Utah Family Vacation

I have been holding my breath since March hoping that my family would still be able to come to Utah this summer. Chelsea and Jeff were supposed to have a family reunion with the Vocana family and planned Kyler’s baptism around the reunion since his birthday was the same week. The reunion ended up getting canceled due to COVID, but the trip and baptism still happened. They spent a few days visiting friends before our family time.  

They came over to my house for lunch and to see where I live. It was fun to have them here. 

Mom and Dad flew in that evening and our first stop was Cafe Rio. It was only my second time eating in a restaurant since COVID started. There was almost no one there so that was nice. 

We didn’t have set plans for Tuesday morning so we went up to Silver Lake up Big Cottonwood Canyon to hike around. They kids loved all the little animals and the deer we saw. We packed a picnic and enjoyed the cooler temperatures up there. 

After being friends with Celsey and her family for years and years, she finally got to meet my family. Her parents invited us over to swim in their pool and then have pizza for dinner. The kids had fun meeting each other and playing together and it was fun to get the families together. 

Kyler celebrated his 8th birthday while they were here. He is pretty easy going and wasn’t super particular about what he wanted to do for his birthday. He started the day with birthday donuts and swimming. We went to In N Out for lunch and Classic Fun center for jumping and skating. The main thing he said he wanted was to go to a trampoline place. The kids loved running around and jumping and decided they wanted to skate towards the end. All of the kids ended up skating and having fun. I held Kenzie’s hands and helped her skate. 

It was pretty hot inside the fun center so the kids happily enjoyed a snow cone. 

Malea and her family were on their way home from Yellowstone and happened to be staying in Sandy that night. Malea and Abby stopped by for a quick visit. It was fun to see them. After they left, Jeff’s parents came over for dinner and birthday brownies and more swimming. I haven’t been with any of their kids on their birthday for a while so it was really fun to celebrate all day. 

Kyler’s baptism was one of the big reasons for the trip. With all of the restrictions we weren’t sure at one point if we would be able to have the baptism. Fortunately we were still able to have it, and Kyler had all the people that could be there in person to celebrate with him. It was a very initiate and special baptism since everyone there was there for him. Even his uncle Kyle presided over the baptism since he is in the bishopric. It was a different experience all being in masks, but it was still a special day. 

Kenzie put on my heels during the lunch and refused to take them off. She was very committed to wearing them even in her family picture and walking up the stairs. 

After everything was all cleaned up, we got checked out of the hotel and sent them on their way to spend a couple of days with the Vocana family. I took mom and dad to St. George. It was so nice to spend time with family after not really knowing how long it would be before we could see family with COVID restrictions. 

christmas break in cali

i talked about the christmas day part of my christmas break in california but not the rest of the trip. the whole trip was pretty relaxing-just the way i like it. i spent a lot of time playing with the kids. it was perfect.

we dressed up kenzie in her new clothes and took pics

we tested sugar cookies and various opinions

we made homemade cafe rio salad

karlee made donuts in the microwave

we painted nails

and jumped on the trampoline that got fixed for christmas

and rang in the new year with a fancy dinner

i stayed most of the break this year. it was really fun to be around family and away from the monotony of every day life. i can't wait to go back again soon.

thanksgiving 2015

ever since i was a freshman in college (a long long time ago), i have been going to st. george for thanksgiving. it is only a few hours away and much more realistic than flying home for the holiday. my grandparents are getting older, and it's getting harder for them to host at their house. i am so glad it worked out again this year and that chelsea and her family were able to come from california.

i didn't take any pictures of the actual meal besides a few posts on snapchat. kenzie tasted some mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes.

we always walk to the park after eating. the kids enjoyed playing at the park.

don't be deceived by the sun. it was much colder this year than it is some years. thanksgiving day was the warmest of our days there.

abby, kyler, and karlee on the swings. karlee wanted to make sure she was in the picture.

after the park we had some pie and hung out for a while. we headed to the hotel and got the kids to bed. chelsea and i went to check out some pre black friday deals at target. we looked at a few things and decided we could get the things we wanted online and avoid the ridiculously long lines. the store was a complete disaster, and i really did feel so bad for all the people working.

we spent a few hours visiting with my grandparents on friday. the kids love sugar cookies from swig, but they have never actually been there. we took them to swig for some cookies and drinks.

marsha and family were in town for the week. they spent thanksgiving dinner with gale's family. we spent friday evening with them-dinner and seeing the lights at the temple. i'm glad we got to spend some time with them. i wish we didn't live so far apart.
kenzie with grandpa

cousins eating dinner. it's fun to see them getting to know each other.

we walked around the temple seeing the lights. it was freezing cold. the colorado crew had coats and gloves and appropriate clothing, and the california kids not so much.

attempting to get a better picture in the light. some of the kids weren't too cooperative/

cousins and inlaws and kids of cousins-fun to be with extended family.

chelsea and her kids with grandpa and grandma-so happy they came to st. george.

we all left early saturday afternoon to go home. it was sad to leave and say goodbye. i'm happy we all made it to celebrate the holiday weekend with extended family.

fall break in california

i had an extra day for fall break this year and decided to take off a few more days so i could go to california. i love visiting chelsea and fam because it means lots of play time with kids and much needed relief from the stresses of life.

the kids tried on their costumes

photos of kenzie at soccer practice

kyler hopped in too

we went to the pumpkin patch with the kids and with kyler's joy school

karlee and karson had soccer. the car battery died when it was time to leave so we walked over. ashley got to see karlee's game before going to the airport.

both kids scored goals

kenzie fell asleep with me a few times (all the heart eyes)

i did some makeup on karlee for fun. she also tried fake eyelashes.

more photos of kenzie

sister picture

i love being there! i love the kids and spending time with chelsea. i am always so sad and can't wait to go back-hopefully for the holidays.