Saturday June 25 I got up early and started packing up. Mandi’s family always stays till Sunday afternoon, but I had to get on with my trip. So after some yummy breakfast and lots of goodbyes and sadness, the kids and I headed out.
It was a beautiful drive back to Utah. We camped in Wyoming and we came back a different way than we went. It was so pretty going through the canyon and paralleling a rushing river. So nice!
We made it to Mandi’s house a bit before noon. Having no one at her house and a couple of pets that needed tending, I figure it was best to stop there and shower everyone and do a couple loads of laundry before heading to Cathy’s house. About 3 we headed to Cathy’s and the fun times began. All of Cathy’s older kids were there (minus her oldest) and they jumped right in to playing with my kids. Cathy’s husband Russ enjoyed the kids immensely. It was fun to watch them all wrestle and be silly.
[Russ and the kids]
Since the kids weren’t too wiped out from the camping trip and I felt as though I still had my sanity, Cathy and I took the kids to Torry’s house for Hunter’s first birthday party. I’m so glad we did. I was a little unsure of our ability to make it but it turned out perfect. Cathy and I chatted the whole way there and back so that was nice. Then I was able to be photographer for Torry. That was super fun!
[Scott’s uncle and Afton]
[Ahhh, to be a kid again!]
[All the kids LOVED the slide!]
[Birthday boy and his daddy]
After a late night of water sliding, cake eating, marshmallow roasting and all around good fun, we got the kids to bed and Cathy and I stayed up even later!
Church wasn’t till 11 so that was nice to be a little lazy in the morning. We walked to church. It was close and such a nice day. Keri would not go to nursery but the other kids went to primary and had a GREAT time. We lazed around the rest of Sunday. After I put the little kids to bed the bigger kids stayed up and we saw MegaMind. I didn’t like it so much but the kids LOVED it.
Monday was a relaxing morning. Cathy had some work to do and the kids and I did some laundry and cleaning. It was nice to relax a bit. Once Cathy was done we loaded everyone up and went to a rec center to swim and have fun. After dinner and putting little kids to bed, the big kids watched Tangled again. Love that movie!!
Tuesday we had decided to go the temple together. I have never gone inside the Salt Lake Temple and I’ve always wanted to. I had talked to Cathy about it before and we planned it. We left the kids at home and made a day of it. First we went to D.I. to get Jaime a new pair of shoes since she lost hers at camp. Then we went out to lunch with Cathy’s oldest son and his wife, Mitchel and Mikal. That was so fun to see him and enjoy a yummy lunch. After lunch we headed to the temple. Absolute best experience of my life. To see in person all the hard work and dedication that went into that temple was amazing. I was so overwhelmed. So glad I went!!
[Isn’t this table amazing?? We could fit everyone for every meal!]
That night we watched The Ultimate Gift. I had seen it before quite a few years ago but couldn’t remember it entirely. It is such a good movie.
Wednesday morning I packed like a mad dog and tried to get out of Cathy’s house by 8am but couldn’t do it! We were suppose to meet Mandi and her family at the Zoo. We finally pulled out of her house at 9am. Mandi was so patient with me! I was suppose to meet her at 7:30. Then I moved it to 8, then 8:30. Finally I told her to go on without me! I’d catch up.
[This thing kept my kids busy for hours!]
We had SO MUCH FUN with Cathy. It’s nice that her kids love my kids and are so willing to play with them. Jaime got spoiled! She had a portrait drawn of her by Brittany and she learned to swing dance with Jordan. She got some new dresses and clothes from Tory and Kelsie parted with some of her purses to the delight of all my children.
Cathy and I had some good times catching up. Lots of laughing and maybe even a few tears. Thanks Cathy! We had such a good time. Thanks for your love and kindness. We love you guys!!
[Our own little spot. So nice!]
OK, so I stopped reading at “Wyoming” because Wyoming is SO CLOSE TO COLORADO!!! Just kidding. Sounds like you guys had a ton of fun on your trip. They are all growing up way too fast.