Happy New Year & A Trip to Utah

A few days after Christmas we decided to drive to Utah to spend some time with family.  As the day approached, I'll be honest that I was dreading it.  I did not want to make the long drive, I did not want to pull the kids away from their new presents and quite frankly, I did not feel like being ambitious and a trip to Utah sounded like a lot of work.

When I told everyone that I didn't want to make the drive, the kids cried and Romney laughed at me.  He basically told me that I certainly had "veto power" over our trip if I wanted.  He said that he would support me in whatever I chose, (what a nice guy!)  In the end, I decided to give in and we loaded the car. The next day we took off for Utah.  We left at 11:00 AM instead of 7:00 AM as we had originally planned.  (We are not very good at road trips).

I am glad that no one listened to me.  We had a great time.

The Williams

Lauren & Dwight playing and singing on the piano.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

We went to dinner with our parents on New Year's to an amazing restaurant called Asian Star.  Delicious!!  This is the third New Year's Eve we have gone to dinner with both sets and it is a tradition we hope to continue.  (Nan wasn't feeling well, so she  didn't come).  My brother and his girlfriend Sarah joined us, but left before we took the pic.

We welcomed the New Year's with some dear friends.  We all went to bed at 3:00 AM.  Ouch!

THE THOMPSONS
 & NEW YEAR'S DAY

It is a New Year's Day Southern Tradition in our family to eat Black Eyed Peas & Rice.  This tradition is supposed to bring good luck for the whole year.  My aunt Teresa made a huge pot and we had a Hop'n John party.

Playing Games with My Family

My family loves to play games.  Last year we experienced a torture-fest also known as Farkle, a game that involves disgusting drinks and food for the loser.  This year we all were too tired for something so aggressive, so we settled on the games "Signs" and "Moffia."  They were perfect games for our huge group.  It was so fun and we laughed until it hurt.

My mom making chocolate chip cookies with the cute girl cousins.

One afternoon we went to a Nickel Arcade with my brothers Christian, McCormack, and my brother-in-law Peter.  The kids loved it!!

***

We had a really great trip.  We loved seeing our family and getting time with people we adore.  The highlight by far, was that my brother Christian decided to get married to his girlfriend Sarah Olsen.  We met her for the first time and we gave the biggest thumbs up we could.  She is a great girl and we are thrilled that they found each other.  They are a perfect couple and there is no doubt that they will have a great marriage and a very happy life together.

Congratulations Christian and Sarah!!

They are getting married in March....so it looks like another Utah road trip is in our future!!!  (I don't think I will be complaining about this one!!)

Happy New Year!

A Whirlwind Trip to Utah

I got to go to Salt Lake City for the weekend...at least I think I was there...?  It went by so fast.  I arrived late Friday afternoon, drove to Logan on Friday night for my cousin's  Saturday wedding, raced
back to SLC for the evening reception and then flew home Sunday.

Whew, that was kind of a blur.

The leaves were starting to change.  It was a beautiful weekend.  This view of Mt. Olympus always takes my breath away.

My cousin Riley got married.  He has waited a long time to meet this amazing girl Georgann.  I knew that I had to be there to celebrate.  Thank you Romney for taking over all the craziness of our family's schedule, so I could leave and thoroughly enjoy a little break.

My parents look pretty freaking amazing.  I am hopeful that I age as well as they do.

My darling parents with my Dad's aunt Lucy.  She was my late Grandma Margie's dear sister.  My grandma passed away from cancer in 1994.  We realized that if she were still alive, she would be 91.  All grandparents on both sides of my family have passed away and at events like the past two weddings, we realize how much they are still sorely missed.

***

My dad grew up in Logan, Utah surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and dozens of cousins.  I have countless memories of him recounting the stories of his childhood and the sweet experiences he had that seemed to be taken right out of the movie "A Christmas Story."  Sometimes I picture him as Ralphie.

One of the most retold stories of his youth was when he rescued a childhood friend who slipped and fell into the fast moving canal.  My dad was five years old and his friend Paul was 4.  Paul slipped into the canal and thanks to my dad's quick instincts, he ran and got help.  Paul's lifeless body was pulled out several blocks away, but the ambulance was able to resuscitate him.  My dad was labeled a hero and his story was even mentioned in the Salt Lake Newspaper.

I was so looking forward to being in Logan with him so that we could take pictures in front of these "famous" places.

The place where "Paul Fell in the Water."

This was his elementary school.

After a pleasant afternoon in Logan, and a few hours getting a peek at my sister Kara's new life in Ogden, we all sped to Salt Lake City for the reception and enjoyed a perfect evening with family and good food.

Kara, Savanna, Alecia and Christian

The weekend was great.  Even though I am still quite gimpy with my "old lady" back pains, we jam packed a lot into those few days.  We ate plenty of delicious food and I got my fill of perfectly blended Diet Coke refills with pellet ice.  YUM!!

Plus, I am reminded again not only how much I adore my family, but also how blessed I am to come home to my own.  I am blessed.

Summer Trip to Utah 2011

A couple of weeks ago, the kids and I packed up the van and headed to Utah for our summer trip.  Romney flew in to SLC the following day.  It was so great to be surrounded by the people we love most.  Certainly a good reminder that family is where it is at.

I was able to attend my 20-year high school reunion.  Weird...does this mean that I am an adult??  After seeing some of those old people at my reunion, I guess the answer is yes. I had an amazing time with some of dearest friends.  My stomach still hurts from all the laughing.  I'll post pics and details later.

We were able to spend tons of quality time with family.  One night Nan planned an evening in the mountains in one of our favorite places, Millcreek Canyon.

Evening up Millcreek Canyon

Swimming Party with the Williams

Nan also planned a swimming party and all of Romney's siblings were able to attend.  Even John and Jodie timed a last minute business trip to SLC so that they could be there.

 

Dinner with the Thompsons

We also made sure to stop at some of our favorite yummy destinations with some of our favorite people.

Christian teaching my Dad how to be "Mini Man."

Favorite Local Gas Station Dave's Shop n' Go

This little gas station sits around the corner from our home in SLC.  They have the best soft serve frozen yogurt and plenty of Dunford Donuts.  We have lots of memories in this place!

A Night at Sugarhouse Park with my Brother Christian

A few years ago, my darling brother Christian organized a family get together at a local park.  He brought a bat and a bag full of balls.  We each took a turn hitting 15 pitches while the others gathered up the balls.  We had such a great time.  We loved it so much that we have tried to make it a summer tradition. This year was no different.  The evening was so beautiful.  Have I mentioned how much I LOVE summer nights in Utah?

Sophie demonstrating her nearly perfect cartwheels.  I love how proud she is of herself!

 Silver Lake up Big Cottonwood Canyon

One of our favorite ways to enjoy the spectacular mountains in Utah is to take an easy hike/walk around Silver Lake up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  This place is so amazing.  I never get sick of it.  The smells are refreshing and the air is rejuvenating.  Some of my siblings joined us and we had a great time.

 

 

 

Perfect Evening at Temple Square

On one of our last nights in Utah, we drove down to Temple Square with my parents and McCormack.  It was a such a perfect way to end our trip.  The setting was amazing and the new temple displays in the Visitor's Center were well worth the trip.

Sorry for the overload of photos.  It was such a great trip and countless memories were made.  Thank you family for making time for us.  We love you!!!!