Thursday, April 28, 2011

April + Utah + Sisters + Daughters = FUN

I'm not sure what year it started. I think it might have been in 2000 when my daughter was going to school and living in Provo. Sometime back then I thought it would be fun to go to Utah in April and visit my daughter and my sister.

I do remember being there one year and having my brother-in-law Rand barbecue hamburgers for us. Rand passed away in 2003 so I know for sure it was before that time that this odyssey began. And one year I remember having my Mom with me and visiting my daughter's college apartment (however that could have also been in the fall, but it's a good memory anyway).

Sometime in the early years, my other two sisters from Idaho decided to join in the fun. Nancy was teaching school so our vacation time was determined by her spring break.


This year we all flew in on Wednesday. Sue and Becky arrived first, I was to arrive 15 minutes later. The agreement was to meet at the baggage claim. I went to baggage claim, looked for them, got my luggage, called them - no answer, kept walking around looking for them.

And then I spotted them, sitting against the window playing with Nancy's brand new iPad 2. Evidently there are some great games on it!

Natalie left work for the day and picked us up. From the airport it was off to Red Iguana for lunch with son-in-law Scott and cousin Russell. This was the second time I've eaten there and all I can say is if you live in SLC and have never been there - go. Go now, go tomorrow, just go you won't regret it, well maybe you will regret it later if you eat some of the spicier foods.

From there the four of us ladies went browsing at the Capital City Antique Mall. It was great fun to look around at so much STUFF. Even funnier was finding stuff that you actually have at home - and you still use it! It's a cluster of consignment booths, so really there was something for everyone.

I came home with two bracelets and a pair of earrings. Like I need more earrings.

Then we hit the freeway for Utah County. We had Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner and Natalie hung out before heading home and to work the next day.

Over the next couple of days we sorted, cleaned, organized, dumped, shopped, ate, you name it we probably did it. I'm pretty sure I managed two trips to Wal-Mart daily for one thing or another. I began to consider that my daily workout.

It is so true that many hands make light work. So much was accomplished. Nancy loved her new iPad and we got to Skype with the Madsons in Oregon and hear Harper sing sweet little songs, she is adorable.

We stayed up really, really late every single night. Usually watching movies, then winding down and reading. And did I mention there might have been some caramel corn, brown sugar fudge, creamies and 100 calorie Fat Boys? Can you really call them Fat Boys if they are only 100 calories?

On Friday we enjoyed a visit from two of our Aunts who drove up from Manti. We had a lovely lunch of chicken salad on croissants with strawberry shortcake for dessert. It was great to see them and to sit and visit.

Natalie took the day off work on Friday and hung out with us in Springville. Then Friday night I went with her to West Jordan to spend the night at her house. We met Scott for dinner at Lugano's and had some delicious Italian food.

Then it was home for 2 hours of Rock Band, oh yeah, Rock Band.

Saturday morning I headed to downtown to meet up with the Avalos family at the Salt Lake City temple. Why oh why did I not know about the Salt Lake City marathon that closed many, many roads that morning? I did make it on time and got to see Susie, Rudy, Lillie, Long, Goldie, Aleena and got to meet Isaac for the first time. That was fun.

I picked up some sandwiches from an Italian deli and Natalie and I then headed back to Utah County. Emily joined us at Lillie and Long's open house in Provo.

Then we were back at Nancy's for Emily's homemade lasagna, movie night and hair styling. Scott and Heidi came over a few times to pick up things, haul away things, eat and visit.

Becky got her hair trimmed and feathers added in. And then Sunday at the airport we started seeing more women with feathers in their hair. Not everyone can pull it off, but Becky's looked great.

Natalie also got a trim and some highlights and then it was eye brow waxing for everyone. Thanks Emily!

Sunday we tried to sleep in. The day feels like a reverse day of Wednesday, the day we arrived. We left Springville midday. Stopped for a tour of Scott's new house. It's a great place. Then we met Russell and Scott for lunch at Mimi's, browsed the book store and then off to the airport.

Our flights were about 45 minutes apart. So we got to hang out in the Southwest hub for a while longer to visit.

It was a great trip this year. We are already talking hot spots to see and eat at next year!

Here are a few pictures.


Two on the floor, one on the couch and one on the loveseat. (We're not sure how old is too old to be sleeping on an air mattress on the floor - I guess when that time comes we'll know!)




Trudy, Natalie, Lillie and Emily
Very pretty hair and very cool feathers.





Friday, April 22, 2011

Sisters Trip to Utah

It's an annual thing. I fly from Seattle, two others fly from Boise and we all end up at our sister's house in Springville, Utah. We clean, eat, watch movies, visit, read, play on computers and iPad,learn to Skype, clean some more, do laundry, haul garbage, shop at Wal-Mart (daily), and stay up very late.

We camp out in the living room, moving our suitcases from room to room each morning.

Here are pictures from the last six years (minus 2007, couldn't find the pictures from that year).

2006

2008
2009
2010
2011

Friday, April 1, 2011

April

I just noticed I only posted once in the entire month of March. Hard to believe March is over now. I think the highlight of March was my sister coming to town and attending three days of the Quilting and Sewing Expo at the Puyullap Fairgrounds. It's a wonderful experience and a chance to take classes from a lot of ladies who have sewing shows on TV. It gets you really excited to work on projects. And I have plenty of projects to finish, that's for sure. http://www.sewexpo.com/ Here is Rita's blog: http://sewingandstitcheryexpo.blogspot.com/

July Already and Only My 2nd Post this Year!

I have to say this year, 2023 has been a huge year of firsts for me. In January I went on my very first cruise. My friend Chris and I flew t...