Utah

This post has been long past due, I know. You see the problem was that we took our big fun trip to Utah and got everything all ready to go the night before we left. Everything was packed in the car, the camera batteries were in the charger, the trip snacks and movies were all in their place in the car, etc. We got up and left by 5:30 am but after we were well on our way we realized that we had the camera but we forgot the battery which was still in the charger at home. A new battery was around $70.00 so we opted for $7.99 for two disposable cameras. Not the same quality, but
hey they are pictures! The delay has been remembering to take the film to be developed and waiting for Rich to put the pictures on the computer from the CD, something I have no clue how to do. I know I should learn, I'm sure it's easy, but that is Rich's area and I like him to do it. So finally I am able to post something!

We planed this trip to Utah because we had tickets the General Conference on Saturday morning, the 4th, and Jeremy had a doctor appointment at Primary Children's Medical Center on the 14th. It would be a long time to take advantage of the hospitality of my sister and her family but we love being with them and the three little ones live to see "the cousins" any chance they get.

We got up to Lehi Friday afternoon and the kids were so excited to play. We also had a special treat and got to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa (my Dad and Step-Mom) who were there watching Wendy and Matt's (my sis and her husband) kids while they were on a cruise. (Lucky!)

Saturday morning Rich, the biggest two boys and I went to the morning session of General Conference. It was amazing! The Conference Center is huge and so beautiful. We went back Tuesday with all of the kids to tour it which is what these first two pictures are from. They don't do it justice. But back to Saturday... General Conference, for those of you who don't know, is when the Prophet, President Monson, the Apostles and other General Authorities in our church speak to the church as a whole. The Conference Center itself holds something like 21,000 people and

then it is also broadcast to the rest of the world on satellite stations and to church buildings so everyone can see it. All of the talks were wonderful and it was so neat to know that we were in the same room, a very big room, but still the same room as the Prophet of God. My favorite part was just before it starts and everyone is visiting so there's a low hum of 21,000 people quietly talking while the General Authorities and others find their seats. Then as the Prophet walks in a hush falls over the room and everyone stands while he walks in to take his seat. There is such a strong feeling of the Spirit there it brings a tear to your eye. Yes, even to Rich's eye.

Sunday we watched the other sessions of Conference on TV at Wendy's then we got to see Jeff and Sarah (Step-bro and his wife) that afternoon. Matt and Wendy got home that night from an amazing trip and Dad and Renetta left Monday morning to fly home. Whew, a busy weekend!

(Our family in front of the Salt Lake Temple)

The trip was full of visits to people we haven't seen for a long time and playing tourist. We toured Welfare Square in Salt Lake which is where the church makes all of the food and emergency supplies to aid people all over the world in poverty and in the case of natural disasters. We toured the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and Temple Square.

(My cute Jeremy)

It was pretty chilly but everyone enjoyed it. There were flowers all over Temple Square so it looked very "springy".



We visited many old friends, some who we haven't seen for 15 years. We saw Ted Jiminez, Trisha McQueen and her cute family, the Hickens, and the Gutkes who were our next store neighbors and great friends for years when we lived in Orem. Their oldest son, Nathan, is a year younger than Gage and although they were buddies when they were 3 and 4 it's been a long time...but they hit it off again and exchanged email addresses which was cute to see them renew their friendship. The next Sunday was Easter so Saturday Wendy and I helped all the kids color eggs. The next morning before church they did their little hunt to find all the goodies the Easter bunny brought. We went to church with Wendy's family then we headed down to Provo to have Easter dinner with my Aunt Jody and her family. My cousin Rachel and her husband Tim were there. Tim is the cool cousin. He's in a rock band and Jackson thought his car was pretty cool too.

(Tim and Ally with Ally's egg stash)

We had another Easter Egg hunt at Jody's, ate a yummy dinner and enjoyed a night hike up Rock Canyon which was so beautiful with all of the stars out! We enjoyed our Easter. The next day was Jackson's 8th birthday so we all hiked to the Y on the mountain above BYU as a birthday adventure. Rich stayed below with Julia and Gage (he was tired) but the rest of the kids made it! Later that night we went to Rachel and Tim's for a BBQ which was sweet of them to do since they were leaving early the next morning to go to France.

(Ally and Jack at the Y)

(Jack, Brinley, Katie and Jeremy on top of the Y)

Tuesday we said goodbye to the cousins which the little ones were so sad about and took Jeremy to his doctor's appointment. It's the first time Jeremy has been up to Primary Children's Hospital, which is on the University of Utah campus, since he's decided to be a doctor. He loved seeing the U of U campus and all of their medical buildings. He realized his doctor ,who is one of the best Orthopedic Surgeons in the country, is a professor at the U so now that's where he'd like to go to Medical School. I would be happy about that if it works out. Anyway, after 9 years of follow up visits since his back surgery we were told he's finally out of the woods and we're done...no more visits to Utah because of a doctor visit!

Right after his appointment we drove straight home because the kids had to get back to school. Again we made good time and got home about 11:30pm. The kids were a little tired but they made it to school okay and we all enjoyed our trip.