Home Again

We are finally home. The girls behaved wonderfully on the plane, but it still felt like a long day of travel. And it has been a long evening/night so far. It is a little after midnight and Liz has been in (and occasionally out of) bed for three hours and she is still not asleep. Argh!

It's kind of nice to be back in my own space, but mostly I miss my family and I feel sad that I did not get a chance to visit friends while in Utah. I've consoled myself with a big cup of Stephens hot chocolate (and picked up a few cans before we left last night) and some prerecorded television shows.

My sibs

Our last day in Utah . . . .

Today we went to a bounce house in my hometown, Springville. I had a brief lunch with my siblings, Robbie and Julie, and their families. Then, we went to a 3D showing of the movie Bolt with some of the Nielson clan.

Afterwards Drew and I drove up to Kaysville to peek at some of his old haunts. Andrew's remodeled high school looked nothing like when he was there 14 years ago. The lights were on at his old home and someone waved at us from the window. It kind of made me sad to see it. We also visited his parents grave sites. I haven't been to the cemetery since their funerals. While there I also found and photographed some Barnes tombstones.

On the way home from Kaysville/Layton we stopped at Thanksgiving Point to see the lights. Liz loved them and I loved that we were able to enjoy it from the comfort of our warm car. And finally, we went out for a delicious dinner at Pizzeria Seven Twelve. The food was amazing! I will definitely eat there next time I'm in Utah.

Other favorite, not-previously-posted pictures from our stay in Utah:

As always, we had a fabulous time in Utah, but there are still many people that we were not able to visit with during this trip (mostly because of all the pre-scheduled family functions). There are also lots of things we were not able to do. I for one intended to visit the Family History Library. Oh well. Mostly we hate leaving family and wish we could move closer to them.

Thanksgiving

This morning I went to Body Worlds with some of my family while Andrew prepared Thanksgiving dinner with some of his. The exhibit was amazing. So was our dinner. The gourmet cranberry sauce Drew made was especially delicious. Lizzie really enjoyed playing with her cousins (she has great cousins). Collette played dolls with Liz and later, the older girls let Liz play Apples to Apples with them (surprisingly, she won). Elizabeth also enjoyed wearing my high heels and managed to find them no matter how many times I put them away.

All of Drew's siblings and his Aunt Carolynn came to dinner. When it came time for dessert we had a birthday cake for Robbie along with the traditional pies.

This is Alaina with her cousin Clarissa (born in April).

Some of the things I am thankful for: This guy

This girl

This baby

My parents

My family

The cabin

Travel

And Moments Like These:

Today's Activities

Bounce House

Lizzie, Lainey, and I met my sister and cousin at a local bounce house while Drew stayed home and put together a Star Wars Lego set with his nephew. The bounce house was amazing! Much bigger and newer (or at least newer looking) than the other two I've been to. Plus this one had lots of comfortable seating for adults.Liz insisted on wearing her snow boots today . . .

Shopping

In the afternoon Liz played with her cousin Abbey, while Drew and I took the baby Christmas shopping with us. First we stopped at The Training Table to get some lunch for Drew. This is also where we went on our very first date (just before seeing "The Importance of Being Ernest" in an outdoor theater).

Fun Lizzie Moments

Today she asked a lot about the Plan of Salvation. It was great to teach her about it. The funny thing is that she kept calling the devil "the tiger" instead of Lucifer.
After shopping we went to a birthday dinner for my nephew. It was really fun being with family. All in all, a fun day, but now I'm exhausted (and a little sick to my stomach). I meant to be in bed hours ago. I can't believe I feel like crawling into bed at 8 p.m.

Another Full Day

Skiing

Drew & Liz went skiing today. Liz took her first official lesson. Andrew said she did well. When I asked Liz about it she said she like the rope tow and that she fell on her bum a lot. After I picked up Liz, Andrew had a chance to telemark ski with his brother Dan.
While Drew & Liz were at Alta, my father and I drove up Big Cottonwood canyon to check out the renovations at my Grandpa Bud's cabin. Beautiful drive. Great renovations. I just wish I had remembered to take pictures. Also, I'm jealous that Drew is coming back in February and staying at the cabin. Grandkid Photo Shoot
Before dinner we had some professional pictures taken of the grandkids in their Christmas pajamas. Loved the photographer. Check her out at Red Tulip Photography.

Barnes Family Thanksgiving Dinner

The kids loved playing with Mike. He lifted them up so they could literally hang from the rafters, wrestled, and chased them around. Seconds before I took the above picture Mike was using Trey as a shield.

Last time Liz & Iris were together they fought a lot. This time they played really well with each other.

Nana & Logan

The little girls loved teasing Mike about his long hair. They kept telling him that he needed a haircut or that he had "girl hair."

Julie hosted (& made most of) Thanksgiving dinner.

Codi & Willa

Drew & Nate playing Rock Star

Today Andrew went skiing, so the girls and I . . .

went to the SLC Children's Museum.

Lizzie's quotes of the day:

Referring to Alaina, "Whatever she's crying about, I didn't do it."

When I insisted she use the bathroom, "Okay, I guess you are the boss of me."