Our Utah trip!

I cannot believe we moved 13 months ago! When I found out we were moving from our perfect little neighborhood, and (what I thought was) my perfect life, I DID NOT want to leave Utah. I wanted to go back and visit so many times, but it never worked out. Finally a year later, with Addysin always begging to go to "the Utah house" we made it back! It was so fun to see most of our friends. We didn't have enough time to see everyone but it was fun to quickly see most people. I went half the trip with no pictures!!! Hate when I do that. 

We travelled there the day after Amy's wedding (saturday) so we could make it for Kara and Adam's baby blessing for Kyler, which was on Sunday. We pulled up to a rest stop around Ogden and Chris read aloud  the sign that said "Welcome to Utah!" Addysin burst into tears saying that this was NOT Utah. We figured out that "Utah" is our old Townhome. Chris told her that someone else lived there now and that we couldn't live there. That didn't help. I told her that we would go and visit though. So we arrived at our destination (Tyler and McKendra's house in Highland) that night. Once we stopped, she started crying again. She didn't want to be there at all. But it wasn't anything a Redbox movie couldn't fix, thank goodness. I was about to get back in the car and drive her down to Orem. 

Sunday- We spent with family. My brother-in-law Adam blessed Kyler, and we had a huge BBQ at Sugar House Park afterwards. That evening we went to Chris' Brother David's house. Kira whipped up a great dinner in no time. We went back to Tyler's house, which is where we decided to stay all week. McKendra and their kids were in California, MAJOR bummer, but it was still fun being there.

Monday- We finally made it down to our old house. When we parked Addysin exclaimed happily, "This is Utah!!" We looked through our house that is being rented, then visited some neighbors. Caiden didn't care, or maybe didn't remember, anything or anyone. He was 20 months when we moved. Addysin remembered EVERYTHING and everyone. She was 3 years 4 months old. 

Our old Courtyard

On Monday night we went to Amy and Greg's reception in American Fork, where Greg grew up.

Tuesday- I met up with 3 friends/old neighbors for lunch. Dani, Aubrey, and Dareth. No picture :( Chris was with his Brother David. Afterwards, I went to see my close friend Rachel, from Cosmetology School. After meeting back with Chris, we hung out with the neighbors again.

 Our sweet little neighbor Etta. Her and Addysin were best friends, even though she is Caiden's Age.

 For dinner we went with 3 couples to "Blue Lemon" which was so good! We had such a fun time with the Sperry's and Thompson's. 

 Addysin and Drew were really good friends before they were old enough to take their "girl/boy" roles. After dinner, Drew and Caiden ran around scaring Addsyin. She did not like that. Caiden and Drew would be good friends now :)

Wednesday- Saying goodbye to Sara. We met some of my family for breakfast at Kneaders. We then sat by the temple spending our last hour with Sara before she entered the MTC. I was really sad to say bye. I didn't even want to explain to Addysin how long it would be until we would see her again. I've never had to say goodbye to a sibling for that long. But seriously, 18 monts will fly by.

Sara is worried that her nieces and nephews wont remember her. I'm sure they will. Caiden calls her "Dara". (sounds just like Sara, but with a D)

 Chris gave her all the important advice she needs. 

1. Dont flirt with the elders, its super annoying.

2. Be FIERCELY obedient

3. Things to buy from the MTC bookstore because its super cheap

4. Etc. (I dont remember all the stuff he told her)

He (like all return Missionaries) is so excited for her.

 Afterwards, we went to the pool at our old place with friends. We were there for an hour. I fried my shoulders. 

 Caiden was so worn out, he wouldn't let me take him out of his carseat. He took a nap while we said our goodbyes to our dear friends Sarah and Etta. 

 We drove out to Eagle Mt to see Jamie and her little boy I've never met. It was a good chance for the kids to catch up on sleep from our trip. This is when I knew we needed to go home. Me and the kids were so tired and we got to see almost everyone. 

I'm sorry if we didn't get to see you! I tell everyone, "come visit us!" and I'm super totally serious! We'll show you a good time :)

So what were my feelings about leaving Utah this time? I didn't cry like I did the last time I drove away :) Actually, we have been in Washington long enough that I am very settled and so happy here. For the first 6 months I wondered if I would ever be as happy as I was there. I felt like I would never have that kind of happiness again. That is kind of true though. We had a whole different life there. We are a bit more secluded now, but I LOVE living in the country and next to family. I have less friends, I dont have a gym to go to every day, we live 15 min from the closest store, I only go to "town" once a week, I NEVER go shopping or to the mall, we rarely go out to eat, and sometimes my house smells like a cow. So, like I said, life is different but I LOVE it. I hope we can keep the friendships we built in Utah because the years we spent there were really special.
It is good to be home now.