Utah, the August exodus

Every August half of our ward disappears. It's not permanent. Its just what our bishop calls the 'Great Exodus to Utah.' I mean, why be in Dallas when you are going on your 23rd day of triple digit temperatures???

First of all, JOHNNY WE MISSED YOU IN UTAH!!!!! We just returned from a really wonderful trip to Utah. Some trips wear you out and at the end, you *think* you’re glad you pushed yourself in to going. This was not one of those. We genuinely enjoyed our time in Utah so very much.

Airplane ride with 2 preschoolers and an infant = less than fun, but the kids really did pretty well overall (its all about a HUGE stash of treats and prizes), and Tucker slept most of the way. Holding sleeping infant while entertaining 2 preschoolers also = less than fun, but again, at least he was sleeping!! Monday night we arrived at Grandma Janet’s. She had a nice meal for us and Stephen’s sweet wife Tanya drove 45 minutes to eat with us and see us, and brought my ADORABLE nephew Zachary. Fun to have a cousin on my side of the family.

TUESDAY was Temple Square day. We told stories about Brigham Young in the car and showed pictures of him to prepare. Tanya and Zach met us downtown. We got a wheelchair for mom. I was quite the spectacle, pushing mom in a wheelchair, my 4-year-old pushing my infant in a stroller and my 3-year-old hanging on to my pants as we went. We managed to move that little group of bodies to see the Salt Lake temple, the Christus, both visitor’s centers, the JS Building and the Beehive house. I especially enjoyed watching Tyler that day. He pushed Tucker and a heavy diaper bag on the stroller for hours without complaining, and I truly couldn’t have done it without him! I hope the kids could feel the spirit of the place. Both Tyler and Anslie were ANGELS that day, and Tucker didn’t fuss once! Maybe we should just live at temple square…..? Tyler and Anslie were in this “competition” all day to see who could be the biggest peace maker. Love. It. Until they started fighting over a granola bar. Neither wanted it, both wanted to give it to the other to be the “peace maker!” Needless to say by afternoon we were all done and went back to Grandma’s to crash.

Before going to Utah I had this idea that I wanted to gather photos of my parents, grandparents, and great grandparents and make a huge family history wall in my home. While the kids napped mom and I opened up her cedar chest and thumbed through old photos. It was a treasure box! Original baby photos of her mother, adorable pictures of her in junior high, things I’d never seen. It was so fun! She told stories as we went. I found myself wanting to know my grandparents better and wanting to know all the stories of all my ancestors. It whetted my appetite for geneology, I can see how it could be so much fun and so addicting! I must be getting old. It was fun to be with Mom.

That evening we had a movie party with Aunt Denise and Grandma. Beauty and The Beast was too scary. So was Care Bears (hahahhah!!). So we watched Cinderella. Grandma spoiled the kids, of course, everyday with little fun surprises. She makes them feel special.

WEDNESDAY we drove out to Stephen and Tanya’s condo in Saratoga Springs. They have a cute little place with a wonderful splash pad and playground right across the parking lot! It was awesome! The kids played in the water and playground for hours in the middle of the day in the scorching heat and loved it. I eventually came in with Tucker and chatted with Tanya for awhile inside. Fun to get to know her better. Stephen married so well. There are so many things I admire and learn from Tanya. That afternoon Mom watched all the kids for a bit while Tanya and I went shopping at Kohl’s with Grandma’s Kohl’s cash.

THURSDAY Aunt Denise took work off to be with us. We had such a fun, lazy day!! We made paper boats out of construction paper and floated them down the stream near Mom’s condo. We built a castle out of legos (Tyler later proclaimed this his favorite part of the trip!). Denise painted Anslie’s nails and made her feel like a princess. In the afternoon I took the kids swimming at Grandma’s community pool. We had so much fun racing, jumping, splashing and squirting each other. In the afternoon we came home to Grandma’s and kept playing the water out in her backyard. We made “grass soup”, played with waterguns, and blew bubbles. The kids were so happy.

That night Denise and I went out to dinner at an UBERDELICIOUS Indian restaurant. I ate so much it hurt ;) We talked about marriage and missions and exercise and disappointment and hope, all over Naan and Butter Chicken. There’s nothing like a sister.

FRIDAY was more temple square. We took a short tour of the conference center (the kids loved seeing where General Conference happens), then went tothe church history museum. They had an awesome hands-on exhibit for kids upstairs. They fished on Nephi’s boat, handled “brass plates”, learned Mexican dances, played matching games on the computer. When we came out of the conference center and were loading into the car, it locked us out (Mom’s car has a wonderful feature that locks when the car is running and all doors are shut. Genius.) It was a little hiccup, but we got it resolved. That night after dinner Denise played boats with the kids on the couches. I put a bathrobe belt around my head and raided their boats as a pirate. Grandma joined in the fun and we played pirates and sea soldiers for at least an hour. The kids at last found the “treasure” and the adventure was over. The littlest things make kids happy!

SATURDAY Stephen had work off and joined us to go to the Zoo! There were lots of highlights, including a very special Gorilla (those of you who were there know
exactly what I mean!) Stephen was awesome to help me with kids. It was a long day for Grandma, I had to smile as Grandma walked slowly out to the car. Tyler offered her his arm, and gave her back scratches as they walked along. He knew she was hurting. I’ve always appreciated that sensitivity about him.


