Day 2 and 3 of UT Trip

Day 2 and 3 in UT was with Larry and his family. We love visiting Grandma and Grandpa Saling. We also love seeing the cousins and on this trip we got to see 2 of our kids! Kaijsa had some time from work and college life and Kira was free as well! Yay! I can't believe I didn't get a picture of all of us. I thought I did and I know I wanted to but didn't. I think I didn't worry about it because I thought we'd all be together for Thanksgiving but that is not to be. Kaijsa has decided not to come home for Thanksgiving. Sad but true. Kira will be here as will everyone from my (Rachel's) side of the family but Kaijsa will not be here. We're sad but realize she is old enough to make her own decisions. We will miss her during our festivities and picture taking. Jen is thinking of going on a mission so this would be the one time we're all together for quite some time and in 4 years. Maybe in another couple of years when Jen comes back she will come and we can all be together. Family pictures aren't complete when children are missing. But...it was good to see her and Kira even if for just a moment. We love them and miss them. We think of them and pray for them daily and it's good to see our prayers are being answered. We arrived on Saturday and Larry looked good. He's taking the pictures so you don't see him in them. But it was good to be with him and his family. The weather was fantastic! Not near as cold as we had feared or planned for, very nice surprise. We had wonderful food, his mom is a great cook, we played some games, which has to happen, and we watched movies. Grandma Saling made the BEST caramel popcorn! It was great to see Teresa, Tim, Taileigh and Tayvan. My kids love their cousins! I love seeing them all together. We didn't make it to the desert like we had hoped but it was nice to relax and just enjoy being together. We went to church with the grandparents and had a nice Sunday together. 2 days of family and strengthening family ties, can't beat that! Love you Saling Family! Hope we can get together again soon!

Day 1 of Trip to UT for Fall Break

We decided to take a trip to Utah for the kids' Fall Break this year. I received a little extra when my job ended and felt like we all needed a vacation. Plus we needed to go to UT and pick up Larry from spending time with his family up there. So off we went...I had something planned every day and it was a fun trip to see sites, family and a few, very few unfortunately, friends.

Kamden had Friday Oct 7th off school and it was only a half day for Kaitlyn so we decided to leave this day. The whole next week they had off school so we took our time and had some fun. On Thursday Jen and I packed up suit cases, after buying clothes for cooler temps, and got the snacks divided up and all packed away into the 2 cars we'd be driving. Jen and Kait were in one and Me and the little ones were in the other. I had the van so they could watch movies which was nice. We headed out fairly early and stopped for breakfast along the way. The kids did so great in the car all day. I was very proud of them. We stopped in Flagstaff for drinks and break then into the car we got. We went from 80-90 degree weather to 32 degrees at one point. We had sun, clouds, rain, and snow along the trip this day. I have wanted to go back to my mission area of Bluff UT since reading The Undaunted and was excited to take this route to Larry and his family. Since we were so close to the 4 Corners Monument we decided to stop there. We had never been and I thought it would be fun. Well, they only take cash, Jen had to go back to the trading post to get some, and there wasn't much there. A bit disappointing to be honest but fun nonetheless to go. So we stopped and took a few pictures of us standing on all the states and stretching our legs a bit. After this stop we went on up to Bluff. I drove everyone around the little town, it has changed quite a bit actually, and stopped at the cemetary. We saw the graves of the UT pioneers and other settlers of this area. What amazing people! I loved seeing their homes and graves. Such a neat spirit about it and them I think. It was a bit chilly but not too bad. I want to go back and take some time to eat at the Twin Rocks Cafe and see the new monument/village they have set up for the Handcart Pioneers who settled Bluff and the 4 Corners area. Once this was complete we stayed the night in Blanding with a friend of Jen's, Natani. It was fun to see her again and her kids and my kids loved playing together. Thanks Natani for letting us stay with you!

It was a great first day of our trip. We got to add some Church History into the trek which I wanted and the kids got along great. A good beginning to a wonderful week.

Primary Program 2011

In September we had our Primary Program and the kids did great. It was so much fun to see Kamden and Kinsee up on stage singing and sharing their parts. They even had their lines memorized! Kai wished she could get up there but she has another year to wait. All the kids sang loudly and did a fantastic job. I love that the kids enjoy primary and it's fun to hear them singing songs around the house at times. Good job Kam and Kinsee! Your time will come soon Kai and Kal!