comforting message.
Comments:
Anne said…
How fun! Wish we could have been in 10 places at once this weekend. Cute photos and fun memories. Hope you get home safe and enjoy the rest of your potato harvest break.
Sunday, October 04, 2009 9:25:23 PM
michelle said…
Thanks for the fun times. I love the photo’s. It was fun spending some time with you.
Monday, October 05, 2009 8:32:56 AM
Trevin and Stephanie said…
That looks like a blast! I love Gardener’s Village in the fall. The leaves down there are spectacular and the company looks great too. Family is a great thing.
Monday, October 05, 2009 6:14:14 PM
Michelle said…
We loved having you stop by – even if it was only for a short time. You need to stay longer next time. We loved seeing your cute family. Loved seeing all the great pictures! Your family always knows how to make the most of their time and in doing fun things together. The memories – priceless! I love you!
Friday, October 16, 2009 10:24:19 PM