Thanksgiving in Utah

We had a great time in Utah.  We left after work on Tuesday and made great timing.  I was able to sleep in the car from about 7pm-10 so felt well rested when I had to drive.  It has become tradition to go to Boomers the day after Thanksgiving but it was supposed to rain so we went the day before.  It was fun but not everyone could make it which was a bummer.  The kids had a great time with their cousins which is always the best part.  Parker got so frustrated with the mini golf because he could never hit the ball but had a great time once he found a hole that shot out at a lower course.  He did it over and over and over again and was entertained while everyone else golfed.  Thank goodness nobody else was on the course.

The next day we had Thanksgiving with Danny's parents and David and Juliann.  Most of his siblings spend the holiday with the other side of the family which is kind of a bummer for us but oh well.  It was great being with David and Juliann and their sweet kids.

The one thing Danny really wanted to do on his trip was go to Provo and get some cookies and creme milk. Michelle and Jared came with us and we had a great time going to the bookstore, getting Pizza and going to the creamery on 9th.  It is always so great to be at BYU.  Kira didn't want to go because the Stevens had just got to Grammy's when we were going to leave but Lily and Lincoln were able to come with us which made her day!  So grateful they could come.  It was so fun getting to know Lincoln's personality a little bit and seeing Lily and Kira together.  I loved going to school there and it has such an awesome feeling on campus. It was a gorgeous day.  I wanted to see the new pool but it was closed.  The kids shopped for BYU apparel and were so excited for their new gear.  They played in the leaves for a long time and we had a great time.  It was fun going to Boomers, but being outside and hanging out for me is so much more fun.  The mountains were gorgeous.  We went to the Skabelunds at the end of the day and it is always so great seeing Grant and Shari.  I love them.  Shari was such a huge part of my life in college and I am so grateful for her.  Danny even stopped by the Che House where he lived in college which was fun.

 We woke up to snow on Saturday morning.  We ate breakfast and went to play in the snow. A neighbor invited us to his backyard and the kids had so much fun!  They went tubing and sledding and made a giant snowball.  We got home, ate some lunch and headed to the rec center to go swimming which has also become a tradition with the Stevens family.  The kids had a good time and I tried to teach Parker how to swim since we don't have a membership to Diamond Hills anymore.  Hd did great.  I am going to have to get a membership to teach him before summer starts.  We got out when everyone was ready and the kids played on the rock climbing wall for a while.  Parker loved going up and down it.  Kira went through a period she was scared to do things like that but her fears seem to now be over.  After, everyone came over to watch the BYU game.  We played some games and had a fun night even though it was just us and the Olsons that ended up watching the game.  Somehow it was a magical end to the weekend.  It was cool that we went to BYU with the Olsons and the kids had all their gear and got pumped up for the game.  We never watch sports and BYU was supposed to get killed and it ended up being a really great game.  BYU did amazing and then lost a 21 point lead in the 3rd and 4th quarter.  It was crazy.  The kids would go out into the snow when Utah scored and had a great time.  Grampy didn't think it was too amusing and wanted the house cleaned which I totally get.  I gave myself 2 hours to pack and clean and I miraculously got it done with 2 minutes to spare and was in bed by 1AM with everything ready to go the next morning.  There is nothing better than packing the night before and being able to go to bed knowing you can just wake up and be ready to go.  I sleep so much better.  I felt like it was a tender mercy.  

We headed home and while the family couldn't get together all at once I felt so grateful that we got to see everyone and catch up.  Making memories are what has become so important for me.  I don't think I will forget the memories of the kids cheering on BYU like crazy and going into the snow during a U touchdown in their BYU gear.  It was magical.  I hope it is memories that they hold onto forever.  They love their cousins and I am so grateful for the time that they got to spend with them.  I am grateful for Danny's siblings and parents. It was a great couple of days in Utah.