Spontaneous Trip to Utah....by plane-not by car

Well, where to start.......
Last Saturday we had the opportunity to fly up to Utah for the weekend. We decided at about 9:30 am that we for sure were able to head up to Utah, so we booked the last minute flights and hopped on a plane. We kinda suprised the girls. They had no idea we were even going on a trip. I had their bags packed and in the trunk before they came home from a sleepover with one of their friends. We made it all the way through security and were waiting at the gate when the girls finally weren't buying the "we just have to come in here to pick up a package for grandma farnsworth-who was waiting out in the car for us" anymore. Halle was scared to go on the plane to pick up the package-so she told us to go get it and come back out. Then we had her read her ticket and who it was for and where we were going. She was pretty nervous at first and a little scared to fly, but we boarded the plane and they got excited. The flight reallybothered Lizzie's ears even to a point where she was crying. She tried drinking water, chewing gum, plugging her nose-everything we could think of, but it wasn't working and the water ended up spilling all over the front of her because it was such a choppy and turbulent flight. It was a rough flight-anyhow, we arrived into SLC around 4pm and spent the evening visiting with family and running errands with Mom.
My sister Becky and her husband Alan and their 4 kids were up from Cedar City staying at Mom and Dad's as well, so it was nice to spend time with them. They just moved here from Iowa where they have been the last 4 years going to Chiropractic school. Now they are done and have made Cedar City their home.
Sunday morning we all got up early and headed out to Eagle Mountain for Jesse and Heather's baby Joshua's baby blessing. It was a nice drive out there visiting with Nana on the way. After church we got our naps in and got dinner ready. We had our traditional Sunday evening dinner with roast, Mom's sugared mashed potatoes, corn, and some other yummy foods. Sunday evening we just visited out back on the lawn with the tiki torches lit. Dave and Ashley Maples came to visit us at my parents house. They are good friends of Steve and I. The whole visit with the Maples, they were trying to convince Steve that he needed to move to the house across the street from them in Utah. Steve did say that one day he would.
There's nothing like sitting out on Sunday evening, after the sun has gone down with the tiki torches lit and just visiting with family. It is the best thing ever! My dad has spent so much time making his yard beautiful and a place where we can all gather together to visit while all the grandkids can play together.
Monday morning we all took our time just relaxing and getting ready for the day. For lunch we decided to take a walk to Dewey Bluth Park and have a picnic. Missy the dog even got to come with. We had honey ham sandwiches and chips. The kids loved it and so did the adults. We got to sit and visit while we watched the kids play. Halle and Lizzie LOVE playing with cousins!
After the park, everyone was tired and ready for naps. The kids all went down for naps and I started on posters of family trees for the Mros Reunion. My dad's mom Arline Mros has 2 siblings. So I made 3 posters with all their posterity on it. It was great! Took me a while though because I had to have all the names of all the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids on there. It was fun because I got to learn who's was who's.
The Mros Reunion started at 5pm right at the hottest time of the day-which was still cooler than any day here down in AZ. The tables were decorated all cute with cowboy boots with flowers in them and just had the western theme all around. The food was yummy and the company was great! I even got to meet cousins I had never met before.
My aunt Holly did some games for all the kids and even some for the adults. They were so much fun. One that the girls liked the best was shaving daddy. What they did was have team and the first pair would go. Halle, Lizzie and Steve were a pair. The first dad gets whip cream put all over his face. The kids are then given Popsicles that they have to hurry and eat and then they use the stick of the Popsicle to "shave" daddy's face. It was so cute. Halle had a loose tooth, so I helped her with her Popsicle. There were even prizes for all the games. It was fun.
After the games, we visited more as the sun went down and spent time getting reacquainted with our family.
My dad was right when he said I thrive on family. I really do. It's so hard for me to be this far away from family. I love all the family parties, the Sunday evenings, and just being close to family. My sweet husband has told me ta ht someday we can move back. Not sure when, but I look forward to the day that we can.
After the extended family had left, we visited some more as we cleaned up. The weather was so nice! I did get a few mosquito's though-that wasn't very nice. We got all packed up and ready to fly out the next morning. We said goodnight to most of the family Monday night because they would all be sleeping Tuesday when we left.
Tuesday we got up super early at 5am Utah time which is 4am AZ time. We made it to the airport and said goodbye to Mom until October. The rest of the day leads me to my next posting...
But, before I close this post, I just want to say how blessed I am to have such wonderful parents. We know we always have a place to stay when we go visit and we know that we will be taken care of while we are there. It's actually kinda fun making dinner with mom, or cleaning up after dinner with my sisters, I don't mind all that stuff. It's part of making memories. We can't wait to see family again in October when Steven comes home off his mission! Can't wait. There are alot of pictures. Enjoy!

Our Family. Not all of us could be there. We have a total of 44. Halle-I just love her blue eyes
Isn't this such a cute pic of Steve?

I got caught feeding Ellie a popcicle next to my mom My brother Jon waiting to be "shaved"

The girls shaving Steve

The girls were really trying hard to down their popcycles, but it hurt their teeth too much, so I ran up and helped them.

Halle and Lizzie riding on "Seven" Lizzie riding the horse

Halle and Grandpa

The view from the deck

My cute niece Ellie Uncle Shaun, Uncle Shannon, & boy cousins

My dad and his siblings-all but one-he left early.

Shane, Markine, Scott, my dad Shelley, Holly, Shannon

My grandma's sister and brother in law Louis & Norma Martineau, My grandma Arline Mros Wright, & my grandma's Sister in law JoAnn-her husband Fred has passed away.

Lizzie and Steve chillin on the swing Halle and cousin Ellie

My grandma's brothers' posterity

My grandma's sister Norma and her posterity

My grandma Wright's Posterity. The family on the left is all my brothers and sisters and their kids. Cute table decorations

Becky and Caroline Liz, Thomas and Caleb

Halle, Katie, Liz, Thomas, Sam, Caleb, Sarah, Becky-mom was doing something behind the camera and Steve was taking the picture.

Steve and Caroline walking at the parkSam, Halle and Tommy climbing the tree

Mom and Dads back view of the house

Lizzie riding "grandpa's" bikeHalle playing catch

Lizzie and Sarah playing

My dad and his bowl of icecream. We were all sitting around talking about the car accidents we were all is on our way to or from getting dad his icecream from either Albertsons or Winegars up on the corner. We all had our stories to tell.

ThomasLeeAnna and me playing a duet on the piano

Jesse playing his cello with LeeAnna on the piano

Niece Caroline. She wouldn't hold still long enough for me to get a good picture. I taught my sister how to make bows the night before so her girls could have cute bows for church.

Halle and Cousin Sarah made cupcakes for everyone on Sunday night.

Steve helping Mom in the kitchen.

I have no idea why he was making this face

Halle and Lizzie waiting at the airport for my mom to pick us up-the sign in the background says "Danger-children must no play on or near equipment". Of course my kids tried to.

Halle and Lizzie on the flight there. Lizzie's ear hurt really bad.

Halle and Liz in the airport