Highlights from Spring Break

After 17 hours in the car each way and over 2000 miles later we're back from our trip to Utah over Spring Break. That was a long 17 hours, but totally and completely worth it. In no particular order here are some of the great highlights of the week:

Surprising my sister Michelle and her family for my oldest nephew's homecoming from his Mission. This alone was definitely worth the drive! Two years ago when Robert left on his mission our family drove up from Arizona to hear him speak in Church and surprised them then. With his homecoming the first Sunday of Spring Break we couldn't resist to do it again! It was so fun. What really made this time special was all my family being in town except a sister-in-law and 3 nieces/nephew. Robert served a faithful mission and saw miracles wherever he went.

Robert and Abby (This was one of the few pictures I actually got of him)

Ashley's family surprise 20th birthday party. Bret's parents flew into town our last day there to surprise Ashley. We had lunch, went bowling and hung out at Kelli and Ryan's house. (Kelli we missed you.)

Zachary and Kaleb (This is Zachary's "silly" face...looks more on the angry side to me)

Taking the kids to the Draper Temple open house. The camera got left in the car and I was home with a very sick McKenna. But this was a very special experience, especially for Abby. At the end of the tour they got to sit in a sealing room where marriages take place. Abby was glowing and Bret was able to teach her about the importance of marrying the right person, in the right place at the right time in a very impactful and meaningful way. I was sad McKenna couldn't be there too, and I wasn't alone with that feeling. The entire time Abby kept saying, "I wish McKenna was here and could see this, I miss her."

Hiking the Y with my brother Paul, his three kids and Robert. In all our trips to Utah over the years the kids have never done this as we'd either be in town in December with snow covering the mountain or in July when it was way to hot to climb this mountain. Being there in March this year was perfect!

Brooklyn, Abby, McKenna and Lydia. (My girls really miss living by these great cousins)

Robert and Zachary

Amazingly the Lephracon still found us at Grandma's house! As usually he left fun green treats and everyone's very own box of Lucky Charms.

Eating dinner at the Cannon Center with the Craigs. Thanks Lauren! The kids were in heaven with all the choices...but jaws really dropped when they saw 16 different cereal dispensers.

Swimming with cousins.

"Man Night" This included shooting things, eating meat and not talking about their feelings.

Girls lunch: which included eating salads and definitely talking about our feelings.

Little Girls Night at Aunt Michelle's: always a highlight for my girls...fingernails, makeup, hair, yummy treats...nothing could be better.

Another major highlight was our 10 year "engagement" anniversary...but that's for the next post.

We tried to figure out a way we could stay longer...if it wasn't for that school thing I think we could have pulled it off.