SUNDAY we attended church at Mom’s ward then visited Grandpa Lane. He is 92, and though he is frail and tired, his eyes and mind are as sharp as ever. He showed me a scrapbook that he made in his 20’s, with pictures of him doing fun/crazy things with his friends and brother. He was a fun loving guy! My favorite was the picture of him with 5 nurses – he was a surgical tech in the army. His comment, “I always got along great with the opposite sex.” Ha!! We found some treasures, including a picture of him before his mission with a love note on the back as a good-bye leaving on his mission, and one of her to take on his mission with a love note on the back. He and I both got teary saying goodbye. I know his time is limited. Tyler and Anslie were both very sweet to him, gave him big hugs, as if they knew he is someone special. Grandpa said, “I hope the kids will remember this. I have memories with my grandparents, that’s important.” Grandpa is staying at Aunt Christine’s home. Her kids were there and it was fun to see Nicole, Nathan, Ryan and Jacob. They all loved on Tucker, and Tucker giggled and smiled back at them. Fun cousin time.

MONDAY we visited my best college days friend and first mission companion, Laura. She has a 6 wk old baby, an adorable baby, and a fusser. She's rolling with it. We took turns walking with him and chatted as we kept all the kids in check . I’m afraid we made dinner a 3-ring circus for them. It was so awesome to be with her, one of my very favorite people. Anslie and Laura’s daughter Natalie just laughed and giggled together. Laura’s husband Steve read all 3 of the toddlers a book.

TUESDAY we drove to Dad’s house in Payson. We met Steve and Tanya at a local pool that had slides and a lazy river. The kids loved it. Even Tucker rode the lazy river! That night we watched the Sound of Music with Grandpa. I was surprised that the kids loved it and stayed with it!

WEDNESDAY I visited Grandma Faun. She is in her upper 80s. She is a wonderful woman, so full of fun and sparkle. She’s fading. I was so lucky to spend 2 hours just chatting with her about life. She has such a way of making you feel like you are the only important thing right at that moment. She let me take pictures of she and Grandpa to copy (with some coaxing. Ok with some pleading, promising and tearing up-- all genuine). She has some stunning pictures of she and Grandpa. I am so excited to have a digital copy of them. Freeman flew in that night. I left Tyler all day with Grandpa Hatch. They fished, rode Grandpa’s lawnmower “tractor”, fed the horses, watched cartoons, drew pictures together and grocery shopped. Tyler commented to Grandpa at lunch, “Grandpa, this is a fine boy party.”

THURSDAY we headed up Payson canyon to Payson lakes to camp with Grandpa Hatch, Stephen, Tanya, Denise and her boyfried Tyler. We set up camp, went down to the lake, had tin foil dinners, roasted marshmellows, had a surprise mini birthday for Grandpa and Steven, whose birthdays were the following week and told what we loved about both. Kids went down surprisingly early, and Freeman and I enjoyed chatting with Tyler and Denise by the fire for awhile. The stars were spectacular!

FRIDAY we woke and had breakfast, then headed down to the Payson lake for the rest of the morning. We rode Steven’s raft, munched on snacks, and fished.

SATURDAY we relaxed at Grandpa’s. We all picked raspberries and made shakes. We saddled up and rode the horses down the road. We fed chickens and goats. The kids were in heaven. I was too. That night we went to the rodeo. Poor little Tucker threw up three times in
the first 10 minutes, so I took him home, gave him a bath, and snuggled him until he fell asleep. During the rodeo Freeman asked Tyler if he wanted popcorn or peanuts? Tyler said, “I want lettuce. Do you have any lettuce?” Could it be that my produce encouraging ways are actually paying off???????

Another great Tyler quote, Freeman was trying to teach him the difference between mean teasing and nice teasing. “Yeah, yeah, Dad, I know,” Tyler said. “Like nice teasing would be if I say, ‘You’re so nice!....just teasing!’” So close, yet so far……

SUNDAY we attended church with Dad, then Steve and Tanya joined us for dinner. Tanya made THE BEST ROLLS I HAVE EVER HAD!!! After dinner Dad went to a concert in the park, and Steve and Tanya and Freeman and I stayed and chatted. I love that Stephen and I are in the same stage. We talked about life insurance and taking care of aging parents!! Hahaha. But it was relaxing and comfortable. I sure love my family.

MONDAY we went to a parade for the 24th of July. The kids got all sugared up, yee haw! We drove them to Mom’s house and left them, then met my cousin Stacy and her husband Adam, and Katie and Dallas at Macaroni Grill. Those cousins are so much fun! We talked up a storm, laughed, reminisced about childhood talent shows gone wrong and perms and dancing to Paula Abdul.

TUESDAY I was so grateful when we took Mom’s car to the mechanic to be repaired (the handle broke when I was using it.) He took the door apart, reassembled it, and was done, free of charge and in less than 5 minutes! I’d mentally prepared for hundreds of dollars in damages, hurray!

I am also so grateful for both Mom and Dad’s generosity and hospitality in hosting us and going way above and beyond to make our trip fun, special, and manageable. We love you!